This has been one of the wettest summers I can ever remember.  Shortly after Booty's passing, we had the bittersweet pleasure of a long booked holiday to look forward to, in Pembrokeshire.  As before, we headed off to Little Dumpledale, with the car fully packed and with Andy and Boola having their spotted hankies on a stick and armed with a bucket and spade.  Throughout the week, we had a wonderful time, but we were acutely aware of the absence at our side, and I know how much she would have enjoyed it.  

We had two dry days and other than that, it rained pretty much all week.  We were glad of the cottage's efficient central heating and just seemed to be in fleeces and waterproofs the whole week.  We'd accidentally timed our booking to coincide with Pembrokeshire Fish Week which was lovely and meant that lots of the pubs were running a range of fish specials.   

The week was a good combo - social but also very relaxed.  Just spending the week with Andrew and the hounds was enough of a treat for me.  On the Monday we went over to Newgale to meet Louise, a friend and her adorable whippet Silver.  

We went over to Broadhaven to see my uncle David and meet up for lunch in a nice pub (he lives not too far away, in western Carmarthenshire).  And on the Wednesday night, the owners of Little Dumpledale organised a night up in the local pub for all the people staying at the farm.  This was entirely optional but was a great opportunity to meet the other guests and have a relaxed, social evening.  

Other than that, our days were mostly spent in long, leisurely beach walks, mostly with beaches virtually to ourselves.  Partly due to the weather, partly due to it still being term time for schools, but also because Pembrokeshire just is blessed with so many gorgeous beaches.  

One day was spent in me enjoying my birthday present - a visit to Cross Patch and Polstitches up in the countryside round Newcastle Emlyn.  On my birthday, I asked Andrew to let me loose in in Cross Patch as my present and he was happy to agree.  So we had a lovely drive up there through lanes overflowing with foxgloves and honeysuckle and other wild flowers.   The farm is set in beautiful countryside, and then inside is a treasure trove of fabric, quilting accessories, buttons and all manner of loveliness.  I had no problem at all in selecting a gorgeous bag of goodies, including some new embroidery scissors, some Tilda charm squares and some utterly adorable wooden buttons featuring squirrels and other woodland creatures.    Then next door into Polstitches, another heavenly shop and I treated myself to some gorgeous dyed aida and hand dyed threads. Bliss!!

One of our beach walks was at Manorbier - a glorious Enid Blyton crescent of beach, with a ruined castle, tiny village and ancient church set in the hillside behind the bay.   

  One of the things that Andrew and I discussed during the week was the gap left by Booty.  We feel we'd like to have another greyhound.  In particular, we feel we can offer a home to a dog that may not be easily adoptable so we are considering offering ourselves as a long term foster home.  Rescues often need such homes for dogs that are elderly or have medical issues - this is something we'd be very happy to consider.  We'll start by having a chat to a few rescue people we know - somehow, I don't think our sofas will be empty for very long.  No other dog can ever replace our darling Booty, but it pains me to think of any dog being in kennels (especially one that is elderly or vulnerable) when we could offer them a loving and secure home.  Andrew also had a look on Black Beauties last night (site for sighthounds in need of adoption) and we both were smitten.  So watch this space....