AlTRPD

Thinking of you, Jules, and so very sorry to learn about this. Ollie was a very special dog, I know, and it is never easy to lose one. My heart goes out to you.

That would be really kind, thank you. Our bird garden plot is about the size of two allotment plots, some on a slope, some on flat ground, so it will have plenty of room there. We've only just started on creating the garden part, as there's been so much to do on the building, and with the move pending, but now as the weather allows, we hope to get busy out there, so that something nice and colourful will appear in the spring. I've been updating progress in a couple of threads at the following link: TRPD Woodland & Wildlife Forum and will post more photos there over the weekend and next week, weather permitting we can make more progress there!

I have just updated the Autumn Glory Dog Walk thread in Doggie chat. If anyone is planning to come for a dog walk, and has any garden shrubs suitable for insect-attracting hedging that they plan to dig out or split and can spare any they want to get rid of, we'd be delighted to offer those a new home. We're planning to start planting some things around the perimeter of the car park next week, and so that visitors can see that as they park, and don't risk backing over the edge and down the slope into the bird garden before we can get a proper fence erected! Actually, I am finding that the best way to view the birds on the feeders seems to be to sit in the car quietly and watch them. As we can afford to, or they are sponsored, we aim to get some extra bird feeding stations to site around the car park. An ever increasing number of birds are discovering the one we have sited near the building now, as are the cheeky squirrels. A squirrel obstable course seems to be a 'must-create' project for the future.

Don't worry, I do understand, and there will be more walks and other events there in the future. Progress has been made there this last week, and we now have the TRPD building painted inside and a floor covering laid. A camping-style kitchen is being put up in the room today, and Peter, one of the local volunteers, has been working on the car park and its perimeter, so that we can get some shrubs in there next week. We aim to start moving our workshop and store room contents down there shortly, too, but still have to sell of an awful lot of things. Lots more details and info will be posted on the TRPD forum. If anyone wishes to come along on any weekend, park there off-road and go exploring on the adjacent hillside and tracks, please contact me via the TRPD forum, and arrangements can be made for the gates to be unlocked and the 'facilities' to be made available. We can't cater for more than about four cars, as it's only small, but there are lovely walks and access to the footpaths is right next to our entrance.

Not really, Alicia. We are about 15 - 20 minutes north of Cardiff and a few minutes from the A470/Pontypridd. Peter has just about completed painting the inside of the TRPD building now, and the floor covering has arrived and we hope to lay that on Thursday. This afternoon, Peter put up some boards that we'll be able to hang pictures up from, to bring a bit of colour to the place. (I now need to persuade the art group to oblige with a few! ) We have also had a calor gas fire donated today, so will need to get some gas for that, so we can all keep warm - not that we need that at present. Indeed, at the other end of the building, Merlyn has been sweating in his stable! He was a right pain today, as we were there working much of the day - Peter on the paint etc., and me doing a marathon photo-taking session of things to add to the TRPD Auction Club's mini-auctions to reduce the stock prior to moving thinsg down there. Merlyn seemed to think if he banged the field gate enough, I'd let him back into his stable early, and he'd get an extra feed. It worked, but I only gave him some chaff and carrots, so then, despite having a full haynet, he was banging his stable door demanding his tea... and at 2pm! Of course, the two little ponies then started banging the gate and fence, thinking they were due their tea, too. Even allowing for the clocks having gone back, they were still way earlier than their normal feeding time. Goodness knows how they will cope when I am working down there regularly, and don't even pop home to grab lunch or a cuppa?

Many already know that we are having to relocate our workshop and storage facility shortly, and that means drastically reducing our stock, materials and so on. To that end, and to give all a fair chance of some bargains, we're steadily auction off masses of doggy and other stuff via the TRPD Pet Craft Project's Auction Club forum. (See: http://petcraftproject.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=auctc ) New lots are being added on a daily basis, and from sighthound coats and collars, to things for tiny terriers; craft goods, and there will soon be fabrics, too, for those who sew, and possibly knitting yarns and cross-stitch/embroidery; gift items and other things. These mini-auctions will be ongoing certainly until we move premises, and possibly beyond, if we need to clear extra things due to space restrictions in the new place. Lots of bargains are being won daily at present, including quality sighthound and other coats at a fraction their normal prices. (Current bid on a Stormcheater sighthound raincoat this morning is only £4! (That would normally sell for around £17 with us, or much more on the net!)

That would be brilliant, thank you. One of the Woodland and Wildlife group members kindly donated some funds to enable us to get a new chemical toilet, and also a camping kitchen, so that we can make tea and coffee etc. The loo is now situated in the back of the feed room, but has yet to have a cubicle fitting around it! One of our local volunteers, Peter, is fitting a hook on the inside of the feedroom door though, so that anyone needing to use it can, at least, have privacy! We've not yet picked up the kitchen things yet, as Peter is still painting the walls in the TRPD room, but hoping to get that finished today, as there's a couple of rolls of floor covering due to arrive on Monday or Tuesday. Various other things that have been donated are at my home waiting until we are ready to take those down there, including a cupboard thing that opens up at the sides to reveal a writing desk and shelves, which will be really useful. There are a few other shelves to go down there, too, and it won't take long for all of those to be filled up! Plants are also stacking up ready to go in the bird garden, and the coal tits have started using the bird feeding station just outside the door on a regular basis. I am hoping they will soon get used to seeing people around there and not fly away the moment they spot someone. The robin is less flighty, and showing his face more often now.

I am delighted to say that, one of our Woodland and Wildlife group members has kindly donated the funds to enable a new, chemical toilet and camping kitchen to be provided for Llys Trerobert. These should be in situ by the 8th November's walk. We hope thn to acquire a heater and some folding chairs, too. Peter, one of the volunteers with that project, is busy painting walls at the moment, and has also sorted out a problem with the guttering and water barrels. Yesterday it poured with rain, but today the sun was shining this morning and the autumnal colours really seemed to be spreading over on the hillside. It looking lovely and tempting. Pity I am up to my neck with work to do and can't skive off for the afternoon.

There is a thread in Non-Animal Chat, and some are planning to stay after the walk to help to get the new TRPD workshop/store building ready for us to move into. Perhaps some of the younger, fitter folk/dogs would like to take the opportunity to do some extra walking/exploring of the area then?

I should point out that, as yet, there are no facilities there, such as drinking water and electricity, and the loo will be of the 'bucket'n'chuckit' variety! What the Woodland and Wildlife group members do, is to take along a flask and picnic things if planning to stay a while; wet wipes etc. (Even a camping stove!) I'm hoping to get to the camping & caravaning store and obtain a water carrier for dinking water, although the dogs seem to be happy enough with rainwater or going into the river to have a drink. Later we aim to get a generator for power - one that will run a microwave and electric kettle; as well as visit the salesroom locally and try to get some folding chairs or garden type funiture, as, at present, we tend to sit along the edge of the path when the sun is shining and watch for the kestrels, buzzards and other birds. Not long ago, I saw some seagulls mobbing a buzzard overhead there, and a few times I've seen sparrow hawks darting around bushes where the little birds are hiding. Birds were a bit scarce this morning, as they were working with a chain saw just the other side of the boundary hedge where the feeders are. However, I did manage to get the metal bird feeding station - won recently in a challenge - erected and some food out on that, so hopefully by the time the walk takes place, the birds will be well used to visiting that.

Anyone else interested in this walk, please?

Took this photo today of the bark chips on the car park and out over the fields. Must get some of the area where the walks are, and to tempt everyone to explore that and utilise the facilities... Which reminds me, must sort out the 'bucket'n'chuckit', too! The builders have yet to remove all the rubbish and old zincs/scap they have accumulated, btw!

If anyone on the walk wishes to do a bit, then I am sure there will be plenty to do still, thanks, Owl. I've yet to be given a deadline to move, and am hoping the owner of the premises won't be too hard on us, although much will depend upon who will take out the new tenancy on the main place. Whatever, you'll see the new place on the 8th, and will then have some idea of what is involved, and I'd be grateful for any help that anyone is able to offer, thanks. Today, besides taking loads of photos of things we have to clear before the move, I managed to make further inroads into spreading the lorry loads of bark chips over the car parking area. One thing about it, there's lovely dog walks right on the doorstep, should anyone wish to combine a walk with a bit of work, and once it's done, it'll be lovely for those walking to have somewhere private and off-road to park, and a place to enjoy a flask of coffee and a sandwich and watch the birds and squirrels.

Some may already know, but our landlord has given notice to terminate his tenancy on the premises where we sub-let the workshop & storage facility. Although we have a building nearing completion that we can then move into, there's still work to do on that, some of which is painting the walls and floor, once that has been levelled by the builders. If there is anyone in the Pontypridd area willing to lend a hand with that, and the actual move, I could really do with a hand. We're starting to auction off as much stock and surplus materials etc., and on the TRPD forum, so that there is less to have to move down to the new premises, and there are likely to be some incredible bargains over the next few weeks, but still a huge amount of stuff to relocate. Trying not to think about how much work will be involved, and especially if I have to attempt it on my own! Frankly, I doubt I am up to it... In fact, I know I am not! After tackling racking bark chips in front of the new bilding earlier today, my back's in bits and I'm having to resort to painkillers. This old age lark isn't to be recommended!

I am sure something could be arranged, although I may need reminding to take a tape measure down with me. I have a memory like a seive! Becks, I just checked with Dylan, and the boys won't be able to make it that weekend, I'm afraid. Dylan's off to the rugby International the day before, so will probably be recovering from a hangover on the Sunday morning, hence the boys are with their mother. BTW, there's a PM message for you, Becks, off Mike on the TRPD forum about the leads you asked about.

I'm not sure, Becky. He spends alternate weekends with my son in the village here, but if I know my son, they won't be up much before lunchtime on a Sunday! Typical men, eh?

If his mummy comes, too.

If interested, you can see the extended pedigree for Cornish Gale at: Pedigree - some very well known ancestors there. When I saw the pictures, he reminded me of a mare that was at the yard where I was a working pupil many moons ago. She was by Nearco. She used to terrify me over cross-country fences, her brakes were diabolical! Lol Finally have my old fellow, Merlyn stabled in his new box at night now and, so far, he's not attempted to barge through the door or remove a wall to make his escape. I guess he realises that concrete blocks aren't quite the same as a timber framed building, or else old age is catching up with him. He is, indeed, showing his age now, and his teeth seem to have stopped growing. He's obviously lost weight now to what he was even a year ago. I'm hoping he will hold his own for a while yet, but we'll just have to see. It's not taken him long to realise he goes in at nights, and he's ready and waiting at the gate in the afternoons, darting through for a bit of fresh grass while I keep Bronnie back in the field. As soon as I show a bucket heading for the stable, the grass on the yard is forgotten and he can't wait to get inside.

Amy, I am told that some seats have been erected up on that top, open area, and for those of us who may need a rest. I'll try and take a toddle up there on Merlyn before the walk, and get some photos, so that people can get an idea of the views, scenery and countryside.

I use MetCheck.co.uk for weather checks and find them quite accurate most of the time.

Excellent. If you look in post 5 of this thread, there is a link for Llys Trerobert's address, and the RAC have a good route finder facility on the net for those who need it. Parking can cope with about 4 - 5 cars on the yard, although there's still work to be done on the car park, so it is rough ground at present. We should have the TRPD building available by then to get in out of any rain and enjoy a flask of tea and sandwich, so don't forget to bring those if required. There's a lot of work still to do there to create the bird garden, but yesterday a green woodpecker and a heron flew over, and the hedge behind the building where we have hung feeders was alive with various tits, a wren and a robin, amongst others. As work progresses, we hope to bring feeders around to the front of the building to see more of those. Also the cheeky squirrels that take nuts, race away down the fields and bury them. I'll get the ponies in that morning, and anyone who wants to can have a wander over the fields to the stream on the far side where sometimes in the autumn lots of gold finches can be seen feeding on the beech mast.

What about Sunday, 8th November at 10.30am or 11am? Meet at Llys Trerobert, explore the adjacent tracks and hillside for about an hour, and back home for a hearty Sunday lunch?

Do you have any preference for day, date, time, please? If there aren't going to be many cars, and with oldie dogs, it might be best to meet at Llys Trerobert (see this link: Llys Trerobert and from there we can simply cross the river bridge and access the cycle trail and wend our way gently up the woodland tracks to the open hillside where the more energetic dogs can play chase, and the oldies (including me) just potter around and take photos. Either that, or walk one of the circular routes. Three miles would be roughly an hour's walk at a steady pace, I reckon.

There's less than an hour to go for this auction now, and still lots of amazing bargains available.

I know I am not alone in attempting to loses weight, but have decided to put up a prize for a rescue to be won on their behalf by whoever can guess what my scales will read on Christmas morning! Anyone having a guess (or two) can nominate their favourite rescue for the prize if they win. There's no charge at all to enter, and no sponsorship involved. You simply need to visit this link: Battle of the Bulge Challenge, record your guess in the thread, and nominate the rescue to win the prize parcel if your guess is closest. Of course, if anyone can offer me tips and suggestions to help keep my attempt going in the right direction, such will be much appreciated. Thanks.