Duke Festive visits
- January 2025
Well things are starting to look a bit festive everywhere you go, even though my hoos seems to be behind with everything as usual.
Mum has returned to work and is able to move about a bit more now, so we have managed to have some adventures the past month, with plenty more to come, although those horrible storms blew away some of our plans.
Waddeston Manor
Our first trip out was with my girlfriend Luna and her hoos. We visited Waddeston Manor where every December they hold a Christmas market on the huge driveway in front of the house, move trees inside the house and put pretty lights up round the gardens. Dogs are allowed to visit (except inside the house). We started off by getting the shuttle bus (small fee for using this facility) from the car park to the house. You can walk but it is a 25 minute up hill walk to the house. Luckily, we visited on a nice bright mild day, as mum needed to take regular breaks to sit down and rest her dodgy knees. I stayed with Luna whilst my hoos visited the house, and then they came back, and we all had some lunch for one of the stands. Dad had brought my pigs in blankets treats and I asked mum to insert one here.
Mum had been busy on her sick leave making both Luna & I some festive coats for the occasion, and we got lots of comments as we walked round the market.
After lunch, we swopped over, and Luna stayed with my hoos. Dad took her for a walk round the stalls as she is not as relaxed as I am.
Once both sets of hoos returned we then did a bit of Christmas shopping round the stalls that sold all types of gifts and Christmas wares. Mum found the cheese stall whereas Dad found the beer stall. We all then went for a hot drink as we waited for it to get dark to go on the light trail. We consumed more pigs in blankets.
We headed into the light trail which had changed from last year. I found a big star to pose with. On the trail, which is all on flat accessible paths, you pass through a light tunnel, pass trees lit up, watch flowers change colours, find a group of deer and light displays in the valley. Some bits of interactive for the kids to play with (including overgrown kids!) and some make noises. It is a dedicated route round, but you can choose to go round as many times as you wish.
Then we headed to the front of the manor where they have a light projection on the front of the property after dark. Then stood in the queue to get the bus back to the car park.
The market only runs until 22nd December, however, the House and Gardens light trail are until 5th January 2025, so time to visit if you are interested. Please note that all visitors have to pre-book to attend.
Walsall Arboretum Greyhound Walk
The following day, I was back out again, but locally in Walsall Arboretumto attend one of the Christmas walks that Burton-On-Trent Greyhound Trust has organised this year. The group run walks here monthly, as well as at Sutton Park and Lichfield Park.
We had a nice walk round the park, again all on firm paths. Mum was starting to struggle with her knee and there was an old lady hound who was 13 ½ who was slowing up too, so mum and the hound took a short cut so they could shuffle along, and we then caught them back up as we returned. 
It was my first walk with the group at Walsall, although I’d been to that park before. The café isn’t dog friendly but there is outdoor seating including a couple of tables which are under cover.
There was a special prize for best dressed hound, and I won wearing my Festive Santa Gonks. I got a big red bag saying I can’t open it until 25thDecember; however, dad had a peek, and it has toys and treats in it.
If you are interested in attending any of these walks you can find the details on the Events page on Greyhound Trust website.
Visiting Kent
I’ve just come back from a weekend trip to see Grandpops. Whilst there I visited a few National Trust places.
Chartwell
This is where Winston Churchill lived. The house was decorated with champagne bottles, corks, and glasses. The hoos took it in turns to visit the house and then we had a walk round the garden. The garden is small and had a children’s trail where they had to find boxes and get a stamp for their activity sheet. There are wider estate walks that take you up through the woods, but as mum’s knee isn’t up to big walks or hills yet, I was quite happy in just having a plod round the garden& getting my 11th stamp in my pooch passport.
Dogs are allowed in the gardens, wider estate and in a special room in the café.
Emmett’s Garden
This is only a couple of miles from Chartwell, so we popped here afterwards. This is a garden only and has paths taking you round the garden. I popped here for a quick walk as it is also on the pooch passport,so it meant I was able to obtain my 12thstamp, which meant I then got my prize of a doggy neck band. I got a fuss from the lovely staff in the shop too. 
Winkworth Arboretum
This place is in Surrey, and we visited on our way home from Kent to Birmingham.
This is a large arboretum with lots of tall trees. There is a short walk on firm paths around the upper part but if you wish to explore further then there are steep paths up and down, some involving steps. Mum made it round the upper part, and we left her on a bench whilst we explored the lower paths.
My main reason for visiting was for two reasons, it is on the pooch passport, so I was able to start my 2nd passport, and for the festive period it has Shaun the Sheep paying a visit. Across the site there are twelve decorated Shaun’s to find (4 of these are on the lower level) with some Shaun themed activities for the kids scattered around too.
This trail is on until 19th January 2025, so still time to visit if you are in the area.
Well, that is all folks for now, however, I have lots of exciting days out planned over the Christmas & New Year period, including visits to Cathedral Tree Festivals, more light trails, seeing Santa Paws and more art trails & the odd pub or two thrown in.
I hope all my furiends and their families have a greyt Christmas & New Year!
Duke
www.dukesdoggieadventures.wordpress.com