Give Alvin a Chance!

Hello, I want to tell you about my new fwend Alvin.

Alvin is a 5 year old Staffie cross who needs your help. In January this year he was found wandering the streets of Torquay (that's in Devon for anyone who doesn't know!) and he's been staying at Foredowne Boarding kennels whilst looking for his forever home. Whilst there he has developed a problem with his leg, he has what's called a "Luxating Patella" which means his knee cap is slipping from where it's suppose to be which is causing him alot of pain and discomfort. Alvin desperately needs an operation to correct this problem and his carers at the kennels are working hard to fundraise so that he can get his operation. Alvin needs £450 to fund the surgery and unfortunately if they can not raise enough funds Alvin will have to be euthanized.

If Alvin and his carers succeed in getting him the operation; he will need a foster home to recuperate in and receive the love that he deserves for the 6 weeks it will take for him to recover (Obviously Alvin also needs a forever  home to call his own as well). Alvin has a bed, a bowl, his noms and his snugglies all ready to pack up and go to his new home. However; due to the amount of healthy dogs that need rehoming Alvin is being passed by due to his bad leg. 

Without the funds and the promise of atleast a 6 week foster placement Alvin can not have his much needed operation. Alvin would prefer a home where he is the only pet as he needs plenty of rest and sometime other dogs can be too much excitement for him.

Alvin is a lovely boy, very sweet and affectionate to his carers. Loves tummy tickles and cuddles and despite his poorly knee Alvin is very bubbly, bouncy, happy boy who is just hoping and wishing he can get the help he so desperately needs before it's too late!


If you would like to donate towards Alvin's operation you can do so by visiting the kennels where he is currently living (Foredowne boarding kennels, Maddoncombe road, TQ12 5LF). Why not pop in and give Alvin a hug whilst you are there. You can visit them between 1.30pm and 3.30pm 7 days a week.
If you are not in the local area and would still like to donate I am happy to accept donations for him through my paypal (jacqui2.king@live.uwe.ac.uk) just say in the subject it is for Alvin.

And please spread the word about Alvin and help him find his forever home. 

Alvin and his carer Jess collecting pennies for his operation! 

UPDATE - Alvin is still waiting for his foster home which he so desperately needs before he can get his operation to mend his baddy knee. The fundraising has been going greyt, but without the promise of a six week foster placement Alvin cant get his operation :( Please if you can offer him some where to rest up for 6 weeks do get in contact with the kennels.

UPDATE - Alvin has now gone off to his foster home :) So will hopefully be having his operation soon which is greyt - congrats Alvin - Alvin still needs his furever home though so if you can offer this gorgeous pup a home get in touch!

Essential Camping Accessories

We have been camping for a whole year now (we haven't been camping in our tent that WHOLE time; but we have been on about 10 camping trips in that time) and as I am sure you are all aware there is ALOT of useful camping equipment available on the market. 

So I thought I'd write a post on some of the great items available. Including furniture, lighting, cooking and eating equipment and some items for those wet summer days. 

All the equipment mentioned is available from Cotswold Outdoor either from their website or in their many country wide stores. Find your local store. 
 "you'll discover the UK's most extensive range of outdoor clothing, rucksacks, footwear, camping products, travel accessories and climbing equipment from all the leading brands. With staff who are passionate about the outdoors, so you'll get the help and advice you need."

Furniture

Beds 

You have several options for what you sleep on. There are various different items available and even then different versions of these.

Sleeping Mat

 The two main options are "sleeping mats" and "air mattresses". 

Sleeping mats are made from polyolefin foam and are approximately 1cm thick; these mats are ideal for people who might be doing lots of travelling with their kit or those of you who are travelling on public transport to your destination or just want to save space in the car; as a sleeping mat can be rolled up and easily stored in your bag. 

An example of a double air bed 

Another option available (and the one we choose) is the air bed. 

These feature a soft, anti-slip upper and an airtight system for ultimate comfort. These are more suited to campers who are able to take their car right to their camping pitch, as they can be a little bulky and obviously require inflating. They do however add an extra level of comfort to the camping experience and prices start from £15 for a single air mattress or £25 for a double air mattress. 

Sleeping Bags 

A example of the types of sleeping bags available

There are a variety of different sleeping bags available to buy. They come in single, double and even child sizes  - Vango have even produced a sleeping bag especially with babies in mind; so now every member of the family can enjoy camping. - There is also an array of styles available; as seen in the image above. 

The Nitestar Baby by Vango

We personally have standard polyester sleeping bags and find that the polyester fibre filling keeps us plenty warm enough on our camping trips (If I get cold then we unzip the sleeping bag and turn it in to a duvet so I can share with the hoomans). You can also purchase "liners" to add an extra layer or warmth and comfort to your sleeping bag. 

Sleeping bags come in a handy carry bag so are easily transported  and can be attached to your rucksack or daysack when on the move. 

Seating

Folding arm chair with cup holder

When camping we like to take along our folding arm chairs so we can sit in the sun outside the tent or take along to the beach when spending the whole day down there. 

These are really good as 

1. They are lightweight and compact for easy transportation and storage
2. They come with a handy carry bag
3. They are durable and have "rip stop technology"  Ripstop fabrics are woven using a special reinforcing technique that makes them resistant to tearing and ripping. During weaving (thick) reinforcement threads are interwoven at regular intervals in a crosshatch pattern. Ripstop fabrics therefore have a very good strength-to-weight ratio.
4. Cup holder so you can safely store your cup of tea on a cold morning or your can of drink to stop the creepy crawlies getting in. 

And for the little campers? We have these delightful chairs. 

They come in frog, crocodile, duck, giraffe, hippo, tiger and fish. 

Cooking and Food Preparation 

If you are planning an extensive trip and are hoping to prepare your own food you might want to consider a compact kitchen unit providing you with several work surfaces for food preparation and handy storage for your kitchen equipment. 

Now for the cooking. 

Stoves

There are a wide range of stoves or BBQ's available for your camping trip - you can see a selection here. 

A two ring stove

It is a good idea to have a stove with you when camping; especially if you are going to be away for more than a day or two. 

Portable Gas Cooker

We do not currently own a camping stove but have often wished we had one. I dont know about your family but we tend to be early risers when on our trips away and have found that on numerous occasions we would like to get up, have breakfast and set off for the day; but we cant because the on-site shop/burger van/cafe  doesn't keep the same schedule as us as therefore isn't opening for another 2 - 3 hours. 

Camping BBQ

Also on our most recent camping trip, the site we stayed on had no food facilities and was a good 5 - 10 minute drive from the closest corner shop and even further if we wanted a meal and were looking for a cafe or pub. Having a stove or BBQ whereby we could make some beans on toast for breakfast or cook a burger for lunch would have made the trip run much more smoothly. 

Pots and pans

Now you have your stove you need something to cook the food in. 

Your most basic and convenient pans would be a "mess tin" These aluminium pans are lightweight and come with fold in handles and can be stacked for easy storage. 

If you prefer something a little more like home and have a bit more space in your luggage; there are several "cooking kits" available to buy. This one  comes with 2 good size saucepans and a frying pan; as well as 2 plastic cups and a detachable handle for the frying pan. 

And of course the all important kettle for your morning cuppa. 

A collapseable bowl

Sporks

So now you've cooked your dinner what are you going to eat it on. - flashbacks to new years eve eating takeaway curry out of their plastic containers in the (dark) tent with our hands because we forgot to pack our plates and cutlery - There are many, many options to what items you buy. Some of them can be seen here.

Enamel Mug

Lighting

Your lighting options include 1) Hand held torches 2) Headlamps 3) Lanterns.

We own a couple of wind-up keyring type torches; useful for night time trips to the toilet or early morning dog walks, and a single clip light which is good when we want to illuminate the whole tent for example at breakfast/supper or to read a book when the natural light is failing. 

You can see the full range on the Cotswold outdoors website. 

Fun and Games

And for the moments when the kids are bored or you find yourself camping in a field with nothing to entertain you and you want to make the most of the British summer and time with family there is a variety of toys and games for you to take advantage of. Kites, balls and Frisbee's to name a few - and for when the British weather tries to ruin your fun; there's always the good old jigsaw puzzle. 
All these and more can be found in the toy section.

Decoy Country Park - Newton Abbot

Decoy country park is a free entry park in Newton Abbott (by the penn inn roundabout behind sainsburys and mcdonalds). 

It has all sorts - play park with wet play area, a lake, watersports, picnic area, sports pitches, swans, ducks, walks with little "activities" all around it. There's a leaflet available by the entrance with a tick sheet of birds to spot. 

Nesting Swan

Swan on the lake

Luffly day out for a couple of hours, especially in the summer and if you have little hoomans or want to try some watersports, enjoy a picnic and a nice walk. Can get a little muddy when we have had recent rain.

There is areas where the doggys are allowed off lead but some areas they have stay on a lead. (There's signs to tell you when you can take leads off and again when you have put them back on!)

Myself watching the swans and enjoying the views!

Crealy – Cornwall

Guest Post by Whippety doo dah. 


Crealy Great Adventure Park
Tredinnick
Wadebridge
Cornwall
PL27 7RA

We’ve visited this park with our dogs and our children every year since 1997 during the school summer holidays! 
When you arrive at the park, the car park is in a field. We’ve always walked the dogs around the perimeter of the park before we go in, so that they have the chance to do their business. When you pay to get in, you are given poop bags, which is a good idea. 
Once inside, the park is large. There are plenty of grassy areas (often with picnic benches), a lake with waterfowl on it as well as all of the adventure playground areas for children. There are cafeterias and snack stalls, too. However, the inclusion of picnic seating is very good as it demonstrates that the owners don’t expect visitors to purchase food from their outlets.
There are also shire horses on site as well as other animals such as sheep, rabbits, donkeys and goats. At one time, dogs were allowed in the stabling area where the shires were. Now, it’s humans only. The same rule applies to dogs not being allowed in the other animal areas.
There are plenty of indoor and outdoor play areas for the children, so if the weather isn’t fantastic, there is still a lot to keep children entertained.

PROS

Dog friendly
Water and poop bags supplied on site
Large spaces so that dogs can be walked away from the attractions

CONS

Can get very busy during the summer holidays.
May not be suitable for dogs that are nervous of loud noises (children screaming etc.)

Portsmouth In Pictures.