Blipmeet at Arnside

I left Lancashire for home this afternoon and made a detour to Arnside, Cumbria for a blip/dog meet with Paul (aka gladders) wifie and Gus. It was a most enjoyable detour along charming country roads and through very pretty villages. Paul and Caroline are a delightful couple and made me very welcome and it wasn't long before we got kitted up in our walking gear so they could show me the area which inspires so many wonderful blips, especially the sunsets and sunrises of gladders fame. The dogs soon became pals once Bruce realised that Gus had no intention of wooing his girl and they all enjoyed exploring the vast woodland and heath area that comprises the Knott. We tried a number of times to get them all posing for us with a backdrop of the valley below and I was quite pleased to eventually get this shot of everybody, including the Arnside blipper in action. The dogs are in very characteristic poses - Cara chewing on a stick, Bruce looking expectantly for a treat for good behaviour and Gus enjoying the protection of his mum.

I was totally taken aback by the fabulous 360' views from the top as you looked out towards the Kent estuary on one side and then the enormous expanse of sand with Morecambe Bay at low tide. Even Cara stopped her gallivanting for a moment to enjoy the view. Eventually the dogs were sufficiently tired to accept sitting still for more than a second and I managed to catch this shot of the three rascals, albeit without the great views behind them.

It was truly a fabulous afternoon in delightful company and once thoroughly nourished by tea, delicious home baking and stimulating chat I reluctantly set off for the final leg home with my two very content and tired chums. I look forward to meeting up with Paul and Caroline again in the near future - perhaps even in Scotland! Once more I say thank you to blip for the gift of new friendships.