A beautiful day yesterday -- cool and clear, with a bright blue sky. (All the better to set off the autumn leaves!) I seized the opportunity to take the dog to Hampstead Heath, where we had a long walk.
She was very well behaved -- working out all her stresses on chasing squirrels (within the limits of her 10-meter long lead). She even played with another dog, running in circles around me as the other dog (a black lab) ran next to her. It was very cute to watch and gave me hope that Bailey can learn to have positive interactions with other canines! Josh, her dog-walker, has reported back that she plays with some of the dogs she meets at the cemetery, too.
Bailey also took a swim in the pond on Sandy Heath -- more of a wade than a full-body immersion, because it's pretty chilly out there now.
Meanwhile, I enjoyed the change of seasons -- the yellowing trees, the chestnuts on the ground.
It was a successful day and the dog was exhausted by the end -- always the goal.
Dave and I sorted out our Christmas plans. He wants to see his parents in Florida, but because I've just been and we have Bailey, I'm going to stay here in the UK. I reserved that holiday cottage we've rented in past years in Pevensey Bay, so I'll be going to the beach with the dog. It will be a little strange being there by myself, but I don't want to just sit around West Hampstead.
We're still not sure what to do with Thanksgiving, but we're considering some options. We'll most likely stay in London and have a meal out somewhere. (Because it's just another Thursday in the UK, there is no Thanksgiving rush on restaurants!)
Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite season!
DeleteLooking at your pictures here, it is no wonder that autumn is my favourite season (even though I'm a "spring baby", born in March).
ReplyDeleteYour Christmas plans make perfect sense, although I imagine it will feel somewhat strange for each of you being without the other for the holidays.
I agree -- autumn is my favorite as well. I think this will be the first Christmas we've spent apart!
DeleteThat’s great news about Bailey and other dogs. What a beautiful walk. Did you hear a Who?
ReplyDeleteHa! I didn't have Horton with me!
DeleteOn Thanksgiving day treat the garden to a shrub or a plant and buy Bailey some treats as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Bailey will get some special treat. :)
DeleteThanks for alerting me to your Christmas plans. My skilled team of burglars led by Fingers Haggerty and Ginger Magnon will be round at your pad on Christmas Eve. I call it wealth distribution.
ReplyDeleteAs I always tell people when they make jokes about breaking into our flat -- "You will be sorely disappointed!" (We own nothing of value.)
DeleteChestnuts are an extremely rare commodity here in the states though I think they are finally getting some genetically modified ones that are starting to grow. I think I saw my last chestnut tree sometime back in the 1990's before it too died off.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Barbara Kingsolver (as we were yesterday), she wrote about the chestnut issue in "Prodigal Summer," if I remember correctly -- there was a character who was trying to help develop an American chestnut tree resistant to blight.
DeleteIt will be interesting to navigate the journey to the cottage with a dog in tow again. I was thinking you were planning very early until I realized it's not that long. She sounds as if she's doing well. Is she in a group with her walker?
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm actually a bit concerned about the journey and what it will be like doing it alone. But I'll manage!
DeleteThat tree in your top photo is lovely.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it great? It took my breath away, seeing it against that blue sky.
Deleteyour Christmas plans sound great- Dave gets to see his parents and you get the sea.
ReplyDeleteBailey will love the shore romp probably.
Sunshine in autumn- can't beat it with a stick, as they say.Tthat bright tree is gorgeous.
It will be interesting to see how Bailey responds to the beach. Olga didn't like the ocean much, but maybe Bailey will be more into it.
DeleteIs there an USA Ex-pat community in London?
ReplyDeleteOh, definitely, and especially through the school where we work (well, where I used to work, and Dave still does). We have invited people over for past Thanksgivings.
DeleteBailey looks happy. I think she must be. Going on a walk with one of her humans.
ReplyDeleteAnd you're making Christmas plans already! Well, as Boud pointed out, it's not that far away. I asked Jessie if she'd started any Christmas shopping the other day. "Is it December 15th yet?" she asked.
Yeah, it's really NOT that far away. And for something like a flight, you gotta buy ahead!
DeleteI see Jessie is observing my birthday as the official season opening! Nothing before My Day, please!
DeleteThere Is Hope , Fantastically Shared - Outstanding Photos Throughout , Dig Those Autumn Colors - Xmas Plans , Yikes - But I Get It When It Comes To Flying Overseas - Overall , You Gotta Absolutely Love Retirement
ReplyDeleteKeep Moving ,
Cheers
Yeah, we have to get holiday plans settled somewhat early, at least it a very general sense.
DeleteGlad to hear that Bailey is now playing a little with other dogs. I think she just needed to relax and know there wasn't a problem with others.
ReplyDeleteWell, she still challenges some dogs, though. Her reaction seems to depend a lot on the dog. She seems more likely to be playful with bigger dogs, and more likely to pounce on smaller ones. (Which makes sense, I suppose.)
DeleteI think Bailey is adapting well to her life with you and around other dogs. It hasn't taken as much time as I anticipated. Your holiday plans sound excellent! I have no idea what's going on for Thanksgiving. Hopefully my brother and SIL will host it instead of me.
ReplyDeleteProbably time to get that sorted out! I think there are biological reasons why Bailey is settling down, as well as behavioral ones.
DeleteBut you won't be there alone... you'll be with Bailey! It will be a new adventure for her!
ReplyDeleteThat is definitely true! For both of us, in a way.
DeleteThat year I took my dad to London we were there on Thanksgiving and I remember that we had pizza for dinner that night. That's what he wanted and it was fine with me. We had a 'fancy' lunch at Rules the day before. London is putting on a fall show in all your photos!
ReplyDeleteRules is a great place for Thanksgiving. Dave and I went there several years ago for Thanksgiving dinner.
DeleteYour walk and photos show a lovely Fall day. Our Maple trees are now red/orange/gold.
ReplyDeleteBailey is making a few friends while playing with other dogs and that is great.
The holidays are coming on fast, and it is good to have plans.
I'll host both holidays as that's the norm for us.
Double hosting duty! That's pretty intense! My mom used to host them both too, right up until she sold our family home when she was in her mid-70s.
DeleteLovely lovely lovely! Also, your Christmas plans sound good to me too - I should like to spend the holidays by myself in a cottage by the sea.
ReplyDeleteFortunately I'm good at keeping myself amused.
DeleteI'm not really surprised that Bailey is starting to get along with some other dogs now that she had a permanent home and is feeling secure.
ReplyDeleteThe Pevensey cottage will be a nice little week away.
Yeah, I'm sure feeling secure (and well-rested) helps a lot. Also, her crazy hormones are finally starting to settle down as the "false pregnancy" subsides.
DeleteThat first tree is brilliant with colour. Having a safe and loving home is helping Bailey become more settled I think and seeing her interact with other dogs is a very good thing.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to see her play with other dogs, too. I want her to be able to enjoy them without feeling scared or defensive.
DeleteIt sounds like a perfect day with Bailey. I love that she is playing with other dogs. Your holiday plans sound nice, though Christmas WILL be different, that's for sure. But probably wise for Dave to visit parents -- they have a way of not staying around forever. When we get closer to that -- guess what I found when packing up the cottage! Yup -- videos. I can do as I did with that book and send them to Dave's parents when the time comes. We'll keep in touch!
ReplyDeleteFigures they would turn up now! :) I'll let you know when Dave will be around to collect them.
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