This was a very exciting school trip to Faringdon Folly Tower as we had lots of new attendees, Chester's parents joined us, Chester was especially happy with all his favourite people and dogs on one walk! It was a treat that Elvis joined us too for his first school trip, he especially had a soft spot for Bear. If you have never been to Faringdon Folly there is a lot going on, from wooden toadstools and rabbits, a piano in the woods, to stepping stones and Faringdon Folly Tower. The dogs used it as a playground to run around and explore, Fergus (Head Boy) was not impressed with Chester jumping on the piano and playing it. We feel the school photo is the best yet, thank you to Lynn for holding the leads behind the bale to keep the dogs in place and safe!
Coombe Hill
We had the most amazing school trip to Coombe Hill. Alice wasn’t sure what to expect as she has never been there before. We managed to park up and head off following the signs for Combe Hill whatever that maybe?! Once out of the woods we went round the corner and it a sight to see! We could see over Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. The landscape was knock out and even the dogs stopped and admired the views. The end of the walk there is a memorial tower, where we stopped and caught our breath. A nice man sat with Alice and talked about the surrounding area, it was very fascinating as at the bottom of the hill was Chequers Court used as the Prime minsters country retreat, you could see across one of the fields where they would go for Sunday church. Apparently you can walk just outside the house so that is definitely a school to be had, Thor has a lot to say to Boris.
Way off in the distance was the Didcot Power station with all its funnels so we took a moment to think how the landscape will change in a couple of weeks time once they have been demolished. Bear doesn’t like to sit still for too long so he went to go chat to some school children and then we were back off along the ridgeway. Bear, Thor and Chester sat very patiently for the school photo, they loved the backdrop and all three want a copy to frame and hang in their bedroom.
Woof + Whistle therapy dogs take on Reading Blue Coat School!
Proud is an understatement for how Alice felt when she took the dogs of Woof + Whistle to Reading Blue Coat School in Sonning, Reading.
This was the first ever welfare week for it’s staff members (which many of the teachers said was a very welcome initiative) where they can do activities such as yoga, mindfulness sessions, sport and other sessions to promote their wellbeing. For this year’s welfare week, the Woof Dogs were asked to visit to get the school and walk with the staff outdoors to provide a good dose of dog love!
The Woofs in attendance were were; Fergus - Head Boy, Chester - clever clogs, Ted - cheeky chap, Wilbur - Prefect, and Thor - teachers pet.
It was a drizzly afternoon but the poor weather didn’t dampen too many spirits, as Fergus kept everyone in check whilst Thor, who can get a little shy, stayed close by to Alice. Ted found a friend for life in Jo, who works at the school. Jo’s family dog is a golden retriever called Digby and Ted reminded her a lot of him. Sarah got a treat of cuddles in the car with Chester and Wilbur before we all headed home.
Alice and the Woofs really enjoyed their time look forward to returning to Reading Blue Coat again soon!
Woodland wanderings - June School trip
For this ‘school trip’ we ventured to the beautiful shaded Stoke Wood, which is situated west of Bicester. We were all very excited to have Bear join us on this trip! As he hadn’t met all of the crew before, he sat on the backseat and enjoyed looking out the window and sniffing the fresh air.
Once we got to the wood the dogs rushed around the trees, and instinctively marking their territory, however Thor wasn’t so interested in doing this as he is still a little puppy at heart. It was lovely being surrounded by the trees and to enjoy a walk different to the usual fields and meadows.
Ted and Fergus are about to complete their Gold D of E expedition so they decided to lead the way round the wood and show us the way to go. Bear loved jumping over the branches which lay on the floor. He was very proud of being able to balance on one (he gets an A for gymnastics). Ted got a little jealous and barked at him to get down (which Bear ignored).
The school photo is one of the best yet, the woofs were all very well behaved and sat quietly for it whilst Alice scrambled around in the brambles trying to get a good shot of them all. They were probably all thinking what is this silly human doing. Once we had completed the route around the wood we all bundled back in the car and this time Thor got to sit upfront with Bear (his new best friend) and all they all slept soundly till they were dropped back home.
School Trip to (not quite) Bibury...
Thor, Fergus, Ted and Alice all packed their bags and travelled to the charming village of Bibury in the heart of the Cotswolds. Arriving in the car Alice soon realised that it was a hub for tourists! After getting the dogs out of the car and being swarmed by people wanting to either take photos or pet the dogs she decided to swiftly move on. Luckily due to the vast amount of land around Bibury there was a lovely public footpath among the fields. The surrounding area was beautiful with rolling hills where they could properly explore and run free. Fergus and Ted galloped in the long grass whilst Thor who is a little smaller jumped like a baby gazelle!
It was a very hot day, so we were all grateful to find a shady spot in the woodland to rest and munch on some grass (not Alice). On the way back Ted found a water trough which he was very proud of and it was a classic school photo with Thor insisting on not sitting still long enough! We already can’t wait for the next excursion!
Henley: April School Trip
The prefects Thor, Fergus and Nelly enjoyed Woof + Whistle’s 13th monthly school trip, this time to Henley on Thames. It was a bleak start with a bit of drizzle, and a whole lot of ominous clouds. All the dogs trotted along the towpath right next to the river and Nelly fell in straight away. She is such a liquid noodle that she rolled right over some fox poo and plopped into the water! Luckily Alice was there to graciously fish her out, and Nelly wasn’t the slighted bit phased, cantering off to join Thor and Fergus.
There were lots of rowers to watch, with boats constantly going up and down the river. The troop walked down to Mill End, then back down into town. Fergus especially enjoyed seeing civilisation! The dogs found an inlet with about a foot of water which looked perfect to swim in. Thor and Fergus ummed and ahhed for a long time about taking a dip, eventually deciding it was to great a risk to take!
All three were on their most excellent behaviour, and loved saying hello to all the towny doggies on their afternoon walk.
Cheese Wharf Revisited: March School Trip
For our March excursion we returned to one of our favourite places, Cheese Wharf near Lechlade! Last time we went it was super sunny and hot, and the fields were filled with buttercups. This time the skies were grey, but our spirits were bright anyway! Chester, Fergus, Nelly and Thor joined us for the afternoon, and we made sure to visit the magical footbridge which all the dogs love to run up and down.
They were all very excited to follow the river which meanders through the fields. Chester dipped in and out of the river at every opportunity, while Thor followed closely behind him but stayed well out of the water! Nelly rolled in about 6 different fox poops and seemed very pleased about it. Fergus bounded around happily playing with everyone! Nelly, Chester and Fergus had a little tiff about who would get a particularly nice stick.
We had a few attempts to get a group photo at the wharf, as Thor was very wriggly and wanted to play rather than sit and pose for a picture! We did however get a nice shot of all their behinds as they all investigated a stretch of river bank!
Deddington: February School Trip
We were blessed with the first beautifully warm and sunny day of the year for our school trip to Deddington yesterday! We were also blessed with the company of four lovely dogs, Poppy, Paddy, Chester and Ted. As soon as we let them out of the car all the dogs were bounding around so happy to be in the sunshine!
There were heaps of open fields where Ted and Chester chased each other around in, and apparently lots of tasty grass which Poppy and Paddy grazed on. Chester also found a small pond which he very much enjoyed getting in and out of, going around in circles! We also found a field full of turnips, which Ted confusedly tried to play with.
The excitement of the day must have been too much for them all, as the four of them are usually very polite but this time it took three tries to get them all to sit together for a group photo! Paddy looks a little grumpy about it!
Thames Path, Goring: January School Trip!
Yesterday Micah, Nelly, and Thor joined us on our first doggy outing of the year; exploring the Thames path! Starting out at Goring, the humans slipped and skidded along the very muddy river path, while the dogs trotted along much more gracefully. There are apparently many good things to smell along the river bank. Nelly and Thor even had the occasional dip in the river, despite the very cold weather!
Although it was a grey day for photographs, none of us minded at all! The bridges and nature reserves along the way were heaps of fun to play around in, and we saw some herons perched on posts in the water, and a tree full of cormorants all drying off their wings. We were even lucky enough to get a little bit of blue sky on the way back home!
Our school photos seem to be declining in quality rather rapidly… Here we can even see the moment Alice has given up trying to arrange the puppers nicely! Nelly is always too keen to come and lick your face to stay still for very long!!
Happy Christmas Common (School Trip #10)
A merry time was had by all at Christmas Common this week on the December school trip! Barley, Fergus, Bob, Jambo, Jack, and Thor had great fun exploring a wooded hillside, searching for elves and festive treats. Starting from the Watlington Hill National Trust Car Park, we followed the well marked paths through ash and beech trees and found some beautiful open grassland and views of the Oxfordshire Plain.
The origin of the Chiltern Hamlet’s name is a little uncertain, it might be linked to a Christmas Day truce during the English Civil War, local holly tree coppices or the local Christmas family. No time for the dogs to ponder this though, there were too many rabbit holes to sniff and trees to run around.
Bob and Jambo are serial rabbit hole divers, so were kept on the lead with Thor staying keeping them company, watching Barley and Fergus chasing each other up and down the slopes. We had a very lovely walk, but also the least successful group photo to date… Convincing six dogs to sit still with so many exciting things to smell and wee on is very tricky!!
