Goodnight Sweetheart

We lost Couscous yesterday.

Heart failure came on quickly and there were only a few days of discomfort before we realised she was at the end of her journey. We were with her at the end and it was peaceful. We are so grateful for the 13 fabulous years years we had with her. Who will eat the broccoli ends and the crunchy bits of lettuce that I don’t like? Who will have a squish face when she wakes up from her naps? Who will I dance to the radio in the kitchen with? The corners of the house will be left unslept in. She added to our lives, and many others, in so many ways. Sleep tight pumpkin.

Just recently

So Christmas came and went and I forgot to post Couscous’s Xmas greeting:

Since then she’s had a haircut and has a trimmed look for the new year:

Kentish coast

Went to Dungeness and then Hampton Beach recently. We hadn’t been to the coast for a while. Couscous has got to an age which we thought might appreciate a trolley ride. So the first short ride was at Dungeness and then we tried again at Hampton, near Herne Bay. It means we get to walk further and she still has a chance to exercise. At first I wasn’t sure if she liked it but on the second try she would bark at us if we stopped for a bit – telling us to get a move on. What a princess.

Reigate Hill and Fort, and Gatton Park

We were told about the view from a friend in our archery club. It’s a good place to plane spot. He said the cafe was good and he wasn’t wrong. It’s called Junction 8 cafe because it’s at J8 of the M25 – although maybe that’s not an official name. Smallish car park at this point and there may be another related to the area, which is National Trust.

OK after wet weather – yes
Parking fee – one is free, the other? is free to NT members
Toilets – at the free car park
Café – at the free car park. Bloody good ice cream and bagels

Coalhouse Fort Park, Tilbury

Been a while since we’ve been somewhere new. Today we visited the north side of the Thames and when to Coalhouse Fort. It’s a pity the Fort itself is locked up as I know the heritage there would interest people, but a nice bit of a walk all the same.

OK after wet weather – yes
Parking fee – no
Toilets – yes
Café – yes

Recent activity

Margate Jan 2022

We visited Margate a few months before the first lockdown and got back recently.

  • OK after wet weather – yes
  • Parking fee – yes, parked by the station for £1 for the day
  • Toilets – yes
  • Café – yes

Dachshund puppy

Man and puppy (1930)
photo: Jankovszky György
source: wikipedia

Riverside Country Park, Gillingham

For New Years 2021 we took a walk to the Riverside Country Park, near Gillingham. The car park was full but we didn’t have to wait long for someone to leave. While walking about we noticed another car park before you come to the park (driving from Gravesend) but you would have to turn off before the official entrance to get to it.

  • OK after wet weather – in most areas
  • Parking fee – no
  • Toilets – yes
  • Café – yes

Lovely marshy area with lots of bird life. Very popular but then it was New Years and nothing else is open. Lots of people with dogs.

Couscous Christmas 2020

I’d forgotten how much Couscous loves it when we open wrapped presents. She wants to inspect everything and clambers over you to get to things.

Click here for a short video of her playing with one of her new toys.