Gossip by Babsie

Hola

Babsie here again.  Punta is actual the name of one of our rescue dog, the other one is called Marron.We are entering them in for the Dog Competition in November, which should be fun.  Unfortunately Puntahas hurt her back leg, as she runs for the ball, and must have twisted it somehow.  We found an excellentsite on the web that does herbal pills for dogs, and are trying them out.The company name is Vibrapure and the pills are for tendons and ligaments.  We have been using Winstons Joint System which we bought from a pet shop in La Marina, and are very expensive, but they did the trick.  However, we thought we would give these a go and will report on how she is progressing.   

If any of you have dogs and are thinking of taking them abroad, don't hesitate.  It is really so easy.  Both our dogs have passports, and of course all the necessary injections, rabies, flea spraying etc.  The first time we took them to UK, we went on the ferry from Bilbao to Portsmouth on BrittanyFerries with the smaller ferry Bretagne, as they have accommodation for the dogs.  However, these are cages on the tenth deck, and quite frankly they were a nightmare for the dogs, as they are very small, and the larger dogs were in the cages below and were barking all day and night.

Our dogs were very frightened and luckily we could stay with them whenever we wanted to, but they wouldn't eat at all.  There is a doggy walking area and benches to sit on, so it's not too bad depending of course on the weather.

However, there are now doggy cabins available on the larger ferry Port Aven, and they are alllowed in your cabin. As there are only 17 of these available you have to get in quickly.  When you get to Bilbao you have to check the dogs into an office - you will see the sign - where they are checked that they are chipped, passports are in order, and had the required injections.  You are also given a doggy bag with treats for them!

This year we drove to Portugal with our dogs and this was no trouble at all.  No inspections, no additional costs, just drove straight into Portugal. 

If you go form Calais to Dover either on the ferry or the chunnel, the dogs stay in the car.  As it is a very short tripjust make sure a window is open and they have drink and food but obviously not too much!

If you have any questions, I would be glad to try and answer them.  All in all, we have never found it a problem to take our two little dogs abroad, and they thoroughly enjoy the trip too.

Just back from a great week, three days Seville, and four days Jerez and Cadiz.   Stayed in a beautiful apartment in Seville through Booking.com where we do all our bookings for trips. It was right in the centre of town and we used their car park costing 18 euros a day but you don't have a choice.  The atmosphere in the centre was great really buzzing. We took the tour bus round and that gives a you an excellent way of seeing everything and you can hop go general route whenever you like.  Had the best tapas ever sitting in the middle of a square -of which there are many - in brilliant sunshine.  Watched the marathon too on the Sunday which was fun. 

jerez was quieter but hotel Sherry Park was perfect position for walking into town and exploring. We had booked tickets for the Andulisian dancing horses which was just round the corner, and we weren't disappointed.  The only rip off was the trip to the Tio Pepe bodega booked at the hotel at 16 50 euros per person and literally all we saw were barrels and more barrels.  Nobody was around it was like a ghost town and very cold in the vaults.  It was interesting to know that the Spaniards think of sheet as wine and drink it as wine not an aperitif as the English do.  We had four samples and the smallest tapas I have ever had,probably two mouthfuls if that..  We did buy two bottles as we love sherry but could have bought it anywhere Nd not paid so much for the visit.  However, I found out my favourite one which is Crofts.

We did a day trip to Cadiz under an hour from Jerez, and went straight to the tourist office at the port where we parked the car.  They gave us a map with a mauve line to follow which was also on the pavement so very useful.  It took us all round the backstreets and back to the port again, very clever.  

All in all a very nice few days, interesting and relaxing too. 

Buenes Dias

I am new to blogging but not to writing as I was a freelance writer in mt hey day for many magazines and newspapers. I was also Assistant Fashion  for a well known magazine for many years and interviewed many celebrities including  I in e Richard ,Angus Ogilvy , The Monkees (remember them) Harry Secombe and others.  I have also been a film extra and aippeared in Holby City, Eastenders and a film called Susie Got Married which was awful -the film was not the taking part, that was all fun.  Of course I was only in background blink and you miss me sort of thing, but got paid quite well in one scene in Holby City which for those who don't know, is set in a hospital, I was in a dressing gown outdoors freezing cold and was being put in an ambulance.  The director said 'look ill' . I said don't worry if you keep going over the scene I won't have to act at all!    In Eastenders I had to use my own one time and drive it with a worried expression.  That was the last time I did that as the following week my eldest son had smashed it up.  

Well thats a little introduction to me and there's more to come. Keep in touch will write later as just got back from a trip tp Seville and Jerez last night and need to get washing on and sort things out. Getting looks from my husband as if to say get a move on! Laters.....