So, my doodles will be vinyls...

So, Nick recently gave me permission to order some custom decals. When I get a window of opportunity like this I don't let it go to waste! I did a doodle of Alice and Duke (which was defaced! - scribble on the left) and this:

Was turned into this:

By Ricky at Sign Kits. I cannot wait to get them through the post and stick them on! I haven't been this excited in a while - I think I need to get out more...

So, sometimes you might need to leave your dog in the car...

As every dog owner knows, leaving your dog in the car on a warm day can result in the dog's death very quickly. Every year, there seems to be a headline about a new tragedy because of this, and I urge dog owners not to do it. However, there are times when it's really difficult to avoid it. If this is a problem you have sometimes, take a look at Ventlocks.

I came across this website as we do sometimes find ourselves in a situation where we have to leave the dogs in the car. Last November, we went away with the family, who aren't dog owners, and there were times when the dogs couldn't be with us, like when we had dinner in their log cabin. We left them in their crate in the boot, with the car parked just outside the cabin where we could see it through the window. Our dogs are very happy in the crate in the boot and will both curl up together and go to sleep. Of course, it's pretty cold in November so we just made sure the car was in sight so no one could steal the dogs or the car with the dogs inside.

Come spring and Autumn, I would want plenty of ventilation for them and the Ventlock seems to a solution for us. However, I would always ensure the car is parked where we can always see it and never leave them for too long without checking on them. I will also be purchasing a dish that fixes inside their crate so they always have water available.

One last thing, I would still NEVER ever leave them in the car in summer.

I did want some reviews and thoughts on this product so I asked on a very good forum, here's my thread.

Of course, for some, it is easier to leave the dogs in the caravan with the windows open. Unfortunately for us, Alice gets a bit panicked if we leave her in there and barks continuously but I will be doing some training to remedy this. We are fortunate to be able to keep our caravan on my parents' driveway so I will be leaving her in their for ten minutes at a time, coming back, ignoring her then praising her for calm and quiet behaviour. Then extending the time she is left, whilst the caravan is in a familiar place. Then we could leave her if we are staying at a secure caravan site but we'll see how that goes!

Happy Caravanning!

So, the word caravan means something else when it comes to the Tour de France...

The Tour de France caravans are the advertisers' floats that precede the race. The very first caravan was by Menier, in 1930. Click on the images:

Here are some of my favourites:

 

 

 

 

So, there's another campsite on the Tour de France route...

Yesterday, I posted a list (not a comprehensive one) of camp sites on the Tour de France route this year in Yorkshire. Well, someone has posted a link, on this thread of Sheffield Forum, to another camp site that looks great. It's called Cotton Star Camping and it's in Bradfield. I believe it's just tents only though, no caravans.

Happy.. er.. Camping!

So, the Tour De France is coming to Yorkshire...

There will be lots going on in July 2014, when Le Tour De France goes from York to Sheffield on Stage 2 of the Grand Depart. There is an interactive map on Le Tour Yorkshire's website so you can see the route that has been planned out.

I have found a few campsites along the route if you are planning to spectate and join in the fun. Click on the sites listed to see information about each one on UK Campsites, and some have reviews. These sites all differ in facilities available and whether tents/dogs/caravans/motorhomes are allowed.

Manor Farm in York

Old Granary House in York

Upwood Holiday Park in Haworth

Bronte Caravan Park in Haworth

Holme Valley Camping and Caravan Park in Holmfirth

Ranah Stones Farm in Sheffield

Unfortunately, it seems there are some who are offering temporary camping for the Tour de France at extortionate prices, some around £65 per night! The average price for camping and caravanning is normally around £10-20 per night depending on hook up etc.

I hope my list enables you to find a great site to enjoy the event at normal rates.

Happy Caravanning!

So, it's fun to have custom decals...

When we first bought our caravan, we picked off the original decals as they really aged our caravan. This spring, we intend to order our own custom ones to replace them. I have a few design ideas in mind!

I always buy my decals from Sign Kits. They are a great company with extremely competitive prices and great customer service. I have used them for my grooming van sign writing and my new salon for the walls and windows. I also bought some paws from them to stick all over my car but Nick wouldn't let me put them on :( Anyway, their decals are excellent quality and are sent out very quickly!

Decals are very easy to put on (they do come with instructions). They arrive with a paper backing and a clear, sticky plastic backing. All you do is, remove the clear backing carefully, ensuring the decal stays on the paper backing (it may be different so check this part in the instructions), then press the vinyl and the paper to the clean caravan where you want it to go, pressing from the middle, and gently push outwards to push away any air bubbles. If you're sticking down a large sticker that you want in line with something, it may be easier to peel away just an edge, stick it down and work your way across the decal, peeling the backing as you go. If you get any creases forming, just make sure the creases stay in the backing and not in the vinyl, then they don't matter. Then, use a cloth to firmly press the decals down, pressing on the vinyl parts, not the backing. Then slowly peel the backing off, ensuring the vinyl doesn't peel with it.

Then you should have a very cool, customised caravan! This was my grooming van, decals supplied by Sign Kits...

Happy Caravanning!

So, meet our other cocker...

Well, I am one of those who 'likes' all of the funny pictres with captions on Facebook. So I made my own and posted it on my grooming business page for Hardwick Hounds. I hope you like it!

Happy Caravanning!

So, seasonal canine illness remains a mystery and prevention is better than cure...

Nick and have begun to plan our spring and autumn trips away and I would imagine many other caravanners are too. Vets still don't know what is causing Seasonal Canine Illness but there are some sites where there have been the highest number of cases reported, so it would be best to avoid these places if you're planning your trips away. The sites are the Sandringham Estate and Thetford Forest in NORFOLK,  Clumber park and sherwood forest in NOTTINGHAMSHIRE, and Rendlesham Forest in SUFFOLK, as reported here on the Camping and Caravanning Club website.

It's really important to be aware of the signs and symptoms (vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy and/or abdominal pain) and get to an emergency vet immediately. REMEMBER to put an emergency vets number local to the site you will be staying in your diary or phone before you go away. It is also worth contacting them in advance to let them know you are staying nearby and asking if it is ok to contact them in an emergency.

As far as I know, vets believe harvest mites are responsible for carrying the virus but that has not yet been proven.

REMEMBER and RECOGNISE the symptoms and BE PREPARED with a contact for a veterinary practice.

Happy Caravanning!

So, it's fun buying stuff for your caravan...

I recently posted links to the cheap and cheerful blankets and cushions I bought from Ikea, which we are very happy with, but I've since found a lovely boutique on Facebook called Love Linz Handmade. She sells gorgeous little cushions and handbags and things, with VW campers on and horse prints and dog prints! I love anything with dogs on so I think I may have to replace the Ikea cushions before I've used them. I just have to get around Nick...

Happy Caravanning!