Otter and Kingfisher Lodges

Some advice for dog-walkers in the Lake District

John Hobson — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:14:28 +0000

The Lake District National Park Authority has a very useful page full of information here

http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/outdoors/walking/dogwalking

Blue Green Algae – Don’t let your dog swim in it!

John Hobson — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 16:38:45 +0000

I just heard on Twitter of someone whose dog died after swimming in Windermere

My mate’s dog has just died—blue-green algae poisoning, Windermere’s Ambleside shoreline. Big dog, too. Very sad. http://ow.ly/20Fd1 RIP Jem

That is so sad – please don’t let that happen to your dog (or child !!!)

Environment Health at SLDC have told me that a recent check (end of June 2010) showed “no confirmed blue green algae” on Windermere. Best exercise care though!

EDIT – They actually called me to request that I remove part of this warning that referred to an out of date report on their own webs site detailing where the problems were last year on Windremere.

I did so, but after reading this

http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/8247301.Vet_s_alarm_after_dogs_die_after_swimming_in_Windermere/?ref=rss

begin to wish that I had not.

Please do be careful and make your own judgements about whose advice to trust here!

Dog Friendly Lodges in the Lake District – Keep Your Dog on A Lead at Lambing Time!

John Hobson — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 22:01:12 +0000

This is a good time to remind you all that lambing is in full swing in the Lakes just now.

If you go out with your dog please make sure that he or she is kept on a lead.

Not only is it unfair on the sheep and lambs to if your dog gets excited and chases them, but farmers WILL take matters, and a shotgun in to their own hands with the full force of the law behind them.

Please don’t let your dog get shot as an example to others!

A doggy joke

John Hobson — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:30:30 +0000

A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead.

He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them. After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight.

When he was standing before it he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side.

When he was close enough, he called out, ‘Excuse me, where are we?’

‘This is Heaven, sir,’ the man answered.

‘Wow! Would you happen to have some water?’ the man asked.

‘Of course, sir. Come right in, and I’ll have some ice water brought right up.’

The man gestured, and the gate began to open.

‘Can my friend,’ gesturing toward his dog, ‘come in, too?’ the traveler asked.

‘I’m sorry, sir, but we don’t accept pets.’

The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog.

After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence.

As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.

‘Excuse me!’ he called to the man. ‘Do you have any water?’

‘Yeah, sure, there’s a pump over there, come on in.’

‘How about my friend here?’ the traveler gestured to the dog.

‘There should be a bowl by the pump.’

They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it.

The traveler filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog.

When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree.

‘What do you call this place?’ the traveler asked.

‘This is Heaven,’ he answered.

‘Well, that’s confusing,’ the traveler said. ‘The man down the road said that was Heaven, too.’

‘Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That’s hell.’

‘Doesn’t it make you mad for them to use your name like that?’

‘No, we’re just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind.’

Bike Dog Trailers

John Hobson — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:37:05 +0000

Well I never realised you could buy bike trailers for dogs

We used to hire one for our son, but I never imagined putting Suki in one. I saw these discussed on Twitter so I looked them up and you can buy them here.

If anyone knows where you can hire them in the Lake District please do let me know!

Please keep your dogs on leads on the fells

John Hobson — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 08:52:21 +0000

An article published in the Westmorland Gazette today shows the importance of keeping your dogs under control out on the fellsides. This is not just well meant advice – it could save your dog’s life (and those of some sheep as well).

Please read the article and take note – the fells are alovely place to exercise your dog, but the farmers do have a livelihood to protect.

Kingfisher Lodge gets a great review

John Hobson — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:17:05 +0000

At the end of 2009 we had a visit from Nick Peet, who is a well-known sports reporter on the Liverpool Echo. He stayed with his lovely fiancee, Sally, and his young puppy, Lola. This is his review.

Beauty and peace on your doorstep

Jan 5 2010 by Nick Peet, Liverpool Echo

Lola the bulldog takes Nick Peet for a week of splashing about in the Lake District

THE stress and strain of holiday travel often leaves you needing another break, even before you’re back breathing Mersey air.

Hours queuing at foreign airport check-in desks can test the blood pressure of even the most patient of high flyers, while constant air traffic delays can spoil the most exciting of breaks in the sun.

And I am sure we’ve all suffered from outrageous early morning hotel check-out times, when you’re left to store your luggage with a dozen other families, in some unlocked reception room and forced to shower using the poolside garden tap!

Fortunately for me I’m a happy flyer, so the prospect of a couple of hours in the sky with nothing but dry air and steamed meals in plastic trays actually appeals, but you can see what I’m getting at here.

For all those reasons and for one other – our seductively salivating 12-month old bundle of bulldog – we ditched the flip-flops and sunglasses in favour of a delectably British break this year.

And who would’ve guessed that just 90 minutes from Liverpool lies the kind of picturesque and beautiful landscape that you won’t find on the Costas.

The Lake District is a place which I had associated with retired folk and cub scouts, but I found to be arguably one of the most relaxing holiday destinations I’ve ever been to.

Aside from the fact the door-to-door travel time is shorter than your average trip through passport control, the Lakes offer more adventure for your pennies than any sandy beach or desert island ever could.

So what if the sun shines only briefly through the summer months, this is rural England at its most enchanting.

We stayed in a privately owned, luxury pine lodge which hangs out over the Troutbeck River, on the established Limefitt Park complex.

The park is home to dozens of holiday homes and luxury cabins and boasts a range of facilities including a children’s play area, a swimming hole and even a dog park, which to Lola’s delight included an icy stream for splashing about in.

The lodge, one of three holiday homes owned by Mr and Mrs Hobson located on the park, was extremely cosy with a roaring gas fire and relaxing leather sofas rivalled only by the big comfy beds.

Perhaps surprisingly, for a lodge which welcomes pets, there was no sign of over the top pet-proofing either, which made our stay more welcoming.

From the Sky TV (at the Haybarn) through to the wireless internet connection, the amenities both inside the lodge and on the park itself – there is also on-site pub and newsagents – offer you the chance to either get away from it all or simply take a break in a home away from home.

For the active person the area is, naturally, one big fell-walk or run and so we wrapped Lola up in her harness and headed for the hills most mornings.

The location of the park means that it is ideally positioned to experience the very best of the Lakes.

From the well-developed and established shop-lined streets of Windermere, to the more basic but far more tranquil village of Glenridding at Ullswater, Limefitt Park is slap bang in the middle just a short drive in either direction.

The highlight of our stay was a day spent at Ullswater, first cheering home the hundreds of sportsmen and women taking part in the gruelling annual village triathlon, followed by getting stuck in a cloud while attempting to navigate our way back across the brilliant winding lanes of the Kirkstone Pass.

The landscape here is like something you would expect to find in New Zealand. I was half expecting a gang of Orcs carrying hobbits to rumble by while we were pulled over in the heavy rain munching on crisps and chocolate and peering out through steamy windows.

Another must during any stay is just a short five minute walk from the park in the form of the Mortal Man gastro pub, which has character and charm in abundance.

The old inn dates back to 1689 and welcomes dogs, which meant the Lola didn’t have to miss out on a five star meal, as she sat under the table eating her way through bread rolls and tit-bits.

And I can heartily recommend the house speciality, Sally Birkett’s Hotpot.

Back at the Kingfisher Lodge and Lola was splashing away in the streams, looking on bewildered at the fields of sheep and cows and chasing spiders across the decking.

She absolutely loved it, and so did we. Thoroughly relaxing and now most definitely a calendar event.

A five star stay in five star Britain and just 90 minutes from home. Brilliant.

A compliment from a real expert!

John Hobson — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:13:03 +0000

I was thrilled today when I learned from a Twitter post that we got a mention in despatches from Heather Bayer (AKA the Cottage Guru). For those of you who don’t know Heather’s writing, her laid back style belies an incisive and encyclopaedic understanding of what makes a holiday rental really tick. Her opinion is highly valued by most of the professionals I know, so you can imagine how flattered I was to read the following over at her web site at:

http://cottageblogger.com/2010/01/5-ways-to-make-your-vacation-rental-stand-out-from-the-competition/

3: Make your website sticky – if you have lots of information on your site that makes it interesting they are more likely to stick around. For example, if you were looking for a pet friendly vacation in the Lake District (UK), why would you look further than either Otter or Kingfisher Lodge. Not only is this welcoming but there’s lots of information for dog lovers to explore. It’s a great example of using a vacation rental web site to share more than just a few listing details. I’ll be reviewing the Windermere Lodges web sites soon as there is a lot to learn from what this owner has achieved.

How LOVELY is that – thank you Heather!

Looking For A Lake District Lodge For New Year?

John Hobson — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:57:49 +0000

A lot of people seem to be leaving it very late to look for New Year availability – all three of our lodges have been booked for over 2 months now but we are still getting loads of enquiries!

If you really are hoping to find somewhere you’re probably going to have to pay the premium and book with some of the agencies now, as everyone else I know who rents privately is also booked.

If you are still looking you might want to try Cumbrian Cottages who do seem to have some availability left, even though they were only taking full week bookings when I looked at the website just now.

Of course you can always decide to come next year and book one of our lodges now

Let your dog travel the Lake District in style!

John Hobson — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:10:06 +0000

I was really pleased to read about a new venture – Swish Travel.

It’s quite rare to read about a new idea in tourism and they have a few really great suggestions for days out.

There’s the:

Wordsworth Trail
Valentine’s day trip (available every day! Now how romantic is THAT!)
Ale Trail
Cake and Cocktails (I think I know someone who’d like that one)
Culture Vulture Tour

…and even better they are dog friendly so you don’t need to worry about leaving your best friend at home!