Monday 4th November 2013
Karia, Hammer, Tymus and Gold
Preparations completed I made my departure on time at 4pm and, after a brief stop for fuel at the Esso near Mussidan, arrived outside the 2 restos under the bridge at Bordeaux. I debated whether to go into the, now re-opened, former Albatross or the Monte Cristo next door. In the end I decided on the latter because we remembered it fondly when I was last there with Fran. However, it didn’t measure up to the last time so I promised myself to try the Albatross again in future. I thought that that would be as soon as next Thursday but things didn’t work out that way.
Once finished I drove the 25 kms to the pension and parked up alongside the owner’s caravan and settled for the night. I thought that the dogs were only briefly disturbed, and not for long, but in the morning I was asked not to park there so late but find another spot elsewhere. Difficult, but there is no way I am going to fight the traffic both up and down that peninsula by leaving my arrival till the morning so I will have to try and arrive earlier in future.
Tuesday 5th
I awoke at 7 and arose immediately, a light was on in the mobile home and, by the time I was ready to move I spotted Nathalie coming through the light rain with my new charge, Hammer. He is a leggy but very thin Dobermann, and jumped readily into the rear cage of the car and we set off at 7.30.
Karia, Hammer, Tymus and Gold
Preparations completed I made my departure on time at 4pm and, after a brief stop for fuel at the Esso near Mussidan, arrived outside the 2 restos under the bridge at Bordeaux. I debated whether to go into the, now re-opened, former Albatross or the Monte Cristo next door. In the end I decided on the latter because we remembered it fondly when I was last there with Fran. However, it didn’t measure up to the last time so I promised myself to try the Albatross again in future. I thought that that would be as soon as next Thursday but things didn’t work out that way.
Once finished I drove the 25 kms to the pension and parked up alongside the owner’s caravan and settled for the night. I thought that the dogs were only briefly disturbed, and not for long, but in the morning I was asked not to park there so late but find another spot elsewhere. Difficult, but there is no way I am going to fight the traffic both up and down that peninsula by leaving my arrival till the morning so I will have to try and arrive earlier in future.
Tuesday 5th
I awoke at 7 and arose immediately, a light was on in the mobile home and, by the time I was ready to move I spotted Nathalie coming through the light rain with my new charge, Hammer. He is a leggy but very thin Dobermann, and jumped readily into the rear cage of the car and we set off at 7.30.
The journey back to the rocade was a nightmare, continuous crawling traffic and I didn’t reach it till an hour later. A little better once joined though and, after 10 more minutes I was heading east at speed along the N89. The run off that towards Bergerac and Cahors was reasonably faster but it soon became clear that I had miscalculated the distance and thus the time required to reach the latter. I think that I had taken it from Bordeaux rather than the pension. I called ahead and left a message on Jane’s answerphone, that it would be nearer 12 than 11 when I would arrive with a request that someone wait for me, so that we wouldn’t be very late arriving at Lucy sur Yonne also. In the event it was just as well, as the reason Jane didn’t answer was because she was going personally to the refuge to meet me and indeed she rang when I was only 5 minutes away at 11.45.
Little Karia was soon produced and loaded along with her paperwork and, once done, I gave Hammer his first outing, a short walk and a drink. We left at midday and the weather, fine for the brief handover, soon closed in again, the heavy showers on the main and auto routes causing blinding spray. I was forced often to reduce my speed and reached the turn off point at Chateauroux well into the afternoon. Again we were lucky with the weather which cleared long enough at a small rest area for the dogs to have another short walk, a drink, and for me to have a brief bite before hurrying on.
Little Karia was soon produced and loaded along with her paperwork and, once done, I gave Hammer his first outing, a short walk and a drink. We left at midday and the weather, fine for the brief handover, soon closed in again, the heavy showers on the main and auto routes causing blinding spray. I was forced often to reduce my speed and reached the turn off point at Chateauroux well into the afternoon. Again we were lucky with the weather which cleared long enough at a small rest area for the dogs to have another short walk, a drink, and for me to have a brief bite before hurrying on.
The route east again was straightforward, Issoudun and Bourges then finally the turning to the village of Lucy sur Yonne. I was worried that, as I wouldn’t arrive till 7pm, my chance of reaching my planned routier at least half an hour beyond was at risk if the resto was no longer in existence. It is many years since I first noted it. So, when I found my destination and brought the little lady inside to meet her new owner I was pleased to be invited to stay for something to eat. I had had enough of driving for one day and knew that, if fed, I could park up only 5 minutes back along the road where a convenient place afforded it.
In the cosy cottage in front of a welcoming wood fire Mary, a Canadian lady, and I chatted about lots of things, mainly dog related. She suddenly remembered Hammer who she had seen and admired in his cage and urged me to bring him in too for a meal and water. Once in the house he was fine with Karia who watched unmoved as he first demolished his own meal and then the chew bone especially bought for her. He has obviously been starved, the ribs showing like a Greyhound’s evidence enough, but we didn’t expect him to continuously search for more food in the kitchen and, due to his long legs actually steal stuff set right back on the worktops. Mary took it all in her stride and wasn’t a bit put out by this ungrateful behaviour. She even offered us to stay the night, there is a pull out bed downstairs, but I insisted that we would be fine with our own arrangements as we must leave early tomorrow to complete the almost 400 kms to the rendezvous at Cambrai.
In the cosy cottage in front of a welcoming wood fire Mary, a Canadian lady, and I chatted about lots of things, mainly dog related. She suddenly remembered Hammer who she had seen and admired in his cage and urged me to bring him in too for a meal and water. Once in the house he was fine with Karia who watched unmoved as he first demolished his own meal and then the chew bone especially bought for her. He has obviously been starved, the ribs showing like a Greyhound’s evidence enough, but we didn’t expect him to continuously search for more food in the kitchen and, due to his long legs actually steal stuff set right back on the worktops. Mary took it all in her stride and wasn’t a bit put out by this ungrateful behaviour. She even offered us to stay the night, there is a pull out bed downstairs, but I insisted that we would be fine with our own arrangements as we must leave early tomorrow to complete the almost 400 kms to the rendezvous at Cambrai.
We left just after 9 and were tucked up outside a nearby factory half an hour later.
Wednesday 6th
Up at 4.30 and away within 10 minutes we stopped twice near Auxerre, once for diesel and then at a routier for breakfast and ablutions.
The journey north was beset by heavy showers again but it soon became clear that I was going to arrive ahead of schedule. When I gained the rdv place, the péage at sortie 14 of the A2, it was clear that there was no official parking space but I managed to squeeze in to one side to await my contact. He soon arrived in a large van and suggested moving to a bar just down the road where we could transfer Hammer and have a coffee ourselves. This we did and before we parted I watched him load our boy into the spacious interior and get him to sit and wait for his bowl of croquettes. Very impressive so quickly for one so starved and I left convinced that he had fallen into good hands.
Wednesday 6th
Up at 4.30 and away within 10 minutes we stopped twice near Auxerre, once for diesel and then at a routier for breakfast and ablutions.
The journey north was beset by heavy showers again but it soon became clear that I was going to arrive ahead of schedule. When I gained the rdv place, the péage at sortie 14 of the A2, it was clear that there was no official parking space but I managed to squeeze in to one side to await my contact. He soon arrived in a large van and suggested moving to a bar just down the road where we could transfer Hammer and have a coffee ourselves. This we did and before we parted I watched him load our boy into the spacious interior and get him to sit and wait for his bowl of croquettes. Very impressive so quickly for one so starved and I left convinced that he had fallen into good hands.
I turned towards Cambrai centre and easily followed the signs towards Valenciennes to find my next rdv at Auchan. There I dieseled up again and parked for a few minutes nearby till my new charge arrived. He was very different to the slender Hammer, very large and strong though friendly enough as he licked my face before descending from the car. The young woman with him was very tearful and there was no chance to learn anything about his history with her so I left as soon as I could. Nicki, of DED, had confirmed the transfer of Gold tomorrow from Evreux to Melle so I set my course for Amiens and Rouen.
The rain eased off a bit as I approached the latter but it was always present and I arrived at the routier, long by-passed, in the village of Thomas la Sogne, to the south of Evreux. I had passed this many times when with Gauthier but never stopped, preferring the other one a little further south at Tivoly. I had often wondered as I raced along the new road if it had survived the changes and was very gratified to see that, not only it had, but was thriving. The large lorry park was rapidly filling.
I brought Tymus out of the car and, with him leaping about on the lead, wanting to play, attempted to give him some food. At first he refused but then ate the cooked meat slices, but not the croquettes, provided for him. He refused drink and a pee but also refused re-entry to the cage. It took me at least 10 minutes of lifting and shoving before he was safely inside again. But at no time did he show any aggression with all this pushing and pulling. I removed the wicked collar. Choke collars have their place when a quick capture of an unfamiliar dog is required, much easier than fiddling to find the right hole, but this one had spikes on the inside. Not for my safety, more for his security, I resolved that there was no way I would risk that once more and decided not to take him out again till tomorrow at the pension where I was to load Gold. There would be help there to get him back in.
The meal was good but the company not, too intent on the telly, and I retired to bed soon after 10.
Thursday 7th
We set off from Thomas at 6.30 and, with only one stop to consult the map and another for directions in the village, arrived at the pension 40 kms away just before 8am, the rendezvous time. Confident of help to get him back in I took Tymus out for a walk round, he still refused water but did have a pee. Soon the resident arrived, helped me to get Tymus back in with the aid of the lunge rein threaded forward through the mesh of the cage and out of the side door. Then I turned in their yard and Gold, a marron Dobie, fairly calm, was introduced to me and, after some time, loaded into the front cage. Tymus set up a barking objection to this but quietened down as we left. This barking of his re-occurred from time to time, alternating with Gold’s whining and ripping up of his bedding though there were, thankfully, long periods when they were both quiet.
I brought Tymus out of the car and, with him leaping about on the lead, wanting to play, attempted to give him some food. At first he refused but then ate the cooked meat slices, but not the croquettes, provided for him. He refused drink and a pee but also refused re-entry to the cage. It took me at least 10 minutes of lifting and shoving before he was safely inside again. But at no time did he show any aggression with all this pushing and pulling. I removed the wicked collar. Choke collars have their place when a quick capture of an unfamiliar dog is required, much easier than fiddling to find the right hole, but this one had spikes on the inside. Not for my safety, more for his security, I resolved that there was no way I would risk that once more and decided not to take him out again till tomorrow at the pension where I was to load Gold. There would be help there to get him back in.
The meal was good but the company not, too intent on the telly, and I retired to bed soon after 10.
Thursday 7th
We set off from Thomas at 6.30 and, with only one stop to consult the map and another for directions in the village, arrived at the pension 40 kms away just before 8am, the rendezvous time. Confident of help to get him back in I took Tymus out for a walk round, he still refused water but did have a pee. Soon the resident arrived, helped me to get Tymus back in with the aid of the lunge rein threaded forward through the mesh of the cage and out of the side door. Then I turned in their yard and Gold, a marron Dobie, fairly calm, was introduced to me and, after some time, loaded into the front cage. Tymus set up a barking objection to this but quietened down as we left. This barking of his re-occurred from time to time, alternating with Gold’s whining and ripping up of his bedding though there were, thankfully, long periods when they were both quiet.
No break for them, my choice with Tymus and advice from the pension for Gold, but for me a stop at McDo’s for emails at Poitiers and again at Vivonne for fuel, before we found the home of Helen in a hamlet near Chef Boutonne.
Following advice in case he objected to my hand invading his space I slipped a noose over Gold’s head but, in the event, the caution wasn’t necessary as he remained calm throughout and once in the garden, perfectly at ease with his new owners. They have 2 dogs and a cat and I heard later that he was fine with the former but keen to chase the latter if it ran.
Then on down the N10 to St. Andre de Cubjac and, after following right through the town centre, I easily found the house of Virginie’s friend on the outskirts. I first unloaded all the baggage, croquettes and toys, before taking the enormously strong Tymus through the garden and into the house. Strangely he baulked at entering the latter just as he had with the cage and both these events may give a clue to his previous conditions – kept outside in a cage. A previous dog had similarly been banned from the house, and prevented from entering by means of electric wire across the doorways! She had needed to be physically dragged across the threshold of her new home. Not quite so bad with Tymus though, eventually he was enticed inside with a morsel of food where I released him from my chain and soon took my leave.
Following advice in case he objected to my hand invading his space I slipped a noose over Gold’s head but, in the event, the caution wasn’t necessary as he remained calm throughout and once in the garden, perfectly at ease with his new owners. They have 2 dogs and a cat and I heard later that he was fine with the former but keen to chase the latter if it ran.
Then on down the N10 to St. Andre de Cubjac and, after following right through the town centre, I easily found the house of Virginie’s friend on the outskirts. I first unloaded all the baggage, croquettes and toys, before taking the enormously strong Tymus through the garden and into the house. Strangely he baulked at entering the latter just as he had with the cage and both these events may give a clue to his previous conditions – kept outside in a cage. A previous dog had similarly been banned from the house, and prevented from entering by means of electric wire across the doorways! She had needed to be physically dragged across the threshold of her new home. Not quite so bad with Tymus though, eventually he was enticed inside with a morsel of food where I released him from my chain and soon took my leave.
My intended route home, after consulting the map was due east on the D1 towards Mussidan where I planned to regain the N89 to Perigueux. It didn’t quite work out like that, the road to Coutras from Guitres was blocked without an obvious detour and I found myself heading north into the Charente. I turned east at Montguyon and soon came upon a queue behind a tractor pulling, not one but 2, heavily laden trailers. At times I was down to 1st gear before I managed to get clear after 10 minutes.
Surprisingly I was only 20 minutes late getting home, at half past eight, and with no extra kms recorded.
Total Distance 2,292 kms.
Surprisingly I was only 20 minutes late getting home, at half past eight, and with no extra kms recorded.
Total Distance 2,292 kms.
UPDATE
And a few of Gentleman Hammer