Pets

3.5-MILE CIRCULAR WALK FROM PORTLAND COUNTRY PARK

This classic ramble takes us back to March 2017. As this is a shorter walk I thought it would work well for these colder winter months. We begin and end near Portland Country Park, which just so happens to have a dog friendly visitors centre. Perfect for a cuppa after a good walk, and maybe a snozzage for your pup! Just check the opening times to avoid disappointment. The walk itself is lovely with a nice range of scenery, including some beautiful views. Well worth braving the weather! A steady walk for you and your dog, which should take around 1½ hours to complete. There is a range of terrains and a couple of steep inclines, along with the seasonal mud and puddles so make sure you wear appropriate footwear. There are also a couple of sections of road, so please take plenty of care.

START: PORTLAND COUNTRY PARK, LINDLEY’S LANE, KIRKBY IN ASHFIELD. NG17 9AL. ACCESS TO THE CAR PARK IS BEST DOWN LINDLEY LANE, WHICH CAN BE REACHED FROM THE B6020 IN KIRKBY-IN-ASHFIELD TOWN CENTRE.

1. Standing with your back to the car park entrance, continue straight ahead, along a well laid footpath, passing a signboard on your left.

2. Continue straight ahead until the path passes into some trees, bends around to the left, and then to a T junction of footpaths. At this point turn right and continue along a footpath with a steep drop to your left.

3. A little further on, the path begins to descend. At the bottom of the hill you will reach a T junction of paths with a metal fence, and railway line directly in front of you. Turn right to continue along a footpath, keeping a metal fence and railway line on your left. 4. Continue along this path for some distance, ignoring any paths leading off. Eventually the path bears slightly to the right and away from the railway line. Continue straight ahead until reaching a T junction of paths. At the T junction turn left, climb up some steps, and cross over a railway bridge.

5. As you climb down the steps from the bridge, continue straight ahead, ignoring the path on the right. Continue straight ahead for some distance until passing through a metal width restrictor.

Continue straight ahead staying close to some trees on your right.

6. Continue straight ahead until passing through a

7. Continue until you reach a cream coloured house on your left. At this point, keep right and begin to climb gently. Follow the path into a field, and now continue to climb with a hedge on you left.

8. After a short distance, turn right, pass close by a pylon on your left, and continue to cross an open field. Continue straight ahead until passing a grave yard on your left. After, continue straight ahead to pass by a metal gate and into a church yard.

9. Continue along a path and pass the church on your right. Pass through a wooden gate, out of the church yard, and onto a road. Turn left along the road, and begin to head downhill.

10. Continue along the road for some distance. After passing a bus stop on your right, and just prior to a bus stop on your left, turn left along ‘Laburnum Avenue’.

11. Continue along ‘Laburnum Avenue’ until the road bends sharp around to the right. At this point, continue straight ahead along a road for a short distance, and then continue as the road turns into a lane. 14. At the bottom of the hill cross over a wooden footbridge, pass through a gate, and then continue uphill to cross another field.

15. At the top of the hill, pass through a metal gate, cross over a railway line, and then pass through another metal gate. Continue straight ahead along a tarmac footpath. After a short distance pass by a sign board on your left, and begin to gently climb uphill.

16. Continue straight ahead for some distance until passing ‘Portland Country Park Visitor Centre’ on your left. The tarmac footpath now turns into a single track road.

17. Continue straight along the road passing ‘Kirkby Kennels’ on your right. After a short distance the road bends sharp to the left. At this point continue straight ahead along a lane.

12. A very short distance along the lane, bear slightly left to continue along the lane with a wall on your right and a fence on your left. Upon reaching a metal gate directly in front of you, bear slightly left again to continue along a footpath with a fence on both sides.

13. After a very short distance the path splits in two.

Take the right hand split and continue with a fence on both sides. Continue for some distance until reaching a metal gate directly in front of you.

Pass by the gate, and then, turn immediately right, heading downhill across a field.

18. After a short distance you will pass a farm on your right. Shortly after the farm the lane bends around to the right. Continue straight ahead to pass by a metal gate, and then continue straight ahead along a lane.

19. Follow the lane for some distance until reaching a road. Turn left along the road for a short distance, and then, just prior to a bus stop, turn left through a gap in the hedge, into a field. Continue to cross the field with the hedge on your left. At the far side of the field continue straight ahead, along a lane, for a short distance, until reaching a road.

20. Turn left along the road for some distance until reaching a T junction of roads. Turn left again and after a short distance turn right, back into the car park, and starting point.

This walk is for illustrative purposes only. Voice Magazines takes no responsibility for anyone who chooses to follow this route and encourages all walkers to obey all byelaws and signs and to respect the area they are walking in, ensuring they pick up all dog mess and obey the countryside code at all times.

Pet Safety During the Festive Season

Christmas can often be a busy time of year. Whether you’re out and about visiting friends and relatives, or you have family and friends coming over to your house, the change to your pets’ routine can be pretty stressful. Take a look at our 10 festive tips to ensure your pet remains happy and content during the Christmas period.

Friends and family

Visitors can sometimes be a little unnerving for pets. If your pet is usually concerned with visitors, it’s important to ensure your pet has a safe place they can retreat to where they won’t be disturbed. Having a familiar sound on such as the TV or radio may help to make them feel much more at ease too.

Stick to your routine

Stick to your usual routine as much as possible. Keep mealtimes roughly the same, and ensure your dog gets their usual amount of exercise. If you usually walk your dog twice a day, then it’s a good idea stick to this, even during the busy Christmas period.

Travelling with your pet

Travelling can be a stressful experience for your dog. If you are planning to travel with your pet, it’s a good idea to take their toys and bedding to provide some extra comfort.

Store gifts away safely

Don’t leave presents under the tree – pets may be tempted to investigate and unwrap gifts. Keep gifts safely stored aware until Christmas morning and keep a close eye on your pet when opening your gifts.

Keep pet’s busy

Kong toys and other interactive feeders are a great way to keep your pet distracted and their mind active, especially if you’re expecting lots of guests.

Away for Christmas?

If you’re away over the festive period but your pet is staying at home, allow them time to get used to whoever is looking after them before you leave. If your neighbour has kindly offered to look after your cat, let them both meet a few times beforehand.

Be aware of the Christmas tree

A real Christmas tree looks beautiful, yet the oils in trees can be mildly toxic if consumed. The needles can also get stuck in your pet’s throat or in their paws.

Regularly sweep up any needles that have dropped onto the floor and try not to leave your pet unattended around the tree. Cats climbing trees may also present a risk of injury, so help to keep them safe.

Decorations

Decorations may appear to look like tempting new and shiny toys to play with yet tinsel and angel hair can cause serious illness if consumed.

Instead, help keep your pet’s playful side occupied by spending time playing with appropriate pet toys with them.

Lights may also be a very tempting toy. Make sure lights aren’t dangling, wires are tucked away safely, and lights are turned off when leaving your pet unattended.

Visiting children

Ensure you supervise children and dogs together at all times. Children can get very excited over Christmas, and to a dog, this can be very unpredictable behaviour and can cause them stress. Ensure your pet has somewhere safe they can retreat to at all times.

Tempting treats

Keep an eye on chocolates, fruit cake and mince pies. Grapes, raisins and chocolate are all toxic to dogs, therefore, avoid leaving any food unattended. If you suspect your pet has ingested something that could cause harm, please contact your vet immediately.

We’re here for you and your pet 365 days a year, 7 days a week. If you’re concerned about your pet over the Christmas period, call us via

01332 678333