Pets

Vintage Rambles with rafa and Flake Bailey Bailey

3-MILE CIRCULAR WALK FROM HOMESFORD TEA ROOMS, ON THE A6 NEAR WHATSTANDWELL

Bailey Boo is back again, and back again at his new haunt, with another walk that departs from Homesford Tea Rooms. This is a nice short walk, which is often handy in these summer months as we try and keep our doggy’s cool in the warm weather. Bailey loved this walk as did his Mum and Dad, not least because of the opportunity for a coffee and cake at Lauretta’s!

A nice short but fun packed walk for you and your dog! There are some uphill sections on this walk so should it take around 1½ hours to complete. There is a range of terrain, which can be muddy and uneven and some sections may be somewhat overgrown due to the time of year. There are also a few sections of road, so take plenty of care, make sure you wear appropriate footwear and as always, follow the countryside code.

START: HOMESFORD TEA ROOMS A6, WHATSTANDWELL, DE4 5HJ

1. Standing, facing the road, with your back to the tea rooms turn left and continue along the main road. After a short distance turn left, pass by a metal gate to continue downhill along a tarmac lane and signposted footpath. 2. At the bottom of the hill follow the lane around to the left and pass underneath a railway bridge. Immediately after the bridge keep to the right and follow a footpath to climb some steps and cross over a river bridge.

3. Immediately after the river bridge turn left to follow the footpath and continue until reaching a T junction of paths. Take the first right, heading uphill along the footpath signposted for ‘Holloway’. After a very short distance turn left along a footpath taking you initially up a short sharp incline, then past a signpost reading ‘nature reserve’ and then passing over the canal. 4. Continue along this path passing through woodland for quite some distance and then eventually pass by a Number ‘5’ marker post on your right. Continue straight ahead until reaching a clearing in the trees. 5. Follow the footpath twisting and winding through the clearing and then pass a stone bench seat on your right just before passing back into some trees. After passing back into the trees, ignore the first path on your right and then at a fork in the path take the right split heading gently uphill. 6. Continue straight ahead for some distance and then pass a number ‘9’ marker post on your left. Continue straight ahead until passing through a wooden gate. Now continue straight ahead with a stone wall on your right. After some distance pass through a tall metal swing gate and now continue with a fence on both sides. 8. Immediately after the stile continue along a well laid lane to cross an open field. At the far side of the field pass through two gaps in a stone wall and onto a road. Turn right along the road heading uphill and then after a short distance take the first road on the right heading downhill signposted for ‘Whatstandwell’.

9. Continue downhill until the road bends around to the left. At this point, and immediately after passing ‘Bracken Cottage’ on the right turn right along a signposted footpath. Continue with a hedge on your right and a fence on your left. After a short distance pass through a gap in a wall and then turn left to pass through a tall metal swing gate into a field.

10. Continue downhill with a stone wall on your left and then pass a cottage on your left. Continue to the bottom of the field and pass through a tall metal swing gate and onto a T junction of footpaths. Turn right along a footpath signposted for ‘Cromsford’. 11. After a short distance turn left onto a footpath signposted for ‘Homesford’. Continue along this path crossing over a river bridge and then underneath a railway bridge. Follow the tarmac lane back to the main road and then turn right along the road back to the tea rooms.

7. Continue until reaching another tall metal swing gate. Pass through the gate and after a very short distance at a T junction of paths turn right. Continue along the path and then after a short distance pass over a stone stile.

This walk is for illustrative purposes only. Voice Magazines Ltd 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.

Homesford Tea Rooms

High Peak Junction Cromford Canal

Whatstandwell

Scarsdale Summer Tips for Dog Grooming

With our own busy lifestyles, dog grooming often gets pushed aside for other commitments. However, pooch hair care crucial – not just to keep your dog looking good, but also to ensure they’re in good health. Dogs, like humans, feel better when they are clean and healthy! The longer days and warm weather inspire us to get ourselves and our dogs outside to soak up some sun. Grooming dogs in the summer can help reduce the heat and make your dog a little more comfortable.

Regularly Brush Your Dogs:

It’s important to remember that dogs have a natural cooling system so shaving it all off isn’t always necessary, all dogs benefit from a good brushing, and you don’t have to be a pro to do that. It may be tempting to shave off all that thick hair for the summer, but don’t do it – unless they’re a breed that gets clipped regularly! Dogs use their coats as natural weather control and don’t benefit from being completely shaved down. In fact, this can be uncomfortable and lead to skin problems since your dog’s skin isn’t meant to be exposed to that level of sun. Instead, focus on brushing your dog to remove thick winter undercoat, this will also prevent excess shedding and remove objects which often find their way into your dog’s coat while playing outdoors.

Nail Care Is Essential:

As dogs like to play outside in the summer, they may break their paw nails if they’re not properly trimmed. Don’t cut the nails more than required, cut from the tip where the nail begins and trim regularly to keep the nails short.

Increase Bathing

Consider increasing baths to ensure your dog’s coat stays as sleek and well-groomed as possible. Additional baths will also help reduce parasites. Apply flea or tick repellent after the bath, many brands wash off in the bathtub.

Avoid Heatstroke

If you are concerned about your dog’s heat, avoid exercise or too much time spent in the yard during the peak of the heat. Provide plenty of shade and maybe even a wading pool for your dog. If you have any concerns about your dog over the summer, or want to discuss any of the above, why not visit our amazing team at Scarsdale Vets new Alfreton site opening soon! Join us on our Open Day, Saturday 25th June to see our facilities and meet he team!