Our post Christmas life has been about rehabilitating Lola as our only dog. Left to her own devices she would sleep most of the day and happily nip out to the yard for comfort breaks. This lifestyle would not be good for her. We have discovered that she is energised by trips where other dogs and humans can give her . We had not attempted countryside walks until yesterday when a bright and breezy Dartmoor attracted us.

We walked along the river Dart at Dartmeet. Lola tolerated the isolation but was indifferent  to the history or beauty of the area until she was offered a half share of a warm sausage roll on our return to the car.

She sniffed Lichen boulders but not with any great enthusiasm.

Our second walk of the day was more to her taste. Ashburton also took in history with one of the world’s oldest inns. Trading as an Inn since 1140

Nearly 900 years of dog messages expressed on its exterior walls. Lola loves to track and was nose to the pavement once she left this rich trove of Canine communication. She sniffed out a serendipitous collection outside a closed antique shop. Either intentionally or by accident this tiny collection of  objects has been rained on, pissed on and then caught in bright winter daylight.

Lola chose not to leave her own message but I was glad to have been dragged by her to see it. I just love the patina of the teapot against the terracotta, rust and vivid blue plant pot.

In some ways the picture of the day and for Lola, possibly the highlight. She is most definitely more urban than rural for the time being.