Category: Poppy


May
2015

Dog Walks in Pembrokeshire – Newgale Beach

categories: Poppy

Newgale beach is one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever been to and I think it’s become my favourite beach. If you get the tide time right, it’s huge. I use the My Tide Times app and it’s brilliant for ensuring you arrive at the right time for maximum beach walking. Once you get over the pebble bank at the back of the beach, there are miles of golden sands ready to be explored. It’s fairly flat so is easy to walk across, unless it’s blowing a gale, which can make it very difficult, especially if you’re a small black dog with giant ears!

Poppy Beach dog Newgale Beach Newgale Newgale Pembrokeshire Newgale Beach Pembs Breezy Newgale Poppy on Newgale Newgale Pebbles

When we visited, we had come from the direction of Broadhaven and stopped at the first car park we came to which has seasonal parking charges. They kicked in the next day so we parked for free. As we parked at the opposite end to the cafe we wanted to go to, the Sands cafe, we drove to the cafe once we’d finished our walk and parked in the cafe car park. It’s really small so if you can walk up from one of the other car parks, then do, but make sure you pop in for a bite to eat.

The Walk: Newgale beach is just under 2 miles long. It has a huge pebble bank at the back of the beach, which can be difficult to walk down so watch your step. Newgale does have seasonal dog restrictions. The middle third of the beach is out of bounds to dogs during the summer. Take a look at the Visit Pembrokeshire website for a map highlighting the restrictions. There’s still plenty of beach to enjoy despite the restriction.
Cost: Free
Car Park: There are three car parks and two have seasonal parking charges. Well worth it though.
Refreshments: There are two cafes, one at either end of the beach. Mum & I went to Sands cafe and enjoyed a delicious warming bowl of soup. It’s dog friendly too!
Toilets: Yes.

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May
2015

Dog Walks in Oxfordshire – Newbridge to Standlake

categories: Poppy

A few weeks ago, over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, we headed out into the beautiful Oxfordshire sunshine to explore the Windrush Path and take a look at Standlake Common Nature Reserve. I’m no twitcher, but there is something amazing about rare, strange and beautiful birds as well as common butterflies and glorious spring blossom.

We set out quite early and parked in the Rose Revived pub car park. We crossed the road and headed out across the footpath that takes in part of the Mosaic Trail. We heard the woodpecker you can almost make out hiding in the tree below. It was so difficult to take a picture of it, hence my not so great attempt here. I’d never seen one before, but have now seen quite a few.

As part of the Mosaic Trail, there’s a picnic area with tables at the Dragonfly post. Not far from here is Standlake Common Nature Reserve, which has two bird hides. Unfortunately, the hides are locked and you have to get a key from the Reserve office. Fortunately, a kind stranger already had a key and let Phil in to take a look at a rare bird (I forget which one) while Poppy and I explored the area outside.

Poppy at Standlake Windrush Path to Standlake Windrush Woodpecker WW2 Oxfordshire Mosaic Trail Oxfordshire Windrush Path Windrush Mosaic Trail Windrush Path Standlake Red Admiral Bracket Fungus Rose Revived Veggie Sandwich

The weather was absolutely glorious and by the time we got back to the pub, we were ready for lunch. Despite the fact that the rest of Oxfordshire had appeared in the pub garden by that time, we found a little table by the river and ordered a few sandwiches. Even though the pub was busy, both inside and out, we didn’t have to wait long. The food was outstanding and I’m looking forward for a return visit.

The Newbridge to Standlake walk is brilliant. The fact that there’s a pub at the end that’s dog friendly and serves great food makes it even better. This is one walk we’ll definitely be going back to.

The Walk: The Standlake to Newbridge walk is about 2 miles long. We didn’t go all the way to Standlake, but headed back towards Newbridge. It’s a nice circular walk taking in some very spectacular sights, including Standlake Common Nature Reserve.
Cost: Free
Car Park: We parked at The Rose Revived at Newbridge. I’m not sure if that was the right thing to do but we felt it was okay as we planned to return there for lunch, which was a great idea!
Refreshments: The Rose Revived was excellent and well worth a visit.
Toilets: The only ones we found were at The Rose Revived.

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Apr
2015

Dog Walks in Pembrokeshire – Broad Haven Beach

categories: Poppy

If there’s one thing that Pembrokeshire has in spades it’s beaches. Plus growing up there means that the sun doesn’t have to be shining for me to enjoy them! However, when I went to Broad Haven over Easter, I was lucky enough to get a few days of sunshine, even if there were gale force winds.

I hadn’t been to Broad Haven before so it was great to see what it was like before all the summer crowds get there. It’s a lovely beach with loads of rock pools at the edges for Poppy to sniff in, though she did try to eat a few sea anemones! That dog will try to eat anything!

Broad Haven Pembrokeshire Broad Haven Broad Haven Beach Hermit Crab Shell Broad Haven North

If you get the tide right, you can beyond the rocks you see in the picture above. We didn’t when we visited because it was blowing a gale and I also wanted to walk on Newgale beach and had to pace Poppy a bit! Broad Haven is a beautiful beach and well worth a visit, even in winter.

The Walk: Broad Haven beach is gorgeous but to make the most of it, be sure to visit when the tide is out. There are dog restrictions on the northern part of the beach from 1st May to 30th September so be sure to check before heading out for your dog walk.
Cost: Free
Car Park: There are two car parks in Broad Haven so make sure you have change for them.
Refreshments: There are a number of places to buy refreshments in Broad Haven itself and it’s just on the beach so you don’t need to go far for a brew.
Toilets: There are loos in the car park.

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Apr
2015

Dog Walks in Oxfordshire – Bury Knowle Park, Oxford

categories: Poppy

After our short walk at Lye Valley, we were still keen to enjoy the spring sunshine so we headed to Bury Knowle Park in Headington. I’ve driven past it a number of times, but had never been in. As we were in the area, we parked up and headed in. It’s a wonderful space for everyone as there’s plenty of space and things to do. It has a children’s play area, a zip wire, a sensory garden for the visually impaired and much more.

Bury Knowle Park Poppy at the parkHeadington ParkStorybook Storybook TreeTennis in HeadingtonCarved seats in Headington Dog walks in Headington Poppy plays chess

If there’s one thing that Oxford does well, it’s parks. They’re well maintained with lots of plants and areas to keep all family members entertained. I loved seeing the Storybook tree too. What a lovely way to remember such great authors! Bury Knowle Park is well worth a visit.

The Walk: There’s a path that runs around the outskirts of the park and there are a few other paths running across it.
Cost: Free
Car Park: We parked in Waitrose, which you have to pay for. We used the Ringo App, which is brilliant.
Refreshments: There is a kiosk in the park selling ice creams and drinks, but it wasn’t open when we were there. There are lots of cafes close by too.
Toilets: Yes.

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