Ferry booked back in January to make sure of a pet cabin. Route planned and accommodation reserved by Easter. No easy task when travelling with three labradors and Goa’s absolute refusal to do stairs. To-do and to-pack lists made, but little actually done. It suddenly struck me yesterday that in two weeks’ time we would be setting off and I should be get down to ticking things off the lists.
Work has really slowed down since May. Worryingly so. Rationally, I know the combination of the Basque and EU elections and the summer shutdown has brought things to a standstill. Things should pick up in late August when the new government teams come back off holiday. But like most freelancers I know, panic mode sets in when we are not overwhelmed with work. So I have wasted most of July checking my inbox and imagining us living in a tent instead of organising the trip.
We have had Yankz, brother to Thai and Goa and uncle to Jaffa, staying with us while his family have been visiting their relatives back in the States. Yankz will go home tomorrow and I’ve decided that I cannot put off the lists any longer.
Thai will be 12 in October. I have added another day on our way up to Cherbourg this year to make it easier for her in the heat of August. We will be leaving here on the 16th. First to Cáceres, where we have become regulars and they are looking forward to seeing the pups again, then Tordesillas. A short leg, but the hotel there is very dog friendly and has a lift for Goa. I discovered last year how hard it is to find good pet-friendly accommodation between Burgos and Vitoria.
Our first night in France will be in Tartas. Then Vieillevigne, just south of Nantes, and two nights in Cherbourg. A very slow way up, but with time to enjoy just being back in France. Hopefully, it will be cool enough to explore the small towns we are staying in. Stopping off along the routes as well.
Last year’s blog was a bit of a failure. I plan to do better this year.
Labs on the Road 