The traveling Ark

When we are on the road, the dogs usually come too. The boot of the car has been adapted by a home-made barrier so that they can have their own space. Perhaps `space` is not the right word as it is quite small, but the dogs don`t seem to mind. Indeed they seem to look forward to a road trip and picket the door as soon as they detect any packing activity. If we are staying more than a day or two in a location, I have another barrier which can be fixed with the back seats lowered, to allow a more spacious `kennel`. Far from disliking the confinement, they enjoy going to different places. I have had the experience of the dogs, after a long trip back from somewhere, trying to get back in the car after their walk. The cats, now, cannot come. They don`t like car travel and could not be confined in the car!
  If we need to stop en route, we usually use the Formule 1 hotels. They are very reasonably priced, by the room rather than per person as in the UK. Their only disadvantage is that the showers and toilets are not en suite. If you are willing to pay a little more, the Premier Classe,Band B or Quick Palace chains offer this convenience. Most allow you to take a pet in your room at a small supplementary cost but we never do. The dogs would keep us awake and there is always the fear of an `accident`. They sleep quite happily in the car as they have always been accustomed to do. On the right you can see how breakfast time at the Formule 1 is organised for the canine travelers. The humans can dine inside, of course!
   One of the reasons that the dogs don`t complain at their travel arrangements, is that they get more walks in new places, always a treat for dogs. We stop en route every 2 hours, which is good for dogs and humans. When we are staying in the Pyrenees, the dogs have more and varied walks than they experience at home. True, on a trip to Roscoff to put Kim on the ferry, the walks are less exciting, but a dog is an optimist and can always hope!

  Bye for now, off to walk the dogs!