The Chopper Chronicles

Some days are just out and out 5 Curly Tail Days. This was no exception ! First was the early morning trek up the Moel Famau track. Then after second breakfast, That Bearded Guy suggested a trip to the beach !! Being a beach baby, born in Fort Bragg, California, and raised just south of town along the coast for my first year…I did not have to be asked twice. In fact, this suggestion had Me so excited that I almost loaded My Royal Chushion and water bowl into the chariot Myself. This destination was Talacre Beach, Talacre Dunes, and The Point of Ayr Lighthouse ! VERY cool !!!! The drive there was the usual crazy skinny curvy roads with spectacular views. Mum was surprised how close we are to the beach. In about 30 mins I was eagerly pulling My way to a boardwalk through the dunes. My Macho Pink Handsome Chihuahua nose was going a mile a minute. Talacre Dunes is considered an SSSI ( A Site of Special Scientific Interest ) This is because of the Natterjack Toad. The dunes at Talacre are the only place this endangered specis of Toad can be found in Wales. The Talacre Dunes and beach are very interesting indeed. Besides the really cool Point of Ayr Lighthouse,  known for its bird population, the Point of Ayr is the Northernmost place in mainland Wales. The village of Talacre is the northernmost settlement in mainland Wales. So here I was claiming a rather historic ( the lighthouse was built in 1776 ) and special area and headed to one of my favorite places….the beach ! This beach and its dunes are well known for a great many things, but no one mentioned anything about what I saw the most of everywhere. BallFaces. Yes, folks….BallFaces. Everywhere I looked. There they were, in all shapes, colors and sizes, heading to the beach too ! Never had i seen such a wide variety of balls either ! While I am not a particular fan of the ball chase trend, I do have a great appreciation for the happiness and joy it brings to Dogs and their servants who throw the balls for them. Luckily it was a HUGE long expanse of beach and once we started strolling along, it seemed to be our own private place. A few dogs and their people passed us by, ( My dawdling duo was really taking their time today ) including a hugely giant once white but now wet long curly haired chap with legs as long as stilts. At first, I thought I would have to get My Growler out because he came bounding up and really gave me a good sniff. I was protecting Mum from up in her arms and this boyo was almost as tall as My Mum ! Turns out he was a very respectful chap, just very excited to be walking along the beach with his entourage. The next few times he bounced My direction it was quite alright, after all, I was getting all the proper respect due to The King Of North Wales. We walked for a really long ways before Mum declared she had to tinkle. Rolls Handsome green Chihuahua eyes. There was only bouncy giant and his entourage way up beach from us, and some unfortunate dogless walkers way down beach from us, but Mum just wouldn’t use a nice clump of seaweed I graciously found for her on the beach. She dragged me way up onto a small dune hillock along the beach instead and precariously perched behind it. Knowing that she was in a rush and concerned about the walkers way down beach, I magnanimously stood beside her and scratched madly while she tinkled. ( I knew she wouldn’t take the time to do this ) I have to say that scratching dry sand was a LOT different than all the scratching I had been doing down in the wet sand of the retreating tide ! One would still think she would be a bit more appreciative than she was. The Dawdling Duo picked up a few rocks, beach worn coal, a few cockle shells ( little clam shells to us Yankee Doodle Chihuahuas ) and some razor clam shells, and decided it was time to turn back. By the time we walked past the Point of Ayr Lighthouse the tide had retreated enough that people were standing around it. I could not believe how many crazy dogs ( mostly Labrador Retrievers ) were swimming and playing in the cold Irish Sea !!!! It was insane and almost embarrassing to see how undignified they were acting splashing about in herds ! Giant respectful white shaggy tall dog from earlier did some splashing about in the shallows chasing a stick and leaping through the water, but nothing like this daft festival of swimmers ! Once back in My chariot I had to admit I was once again, one very tired Grand PooBah and King of North Wales. I enjoyed every minute of this bright sunny day though. That Bearded Guy told us that the area of beach between low and high tide, by law and tradition belongs to the Queen of England. Ha !!! It’s now ALL mine Mine MINE !!!

Point of Ayr Lighthouse and The Talacre Dunes

Point Of Ayr Lighthouse

I’m impressed Mum. Someone built a rocket on the shore. Can we send That Bearded Guy up in it ?

Hmmm…. Its not poo Mum. Feel free to tread on it.

Look, Mum !!! Footprints ! Do you think Robinson Crusoe had a dog Friday ? I had best protect you from in your arms again !

I now charge extra for posing with That Bearded Guy

Looking south on Talacre Beach

Look at those totally mad dogs playing in The Irish Sea ! No way am I dipping My toe toes in there!

This is Chopper The Beach King ( sorry Queenie ) , Grand PooBah of all I survey and King of North Wales, signing off for now……

I raise my Paw and Wag my tail in a *bark out* to my wonderful friend, Debbie with a new last name as of Oct 11, 2008, in Marana/Tucson, AZ !!!!! HellOoOooo and Thank You Debbie Of All Pet Travel ! HelloOoOo and Thank You’s to Rich and Erika, miss and love You’s ! You too,  Carmen,  All of Vail AZ, …. Lots of kisses and Wags.…Hiya’s to Maxx and Duke ! Chopper The Brave ” Going Where No Chihuahua Has Gone Before “

Tags: All Pet Travel.Chopper, Beach, California, Chihuahua, Chopper, Dogs, Dunes, Fort Bragg, High Tide, Irish Sea, Labrador Retrievers, Low Tide, Moel Famau, Natterjack Toad, North Wales, Point of Ayr, Point of Ayr Lighthouse, Queen of England, Razor Clams, Rocket, Sand, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, SSSI, swimming, Talacre, Talacre beach, Talacre Dunes, Wales, Walks, Yankee, Yankee Doodle

This entry was posted on Monday, October 20th, 2008 at 7:20 am and is filed under All Pet Travel, Beach, California, Chihuahua, Chopper, Dogs, England, Fort Bragg, Labrador Retrievers, Moel Famau, Natterjack Toad, North Wales, Northernmost Mainland, Northernmost mainland village, Queen of England, SSSI, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Talacre, Talacre Dunes, Talacre beach, Wales, Walks, stunning views. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.