Up here in the Lake District dogs are a very important part of our lives. They run with us, walk with us, go to the pub with us and a few lucky ones get to work with us.

Sky, Jazzy and Charlie have all been become unofficial Cotswold Staff members spending their work days in either the Keswick or Grasmere shops. Well behaved, great lunch time entertainment and part time shop security (if we let them!!) they work hard to earn their biccies.

But as with their owners they all need a day off.  Monday I had the day off and decided to take Sky, Jazzy and Charlie for a walk in the hills. We had a magic day out. We walked down the side of Derwant Waters to Ashness Bridge and then back to Keswick via Walla Crag.

Everyone behaved themselves, there was NO sheep chasing but lots of play stalking, barking, crazy chasing and of course heaps of sniffing and leaving a scent mark or two!! We met lots of other lucky dogs, played nicely and then continued on our own adventure.

For anyone that’s never walked with a group of dogs in the hills I highly recommend it – it’s one of life’s simplest pleasures but it delivers so much!

A big thank you to Rachel & Sam for lending me their furry ones for the day.