When I mentioned in my post announcing this walk, that there was a possibility of there being damp doodles, it was because of a small stream - this was not exactly what I had had in mind...

While driving around the M25 towards Reigate in bright sunshine, I saw a black sky ahead ... was it right over Reigate, I thought? Well, actually, yes, it was! I was first to arrive at the car park. I sat in the car with Archie as the hail hammered on the roof and thunder rumbled close by. Through this sheet of water, I was just about able to make out Adrian's car as it splashed past mine. He parked up, I went over to his car, complete with brolly, and he laughed, saying he hadn't brought a waterproof jacket (again). With that, he got out of the car, wrenched poor Oscar and Henry out too and proceeded to stand in the car park to wait for the others - "mad dogs and Englishmen..."

Wendy was next to arrive and we traded "Hellos" from sitting in the boots of our cars with the hatchbacks open. The others would be on their way "after the downpour", we learned via a text message. I had a lunch date down in Sussex, so I was a little concerned when "after the downpour" might be.

The rain let up a little and Susie, Sally and Ivy arrived together.

And then we set off. The showers came and went (though mainly came). We all got soaking wet but enjoyed the walk very much. Thank you to Ivy for showing us round this beautiful walk.

On the walk were:
Wendy with Tilly
Susie with Flo
Adrian with Oscar and Henry
Ivy and Sally with Piet
Paula with Archie

"Hello", from Wendy and Tilly. The streaks down the photo is falling rain.


Yes, it was that wet - the dogs were soaked within minutes


Piet


Piet catches water being flicked at him, Archie and Tilly look on






Archie and Piet taking a dip, as if they needed to get any wetter


Flo, not her usual clean self, decidedly soggy


Oscar and Henry


Yes, there was a patch of blue sky! I had to catch that photo quickly


Tilly, who appears to have taken her ears off, perhaps to keep them dry


Flo




The doods start to have a bit of fun




Oscar and Piet


Archie


Left to right: Tilly, Oscar, Henry and Piet. Looks like Tilly isn't in the mood for a game, but at least she has put her ears back on.






"Oh, OK, I suppose I'll join in" Tilly sets off with Oscar and Piet behind


We met some other people mad enough to be walking out in this weather


"Look at them go!"






Any groundsmen and greenkeepers, please avert your eyes for a while, these are not our dogs, we've never seen them before....
What is it about bunkers that are so exciting? Oscar and Piet are already in, ready to chip on to the green..












Spot Piet and Archie in the sand now...


















OK, greenkeepers, you can come back now...Oscar and Archie


A bedraggled Archie


Oscar


Piet and Flo




Nearly back to the car. Adrian, looking really pleased he took part in this walk, with Oscar and Henry on leads


Wendy with Tilly, Sally, Ivy with Piet and Susie with Flo.


I wonder how long the car will smell of damp dog.

The next walk will be at Reigate Hill on Sunday 19th August at 10:30 am. Details will be posted on M.E.S.S. nearer the time.

Oh Paula, that has certainly started my day with a smile It looks like it was such a fun walk, wish I'd have been part of it

First time I have seen the beautiful Flo looking bedraggled, Flo I can't believe you forgot you brolly and wellies

That picture of Archie looks like he is posing for Crufts (but someone has edited out the owner holding out the tail )

The bunker shots had me in stitches - my Archie would have been in his element. I would like to have captured a shot of the groundsman's face when he saw the results of their exuberance

When I saw that the next walk was going to be at Reigate I thought "Oh goody, perhaps I will feel up to this one". That hope was quickly quashed when I saw the calendar and realised I am not free that day

Missing you all - maybe will be able to make the following one.

Hope you have better weather for the next walk

Don't you just love the way a doodles ears fly when he/she is running flat out?

You were brave ,but the dogs looked like they ha great fun,gret photos.

Well that was one of the soggiest strolls we've ever had wasn't it!! But must say despite having to peel my jeans off when I got home really enjoyed it!! Flo dried off eventually and amazingly enough returned to her normal Flo like self after all the mud dropped off after a good brushing

I do hope Adrian didn't go down with double pneumonia tho!

Looking forward to a rather drier, sunnier stroll before long!!

Cheers!

Susie and Flo xxxx

......Oooh and GREAT Piccies as usual Paula!


Seeya soon!

S x

Thank you all for turning up and I am so sorry that the day did not do justice to the brook and walk (the afternoon was warm!!!!). Hopefully, if we do it again the weather will be kinder. The photographs are, as usual, great - especially the ones of them all chasing in and out of the bunker which, they would not have been able to do if the golfers where there, so the rain did have one advantage!!. I don't think the dogs mind what the weather is like, they always seems to enjoy themselves.
See you soon, Piet and Ivy

Really laughed at all the photos Paula...they do the wet experience justice
Tilly looks so funny with no ears and her continual run around the bunker is hilarious

We did enjoy ourselves despite the rain and look forward to a repeat visit soon

Love, Wendy and Tilly xx

You all deserve gold medals for tenacity bracing these conditions! We went to see the Marathon, and most of the time it was dry and even sunny. The doodles obviously loved every minute. I hope we can join you on 19th, whatever the weather.

Great photos! Val & Finn