It's a while since we've been and in that time they've brought in a rule whereby you must keep your dog on a lead around the lake area and on the paths which circle the lake. Fair enough, there's lots of birds on the lake, however, some of the paths which encompass the lake are well set back with many trees in between them and the water and there's no way that Archie would make a break for it. You have a decent amount of walking to do to get right around the lake and Archie wasn't at all impressed that he had to be kept on his lead. Just look at that face!
I always put Archie on his lead if there's any chance I can't control him but it's that same old case of the few irresponsible dog owners spoiling things for the many. Our trip to The Yorkshire Coast on Friday highlighted why there must be dog bans on beaches. We were able to take Archie on the lovely beaches there this time, but come the first of May until the end of September, we'll have to stick to designated dog walking areas, and quite rightly so when you see all the dog faeces that we saw. Who wants to take their children on a beach where it's quite likely they'll step in that? It's disgusting how owners fail to clean up after their dogs. So I suppose that's the problem here, owners are allowing their dogs to jump in the lake and they're probably scaring the birds half to death, if not worse. Something had to be done but it's annoying for those owners who walk their dogs responsibly.
Anyway, back to our walk in the park. Look who we saw. It's only Squirrel Nutkin stuffing his face. Okay, I know it's a grey squirrel and Squirrel Nutkin is a red squirrel, but still.
Further into the park, and away from the lake, Archie got his time off his lead.
Don't you just love mossy walls. They stop me in my tracks.
There's so much blossom about at the moment.
So beautiful.
Different colours too.
Look at this cutie, she had babies with her too but they were too quick for me to snap.
There's quite a bit of colour about at the moment.
The daffodils seem early this year. I'm not sure whether they are or not but I'm sure it's usually later when they're blooming.
There's still some snowdrops about. These are mingled in with the dogwoods.
There was a whole swathe of them just around the corner.
I'm always happy to see that things aren't cleared away too soon. Take hydrangeas for example, their spent heads look fabulous whilst fading and even when completely dead, I think still look attractive.
It's a shame about the dogs on leads rule as I doubt we'll bother returning with Archie now. He likes a walk where he can come off his lead and run free so this park doesn't really fit his needs any longer. Never mind, there's plenty more lovely places where we can take him.
It's sad that a few change things for everone else, it's a beautiful spot. I love all the blossom at this time of year, the pale shades are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt's really sad because we probably won't visit again with Archie. It's a fair car ride away so isn't really worth it if Archie has to stay on his lead for most of the walk. There's lots of blossom out now with the lovely weather we had in February, though perhaps a lot of it got blown away with Storm Freya.
DeleteOur snowdrops are well and truly over, There is a lake near us at pugneys where dog owners have been advised to prevent dogs from swimming or drinking form the lake for the dogs safety. Algae in the water has poisoned some dogs.
ReplyDeleteI've still got a few snowdrops hanging on in the garden but I was surprised to see so many still blooming away at the weekend. I hadn't heard that about Pugneys but there's a similar thing at St Aidan's so we don't take Archie there.
DeleteDo dogs have access to all areas of Golden Acre Park?
DeleteYes, apart from a nature area which is fenced off, but there's some areas now where they have to be kept on their lead.
DeleteLooks like a lovely place to visit. It's a shame about the new dog rules - obviously a few irresponsible owners have caused that to happen. We have an open park within walking distance from us - just a big open grassy area with swings, etc and a lake. The locals get very protective with the resident swans (as every year something happens to them) but last year a thoughtless man let his dog (springer spaniel)jump in the lake when the cygnets were around and the large swan attacked the dog and held it under water with its huge wings and the poor dog drowned. Once again, a very irresponsible owner! I agree that the daffodils have bloomed earlier than usual - the ones we have in the garden though have been bashed by storm Freya.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely park with a lot there to see. Oh my goodness! I've never heard of anything like that happening before but it just goes to show the lengths that birds and animals will go to to protect their young. These rules are obviously in place for the dogs' sake as well as the birds, though there were still owners flouting the rules and letting their dogs run free where they shouldn't. The daffodils in my garden have also been hammered by Storm Freya, the tete a tetes are fine but there isn't a taller daffodil left standing.
DeleteYes, there are many people who want a dog, but don't like cleaning up after them :( We too have the same rules in our parks and on certain beach areas. All the blossom on those trees is wonderful to see. My shrubs are budding, but apart from a few daffs, there's no other colour in the garden as yet. Best, Jane x
ReplyDeleteI like to think that the majority of dog owners are responsible but there's the few who spoil it for the rest of us. There's lots of buds on the trees and shrubs now, it won't be long until everywhere is a riot of colour.
DeleteLovely post and pictures. I agree with what you say about dogs on leads. I always find squirrels entertaining to watch. xx
ReplyDeleteArchie loves being off his lead but I'm sensible with him and he's put on it if there's the slightest chance that he could be unpredictable. I could spend ages watching squirrels, especially the one on Saturday who had her babies with her.
DeleteI love the squirrels, and the blossom too. I noticed when I went to work this morning that there were some trees in blossom along the main road - I'm sure it must be early this year, maybe brought out by the unseasonably warm weather we've had just recently. Archie doesn't look too impressed at being kept on his lead by the lake!
ReplyDeleteI think lots of things are early this year owing to the good weather we had in February, I just hope that winter doesn't return to spoil it all. Archie enjoys his walks off lead and isn't impressed at all when he has to go back on.
DeleteIrresponsible dog owners. -sigh- They spoil life, for good doggies, and for everyone.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing,how you have so much Spring, in your area!!! Still frigid here, and ice and snow. :-)
I don't think it's too much to ask owners to keep their dogs under control and clean up after them. There's so many places where dogs aren't allowed to go and it all stems from owners not cleaning up after them. We've had a very mild winter this year, I just hope it doesn't mean that we'll get a bad summer.
DeleteI agree it's a shame some irresponsible dog owners spoil things for everyone else. We like our dog to be off lead whenever and wherever possible too. Our beach has dog restrictions from May 'til October and believe me there are more people on the beach with their dogs during the rest of the year than there are in those summer months.
ReplyDeleteI love to see squirrels and you've got some great photos there.
I think it's lovely for dogs to be able to have a good run on the beach but I can understand why restrictions have to be in place during the summer. We always find dog friendly beaches to take Archie as he loves the seaside so much, it's a shame we don't live closer to the coast. I had to be quick with the squirrels, they're so fast.
DeleteYou could be right. I'm sure many owners just don't realise the damage their dog could do, or what could happen to their dog either. Everything seems to be early this year because our February was much warmer than usual, in fact, it was the warmest February recorded.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame you couldn´t enjoy your visit as much as you expected, and that a few spoil it for the rest. Love your photos, especially the ones of Squirrel Nutkin, and of all the blooms. Thanks for sharing xcx
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely park so it's a shame there's restrictions now. There were a lot of squirrels about on Saturday, and plenty of blossom too. I'm just hoping that we don't get a frost now which would spoil it.
DeleteIndeed it is such a shame that the few spoil it for everybody. It was a joy to come along for a stroll with you.
ReplyDeleteThe first place we ever let Archie off his lead was Golden Acre Park so it's a special place for us. It's a lovely park but I'd rather go somewhere where Archie can have the freedom he loves.
DeleteOH MY GOODNESS YOU HAVE SPRING!!! Im jealous
ReplyDeleteSpring has sprung early here this year. I'm just hoping that winter doesn't return and spoil all that beautiful blossom.
DeleteAlways thought the dog owners in UK were far more responsible than over here, but maybe it's about the same. I've been past Golden Acres Park & know my niece did a lot of walking there when overdue with her first baby, hoping all the exercise would make it all happen faster (giggle). And.. it's raining here this morning!!
ReplyDeleteLove the squirrel, even though she's grey. Enjoy the rest of your week & take care.
I think there's good and bad everywhere. We love Golden Acre Park but it doesn't suit out needs any more, such a shame. I could watch squirrels for hours.
DeleteI totally agree with you about irresponsible dog owners spoiling it for the rest of us. It's a common disappointment no matter what side of the pond you live. Sad thing is our dogs don't understand why they no longer have the freedom they were used to.
ReplyDeleteThat's so true. All owners need to do is have a bit of respect for the world around them, I don't think it's too much to ask.
DeleteWe are also responsible dog owners and it is so upsetting to take a walk and see that there are so many who are not. It spoils it for the rest of us. Loved your photos, looks like a lovely place to wander.
ReplyDeleteI think all responsible dog owners would agree. I often hear people complaining how dog owners don't clean up after their dogs or how they allow their dogs to behave irresponsibly yet I believe it's only the minority. The majority of us agree with them.
DeleteThe moss covered walls are commonplace around here too and I can understand why you like them. A lovely walk. X
ReplyDeleteI don't know what it is about moss, it can transform an object into a thing of beauty. It was nice to get out at the weekend, we've got rain here today and it's very dull.
DeleteYou're right about irresponsible dog owners spoiling it for everyone else, it is a pity for Archie but it does look a beautiful place with lots of colour. Great photos, especially that first squirrel one.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely place to walk with lots to see, especially in summer when there's so much colour about.
DeleteWhat a shame that the few spoil it for the many, it seems so often the case.
ReplyDeleteWhat cute squirrel pics!
xx
I had to be quick to get the squirrel photos, they're so fast and don't hang around long, though we saw lots of them on Saturday. The babies were very cute.
DeleteLooks such a lovely place to visit, what a shame about the new dog rules …
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are very nice, and I really enjoyed my walk with you :)
All the best Jan
We've always enjoyed our visits to Golden Acre Park, it's a shame we'll have to take Archie somewhere else in future.
DeleteSo sad that a few can spoil it for the many. WE have dog bills on the local park but you still see people just wander off, and its not always the younger generation!
ReplyDeleteyou saw lot of late winter/early spring colour on your walk. I love the hydrangea blooms this time of year, we have lots still on ours that need to be cut off soon. The birds are still enjoying the rudbekia dried heads too.
It is sad. If owners just exercised a little common sense there'd be no need for these rules. Now our dogs aren't allowed off their leads for much of the walk. There's quite a lot of colour around at the moment, I think the sunshine we had in February brought a lot of plants on. Birds love dries seed heads so I don't know why people are so quick to cut them off.
DeleteIt is such a shame how irresponsible dog owners ruin things for responsible owners. Poor Archie. What a shame, it is such a lovely park. Loved the squirrel and all the blossom.xxx
ReplyDeleteWe really like this park but Archie will be taken elsewhere now where he can have a good run off his lead.
DeleteGreat post and what Beautiful photos.Don't get me started about "Dog Owners" that don't clean up.xx
ReplyDeleteThe thing which annoys me are those non dog owners who think all dog owners are the same, we're not!
Delete