Dogs-Demise of the Mongrel.

Beautiful Border Collie

Strolling around Whitby, you would be forgiven for thinking that Crufts is nearby. Proud owners can be seen parading pedigree dogs around the resort at almost anytime. From huge Great Danes to tiny Chihuahua's, there are breeds galore on show. With dog friendly hospitality in many cafes and bars, plus strategically placed bowls of water, Whitby's effort towards canine friendliness is immense. It's mutual of course. In return for this doggy enterprise, owners provide a welcome addition to the resorts economy.

Standing on a street corner in Whitby would surely prove fruitful to those mysterious people who endlessly collect statistics-canine in this instance. Dogs are part of the family and owners plan their  days out around them. It’s here that data of pedigree breeds can be made. How times have changed. Pedigree ownership is commonplace nowadays. Not too long ago, the words commonplace and pedigree were rarely found in the same sentence.

Outnumbering any other breed by an estimated ratio of 100-1, the undisputed King of commonplace was the mighty Mongrel. Also known as a Heinz 57, this product of cross breeding came in all shapes and sizes. Such dogs were always freely available and money rarely, if ever, changed hands. Most were loved with a passion, but easy availability placed many into the hands of dreadful owners and ill treatment. 

Mongrels roamed  the streets of Britain, unattended, for centuries. Most knew their local area like the back of their paws and were not a problem. However, many mongrels were dumped and became homeless, especially bitches on heat. New laws were introduced and their activity was swiftly curtailed. Worse than the sad part of a movie, any found  wandering were rounded up and taken to the pound. Consequently, their demise began. Confined to living quarters, freebie-take your pick litters-ceased to be. While such action saw the demise of  Mongrels, thankfully, the neglect via dumping and bad ownership was considerably reduced. 

The pendulum has swung, most dog lovers now own a costly pedigree, with papers boasting it's blood line. However, it's extremely comforting to know that the dogged Mongrel  is always capable of a comeback. After all, like the pedigree, they are intelligent, loyal, loving and capable of mass destruction.   

Mighty Mongrel Ready for Action

     

Shout Out for Hikers.

Walk for Smiles and Smiles

It seems to me that pleasure walkers, hikers, ramblers, whatever the correct term, deserve a huge shout out. In fact I'd go much further and say they are among the friendliest people on earth. I hate to generalize, but these wonderful foot sloggers force me to do so.

I prefer short journeys,  my walks usually encompass the Cleveland Way, in and around Whitby, North Yorkshire. At 110 miles long, the Cleveland Way is frequented by hikers with varying destinations. However, almost all ( no generalizing there) have something in common; they smile and say hello when meeting or passing. No doubt about it, walking achieves a wealth of feel good factor. These pleasantries are not exclusive to the Cleveland Way; they are bountiful on country and coastal walkways worldwide.

However, folks should be aware that this unique friendliness will not be found while walking in densely populated town and city areas. Clearly, location is key. Smiling and saying hello to strangers in these areas is regarded quite odd and frowned upon. Even friendly hikers may have a hostile nature on return to these environments. Nevertheless, for their part in creating such a wonderful ambiance, hikers are most worthy shout out recipients.

Aliens Are Here?

Was it a Dream?

Imagine you have experienced something so mind blowing, that you must share it with the world. Overwhelmed with excitement, you assume your awesome revelation will be greeted as a miracle.  Certain you are about to further the world's knowledge base, you begin to feel quite humble.

'I can't believe I was chosen,' you say, after recalling every last detail. 

There is a long silence before you notice the first raised eye brow. Far from of a barrage of scientific questions, they ask, 'do you have a friend who can drive you home?'
Your priceless first hand account is considered nonsensical gibberish, by so called experts, who accept no recognition beyond their own.

Despairingly, the patronizing does not end there.  'Of course I believe you,' or 'Would you like a cup of tea?' become popular questions from friends and family.  'While work colleagues remark, 'You should take a few days off, rest a little.'  
Frustrating? Incredibly so, yet this reaction is familiar to thousands worldwide, who claim to have experienced an Extra Terrestrial encounter. Annoyingly, false claims contribute hugely to discredit any account worthy of consideration. 

However, does every claimant need someone to drive them home and give them a cup of tea? Is it possible that such testimony can be accurate? Future generations may well find our attitude amusing. 'Our ancestors had no clue that aliens existed, they thought galaxies were devoid of all intelligent life form'.
History may well make us appear rather silly. So, let us hope they don't probe further. If they discover that our ancestors thought the earth was flat, our humiliation would be complete. 

Read my updated version of 'Who Can I Tell? http://Author.to/JeanetteWilson 

By Sea or Air-Loves Message Will Always Arrive.

Messages of Eternal Love

An almost unbelievable coincidence has left me feeling deeply honoured. Finding a message in a bottle or attached to a helium balloon is considered a rarity. Therefore, to find both these means of conveyance at the same location is beyond remarkable. And although bottle and balloon were unrelated, each carried a loving message from children to their departed mother. Below is Saltwick Bay, arrival point of both messages.

Taylor-Marie's Message in a Bottle

Beginning in mid June, strolling along the beach at Saltwick Bay I came across a washed up plastic bottle. Just as I was about to throw it for the dog to retrieve, I noticed a message inside. Despite my eagerness to read it; its top had become unmovable. On my return to the caravan, a sharp tin opener was needed. Inside, I found two messages. One was a personal message of love from daughter to mother. The second (below) reveals proceedings leading to the launching of the bottle, on her mothers death anniversary. It is signed Taylor-Marie Black. If Taylor somehow manages to see this post, her message can be returned; if not I will return it to the sea next June. 

 Hanna and Nathan's Balloon

Incredibly, as we headed to the same beach, only weeks later, my husband and I found a helium balloon, with messages attached. We discovered it had been released from near Ripon in North Yorkshire. Its retrieval had a huge amount of good fortune. Had it travelled only yards further, it would have entered the salty North Sea and its messages destroyed.Fortunately, the thorny hedgerow it fell into prevented the strong wind from taking it there. It seems that balloon was determined to be found. Perhaps it was the power of love in the messages it carried? Below are the two loving messages that Hanna and Nathan wrote to their mother.       

Despite relating to the loss of their mother, these messages make it quite clear that the love between them can never die. Finding and writing about these messages has left me with a warm glow; I would like to thank Taylor, Hanna and Nathan for that.  

Saltwick Bay near Whitby

 Whitby Abbey

on the Cleveland Way 

Essentially, a secluded rocky and sandy stretch of shoreline, Saltwick Bay is the perfect place to slow down. Only a stones throw from the hustle and bustle of Whitby, it could be a prescribed antidote for stress. After reaching the Abbey, a short walk along the Cleveland Way takes you to the scenic cliff tops that overlooks it. Then, after navigating some rather erratic and steep zig zag steps, you are there.  

Totally free of all commercialism, entertainment is found in the natural resources of the beach. High tide arrives twice daily, it supplies the numerous rock pools with shrimps, crabs, fish, winkles and other small sea creatures. Hosting all necessary rocks, fossil hunters find Saltwick Bay to be most productive. Beginners can join a party and receive expert tuition on the subject.

Dogs of all breeds arrive and mingle, they seem to adore the place and never become aggressive; is there a magical ambiance? And although the beach attracts a steady stream of visitors, I've yet to see it become over populated.  Extensively detailed by Google, there are historical landmarks and shipwrecks to visit at low tide. Note of caution, you should always be aware of tide times; the North Sea never arrives late. 

Saltwick Bay became such a family favourite that I was inspired to write an e-book as a lasting memory. I wanted a story about adventurous youngsters who, while enjoying the areas features, become aware of its dangers. But most of all, I wanted to capture its magical ambiance. Sitting on the beach, I  was able to visualize characters and escapades. I'm quite happy with the end result, a magical adventure story, twins on summer holiday, friendly ghosts and a grumpy Genie who lives in a winkle shell.   

So, now I have my memory, a little help back up the zig zag steps wouldn't go amiss. Oh, and remember, if you pick up a winkle while visiting Saltwick Bay, look very closely, you may be holding a Genie.

Looking Down on

Saltwick Bay