parkrun tourism: Montalto Estate

Posted on April 21, 2024 by lindaharley

parkrun#371 event#98

Regionaire Regained!

I’ve got a wee summer job (yay!). But it means I often have to work on Saturdays (boo). A couple of weeks ago I had a Saturday off, AND it was scheduled to be Montalto’s inaugural (yay!), But then along came Storm Olivia, and the whole estate was closed (booo). Last week they were able to have their inaugural, but I was working (boooo), but I did manage to make it to their event number 2 (yay!)

Access:

You need a car, there is no public transport option. We are currently a one-car family, and the real pinch point is that my husband needs the car each Saturday morning, where he has to be in Ballynahinch at 10 am. Handily enough, Montalto is just around the corner from the town, and those times aren’t too bad for a drop-off /pick-up for me, so I suspect Montalto Estate will become a common feature of my parkrun journey over the next few months. (On those Saturdays when I’m not working ). And as it’s dog friendly and has a great cafe, this will be no hardship!

Plenty of car parking, and it was being efficiently marshalled.

Facilities:

Super cafe, and you get to spend some time in the beautiful grounds afterwards if you aren’t rushing off. There are toilets in the courtyard, as well as in the next block along. There’s also an enclosed dog exercise area beside the car park, so Toby could have a bit of a meet’n’greet with the other pooches before setting off.

Course:

The estate is home to some charming views and gorgeous flora. But oh my it is HILLY! I was discussing with other parkrunners, and we reckon this may just be the most brutal course in Norn Irn. Brutal, but bootiful.

There’s a narrow funnel to get through before the start, and the paths are mostly gravel and not very wide. 2 laps, so there’s more room to choose your line on the second one.

Crowd:

There had been over 400 at the inaugural, with 250 when I attended. I’d expect it to level off at around 100. Lots of dogs, it’ll appeal to those who just want to take Fido for walkies. A few prams, bravely coping with those hills. And quite a few young uns. I spotted my first “bring back the stats” T shirt in the wild.

Gear:

I wore my 250 top, though the numbers are peeling off, warm trousers, cow cowl and headband. Toby was in a purple harness.

Strangely Appropriate Song on Shuffle:

I was listening to the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest entries, and was inspired by Luxembourg’s “Fighter” as I struggled on the upward sections.

Time:

I was walking the ups and running the downs (though they are so steep that it was hard to make up much time on them) So 49 mins. Hey, it looks like I’ll be revisiting a few times, so I’ll get to improve on that.

All my parkruns:

NI (and other) parkruns: summary list

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Red Dress Run 2021

Posted on February 21, 2021 by lindaharley

I’ve done a bit of fundraising before for the NI Chest Heart and Stroke association. My father had a mild stroke a few years ago, and my husband has a replacement heart valve. So I know very well the excellent work they do. When the coronavirus pandemic took hold in 2020, many charities suffered immensely at the sudden loss of fundraising events. I did a “26 costumes” run during April, where I ran a short local route in 26 different outfits over the space of a week. This was in response to the absence of marathons, 26 miles, as fundraising opportunities.

26 costumes, Dancer-ys, with Tobbo, the fire-breathing dragon

NICHS would usually have an annual Red Dress run, with participants encouraged to dress up in suitable colours. This year (2021), with Covid regulations and restrictions still in place, it would take place virtually. When I first posted on Facebook

“Me? Running? In a red dress?With my reputation?” even my husband admitted he laughed.

So, most important consideration – what to wear! I usually run with Minnie, my cocker spaniel, but as she will be 10 this year she is an old lady in dog years, so I am training up young Toby, 2, to be a running companion. I really wanted a dress up theme that could include them also. And after a bit of pencil chewing, and exploring what I had in my dressing up box, I decided on…..Little Red Riding Hood (or should that be Little Red Running Hood). Minnie being a black hairy monster would make a suitable Big Bad Wolf, while cheeky-chops Toby would bring his own stylings to the role of Woodcutter. Just don’t anyone think of giving him an axe….

Despite my extensive costume wardrobe, I didn’t have the wherewithal for my own outfit, but I soon found a reasonably priced one on Amazon. When choosing a costume for running it has to be light, loose enough to allow movement, stretchy enough to allow for a long sleeved base layer if required, and washable. A red cloak will be a versatile addition, I’m already planning to use it as a superhero get-up, or for parkrun celebrations. The dress, with its checked skirt, lace petticoat, white blouse and black waistcoat isn’t a million miles from a Highland Dance dress, I might wear it to class as a joke.

For the dogs, I had a Harley Davidson bandana that said “Bad to the bone”, and a checked tartan number.

I sussed out a local route that was a 2.5km circuit from the house, meaning i could swap dogs at the halfway mark, and also was sticking to the guidelines of not travelling too far to run.

To add to the authenticity, the day before the run I baked some cookies for grandma, though I wasn’t intending to run with them. they were stem ginger cookies, and filled the house with tantalising smells.

Ginger cookies, fresh from the oven

On the day of the run, the sun shone, there was a warm-up video on Facebook including personal testimonies and a reminder of why we were running. I found the fundraising really hard this time, with no social events or family get-togethers, and only a handful of work colleagues in the office, it was a struggle to get pledges. But I made the £50 target.

I selected the soundtrack of Hamilton as my music: Hamil-run if you like. I set off with Minnie first, she always gets very excited and impatient when she knows we are going running. And then Toby, who still gets a bit distracted by other people, dogs, interesting smells and pretty flowers. It brings joy to the heart to see dancing snowdrops, full of hope for the future.

Snowdrops dancing in the sunshine

And we are all hopeful of a better future. For charities, for those recovering from strokes or heart operations, for runners who can’t wait till we can run together. Keep the faith, we’ll get there. There may even be cookies 🙂

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Toby: Growing up

Posted on June 28, 2019 by lindaharley

Coming up on 5 months old, and my the milestones keep coming.

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He’s started to think about lifting his leg when he has a pee.  No photos, I’m giving him some privacy!

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He does the most amazing full on  downward-facing-dog yoga stretches.  Bum right back so the front legs are fully extended, and then right the way forward so the back toes are on the floor.

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He loves the sun, and is happy to sunbathe whenever he can.

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He’s starting to get braver getting in and out of the car, and has once jumped down unaided.  We’ve been to Paws every day this week, without any throwing up incidents.

There’s been 2 consecutive nights with no pees or poos on the floor, and no other incidents indoors.

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He’s exhausted after a full day at Paws, and voluntarily takes himself into his crate for a wee snooze.  However, when I put him in and close the door for a whole 10 minutes while I have a shower, we have howls of “You’ve abandoned me!  I’m all alone here, a poor starving orphan!  How could you do this to meeeeeeee!”

He’s been a bit subdued this week, but that’s just cos he is missing Rog and Chris, currently living it up on a boys’ birthday bash in Vegas.  They’ll be home soon, I promise!

chris and dogs

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Toby Week 8: Licence to chill

Posted on June 18, 2019 by lindaharley

Another visit to the dog-tors this week, to get the required kennel cough which is important when he’s in contact with many other dogs at Paws Doggy DayCare.  While there, the vet gave him a good checking over, his weight is 10kg which is spot on, and all other checks showed him to be in great shape.  But oh, he is really timid when there, and retreats for cuddles in Dad’s arms.

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Talking of which, it’s been Dog-fathers Day!  The pupsters gave him a card with a pug on it, and a notebook with a staffy on it.  Chris is all about the Elvis, looking forward to their upcoming Vegas boys trip.

He really enjoys going to doggy day care, and has been there 3 days a week.  Look at him ready with Big Sis for the morning school run.

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He is knackered afterwards!

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Saturday was a bit of a trial – he pooped in Dad’s office, then threw up in the car! Maybe a little bit of ginger biscuit before a car trip will help the queasiness.

Sundays are family fun days, and a bit of off lead training in Moira Demesne, while I tail walked with Minnie at Moira Juniors parkrun

But his favourite lap to curl up in is Chris.

tobyandchris

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Toby week 7: Under my umberella, ella, ella

Posted on June 9, 2019 by lindaharley

Well, Mister Toby is not a fan of the rain!

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I’m still taking him out frequently to consolidate the house-training, so this week’s heavy showers have seen me standing by the back door with an umbrella, trying to encourage him to come with me in the micro-climate.  He is smart though – he figured out he could find some shelter under the honeysuckle hedge by the deck, and made a dash for there.

Morning tussles are a little less frentetic, though we still have the odd growly ownership dispute over a nylabone.  (There are 2 nylabones, but the concept of having one each is a little sophisticated).

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Days spent at Paws Doggy Daycare are filled with fun, and the staff are really good at posting photos and videos of their furry pupils.

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A new bed – a Game of Thrones printed big cushion – feel free to insert your GOT pun here.tobygot

And time for a big-boy “Ruffwear” harness for travelling in the car – it’s an S, same size as Minnie’s, but it has a lot of adjusting straps which make the fit just right. I think green is definitely his colour!

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Toby Week 6: ….and 4 months old!

Posted on June 3, 2019 by lindaharley

This week it’s been Master Toby’s 4 month-birthday.  We didn’t have any cake, but we did get to go out together to Moira Juniors parkrun.  I tailwalked with Minnie, and Roger and Toby marshalled near the turn point, before heading into the middle of the park to do some off lead work.  He’s grown so fast he’s now in the next size up fleece.  And happily travels in the boot of my car with Minnie.

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Afterwards we tucked into McMuffins, and both dogs sat beautifully in the pleasant sunshine.  This made the whole experience quite relaxing.

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House training is about 80% – there have been a few times where he has gone to the door and squeaked, but we haven’t been quick enough to take him outside.  But that’s our fault, not his.

He’s a familiar face now at Paws, and I love checking in on the webcams to see how he’s doing.  He certainly has plenty of playmates.

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Bed destruction continues – he may well be the unintended dog, but an unattended dog is really asking for trouble!  Tell me this is just a puppy phase….

 

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Toby Week 5: The trouble with kibbles

Posted on May 27, 2019 by lindaharley

On Monday we had a couple of kibbling problems.  At breakfast time, Toby is encouraged to sit and wait while his bowl is lowered to him.  But he does get excited at the prospect of food, and this time he jumped up and knocked the bowl out of Roger’s hand.  Of course the little bits of kibble flew all over the kitchen floor!  I had to shoo bog dogs out of the room while I got down on hands and knees to pick up every last bit.  Any stray piece would no doubt be scented by one or other, and much scratching and scrabbling would ensue.

Later that day, we took both dogs in the back of Roger’s car.  I sat in the middle with a dog on each side, to keep them calm.  Toby seemed unusally calm, subdued almost.  And indeed, a few miles down the road he was car sick, and a blob of semi -digested kibble reappeared.  Thankfully, my coat is washable!  (I hope you are not having your tea while reading this…..)

Travel sickness is not uncommon with puppies, as their balance regulating mechanisms in their ears is still forming.  we will try in different cars and different placements.

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Tuesday was a big day for a little pup – first day at school!  (Compulsory photo by the front door).

Well, Paws Doggy Day Care.  They were most impressed at his confidence and quickness to settle in, and at how well Minnie looks after him, making sure that no-one is giving him a hard time.  Paws has webcams, and I enjoyed checking up on him at various points to make sure he was having fun.  He certainly was, and seemed to particularly like playing with the other beagles, as well as the other youngsters.  He even managed to photobomb a picture of the bigger dogs.

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He’d been OK in the back of my car on Tuesday, but on Wednesday morning our route was diverted, and after a more twisty windy road the car sickness was back.  We will have to time any journies to allow for at least a few hours between feeding and travel.

He seems to love his schooldays, and is knackered when he gets home.

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Farewell Peppa Pig toy, and also squeaky zebra, but hello new chewy ring!

And new bigger collar as well.

 

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Toby Week 4: Meeting and greeting

Posted on May 19, 2019 by lindaharley

This week we’ve really started to get a daily routine.  If we get up around 5.30 we can usually catch him before he needs to pee/poo, which is a big plus in toilet training.  Minnie usually gets a bit of a lie in before she gets up around 7, and which point we have mad half-hour, fighting over toys, growling and tumbling.  Out for pees, breakfast, out for pees, bit of play, out for pees, sleep bye-byes, out for pees……and repeat.

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Friday was a big day – second injection! I was away, but Rog took him in the back of my car, where he squeaked and squawked all the way to the vets.  He has put on a whole 2 kilos in 2 weeks!  (previous weight was 5.4 kilos, so that’s a 37% increase). The vet was very impressed with how he is doing, and he was very well behaved getting jabs and flea treatment.  But he does need constant supervision, otherwise a bed may be destroyed….

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On Sunday he got to come with us to junior parkrun.  Minnie was coming too, and having them both in the back of the car seemed to calm and reassure him, and there was no squeaking or complaining.  Once there, he was very happy to be met and petted by his adoring public.  I was tail-walking with Mnnie, so Rog took Toby into the centre of the park, and did some off-lead recall work, which he excelled at.

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So now that he’s had his jabs, he’ll be able to go to doggy daycare, which will make working life a bit simpler for us both.

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Toby Week 3: All The Things

Posted on May 12, 2019 by lindaharley

It’s been a week of buying stuff for the littlest member of the household.

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As he is sleeping in the “futility room”, we bought a blackout roller blind to keep it nice and dark at night, as well as a bit warmer.  This necessitated looking for a doorstop to prevent the blind crashing into the wall should the wind catch the back door.  But I was worried that a sticky out springy one would be a chewing temptation – as he’s already had an operation to remove something he chewed I didn’t want to take any chances.  I did consider positioning such a doorstop up high, though!

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We cleaned out the outdoor run, and lifted the old wooden kennel, only to be horrified by the crud that had gathered underneath.  So a new kennel was required.

We chose one from Ecoflex, which is made from reclaimed and recycled materials, and is much cosier than the old wooden one.

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At the minute they are on 2 different dog foods, so we upgraded the food storage boxes, and also treated Minnie to a new dog bowl, again an environmentally friendly one.  Toby is fed 3 times a day, and Miinnie gets fed at the same times.

Crate training has begun – just small sessions, like 10 minutes while I have a shower, or nip to the shops.  It’s absolutely charming when a puppy crawls into your arms to go sleepy bye-byes, but I don’t want that to become the only way he will go to sleep.  So whenever he makes that grizzly “I want to sleep now” noise, I pop hin into the crate without any great fussing.

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He loves the sun, likes nothing better than getting into the garden, finding the sunniest spot, and just sitting.  Or exploring new things like cobwebs.

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I can’t believe how fast he is growing!  tobypurple - Copy

His little purple fleece now won’t fit over his head, and as he fills out I can see more of the pale gold markings coming through – technically he’s what they call “lemon and white”.

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Fighting over toys continues, poor Peppa Pig has no ears left!  But they do snuggle up together at times.

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Week 2: Toby-wan-kenobi

Posted on May 5, 2019 by lindaharley

Week 2 with Toby the beagle pup.

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He is growing so fast! Already the purple fleece he wears at night to keep warm is a little too snug, and taking it off a wriggling squirming bundle is an art form.  The collar has been let out a notch too.  He loves his grub, and is still being fed 3 times a day.  We’ve switched Minnie’s feeding times to match, and keep an eye on them as they are eating to watch out for growling or food guarding.

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The play fighting continues: sometimes it’s what I call the War of Jenkins Ear, other times it can be over a toy.  One of Toby’s faves is a squeaky Peppa Pig, which technically Minnie won as a prize about a year ago.  Now, she’s never really shown any interest in toys…..except when someone else wants them.  The fighting takes place under the kitchen table, or under my desk, and I hope everyones’ ears survive this phase intact.  Even mine, for the sharp beagle “play with me!” bark is VERY shrill.

 

We paid a vist to the dog-tor, to have a health check, get microchipped, and see when the next injections are due. I didn’t realise that different vets use different brands, and of course the first set he’d been given were not used by our local people.  So we’ve had to start again.  Microchipping is essential, but it is quite a nasty jag for the dog. And he got a worming tablet.  This has to be done monthly until they are 6 months old.

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Now, you know you’ve got a seriously cute dog when even the vet’s receptionist rushes round from behind her desk to take a photo, and put it on their Facebook page immediately!

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He wasn’t too impressed with being in the back of my car, which has a proper dog guard, or being on a lead, but it’s important to get him used to different situations and experiences at a young age.

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Toilet training is going very well, and he has a special pooping place in the garden.  I remarked that he was top of the pooping league, and my husband offered “Top of the Plops”

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It’s been Star Wars day  –  May the 4th be with you.  This year it fell on a parkrun day, so needless to say I’ve been planning costumes for me and Minnie for months.  She was originally to have been Chew-barker, but after a trip to the groomers she’s currently resembling a shorn lamb, and so Bark Vadar it was.  Toby is too young to participate just yet, but I did enjoy recreating the opening scenes, with “help me Toby-wan-kenobi, you’re my only hope”.  My son appreciated this joke! (Hi Harry  *waves*, your puppy snuggles await!).

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