cat sitting romiley

Roman Bridge and Lakes in Marple.

~ aussiedogcare

We really love our walks at Aussie Dog Care around marple so here in another fantastic and informative walk around The Roman Bridge and Lakes in Marple.

All text below is quoted from http://www.marple-uk.com/roman.htm the pdf files of this walk is avalible on their website . It is really informative and fantastic for dogs walks and family strolls.

“1) We start in the Memorial Park in the centre of Marple, home of Thomas Carver one of the owners of Hollins Mill and another of Marple’s benefactors in a later period. (Memorial Park was gifted to the people of Marple in July 1922).

2) At the junction with Arkright Road cross over and down Lakes Road. On the left where there is now a group of bungalows stood the cottages of Stone Row. The 35 cottages were built by Oldknow to house the workers at his nearby mill and their families.Carry on ahead past Beechwood Manor, formerly a house belonging to the railway but now private flats. Beechwood Manor was once the residence of Edward Ross, secretary of the M.S.L. Railway. When Ross lived here there was a footbridge connecting the manor to the garden above Marple South Tunnel. Sadly this was removed sometime in the 1970s but you can still see where it was attached to the stonework on both sides. As we descend the hill we can appreciate the difficulties the railway engineers must have experienced when carving the line along the hillside.

3) At the bridge over the River Goyt stood, on the far side, Mellor Lodge, Samuel Oldknow’s house and on this side Marple Lodge, the mill manager’s house.

In the 1930s Oldknow’s fine house became a girls’ school but later it was vandalised when it stood empty and was demolished in 1949.

In 1892 a disastrous fire destroyed the mill but the Corn Mill, which was a little apart from the main mill, escaped damage and survived until the 1930s. The Corn Mill stood close to this junction of the two paths. Little remains of Mellor Mill or Oldknow’s other buildings in this area but close investigation of the site will reveal a number of underground tunnels and foundations. In 2009 the Mellor Archaeological Trust exposed the foundations of the Corn Mill and led guided walks around the remains.Looking to the left as we make our way up Lakes Road we can see the mill pool, which was adjacent to the back of the mill. The oval shaped shuttle stone, dated 1790, that can be made out in the triangular pediment at the top of the mill in the old image below is now in Marple Memorial Park. You can see it in the foreground of the image of Hollins House at step 1 of this guide.

5) At the next junction take the path to the right. Through the trees you can see Bottoms Hall built in 1800. This is where some of the 100 apprentices lived who worked in Oldknow’s mill. The children, both boys and girls, were mostly paupers from Clerkenwell in London. They worked 13 hours a day for 4 shillings (20p) a week, but it is understood that they were well treated by the standards of that time.ontinuing along the track we pass the Roman Lake. This was a very popular spot in Victorian and Edwardian times when excursion trains would bring hundreds of visitors to Marple Station. Besides the rowing boats available for a small charge there were tea rooms and a dance floor.A little further on the river runs alongside the track and under the viaduct. The weir is where Oldknow redirected the river to form the pools that would provide water power for his mill. On the left is Flood Gates Cottage which many years ago was a popular place for refreshments for the many visitors to the area.


A little further on the river runs alongside the track and under the viaduct. The weir is where Oldknow redirected the river to form the pools that would provide water power for his mill. On the left is Flood Gates Cottage which many years ago was a popular place for refreshments for the many visitors to the area.

6) The track moves away from the river and we turn right just by the “Roman Lodge” (following the sign to Strines) to reach the Roman Bridge. The “Roman” tag was coined in Victorian times to add a little romanticism to this packhorse bridge dating back to the 17th century.

Crossing the bridge we follow the path beside the river ignoring the steps on the right. The path joins a narrow road near two cottages and then makes its way up the hill to Strines Road. Cross over and up Plucksbridge Road. As the canal is reached, turn right to enter the towpath just before the bridge.

7) This is the Peak Forest Canal and Oldknow was a major sponsor for this waterway. The canal runs 6½ miles to Whaley Bridge and Buxworth and it was here that limestone was brought down from the Peak District by tramway. As we make our way along the towpath there are extensive views across the valley to Cobden Edge and Mellor Church.

Brickbridge is a roving bridge where the towpath changes sides and you will notice that we pass under the bridge before circling round to cross it. This was to enable the rope of the horse drawn narrowboats to remain attached.8) Some 200 yards short of Brickbridge the canal on the far side is a little wider, and marshy ground leads into a woody section. This was the site of one of Oldknow’s coal mines used for burning of the lime in the kilns.

As you cross the bridge you will notice a door set in the wall ahead. This leads to another Oldknow coal mine and also a footpath leading up to All Saints’ Church which was used by the apprentices on their way to Sunday worship.

9) Turning right to follow the towpath, ahead we can see a number of boats moored in a pool off the main canal. This was adjacent to the top of the Lime Kilns where the lime and coal was dropped into the kilns. Such was Oldknow’s concern that the Lime Kilns did not present an eyesore, that he built them in a gothic style that led later to visitors to the area to assume it was a ruined abbey.

Top Lock House was the site of James Jinks boat building yard. Cross the bridge at the Macclesfield Canal junction. [ If you would like too see what remains of the Lime Kilns cross the bridge at the end of the top lock and go on past the bungalows.]


Make your way past the top four locks of this flight of sixteen. Pass under Posset Bridge using the short horse tunnel and make your way back to the car park”

The local areas I work/ cover in is Romiley , Stockport , Woodley, Bredbury , Hyde , Gee Cross , Hazel Grove , Godley , Disley , Marple , Marple Bridge , Glossop , Poynton , Higher Poynton , New Mills , Hayfield , Whaley Bridge , Mellor. If you are not situated in one of these areas do not hesitate to contact me as other areas are considered. These do not apply for home boarding.

Aussie Dog Care Email : ATHOMPS1@sky.com

Aussie Dog Care Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/AussieDogCareUk for updates when you go away for peace of mind as well as some walking clients.

Aussie Dog Care Twitter : https://twitter.com/AussieDogCare

Aussie Dog Care

The Best Care For Your Furry Friends.

Tailoring to your needs

Spinone Italiano

~ aussiedogcare

A breed not many people have heard of the  Spinone Italiano ! They have a fantastic temperment so below is some of the History!

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Opinions vary widely concerning the origins of this dog. Some believe that he is descended from the same stock as the Setter and that climate alone has affected the development of his thick coat. However, since relatively ancient times, we find the Setter and the Spinone prevalent in the same areas, and for this reason this theory becomes untenable. Other commentators believe the Spinone to stem from the Coarsehaired Segugio, well known throughout the Piedmont. Nevertheless some writers claim that the Spinone was prevalent beyond the Piedmont, in Venetia, Dalmatia, Istria and as far as the Danube, which would support the theory that the Spinone came from the East.

Tale, a dog expert, states that about a hundred years ago the Roan Spinone, was especially well known in Lombardy and Venetia, and that this variety with longer hair than the classic Spinone and with silky hair on the ears and forehead is still extant. Although some experts are convinced that the Spinone is a cross with a Griffon, he is probably the true Spinone of the Julian and Graie Alps which, having come from Russia, later spread into Lombardy and Venetia. All this is in opposition to Tschudy’s statements, namely that during the Roman era the Setter was developed in Italy. The Italian Coarsehaired Setter had origins comparable to the Pointer in Italy, where Greek traders and others from the western Adriatic Coast brought Coarsehaired Setters in ancient times. The Coarsehaired Setter was called the Spinone. This breed was formed by cross breeding an imported Coarsehaired Setter and a white Mastiff of those already prevalent along the coasts of Italy.

In 1981 four Spinoni were imported by Mrs Mary Moore (Odivane) and from the progeny of these four dogs the breed was firmly established in the U.K. Owing to this increasing popularity, the Kennel Club granted the Spinone Championship status in 1994, i.e. in simple terms, removed their original classification as a Rare Breed. With Challenge Certificates now on offer at several shows during the year, the Spinone already has a number of Show Champions amongst its ranks. In his country of origin the Spinone is certainly not a Rare Breed, but an ancient and highly valued gundog in the custody of real breed enthusiasts. The Spinone’s working style is characterised by his wonderful fast trotting gait, which enables him to methodically hunt a large area. He is adaptable to any kind of ground, but is at his best in woods and marshland. With his thick skin and coarse coat, he will face any cover and is a strong and willing retriever from water.

All these qualities combined with his gentle nature make the Spinone a great companion for the rough shooter. The Spinone is distinguished by his markedly sweet and almost human expression – his demeanour is almost human too’ He thrives on companionship and can become somewhat despondent if left alone for too long. He is not a dog you can shout and scream at, but with a soft yet firm voice you will gain his respect. He has a wonderful memory of places and people and holds a special affinity with children. The Spinone is a country dog at heart, enjoying free exercise and having the stamina to work all day, but he will happily settle with the family by the fireside. In his first year, when obedience training and socialisation with other dogs and people is a must, he may be destructive and headstrong, but perseverance with gentle but firm training will produce positive results as he passes through adolescence around 18 months of age.

The Spinone enjoys his food and has been known to help himself if the situation arises! His strong scenting ability may occasionally lead him astray, both as a thief and as a hunter on his walks. Most owners see an improvement in the latter as their Spinone matures but generally little change in the former throughout his life. He can be prone to weight gain in maturity when regular and varied exercise is a must. A little larger than the average Retriever, the Spinone male can reach 27.5″ at the withers when mature, the females an inch or two less. The breed standard states 32 to 37 kgs as the weight margin of the male but in reality many exceed 40 kgs. So before rushing out to buy a Spinone you must ask yourself if your environment is suitable for a large dog. If you are still convinced that the Spinone is the breed for you, then take your time and view as many adult Spinoni as you can before being smitten by the appeal of young puppies.” Quoted from http://www.italianspinone.co.uk/

Italian Spinone Club of Great Britain – http://www.italianspinone.co.uk/

The local areas I work/ cover in is Romiley , Stockport , Woodley, Bredbury , Hyde , Gee Cross , Hazel Grove , Godley , Disley , Marple , Marple Bridge , Glossop , Poynton , Higher Poynton , New Mills , Hayfield , Whaley Bridge , Mellor. If you are not situated in one of these areas do not hesitate to contact me as other areas are considered. These do not apply for home boarding.

Aussie Dog Care Email : ATHOMPS1@sky.com

Aussie Dog Care Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/AussieDogCareUk for updates when you go away for peace of mind as well as some walking clients.

Aussie Dog Care Twitter : https://twitter.com/AussieDogCare

Aussie Dog Care

The Best Care For Your Furry Friends.

Tailoring to your needs

House-training an older dog.

~ aussiedogcare

At Aussie Dog Care we realise it is not just puppies that need house training so therefore he are some amazing tips from the Blue Cross.

Below information quoted from http://www.bluecross.org.uk/1958-2786/house-training-an-adult-dog.html

Oldies helps find older dogs a new home – http://www.oldies.org.uk/”

From http://vvicrew.com/teaching-old-dogs-new-tricks/
From http://vvicrew.com/teaching-old-dogs-new-tricks/

What to do

Before starting the new routine

Carefully clean all areas your dog has previously soiled using a warm solution of biological washing powder (for example, a teaspoon of powder dissolved in a cup of warm water) or a specially formulated product from your vet, which will remove all traces of the smell from your house.

Every day

When you first wake up, last thing at night and every hour during the day, take your dog outside to a place in your garden that you have chosen and let your dog walk up and down or run about and sniff the area (both exercise and sniffing helps stimulate elimination).

Put soiled newspaper or faeces in this area so that the smell tells your dog where to go next time. Stay out with your dog and patiently walk up and down for at least five minutes. If your dog starts to go to the toilet, give praise. It is important that, for the first two weeks, there is constant supervision so that your dog cannot go to the toilet in the house.

During the times that you cannot supervise your dog or when you go to sleep, confine the dog to bed. You need to find a suitable way to do this, either by restricting them to bed with a barrier, or investing in an indoor kennel. A dog will become accustomed to this, without making a noise or trying to break out, when left there for short periods of time.

Few dogs soil their own bed and, if confined to bed, they are unlikely to relieve themselves. Although it is unfair to confine them for long periods, this does provide a way of preventing them from soiling the house for short periods when you cannot supervise. This avoids perpetuating bad habits at times when you need to concentrate on other things.

Between trips to the garden, supervise your dog continually when in the house. This means keeping your dog in view at all times and being aware of what the dog is doing. When unable to supervise, confine them to bed, but do not leave your dog there for long periods of time.

When you see your dog about to toilet in the house

If about to go to the toilet indoors, take your dog immediately to your chosen place in the garden and praise the dog by giving a food treat or a game with a favourite toy. It is essential your dog associates going to that place with a reward. Catching in time means your dog will still need to go. Wait until the dog has performed and praise well.

When you find a puddle or mess

Do not punish your dog for any “accidents” discovered too late. It may make you feel better but it is most unpleasant for your dog and ultimately does not teach anything. Consider that these accidents are now your fault rather than the dog’s since you were not supervising closely enough.

You need to continue with this routine for at least two weeks. During this time, your dog learns about getting praise for going to the toilet outside and, since there is no chance to go inside, the habit of going outside develops. Throughout these first two weeks and for a while afterwards, continue to go out with your pet to the garden in order to praise them until the training is firmly established in your dog’s mind.

After two weeks of the above routine, gradually increase the time between visits to the garden. Your dog will eventually want to go to the toilet at a time other than the one you select. At this time, your dog will probably become more active or may wander over to the door. Watch for a change in behaviour and take the dog out quickly. Gradually, as you begin to be able to recognise the signs that mean your dog needs to go, you can relax your supervision in the house.

Specific signals that indicate that your dog wants to go out may include running to the door, whining or just being generally restless. Reinforce these signals by letting your dog out and the dog will soon be asking to go out whenever the toilet is needed. House training will happen more easily if you keep to the same pattern of feeding and exercising each day.

At night

The easiest solution is to position your dog’s bed somewhere outside your bedroom door and confine your pet in the usual way. Leave your bedroom door open so that if your dog wakes up and needs to go during the night, you will hear whining or moving around. Get up and take your dog outside, following all the daytime procedures. Confine your dog to the bed once more when you come back in.

Do not leave a dog confined to bed all night without you being available to go out when the dog really needs to go. Not only is this unkind but, if you force your dog to mess in the bed, the dog may develop a habit of doing this and you have lost the chance of teaching your dog to be clean.

If your dog is likely to bark when left in the bed at night, either allow this for a few nights and ignore the barking (your dog eventually learns barking is not rewarded and ceases to do it) or teach your dog to get used to being confined to the bed more gradually, during the day, so that your dog can tolerate it at night.

When you go out

If going out for less than two hours, you could leave the dog confined to bed in the usual way, but ensure the animal cannot be hurt when confined. Make sure your dog had the chance to exercise and go to the toilet before doing so. If you will be out for two hours or longer, do not confine your dog. Leave the pet in one room only and cover as much of the floor area as possible with a large sheet of polythene covered with newspaper.

This does not teach your dog to be clean but makes any mess easier to clean up and prevents the house becoming soiled. Do not scold or punish if you find that your dog has gone to the toilet on the floor when you return.

“He knows he has done wrong!”

Some owners comment, “He knows he has done wrong, because he looks guilty”. In fact, the dog has learned that if humans walk into a room where there is a mess on the floor, a telling off or punishment follows. Your dog is actually showing submission to you, hoping you obey the law of the pack and stop your aggression. Unfortunately, a submissive posture can look like a guilty one to us and we often mistakenly believe the dog knows what they have done is wrong. We then conclude that any mess in the house is done on purpose or because the dog is too lazy to go outside. We are likely to punish more as a result, which often makes the problem worse.

“Don’t go when humans are around”

Some dogs learn just one thing about house training – that it is wrong to go to the toilet in the house in front of their owners. This is because they would have been scolded or punished if caught in the act of going in the house. Puppies are often put out into the garden and left there. Once outside, a puppy that finds being alone very uncomfortable concentrates on getting back inside to the owner, rather than learning to go to the toilet outside.

Hence, dogs often learn that it is wrong to go in the presence of humans but never learn that it is wrong to go in the house. Consequently, the only option is to wait until the owner is not looking or sneak away into another room when they want to relieve themselves.”

 

The local areas I work/ cover in is Romiley , Stockport , Woodley, Bredbury , Hyde , Gee Cross , Hazel Grove , Godley , Disley , Marple , Marple Bridge , Glossop , Poynton , Higher Poynton , New Mills , Hayfield , Whaley Bridge , Mellor. If you are not situated in one of these areas do not hesitate to contact me as other areas are considered. These do not apply for home boarding.

Aussie Dog Care Email : ATHOMPS1@sky.com

Aussie Dog Care Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/AussieDogCareUk for updates when you go away for peace of mind as well as some walking clients.

Aussie Dog Care Twitter : https://twitter.com/AussieDogCare

Aussie Dog Care

The Best Care For Your Furry Friends.

Tailoring to your needs

Save the Wolf Centre in North Devon

~ aussiedogcare

The Wolf Centre is an amazing place in North Devon where Shaun Ellis a wolf behaviorist lives.  I am very interested in wolves more than most animals and it would be amazing if anyone reading this can try to help save the Wolf Centre in North Devon!

Below quoted from http://www.thewolfcentre.co.uk/page/save-the-centre-campaign

“The Wolf Centre is being forced to move!

As most of you are already aware The Wolf Centre is reluctantly having to relocate from North Devon.

Combe Martin has been the home of our wolves for 13 years during which time they have become tremendous ambassadors for the education and research for wolves world-wide.

 

 

Wolves face  uncertain future…

We are desperately looking for an appropriate place to relocate The Wolf Centre to. As you can imagine, this is no easy task!!! 

Just moving the centre itself is a huge undertaking, but our main concern is the animals.

Some of our wolves are reaching the later stages of their lives which makes it incredibly dangerous to sedate them for transportation. Our only alternative is to move them consciously which involves encouraging them to enter transportation cages where we can move them as safely as possible. This method is not without risk but this is the wolves best chance of survival!!

 

 

We need your help!

We have already identified possible locations that would be suitable for The Wolf Centre, unfortunately all so far come at a high price. Although we do have investments from the existing business, we are under a strict time limit to raise the further funds needed and therefore this puts us in an impossible position.

We would like to thank everybody for their generosity and support so far and hate to ask for you to extend this further however we are desperately in need of support so if you are in a position to be able to help raise funds or donate, no matter how small, it will certainly make a huge difference to the animals.

If you would like to donate to relocate the wolves please send to07803541490 using the Barclay’s pingit app

Or……..email us discover@thewolfcentre.co.uk

THANKYOU!! “

The local areas I work/ cover in is Romiley , Stockport , Woodley, Bredbury , Hyde , Gee Cross , Hazel Grove , Godley , Disley , Marple , Marple Bridge , Glossop , Poynton , Higher Poynton , New Mills , Hayfield , Whaley Bridge , Mellor. If you are not situated in one of these areas do not hesitate to contact me as other areas are considered. These do not apply for home boarding.

Aussie Dog Care Email : ATHOMPS1@sky.com

Aussie Dog Care Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/AussieDogCareUk for updates when you go away for peace of mind as well as some walking clients.

Aussie Dog Care Twitter : https://twitter.com/AussieDogCare

Aussie Dog Care

The Best Care For Your Furry Friends.

Tailoring to your needs

Buxton Derbyshire

~ aussiedogcare

At Aussie Dog Care we know that Buxton is a great place to visit before and after a dog walk , even during a dog walk , I truly love Buxton with all the beautiful views of the High Peak and the Peak District only a few mintues drive away. Buxton has many beautiful shops , resturants and even a pet shop!

Buxton Festival is also great festival to go to ! It is on next year the 11- 27th July 2014.

A bit about Buxton :

“Buxton is a spa town in Derbyshire, England. It has the highest elevation of any market town in England.[1][2] Located close to the county boundary with Cheshire to the west and Staffordshire to the south, Buxton is described as “the gateway to the Peak District National Park“.[1] A municipal borough until 1974, Buxton was then merged with other localities including Glossop, lying primarily to the north, to form the local government district and borough of High Peak within the county of Derbyshire. Buxton is within the sphere of influence of Greater Manchester due to its close proximity to the area.

Buxton is home to Poole’s Cavern, an extensive limestone cavern open to the public, and St Ann’s Well, fed by the geothermal spring bottled and sold internationally by Buxton Mineral Water Company. Also in the town is the Buxton Opera House, which hosts several music and theatre festivals each year. The Devonshire Campus of theUniversity of Derby is housed in one of the town’s historic buildings.”  Quoted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buxton

Things to do :

“Whatever the weather, the town offers something for everyone. From the Pavilion Gardensand Opera House, the Dome and Poole’s Cavern and the country park, to the shops in four distinct shopping areas, you will find somewhere to eat, drink, swim, ride a ‘Victorian tram’or a miniature train, watch plays, listen to music, and even Go Ape!
Not only that, but situated in the centre of the Peak District, you are never far from a stunning attraction or wonderful walking. Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall, Castleton Caverns, Lyme Park, Crich Tramway Museum, Carsington Water, the Roaches, the Monsal Trail or even Alton Towers are a short distance from Buxton. And more and more people are discovering that the bus can take them to where they want to go!” Quoted from http://www.visitbuxton.co.uk/

Visit Buxton is a great site to visit to do with anything related to Buxton – http://www.visitbuxton.co.uk/

http://www.webbaviation.co.uk
http://www.webbaviation.co.uk

The local areas I work/ cover in is Romiley , Stockport , Woodley, Bredbury , Hyde , Gee Cross , Hazel Grove , Godley , Disley , Marple , Marple Bridge , Glossop , Poynton , Higher Poynton , New Mills , Hayfield , Whaley Bridge , Mellor. If you are not situated in one of these areas do not hesitate to contact me as other areas are considered. These do not apply for home boarding.

Aussie Dog Care Email : ATHOMPS1@sky.com

Aussie Dog Care Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/AussieDogCareUk for updates when you go away for peace of mind as well as some walking clients.

Aussie Dog Care Twitter : https://twitter.com/AussieDogCare

Aussie Dog Care

The Best Care For Your Furry Friends.

Tailoring to your needs