A very sad post about Poppy and Whisper

It is with a very heavy heart that I have to write this post, it's something I've been meaning to do but couldn't face up to it but so many people ask us about Poppy and Whisper when we're out and about and so many cachers up and down the country know us by them and have met them I thought it was time I wrote it...... so here it is.....

We had to say goodbye to Whisper our yellow lab in April and then Poppy, our black lab just a couple of weeks later.  It has been a really tough few weeks since then for the whole family, probably the toughest we've experienced and it's only if you've had dogs that you can begin to understand what we've been through.  

Poppy 8th April 1999 - 26th April 2014

They are the reason we got so hooked on caching all those years ago as our dog walks took on a new purpose and every dog walk became an exciting adventure, they would look forward to their long walks in the Cotswolds at weekends and have sat patiently while we've signed thousands of logs books over the years.  They've accompanied us on so many long walks and both climbed the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales!  The best companions we could ever have asked for.

Whisper - 7th August 2000 - 5th April 2014

In their later years they became troubled with arthritis and could no longer manage the long walks and mountain climbs so we had to pick out shorter routes for them to enjoy.

The house is too quiet and empty without them and we miss them every single day. 

Netherton Ponders

Netherton Ponders series

12 caches on a 4.2 mile circular walk.

Green Lane

This new series was published during the week, perfect for a Friday afternoon dog walk.  Parked in the layby and headed off to #1.  The sun came out not long after we set off and very soon we realised we were overdressed with the sudden rise in the temperature this week, it took us completely by surprise.  Between  #3 & #4 we recognised the bridge from when we did Bridge the Gap (SD2) back in July 2009, Poppy and Whisper had a lovely splash around in the stream here.    Great views of Bredon Hill.  Had to backtrack to #6 as a muggle dog walker stood right by it to take a phone call.... of all the places!!!

We'd contacted Jayvon, the cache owners, last night and asked them if they'd like us to replace the cache on #8 that had been accidentally pushed out of reach by a previous cacher so we went armed with a replacement and tried to re-hide as best we could, hopefully it will stay in place for the next finders.

Once again we were left thinking 'if it wasn't for geocaching we'd never have known about this' and it was at #11 the site of a Bombing Decoy (codenamed Q Site).  They were constructed during World War 2 to simulate the landing lights of an active operational airfield, in this case the nearby Pershore Airfield, this was to deceive the Luftwaffe into dropping bombs in open countryside rather than on the airfield.  A really interesting location.

All too soon the walk was over and we were back at the car, The paths were very wet underfoot, muddy but nothing too serious and generally very good, no dog proof stiles to report on the whole route and only 2 actual stiles that we can remember.  A fabulous walk that we completed in exactly 2 hours.

Netherton Ponders