So, this is the second part of our lockdown staycation. After visiting the Twelve Hotel in Galway, I got a taste for another adventure so last weekend we went off to another of my favourite places, BrookLodge in Co Wicklow.
Because the weather was so nice, the humans decided to take that funny car with a tent instead of a proper roof. It was bought last year but it seemed to spend most of the summer in the garage with bits being done to it but it seems to be ready now. I only half listen but I believe it’s had softer springs fitted since I drove in it last and it really makes a difference. I can snooze comfortably in the footwell now and that’s all that matters.
Even though rain was threatening as we arrived in Aughrim, the roof was folded down for the last bit of the journey, allowing me to sniff the air. As we pulled in, I kept a close eye out for my friends, Oscar and George, the two resident dogs, but there was no sign of either of them. I’d catch them later.
Up to our room then and a lovely surprise, a welcome bag of goodies for me, which included a beautiful new dog bowl with my name on it. How thoughtful! I tested it there and then and the food tasted even nicer than usual.
While my humans went down for dinner in the Italian Restaurant, I snoozed in the room. It’s exhausting being this pretty – it’s no wonder I need a little break every now and then.
Finally, it was time to go down to the bar to meet my boyfriend, Niall and at first it was strange to see him in one of those stupid masks. I’m beginning to get used to them now but they freaked me out at first. It was lovely to catch up with him and of course he had some treats so it was a lovely way to end the first night of our staycation.
The following day started off bright and sunny and the weather only got better as the day wore on. It was one of those perfect Irish summer days and it turns out it was also International Beer Day. To mark the occasion, we all drove off to Wicklow Brewery, near the coast in Redcross. We had a lovely dogguccino in a little café before moving on to the brewery itself and since we had some time to kill before the tour started, we got back in the car for a little drive, passing by Brittas Bay and following a meandering coast road almost all the way to Arklow. It was lovely just to enjoy the fresh air and scenery. It really is the only way to travel with the six cylinder engine purring like a kitten. I could get used to this.
Back at Redcross, no dogs were allowed in the brewery so I waited outside in the sunshine for my human to do the tour. It’s a pity I wasn’t allowed in. They had a ginger flavoured beer that sounded delicious. I’d love to have tried it. Instead I had to make do with a little scrap of a sandwich. Sometimes life isn’t fair.
Back at the hotel, I had another look around for Oscar and George but still they were nowhere to be found. There were other doggie guests to talk to though, including Lola, a Westie cross with her sister Millie. BrookLodge is a place that really makes dogs feel at home.
After dinner it was again time to go back to the bar for a drink and some more treats from Niall. I have him well trained by now.
The following day was my daddy human’s birthday. I know this weekend was really all about me but I let him have this day for himself so after a birthday lick, it was down to the terrace for breakfast where I got a tiny bit of rasher all to myself. You see? It really is all about me.
Then we drove to Avondale, where there’s a beautiful forest park. We walked for about an hour and it was a real treat to be able to sniff the flowers and plants at my leisure. The little coffee shop where we usually have a dogguccino was closed though, so afterwards, it was back to the hotel for my little caffeine treat in the garden.
That night, it was dinner in the Strawberry Tree restaurant for my humans and as usual, I was left to fend for myself in the room but after my long walk, I was ready for a little snooze so it didn’t bother me unduly.
I’m told dinner was delicious and my mouth was watering at the thoughts of all those organic meats that I’d love to get my paws on. Our room was just overhead and I swear I caught some of the lovely aromas.
The following day was a lazy one with a short drive in the morning to Mount Usher gardens. As well as the gardens they have an outdoor café where I held court while having a dogguccino. There were plenty of well-behaved dogs around me and it was nice to just chill for an hour or so.
It was a lazy afternoon, too, as we sat on the balcony for the duration, enjoying the hot weather and a bottle of Prosecco, courtesy of Martine, the human’s cousin. We stayed there until late afternoon when we wandered down to have a sandwich on the lawn.
Later that evening, we returned to the bar for a last drink and a final chat with Niall. I got to try an Espresso Martini Dogguccino and I found it greatly to my liking. It’s something I could become very used to.
I woke the following morning with a clear head, despite the Espresso Martini and went down for a last breakfast. Who showed up finally only Oscar, on one of his patrols around the grounds. We only had time for a quick chat but we’ve made arrangements to have a proper catch up on my next visit. If I have any say in the matter, that’ll be very, very soon.
Read about the first part of Daisy’s staycation here.
Motoring editor - The Clare Champion
Former Chairman and voting member of Irish Motoring Writers' Association