Today we took on storm Frank as we took Cassie, Ruby and Tex to the beach at Walton where the dogs enjoyed a play on the beach.
Followed by a fish and chip dinner and then back to Trish's before returning to Braintree.

 Yesterday we went to Prezzo's in Halstead for the annual brother and cousin Christmas get together.

 After leaving Brightlingsea we went on to Elaine's for a family get together.

Today we caught up with Hilary's friend Pam  from Sweden at Brightlingsea  where we took the dogs for a walk along the sea front.

The day was completed with Cassie and Ruby opening their presents.

The afternoon was spent at Claire's and Darren's where we had a fantastic Christmas dinner followed by watching Maisie and Poppy opening their presents.

 Today started with taking the two dogs for a walk whilst Hilary visited Moira.
Only trouble was that once Ruby was let off the lead she didn't want to go back on.
Luckily another dog walker came along and Ruby cannot resist a belly rub so he managed to get hold of her.
Note to one self more recall training needed.

 This is a moment we have been waiting for as Ruby joined Cassie in her bed.
So I think its time to try both out the back of the boat when we return.

These photographs were taken by Sacha when we took the dogs for a walk letting Ruby off the lead for the first time.
Whilst we were keeping an eye on Ruby it was Cassie who decided to chase a pheasant then get lost only to walk into the near by church hall where they were getting ready for a church service.

Today Cassie had her Christmas haircut, Hilary took Ruby to show the groomer who suggested that Ruby should have a bath next time to get used to being groomed.

 As the sun rose on our last day at the boat until after Christmas we let Ruby join Cassie on the bed

Before we had Ruby at least I had two thirds of an apple now three of us have to share.
Ruby had her first taste of canal water yesterday when she slipped off the pontoon, luckily she was on a lead.

 Ruby has settled into the boater's life and enjoying her walks in a field in a misty marina.
We didn't have a good start on our return to the boat at first the gas regulator failed and then I took a late dip in the marina as I lost my footing on the pontoon.

The last night we were in Essex we went to the Kings Head in Gosfield to celebrate Bob's 60th and Ray's 57th birthdays.

Today we had a Maisie day and we took her to meet Trish and Tex the dog.
After meeting Tex we took the dogs on to the beach at Walton for a run around.

Today we went to see Hilary's Aunty Mary where Cassie decided to make her self comfortable on her bed.

 Today Ruby was allowed out after her injections so we took over the football field.
We have struggled to get her used to the lead but on the retractable lead and Cassie showing her the way she had a great time.

 Thursday we celebrated Sacha's 16th birthday with Pizza at Rays.
Claire made the sponge birthday cake just as Sacha likes it.

Ruby started her lead training today ready for her to be ready to go on the ground next Thursday, she was not impressed.

Ruby is growing fast now and is learning fast from Cassie.
Ruby has now got to the point where she thinks she will sleep in a big bed like Cassie.
So this week we have bought Cassie a new bed and given Ruby the old one as she still has a tendency to chew.

 Ruby is now growing into a proper little dog now copying Cassie.
We think Cassie has accepted Ruby now having frantic run around's with each other.