Nik told us that there would be a "new" regime for the dogs whilst HE was in charge.... they would have to follow "his" routine........
Well, we came back home, ALL the dogs were in the house to greet us "it was too cold to put 4 of them down to the kennel runs - anyway - they couldn't decide whose turn it was!!!" They had obviously enjoyed sleeping and lounging around our bedroom

and, judging from the "tidemark" on the windows, the fridge and the porch door, they had taken turns in "guarding" said windows, fridge and porch!!!
Nik reckons that he has lost 7lbs in weight - he hadn't just been taking them for walks, he arranged two "springers" on his old mountain bike, and apparently the aussies absolutely adored the off-lane cycle runs!!! I haven't been able to walk them since we got back because of my cracked ribs (LH side, too!)
The bacon and baguettes that I had left in the freezer were all used up - we now have a nice, tidy queue of 7 canines cannily cadging bacon butties every morning :D :D (it was only Purdey, before we went on hols)
Thor has now decided that he HAS to stay inside, to keep Purdey company all the time - so yes, the regime has been changed.
Loki Vinnie and Freya were soo pleased to see me - had to nose through all my bags to check out the shopping, as well!!!
Margot