Really bad day turned really good.

Baggy overslept (again) because she didn't want to face the day. She had actually forgotten that it was Father's Day, but maybe Freda Fretter had remembered. Four years ago on Father's day, Baggy found her poor Dad dead, so it's not an easy day. Baggy just wanted to stay in the safety of her house; she wouldn't even let Grotty Groom or Furry Mama venture out. But when Calum got home from his bike rally at lunchtime, he suggested that they go out. It took a bit of persuading, but eventually Furry Mama agreed that Minty Mutt needed an outing. They decided to drive over to Clacton-on-Sea. En route, they changed their minds and headed to Walton-on-the-Naze instead.

Minty Mutt loved it, although in sticking his head in the long grass he picked up a passenger - Furry Mama realised that he had a tick on his eye when they stopped for tea.

Then Calum spotted a second one on the same eye. In actual fact there was a third one in the ruff around his neck that Furry Mama found when they got home. Freda Fretter is now concerned that there might be more hidden in his long fur. Horrible things! Baggy checked her own legs too - at least they aren't too furry at the moment. None found.

After a comfort-lunch of toasties and cake, they ventured onto the exposed beach due to the tide being out.

Minty of course had to lie down. He also made the mistake of trying the water for taste! Creative Clara collected rather a lot of shells - no idea what she has in mind for them. Then Archaeologist Annie decided to do a bit of fossil hunting and picked up almost enough bits of tree to rebuild one.

It's scary how fast that beautiful bit of coast is eroding though!

Presumably the local Dad's Army lot weren't paddling in their pillboxes!

It was however a very lovely afternoon and cheered Baggy up no end..............