Portugal
We got a great winter deal at the Pousada de Estremoz, where we spent a quiet and peaceful night.
Spain
We collected cool cat Mickey in Torremolinos. His owners had to return to Cork at short notice but Mickey couldn’t travel straight away. Fortunately Claudia stepped in to take care of him until it was time for us to collect him. He’ll travel with us as far as Dublin, where his owners will meet us.
In Madrid we called in at AAH Vets for the dogs to have their worming treatment, which is a pet passport requirement.

View from the office window as we headed north towards France — freezing cold temperatures but stunning to look at nonetheless
France
We collected Spaniel Pepper from owners Amy and Chris. Both doctors, they’ve been living in France for a while, where they had hoped to practise. But the language is proving a barrier, so now they’re off to New Zealand where they’ll continue to work hard on their French, so that they can come back. So for the time being, their dog Pepper is off to stay with family in Newcastle.

There’s been a lot of rain in south west France — here’s Laura watching the water gushing over the weir on a swollen river
Next stop was to meet another handsome black-and-white puss, Frankie. He belongs to Dorothy, who’s been planning her move to the UK for a while. Her biggest worry was how to move Frankie with the least disruption at a reasonable cost.
We picked Frankie up at Minou cattery in the Dordogne, which looks like a lovely place to stay. Nicky, a huge cat fan, keeps everything spick and span, and there’s not a dog in sight!
What an AMAZING group of photos from this journey! What sweet faces – people AND animals alike! Love the castle, the aerator, the corn-drying contraption and —– well—– EVERYTHING!
Pam
Lots of fun places visited on this trip and everyone had great experiences!
Love those adorable faces.
Full of such character.
Oh goodness! Jecca is so adorable. And I will NEVER show my hubby that aerator! I need not more wine-gadgets!
Jecca is a delight! Ah, but this one makes life so much easier 😀
Your accommodation booker is doing a fine job.
Courier J is rather pleased with her finds – booking.com does some great deals.
Wow! A 14th century castle — you all know how to travel.
The off season is full of great deals – would be a great shame to pass them up 😉
I am almost overwhelmed by the sophistication of the new website!! It’s really a fantastic site, and I assume it must be the result of enormous growth and success of your business!! I congratulate you and your team for a splendid job!
I am still happy to locate the travel blog and see the pictures of the places and travelers – makes me wish I could meet them all in person but, failing that, at least we travel vicariously.
You always bring a smile to Casa de Canterbury!!
Have a great weekend!!
I love castles, beautiful pictures of them and of the animals.
It’s great to be able to stay in such special places.
What a gorgeous assortment of canines you have with you this time! You always have the best-looking lot.
We do have the very best-looking lot always!
Beautiful photos and what a great trip! Happy Valentine’s Day to all!
Luvs
Marty, Mom and the Gang
Thanks Marty, Mom and the Gang – hope you all had a fab love in on Velentine’s Day 😀
I love traveling with you and the animals…if only vicariously 🙂
We love having you along for the ride!
I’ve never seen a maize drier! You get to stay some amazing places on your travels, and see so much. Thank you for sharing all these photos with us all.
I am always impressed by old castles and stonework, done in the days before machinery. A lot of hard physical labor.
We love posting about the interesting things we see along the way. Couriers J&M are making the most of the low season to stay in as many of the wonderful old castles on the route as they can.
All tho all thee doggies are luvley mee luvss Jecca!!! Can shee come live with mee Lady Annie??? Mee wood take good care of her an LadyMum can walk her…
Piratical Ivan iss sure hansum isn’t hee?? So many 4 leggedss travellin; they are all so brave an inn such good company 😉
***nose bumpsss*** Siddhartha Henry an (((hugs))) Sherri-Ellen
Don’t know how many people want Jecca to come stay! Isn’t she gorgeous 😀
Jecca iss so purrty wee all luv her Lady Annie 😉
**nose kissesss** Siddhartha Henry an ((hugs)) LadyMum
Mee-you jeca sure iss Lady Annie!
Love all the black and white cats – the one we had growing up was a black and white guy named Findow!
All houses should have a black and white cat, such characters. Findow is a new name for us!
Wow! A-maize-ing journey this time ’round! I’d fall all over myself to stay in the castle in Madrid…what a treat that must have been 🙂 Such great photos of your precious cargo…again, Jecca just melts me!
Ha ha, nice one! Couriers J&M have been very lucky to be able to stay in many of the restored castles, only possible on low season but who needs the crowds and baking-hot sun? 😉