Price Points: Dog activity monitors

Dog activity monitors

Barley and I are currently taking part in the Dogs Trust 99km for Canines fund-raising campaign. It’s happening for the entire month of October, and you can keep up with our own personal journey on our Facebook page.

I’ve been using an app on my phone to track the number of kilometres that I’ve walked; however, Barley is walking (and running) way more than me! I’ve been contemplating getting one of these dog activity trackers that attaches to his collar to see just how much more exercise he’s been getting.

After reading about what each one does and doesn’t do, I think the Pawfit monitor (#2) fits our bill. Firstly, it’s waterproof for those sea and river dips. Next, it tells me the distances that Barley clocks up with all his darting through the trees in the woods and galloping along the beach. Another important function is that it gives me Barley’s exact GPS location – for any unforeseen times he wanders off so far that he gets lost and is out of earshot. For instances like that, the Pawfit is fitted with a microphone that would allow me to speak to Barley – perhaps calling his name for him to come and search for me.

  1. PitPat dog activity monitor: £39.00, Pets at Home

    Advanced “dogorithms” analyse those complex movements every 10 minutes to decide what activity your dog was doing during that period. They also allow an estimation of daily distance covered and calories burnt.

  2. Pawfit 2 pet GPS tracker & activity monitor: £54.99, Amazon

    Flexible and affordable subscription rate starting from £3.39/month. Choose from a 1, 6, 12 or 24-month Premium or Basic subscription plan

  3. PETFON1 smart GPS tracker real-time dog tracking: £116.99, eBay

    If you need to track your pets when you are inside the house with pets running outside, the performance could not be guaranteed, the connection could be very unstable due to massive obstructions between controller and tracker.

shop dog activity monitors

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

PETFON1 smart GPS tracker real-time dog tracking
PETFON1 smart GPS tracker real-time dog tracking
£116.99
Pawfit 2 pet GPS tracker & activity monitor
Pawfit 2 pet GPS tracker & activity monitor
£54.99
PitPat dog activity monitor
PitPat dog activity monitor
£39.00
PETFON1 smart GPS tracker real-time dog tracking
PETFON1 smart GPS tracker real-time dog tracking
£116.99
Pawfit 2 pet GPS tracker & activity monitor
Pawfit 2 pet GPS tracker & activity monitor
£54.99
PitPat dog activity monitor
PitPat dog activity monitor
£39.00
PETFON1 smart GPS tracker real-time dog tracking
PETFON1 smart GPS tracker real-time dog tracking
£116.99
Pawfit 2 pet GPS tracker & activity monitor
Pawfit 2 pet GPS tracker & activity monitor
£54.99
PitPat dog activity monitor
PitPat dog activity monitor
£39.00
PETFON1 smart GPS tracker real-time dog tracking
PETFON1 smart GPS tracker real-time dog tracking
£116.99
Pawfit 2 pet GPS tracker & activity monitor
Pawfit 2 pet GPS tracker & activity monitor
£54.99
PitPat dog activity monitor
PitPat dog activity monitor
£39.00
PETFON1 smart GPS tracker real-time dog tracking
PETFON1 smart GPS tracker real-time dog tracking
£116.99
Pawfit 2 pet GPS tracker & activity monitor
Pawfit 2 pet GPS tracker & activity monitor
£54.99
PitPat dog activity monitor
PitPat dog activity monitor
£39.00

Price Points: Outdoor pizza ovens

Outdoor pizza ovens

Move over barbecues, you’re now passé – outdoor pizza ovens are the al fresco cooking gadgets to own these days!

The most basic pizza oven comes in at just over 150 quid – but for one that has all the bells & whistles and looks like a supermodel, prepare to pay up to five grand! I think I’d invest in the budget example in the first instance – see how often it gets a workout. If enthusiasm doesn’t wane and the British weather allows for regular use, I’d think about upgrading to the mid-range Ooni. Much as the canary yellow Charlie catches my eye (it’s also available in 7 other beautiful colours), I can’t imagine spending that amount of money on an oven – unless it’s an Esse range that’s indoors, sees everyday use and helps to heat the house!

  1. Outdoor tabletop pizza oven: £159.99, Vonhaus

    Fuelled by pellets and including a pizza stone to give you that authentic stone-baked flavour, you can also use this oven for smoking fish, meat or vegetables.
    The double layer design allows for a hotter inner temperature to have your pizza ready in no time, and the speedy heat up means it will be ready for cooking in only 15 minutes reaching temperatures of up to 350°C. Finished off with an ash collector, tidying up is even quicker.
    With a max pizza size of 13 inches, this is a perfect pizza oven for a pizza making night with the family.

    When all the slices are gone, the removable chimney and foldable legs allows for easy storage until next time.

  2. Ooni Karu 16 multi-fuel pizza oven: £699.00, Ooni

    Multiple fuel options for maximum cooking versatility
    Cook with wood or charcoal out of the box, or use gas with the Ooni Karu 16 Gas Burner (sold separately)
    Reaches 500°C (950°F) in just 15 minutes
    New hinged oven door design with ViewFlame™ technology to boost visibility
    Mounted digital thermometer displays internal ambient oven temperature (batteries included)
    Large cooking area fits up to 16-inch pizzas and other substantial cooks

  3. Charlie outdoor charcoal oven: £4,950.00, Charlie

    Charcoal BBQ, pizza oven, smoker, charcoal grill
    Crafted from the finest quality stainless steel, and comes with a powder-coated finish in a choice of 8 vibrant colours.
    Charlie is weatherproof and designed to work whatever the weather! Unlike top-opening barbecues or ovens, our front-opening design minimises heat loss and the impact of the weather conditions.
    Charlie’s sealed design and superior thermal insulation mean it uses 45% less charcoal than an open grill. As a result, one modest load of charcoal will last for around six hours.
    Charlie has 2.5 times the capacity of a domestic oven! It has nine cooking rack positions to allow many different cooking options. Cook indirectly (away from the fire) or directly (close to the fire). The cooking racks are professional-grade, and each oven comes with two racks as standard.

shop outdoor pizza ovens

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Charlie outdoor charcoal oven
Charlie outdoor charcoal oven
£4,950.00
Ooni Karu 16 multi-fuel pizza oven
Ooni Karu 16 multi-fuel pizza oven
£699.00
Outdoor tabletop pizza oven
Outdoor tabletop pizza oven
£159.99
Charlie outdoor charcoal oven
Charlie outdoor charcoal oven
£4,950.00
Ooni Karu 16 multi-fuel pizza oven
Ooni Karu 16 multi-fuel pizza oven
£699.00
Outdoor tabletop pizza oven
Outdoor tabletop pizza oven
£159.99
Charlie outdoor charcoal oven
Charlie outdoor charcoal oven
£4,950.00
Ooni Karu 16 multi-fuel pizza oven
Ooni Karu 16 multi-fuel pizza oven
£699.00
Outdoor tabletop pizza oven
Outdoor tabletop pizza oven
£159.99
Charlie outdoor charcoal oven
Charlie outdoor charcoal oven
£4,950.00
Ooni Karu 16 multi-fuel pizza oven
Ooni Karu 16 multi-fuel pizza oven
£699.00
Outdoor tabletop pizza oven
Outdoor tabletop pizza oven
£159.99
Charlie outdoor charcoal oven
Charlie outdoor charcoal oven
£4,950.00
Ooni Karu 16 multi-fuel pizza oven
Ooni Karu 16 multi-fuel pizza oven
£699.00
Outdoor tabletop pizza oven
Outdoor tabletop pizza oven
£159.99

Outdoor volunteering opportunities

Outdoor volunteering opportunities

I’m not one for making new year resolutions; however, I often muse on things I can do to improve myself and my surroundings. Since getting a puppy in October, we’ve begun spending more time outdoors again. In so doing, we’ve been getting fitter, getting to know our environs better and meeting new people… and dogs.

I’ve been thinking that stepping it up a notch and getting into outdoor volunteering opportunities is something I can do in 2022.

  • The Wildlife Trusts
    There are 260 different opportunities available at present on their website; from tree planting in Devon, livestock checking in Hertfordshire to Peatland Restoration Conservation Days in Cumbria.

    The Wildlife Trusts is a grassroots movement of people from a wide range of backgrounds and all walks of life, on a mission to restore a third of the UK’s land and seas for nature by 2030. We believe everyone, everywhere, should have access to nature and the joy and health benefits it brings.

  • RSPB
    They offer residential opportunities such as 4 weeks in the Lake District dry stone walling, mending fences and helping in the tree nursery and with the badger hide or 6 months in Surrey surveying & managing heathland where species such as woodlarks and nightjars call home.
    If you only have a day or a few hours per week there are many things all around the country in which you can get involved. For instance, one of the opportunities not far from us is practical habitat management at the nature reserve, Ynys-hir. There are even opportunities suitable for under 18s.
    Check out some of their volunteering stories over on their Facebook volunteering page.
  • Trash Free Trails C.I.C.
    I was so excited to come across this project – I’ve already signed up!
    For years, seeing litter while out on dog walks and rambles put a dampener on the otherwise pleasurable experience of being in the great outdoors. I usually took it upon myself to collect it all up to take home to put into the recycling/rubbish bin. And now I have found a community getting together to share what they do! It something you can do on your own, with friends or as an organised group.

    …To reduce plastic pollution on our trails and wild places by 75% by 2025 and (re)connect people with nature through purposeful adventure.

Handy tips for artificial grass maintenance

Handy tips for artificial grass maintenancecredit

It’s a fact that laying artificial grass in your outdoor areas ensures that upkeep will be minimal. Still, you’ll need to carry out a modicum of maintenance if you want your artificial grass to be durable and look attractive for years to come.

Below, we’re going to go through some handy tips for both preparatory and post-installation maintenance.

Hire professionals to install the carpet

Dynamic companies like Perth Artificial Grass provide you with not only a range of choices but also high quality installation. They have an expert team that can advise about quantity needed, layout and fitting.

Although it may not seem a difficult task to lay artificial turf, it can often prove to be a tricky job. Engage a reputable retailer to avoid unnecessary pitfalls. If you choose to do-it-yourself and make a mistake, it can turn out to be an expensive or time-consuming decision.

3D render of artificial grass with a path running through

Prepare the ground for installation

Before you have the artificial grass laid, ensure there are no leaves, small stones or other loose material on the ground. Once this has been done, smooth and level the area building up a soft and humid base. Creating a sub-layer using a soil and limestone mixture will deter weeds and also discourage insects.

Have maintenance equipment

An artificial grass carpet doesn’t require costly cleaning tools to keep it looking good. It just needs a sweep and a wash. So you need to have some basic equipment such as a broom, scrubbing brush and bucket at the ready.

Chairs on artificial grass

Brush frequently

The ‘blades’ of synthetic grass can become flattened after being constantly walked and played upon. This means that you’ll need to brush them on a regular basis to get the surface to stand high and look fresh again. For best results, use a broom with soft, synthetic bristles.

Clean regularly

Debris such as particles of food, sticky drink spills, animal mess etc are to be expected and will need to be cleaned up. If they’re not, they will decay and begin to smell. Cleaning can be done simply & easily using a sponge & warm water with soap, mild detergent or disinfectant.

Bright green artificial turf

Avoid fire, heavy and sharp items

Discarded matches and cigarette butts will likely melt and burn your artificial grass, leaving unattractive black spots. Heavy objects such as vehicles or can press your grass down and damage it permanently. Additionally, sharp items such as stiletto heels and some garden tools can pierce, cut, slash and damage your carpet for good.

Remove leaves and other garden material

Fallen leaves, especially in the autumn months, can accumulate on the ground in no time. Once it rains, they get soggy, turn to mush and will quickly rot on the surface of your artificial grass. Avoid this happening by clearing them up frequently.

Pull up weeds

Weeds can establish themselves on even the thinnest layer of soil that may settle on the surface of your artificial grass. Be vigilant, inspect your turf regularly and remove any unwanted shoots as soon as you see them emerge.

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