Split Days in Worthing

Our time in Worthing stretched over three weeks, though it was split between two homes, two dogs, and two very different rhythms.

Nathan spent a week with Bruno, the Boston terrier. Bruno was a little delight, highly intelligent, full of quirks, and a soundtrack all of his own with his trumps and snoring. He was sharp, funny, and endlessly entertaining, a reminder of how much personality can fit into such a small dog.

Meanwhile, Dylan and I returned to Joey, the lurcher we’d looked after before. Joey is the definition of a lazy lurcher, happiest when snoozing on his favourite chair, only roused by the promise of a good long morning walk. After stretching his legs, he’d happily curl back into the quiet for the rest of the day. His mum, Sanae, welcomed us so warmly again, her beautiful, light-filled home always carrying a sense of peace.

For Dylan, Worthing held its own kind of magic. He was welcomed back into the park by friends he’d made the year before, sliding straight into games and laughter as if no time had passed. He even joined in with weekly boxing lessons there, throwing himself into it with the same spirit he brings to everything. His days were spent outdoors, full and free, while I soaked in the slower rhythm Joey set.

We didn’t make it to the beach as much this time, caring for two dogs kept us closer to home, and the sea wasn’t at its most inviting, heavy with seaweed. Still, we managed to stroll the promenade, enjoy an ice cream or two, and soak in the seaside air. The Lions Fair was another highlight, filling the town with handmade stalls, food, music, and even a vintage car show. It gave Worthing that festive, community feel that makes you smile just to be part of it.

There was also time for something a little different, a meet-up with Carolyn, our developer. Over coffee and cake, we caught up properly and began laying more plans for the future of The Guardians Tribe. It felt good to sit in person and talk through the next steps, turning ideas into the beginnings of action.

But while Worthing gave us so much to enjoy, we also realised something important: splitting sits between two houses is not ideal. It meant extra work for all of us, maintaining two homes, balancing routines, and making sure both Bruno and Joey got all the love and attention they deserved. It worked for that season, but it’s not something we’d look to repeat. Sits flow best when we’re all together, in one place, fully present.

Reflection from the road: This sit reminded us that not every choice is the right one for the long term. Splitting between two homes showed us how quickly energy can become stretched, and how important it is to keep life simple. Dogs, like children, thrive on presence, and so do we. Worthing taught us that the best memories are made when we’re grounded together in one rhythm, one home, one flow.