Blind man with a backpack - Chris and Guide Dog Chester

06/12/2025

Happy birthday mum!



Image 1:
A Mum sits next to her partner, Laurence, at a restaurant table, both smiling warmly at the camera. In front of mum is a plate with a slice of layered dessert topped with cocoa powder and a single red candle. Image 2:
All the family sit together around a long dining table in a restaurant. Everyone is smiling and looking toward the camera. Scout, my brother’s miniature schnauzer sits at the table looking at him across the table trough bushy eyebrows.
Image 3:
We all stand under an archway of fairy lights outside the restaurant. We are in height order and wrapped up warm against the cold. Chester is sat next to me in harness and wearing a checked bandana.





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03/12/2025

A tough day at the office


Chester, my sunburst amber gr x lab is curled up on his blanket under my desk at work fast asleep.

GuideDogOnBreak DogNap SleepyDog TiredButHappy HardAtWork AssistanceDog ServiceDogLife LifeWithADog BlindWithADog DogsofInstagram DogsofFacebook DogLovers WellEarnedRest GoodBoy PuppyEyes DailyDog DogLifeUK AfterWorkVibes RestAndRecover ContentDog

30/11/2025

This weekend’s free run destination was Ashampstead Common 🌲🐾
Both boys absolutely loved weaving through the woods, but it was Oswald who really took things to another level when he vanished after a fluffle of rabbits! By the time he finally reappeared, all he could do was collapse straight into a muddy puddle 😂

Meanwhile, Chester was his usual steady, focused self — proof that even on free runs, that guide dog training never really switches off. Muddy, tired, happy dogs… the very best kind of ending to a weekend 💛

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1. A wooded path covered in golden autumn leaves. William walks ahead while Chris follows behind along the woodland trail, dappled sunlight filtering through the trees.
2. An open grassy clearing surrounded by trees with bare branches and patches of yellow leaves. A narrow worn track runs through the centre toward the distance.
3. Oswald, a large light-coloured golden retriever, lies on his side in a muddy puddle among fallen leaves, soaking wet and content after running hard.
4. Chris stands smiling on a woodland path holding his white cane. Autumn leaves cover the ground and slender trees line the path. Two dogs are visible further ahead on the trail.
5. Chester, the darker, slimmer golden retriever x Labrador, stands on a leaf-covered woodland path looking toward the camera with his tail raised, alert and happy.
6. Back at the car: Chester sits in the open boot on a grey blanket after a muddy walk. His fur is damp and speckled with dirt, especially around his legs and chest. An orange collapsible water bowl sits in front of him with a water bottle nearby. Chester looks calmly toward the camera with soft, tired eyes, ready for a well-earned rest.
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Hashtags:
WoodlandWalks AutumnAdventures MuddyPaws GuideDogLife WorkingDog LifeWithADog BlindWithADog AssistiveDog DogAdventures OutdoorLifeUK AutumnWalks RetrieverLove TwoGoodBoys WeekendVibes AccessibleLife

23/11/2025

Happy Sunday folks!

Over recent weeks Chester has been working with one of the amazing Guide Dogs behavioural specialists to help with his anxiety, especially when settling in social settings (like the pub!). He has been progressing so fantastically well that we’ve started taking this training on the road — and what better way to test it out than a long Sunday walk followed by a refreshing pint at the end?

This weekend’s destination was the small village of Hambleden just outside Henley, of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang fame. We were joined by my sister Kathryn and set off through the village and out into the Chilterns. The boys stayed on lead for most of the route as we were walking through open farmland — which turned out to be a very good thing, because a whole herd of deer sprinted across the path at one point and Ozzy would definitely have been off otherwise!

Even so, they both had plenty of chances to stretch their legs and explore. There were a few other dogs around too, and it’s been lovely seeing just how much progress Chester has made. He completely ignored them and kept his focus solidly on his own pack.

At the end of the walk, we popped into the village pub for a swift half. Walking in, there was a young black Labrador minding its own business, and Chester was perfect as we passed and found a place to settle. We enjoyed a couple of leisurely pints of Marlow Rebellion lager and shared a bowl of whitebait (the dogs were extremely disappointed nothing got dropped), and both boys were more than happy to relax at our feet as we chatted.

The bar area was quite cosy, so there were moments when other people walked through with their dogs, which called for some strategic feeding — but overall, it was another hugely successful training session. It’s a tough job having to go for long weekend walks and subject ourselves to a bar snack and a pint or two… but if it helps with training, who am I to argue? 😉

Have a great week all!

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— Image Descriptions in captions

16/11/2025

New blog post is up — and this one all started with a missing T-shirt.

What should have been a quick rummage through the wardrobe somehow turned into a whole journey about ageing, sight loss, nostalgia, and why some old bits of clothing hold far more meaning than they probably should.

It’s funny how a completely worn-out, fraying T-shirt can take you right back to another time in your life. A time before routines changed, before eyesight shifted, before technology became the thing that makes so much possible — and yet demands so much patience.

In true “House of Backpack” fashion, there was also a bit of chaos, a hint of conspiracy, and the usual debate about whether I’ve misplaced something or whether someone else has moved it. (I maintain my innocence… mostly. 😅)

If you fancy a read — or a laugh — the full post is here:
👉 https://blindmanwithabackpack.uk/2025/11/16/the-great-t-shirt-conspiracy/

Hashtags (light, FB-appropriate):

A light-hearted search for a missing old T-shirt turns into a tongue-in-cheek reflection on ageing, sight loss, and why some clothes are harder to let go of.

08/11/2025

Sunny autumn free run fun at Greenham Common ☀️🍂

We’ve had a lot on recently, so getting out into the open this weekend was exactly what we needed. There’s something about wide skies, fresh air and two very happy dogs that resets everything a little bit.

Oswald (our gentle giant) and Chester (my sunburst saviour) were absolutely living their best lives — puddle diving, trotting ahead to check the path, circling back for reassurance and then racing off again with pure joy in every step. There’s a kind of freedom in watching them be completely themselves that I never get tired of.

Kath and I enjoyed the slower pace too. Just walking, chatting, laughing at the soggy dogs and soaking up the autumn sunshine. These are the moments that make the rest of the week feel lighter.

Sometimes the best therapy is found in muddy paws and open space. 🐾💛

Hope your weekend brought you something good too — big or small.


Image descriptions in captions

02/11/2025

A quick message today about why it’s so important to keep dogs under control, especially around guide dogs. 🐾

This morning, Guide Dogs UK Chester and I were on our way up the stairs at Reading Station. Partway up, another dog on an extendable lead that wasn’t locked rushed across the landing towards Chester. The owner apologised straight away — and I appreciated that — but it’s a good example of how quickly things can become unsafe.

When a guide dog is working, they’re not just helping us find our way.
They’re also responsible for keeping us balanced and safe, particularly in places like train stations, platforms, escalators and staircases.

If another dog gets under their feet, pulls them off line, or causes a sudden distraction, we can both lose our balance. On stairs, that could easily lead to a fall — and it can happen faster than either person can react.

This isn’t about blame.
It’s about awareness.

Extendable leads have their place — but only when they’re locked and controlled, especially in busy public spaces. If they’re fully extended, the dog can move much faster than the person holding the handle. And in a situation like today, just a second or two can make the difference between a safe journey and a dangerous fall.

So if you’re out with your dog and you see a guide dog in harness, the best things you can do are:

✅ Shorten the lead
✅ Lock the mechanism
✅ Give a little space as you pass
✅ Avoid encouraging interactions

It makes a huge difference to our safety and to the dogs who work so hard to support us.

Thanks for taking the time to read — and for helping keep our journeys safe. 💛

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Video Description ( )

A video shows Chester, a sunburst amber golden retriever x lab guide dog, guiding Chris up a staircase at Reading Station. On the landing, a small pug on an unlocked extendable lead rushes across towards Chester, barking. The pug gets close to Chester’s feet and Chester steps aside. Chris pauses and the other owner apologises before passing. Chester then resumes guiding up the stairs.

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02/11/2025

A quick reminder for dog owners 🐾

This morning, Chester and I were heading up the stairs at Reading Station when another dog on an extendable lead that wasn’t locked rushed towards him. The owner apologised — and I appreciated that — but moments like this can be dangerous.

When a guide dog is working, they’re not just helping us find our way.
They’re also keeping us balanced and safe, especially on stairs and platforms.

If another dog gets under their feet or pulls them off line, we can both lose our balance. On stairs, that can go wrong very quickly.

So if you see a guide dog in harness:

✅ Keep your dog close
✅ Lock and shorten extendable leads
✅ Give us space to pass

It makes a huge difference, and it keeps everyone safe — humans and dogs alike.
Thank you 💛

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28/10/2025

Oswald was on camera duty this time 🎥🐾

After a full-on week, we took things back to basics – boots on, leads off, and straight to the woods for some much-needed headspace. This time, we gave Oswald the GoPro and let him take the lead.

What followed was pure joy:
• floppy ears in full flight
• enthusiastic sniffing of every interesting smell
• woodland zoomies with Chester weaving in and out like a golden satellite in orbit

No training, no working mode, no plan — just two dogs absolutely living their best lives in the woods.

There’s something grounding in seeing the world at dog-height.
No stress.
No overthinking.
Just the moment you’re in.

Sometimes that’s all you need.

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Video Description ( )

A GoPro is mounted on Oswald, a large yellow golden retriever. The camera captures his view as he trots and runs along woodland paths, his big floppy ears bouncing in front of the lens as he moves. Chester, a sunburst amber golden retriever x Labrador guide dog, weaves in and out of frame as the two dogs explore together. They sniff along the forest floor, run through brush, and move side-by-side through the trees with relaxed, happy energy.

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26/10/2025

Happy Sunday from Team Chester! 🐾.
We hope you’ve had a good one.

It’s been another really busy week for us, including two solo trips into the office without our usual support. I always book Passenger Assistance when travelling by train, but I don’t always need every element of it because I normally meet my Access Assistant in Reading and we travel together.

This week, Chester and I had to travel alone because he was unwell — but everything went to plan, and the station support teams were brilliant. Thursday was a bit stressful due to a points failure near Didcot, but in the end the delays actually worked in our favour and we made every connection. Only a couple of minutes late in the end, so I’ll take that as a win!

Now, you’d think lying quietly through a three-hour presentation wouldn’t take much effort from a highly trained Guide Dog… but when they’re on duty, they’re always ready to work at a moment’s notice. They never fully switch off. Add in a couple more meeting days and by Saturday, Chester was ready for a well-earned rest.

He did have one more job to do though — taking me to the pool. Kath and William had some errands in town so we skipped the bus and walked from there. There were lots of other dogs around and Chester showed just how far his distraction training has come — he stayed focused all the way, even when we had to divert around the window cleaners blocking the riverside path.

We rounded off the week with a well-deserved free run in the woods with big brother Oswald. Lots of other dogs around (a big section of the woods is closed for maintenance at the moment) but Chester handled it all incredibly well. Ozzy was cameraman for the walk, so I’ll share a little highlight video soon.

But before that — here’s my golden boy in action taking me through M&S to meet Kath and William. We start in the food court, weave through trolleys and baskets, then out into womenswear and through the crowds to the door. And outside? It’s fuss, cuddles, and a bit of tail wagging before we get set for the rest of the walk. 💛

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21/10/2025

This one is really special. ❤️

In this clip from my latest episode — In conversation with… The wife – How sight loss changed us both — Kath and I talk about how her background as a counsellor has helped her adapt to my evolving disability, and how we’ve learned to build strategies that work for all of us as a family.

It’s an honest and emotional conversation, but also a hopeful one — a reminder that when life changes, the people around us often grow and adapt in incredible ways too.

🎧 Listen now on Buzzsprout:
👉 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2446119/episodes/18038215-in-conversation-with-the-wife-how-sight-loss-changed-us-both

Or find it on your favourite podcast platform.

If you’d like to find out more — or fancy joining me for a chat on a future episode (about any topic, not just sight loss!) — I’d love to hear from you. Just drop me a message and let’s talk. 🎙️



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Alt text:
A recording setup in a cosy garden studio. Kath is sat in a soft wing-backed chair and Chris is sat opposite on the sofa with his legs curled up beneath him. There is a mixing desk in between them with multicoloured lights on it, and they are deep in warm conversation.

15/10/2025

That’s another episode in the bag! 🎙️
A massive thank you to my lovely wife for joining me for this one — our most personal chat yet. ❤️

It was so special to record this in person, sat across from each other in the garden studio, sharing stories, a few laughs, and maybe even a few tears.

Editing is well and truly underway, and I honestly can’t wait to share this one with you all.

Stay tuned — it’s going to be a good one. 👀



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Alt text:
A recording setup in a cosy garden studio. Kath is sat in a soft wing-backed chair and Chris is sat opposite on the sofa with his legs curled up beneath him. There is a mixing desk in between them with multicolored lights on it and they are deep in warm conversation.