Monday 23 April 2012

Ashentilly Wood: mud, mud, glorious mud...





Well I was so keen to get going with my new AWGV* job, I said to Gail, look we can't wait until it's sunny, after all this is Scotland, we might be waiting, like, forever.


Finally she relented and we went, during a pause between heavy downpours, to investigate Ashentilly Wood, ten miles out of Aberdeen and just off the South Deeside road.

Now some friends have been trying to advise me on how to go about my new role. Advice which I considered and then rejected. (Apparently a friend of Gail's once described her as having an 'advice resistant personality type' and happily this is a trait we share).

Bossy Stella told me to "just try not to get carried away with your opinions". No opinions? Me? Can you imagine? Quite ridiculous. Stella, that's like telling the Tea Party in the USA to try to be tolerant for a change. Or George Osborne telling UK voters that "we're all in it together"....

I want you to know I consider it my role to provide the op-ed counterpart to the boring fact-based report Gail writes on the VisitWoods website. Clear?

Anyway, back to the woods.

I did come close to acting on Deccy's intriguing suggestion to pee only on yellow flowers. Too close in fact. Deccy have you any idea how prickly a gorse bush feels on the bum? Oh you do. It was a practical joke. I get it. Hardy har. Not.


Personally I find that a delicate cluster of wood sorrel provides a more pleasing 'facility'.


A mossy bank by the side of the track is just fine too.


Isn't it strange though, and rather sad, how humans seem to miss out completely on the best aspects of a wood.

One can have so much fun negotiating the muddiest paths ...


And rolling around in the less delicately scented woodland offerings. (Believe me friends, this isn't mud...)

But I absolutely can't agree with Gail that it is a plus point when a wood has a clear running stream just close to the car park...

...where a dog can be immersed in near freezing water and "cleaned up a bit" prior to being transported home.

*AWGV - Assistant Web Guide Volunteer for the VisitWoods project. See also previous post.

20 comments:

  1. Looks like a great place to go...except for that creek at the end.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

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  2. Bertie, what an excellent job you did. I felt like I was there with you and I even think I can smell whats on you(oops my bad,its me, I got a bit too excited reading your adventure). Well anyway thanks for the adventure.

    Loveys Sasha

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  3. Bertie - Muddy water good . Clean water bad .

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  4. Bertie,

    Providing the op-ed counterpart to your mom's fact-based report is a key task. I'm glad to hear you take it seriously :)

    Keep on wagging,
    Tootsie

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  5. Bertie! You are a rough and tumble tour guide, encouraging us to partake of all the wild woodlands have to offer. Your Gail needs to loosen up and try a quick roll in the mud herself, right?

    Slobbers,
    Mango

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  6. Bewtie
    I fow one am ankshuss fow YOOR opinions and decisions..no advice needed fwom the west of us
    I think the wain bwings out the bestest smells as well as mud wolling pawsibilities and those bootiful mossy colows
    All wondewful till the hoomiliating last dip in the icy watews..thank dog you awe a heawty tewwiewist
    Smoochie kisses
    Asta

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  7. hey Bertie,

    You are sure strong-headed! But that is good, you know what you want and you do it! Just remind me never to offer opinions to you...BOL! Seriously, I look forward to reading your opinions because you have such a fantastically quirky outlook on life and your surroundings. You always bring a smile to my human's face and a wag to my tail. Your humor is very grand! So, keep doing what you do best - just being you! :->

    And the "this isn't mud photo" is pawsome! Good job, Bertie! BOL!

    Suka

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  8. Aw come on mate, where's your sense of humour?! Anyway when I said yellow flowers, I just meant daffodils... honest. Hehe! Deccy x

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  9. Glad you had fun with your muddy adventure

    Stop on by for a visit
    Kari
    http://dogisgodinreverse.com

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  10. Hey Bertie!
    Wow, what a wonderful walkie! Mud is very good for your fur and skin...trust me. Hope your "mud" wasn't too smelly. Love that big mud puddle!
    Grr and Woof,
    Sarge, COP

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  11. Mud is fun! Bob loves to roll and roll and roll in it. Part of the joy of spring


    urban hounds

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  12. Nice work, Bertie! I am wondering what that moss feels like on your paws. We don't have much of it out our way. I agree about the sorrel - looks like a fine place to leave some pee-mail.

    Your pal, Pip

    P.S.: Advice resistant personality. Bawhahahaha! I think maybe you are talking about my assistant!

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  13. Oh Bertie...you live in Heaven, my dear...well,'cept for all the rain...but I supposed if it didn't rain you wouldn't have those lovely hoooge mud puddles and those damp um stinky whatever it is you rolled in. So...you got tossed in the freezing cold stream for a quick wash up?? Sounds a wee bit nippy...speaking of nippy, I sharpened my fangs on Mumsie's hand this weekend when she tried to get me OUT of my shower...I do love nice long warm ones..not those freezing cold dunks in the pond...

    Mumsie has one of those advice resistant personalty things too...she liked that...

    XXOO Lacie

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  14. way to go Bertie..we like the cool mud bath you had
    Benny & Lily

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  15. Oh Bertie, we are so envious. You got a walk with mud and other fab smelly stuffs, saw some pretty flowers and that photo of the huge puddle on the road made me get all twitchy wanting to run and roll. Mmmmm heaven. Mum moaned about winter and muddy paws inside. I don't know what wrong with that woman. Sheesh. Anyhoo, thanks for taking us on your tour of the woods. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

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  16. Oh my, looks like you have the greatest back yard, finnaly getting dad to check out all who visit us as newbees, like to have some of you adventures.

    Susie And Bites
    Pees; as scotties maybe we need get our peeps to take us over to see the wonderful home country.

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  17. Oh, Bertie! As usual, you are too busy formulating a clever reply to REALLY understand what I said. I believe I said to not get CARRIED AWAY with your opinions. Of course you would have opinions, I never knew a terrier who didn't, but just don't get sassy about things. Use a little tact and diplomacy, or try anyway!

    Cheers,
    Bossy Stella

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  18. Oh that was a very fun walk in your woodlands! You are doin an excellent job of reporting good spots to go to for your Scottish furiends. Wish I could go with you! :) Negotiating that mudhole looked like so much fun! :D

    Waggin at ya,
    Roo

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  19. Interesting. So, who would have guessed that you or your Gail are, uhhhhh hmmmmm, somewhat rigid in your lines of thinking?! bol. It was a swell trek with you through the woods Bertie. We're proud of your ability to roll in "woodsy" scents too! Sorry you had to get it washed off.
    Smooches,
    BabyRD & Hootie

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  20. BOL cute Bertie!! Addy would have LOVED this one and she would have a BIG smile on her face!!

    wags
    jazzi

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