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Monday 13 June 2011

Come with me for a walk to Dracula's Castle

Weekday blues? Stuck in at home while the humans are busy working?

Why not join me on a virtual walk along the Scottish coast?

You're coming then? Brilliant! Let's get going!

We start off in a tiny wee fishing village, Whinnyfold, 20 miles north of Aberdeen.

We walk north along the cliffs, admiring the blue seas and the graceful arc of Cruden Bay in the distance.

(You may, like me, have to be on a lead for this stretch, along a narrow and uneven path with steep drops on one side and eminently chase-able sheep on the other.)


Eventually we reach the beach, and can run free, sniff around the rock pools and sip the salty water.


If you biggify this picture you can see the outline of a castle in the top left. That's where we're headed.

But first you may wish to stop a while and reflect, and watch the tide go out.

We are lucky that for once there is almost no wind, so no sand blowing in our eyes.

It seems we might even have the beach to ourselves today.


And also the path up to the spooky ruins of Slains Castle. (Bram Stoker stayed here; they say it's where he found inspiration for the Dracula story.)




We can walk right up to the castle and explore. It's great fun - so many fascinating nooks and crannies to investigate.  (The buildings are actually fenced off for safety reasons, but there's a hole in the fence so we can slip straight through!)  If I had a human who would remember to charge her camera battery once in a while, then I would be able to show you the ruins close up, but I'm afraid you'll just have to imagine it today, or perhaps follow this link.


P.S. I am off on my big train journey to visit human Granny and Granddad on Thursday. But by some miracle  the wonders of modern science and technology, I am also participating in the Blogville picnic next weekend. You will find me by the pond, where I will be conducting a series of fun science experiments with a water-related theme. If you want to participate in these experiments (and I am sure you will!) please stop by my blog next Friday or Saturday.
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22 comments:

  1. Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom13 June 2011 at 15:45

    Dis is so cool. And I even has da Dracula teethies. I tink I is livin' in da wrong place!

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  2. Elaine Pritchard13 June 2011 at 19:08

    I loved that walk with you. Thanks for taking us with you.

    Good luck for your BIG train trip. Or should it be Gail getting the good wishes?

    See you at the picnic!

    Love and licks, Winnie

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  3. Two French Bulldogs13 June 2011 at 21:22

    That was a great walk Bertie. Dracula's castle is a bit scawy
    Benny & Lily

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  4. rottrover13 June 2011 at 21:38

    What a lovely walk on a lovely day! It's a good literary trick to leave the scary castle to the reader's imagination, Bertie!!

    See you at the picnic!

    -Gizmo, Bart and Ruby

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  5. Anonymous14 June 2011 at 02:26

    Oh Bertie that looked like a wonderful time.

    That Drac Castle sure did look scary!

    I cannot wait for your lecture!

    woos, Tessa

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  6. Kolchak Puggle14 June 2011 at 03:27

    My Daddy is all hot and bothered by your castle, but I think the beah looks pawtastic!

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  7. Bella Roxy & Macdui14 June 2011 at 04:23

    What a dramatic coastline. We'd love to be there. It would take us months to get to the castle because we'd be sniffing everything!

    The water experiments sound great. We love water....except bath water.

    Have a fantastic time on the train and at Granny and Granddad's.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella

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  8. Craig14 June 2011 at 07:02

    Beautiful scenery Bertie. You east coast guys are lucky as it's usually a lot dryer for walks that us poor pooches on the west coast!

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  9. The Black and Tans.14 June 2011 at 10:36

    Fabulous walk Bertie. WE are quite pleased we didn't go too near the spooky castle, we were worried somebody would jump out and go BOO!

    Have a good trip to Nottingham. We are passing by Sherwood Forest on Saturday. If we see you we will wave our paws.

    Molly, Taffy, Monty and Winnie

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  10. Jake of Florida14 June 2011 at 15:24

    How fortunate you are to have such a beautiful coast within reach!!!

    And mostly off leash to boot.

    Wirey woofs,

    Jake and Just Harry

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  11. Amber-Mae14 June 2011 at 18:54

    This is way WAYYY cool!!! So did you get to go in the castle?

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  12. George The Lad14 June 2011 at 20:11

    Bertie its looks beautiful, and all to yourself what could be better. So its water you are doing about!!! I'll pop over and check it out.
    Have a good time, just keep reminding Gail pub, pub, pub ;)
    See Yea George xxx

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  13. Berts Blog15 June 2011 at 03:51

    Hi Bertie, I've been meaning to drop by for a long time now. I finally did and I am so glad I did.

    You get to do some wonderful walks and I love that you share the pictures for us to see.

    See you Saturday

    Bert

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  14. Jed and Abby in MerryLand15 June 2011 at 05:41

    When we saw the first part of your post, we thought 'Gail's gone off and left him for sure,' but it sounds like in spite of your trial run you're actually about to take a long train ride. Did we see on your ticket that Gail booked a sleeper car for you? That should make the journey much less stressful, if so.

    We learn something new every time we visit your blog. Who knew "Dracula" owed its existance as much to Scotland as to Transylvania! Good thing you visited in broad daylight. Much the safest thing.

    Can't wait to hear and see your demonstrations at the picnic!

    Jed & Abby

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  15. Anonymous15 June 2011 at 10:03

    Bertie! This is so neato! I biggified the last castle shot. It looks like a giant sand castle! Way cool :D And to think the infamous Count's creation was inspired there... Superb! Thanks for the incredible walkie! :D

    Waggin at ya,
    Roo

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  16. Finn15 June 2011 at 10:22

    Looks beautiful by the beach and SPOOKY by the castle! Have fun with Granny and Grandad!

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  17. Dexter16 June 2011 at 00:43

    Bertie, buddy, do you have something in mind for the big cook out? I wasn't going to go, but now you have me thinking. Send me a peemail, OK? Perhaps you require some photoshopping?

    Slobbers,
    Mango
    backupdogATcomcastDOTnet

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  18. Kolchak Puggle16 June 2011 at 04:24

    Hiya Bertie - Can you and your Gail please e-mail me at kolchakpuggle at gmail dot com? There is something important I need to share with you. Thank you very much!

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  19. Baby Rocket Dog and Hootie16 June 2011 at 06:00

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  20. Baby Rocket Dog and Hootie16 June 2011 at 06:01

    Helloooo Bertie Boy! Long time no see. Our secretary is a mess. She was too busy with a (5k & 10k) race she was helping with. It's over now, so maybe we'll once again become her priority...as it should be! Now it sure looks like you walked a very far distance to that castle. Wow, could you come over here and adopt us so we can join in these cool walks?? We'll try to get over here next Sat. to see what's up with the H2O.
    Smooches from pooches,
    BabyRD & HOotie

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  21. Hoke17 June 2011 at 01:31

    Thank you so much!! It was as if I was right there with you. Wonder if they could ever take me on the plane to a cool place like that!!!

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  22. Suka17 June 2011 at 01:47

    hey Bertie,

    Love your walk! What a fun, and gorgeous, place to run and romp! I really loved your contemplative moment on the beach. That is something I would definitely do!

    The castle looks spectacular! I bet you had fun exploring it. See any ghosts?

    Have a great visit with your Granny and Granddad!

    Cheers,

    Suka

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