Sunday 21 August 2011

Haar haar - not funny...

Gail and I have been debating the merits of a well known aspect of summer weather in Aberdeen.

I guess if you want to make something sound better than it is you give it a fancy name. You know, like bin men being environmental hygiene operatives....

So people in the east of Scotland have a special word for coastal fog. The call it 'haar'. 

We had a bad dose of haar when we took our visitors to Dunnottar Castle last week. 

Gail was going on about it all being so atmospheric, the ruined grey stone buildings looming in the swirling mists. 

But I think you can tell that the boys weren't too impressed.

And small wonder. You might remember I went there as a young pup with Gail's friend Helen. On a sunny day.

And Hamish too enjoyed fine weather for his visit. (Click here for his full report).

But talking of mists, oh deary me, Gail is getting all misty eyed looking at those pictures of Hamish. I'd better stop right now, and go and give her a lick and a cuddle.

18 comments:

  1. When we have fog or haar, it usually burns off and leaves a beautiful sunny day. Bet the walk was enjoyable anyway.

    Bertie, did you get in a few leg licks on those boys?

    XXXOOO daisy, Kendra & Bella

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  2. I think Gail is on to something...the ruins do have more of a presence in a haar. By the way Bertie, tell Gail that Boris has a cairn terrier neighbour 6 doors down called Hamish. But he's not friendly and tries to bite Boris every time we see him!

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  3. That's beautiful in the fog also! You get to go to the best places, Scotland is so pet-friendly!

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  4. Hey Bertie!
    Wow, I think the haar makes it even more mysterious and pretty! I bet it was a nice walkie.
    Grr and Woof,
    Sarge, COP

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  5. Hope Bertie had a chance to wander down to the quayside at Stonehaven after the mountain climbing at Dunnotar !

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  6. Oh it would be wonderful to have haar here in Oregon USA! Cause it is still HOT!!!

    But I have to say the pics look very mysterious with the haar and very beautiufl when the skies are blue. Hamish looks like he was a pawsome pal!

    You are a good pup Bertie to make you Mom feel good with a cuddle.

    woos, Tessa

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  7. The pictures with the Haar... makes my mom think of Brigadoon!!! and she went all SIGH and stuff over it.

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  8. I love the haar swirling around those old ruins, very mystical to me.

    Gail is not the only one who gets misty over Hamish. He was my very best friend and I miss him to this day!

    Kisses,
    Stella

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  9. It sure is beautiful. Hamish was one special kid
    Benny & Lily

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  10. Bertie bud,
    You tell Gail that my Maxmom is also getting all teary eyes looking at our sweet buddy Hamish. What happy memories we all have of him - and what happy memories she is making for you too.
    Please send her lots of love and tell her we also think that the 'haar' is mystical. You sure do live in a beautiful part of the world.
    TOBY IN SOUTH AFRICA

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  11. Oh yes young Bertie you must be ever on guard for the need of a lick and a cuddle. Seems no one does it better than us pups!

    Bobo and Meja

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  12. I have to say Bertie the mist does give it the air lol!! I visited Hamish's link, oh how I wished I'd have known him, give Gail a hug from me to, he sure was a character.
    Have a good week
    See yea George xxx

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  13. Bertie, is the haar as cold and chilly as it looks? It looks freezing, but the boys are wearing shorts... Just wondering. We didn't know Hamish either, but like George, we send gentle rottie kisses to Gail. Our mom gets misty sometimes, too. They're so unpredictable. You never know what's going to set them off!!

    Have a great week!
    -Gizmo, Bat and Ruby

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  14. Bewtie
    I'm so sowwy, I haven't visited in a while(stoopid hoomans nevew have time)
    and now hewe I am n a day full of HAAW, hmmm, well, I'm suwe you and I wouldn't let it stop ouw fun If I could be thewe wif you.
    I hope you licked Gail's teaws away. Sometimes when I see Mommi looking at old pictoowes , I know that the watewwowks awe not faw behind
    twy to cheew hew and wemind hew of the lovliness of having had Hamish in hew life and always in hew heawt
    smoochie kisses
    ASTA

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  15. Hmmm...all dat haar reminds me of a Florida morning in the spring time.

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  16. Oh Bertie,
    Haar sounds like a much better name than Fog!! Looks like a fun trip anyways and you should have done some funny stuffs to put a SMILE on those 2 faces!!

    wags
    Jazzi

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  17. I went to Scotland once. I was atop a mountain at the Edinburgh zoo and all of a sudden the fog rushed in and I could barely see my hand in front of my face. Spooky stuff for sure.

    Always nice to see little Hamish again. Such a game chap.

    Mango Momma

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  18. I dunno Bertie, the Mama thinks the Haar is rather pretty. Looks like a lovely walk to us!

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