Friday 30 August 2013

Eeeek! New worries about Skye field trip


Elgol, Skye: photo by Santa Cruiser on Flickr.com

Thank you all my friends for your useful comments which have helped me come to a decision about which hard hat to wear on the Isle of Skye geological field course.

Yes it will of course be the 'cricket box' as proposed by Riley. In the end it was no contest. But I am a bit confused about ClimbingMandy's assertion that I will need to bring a thick skin to handle the ribbing from Gail's workmates. Why would anyone tease me about such smart, sleek protective headgear? (Other than perhaps from jealousy.)

So no worries on that score.

No, my new concerns arise from a latest peep at emails circulating in Gail's workplace, about the field course accommodation.

On learning that the bunkhouse will, contrary to earlier information, supply 'one bath towel each (not a large one)', a certain colleague, who will remain anonymous but is not at all junior, responded thus:

"Good, I was going to go native, and use an otter or other similar local furry animal for that purpose".

I would like to remind anyone in this bunkhouse who is short of something suitable with which to dry themselves that I am a WIRE-HAIRED fox terrier, hand stripped to preserve the COARSENESS and WIRY-NESS of my coat which very effectively REPELS water and is not at all absorbent. I also have teeth.

Got that?

We head west to Skye on Sunday. Wish me luck. This blog will be quiet for a few days.

19 comments:

  1. Now that is a real concern, Bertie. I can confirm that a wire haired fox terrier is not the best towel-alternative. Scratchy and water repellent.
    BTW, how are you going to handle the midge issue?

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    1. 20 mph winds (and heavy rain) forecast for Skye on Sunday and Monday!

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  2. Having been a little delinquent in the last month, I haven't really been around all the blogs like I should have, but I can see you have nicely solved your head gear problem. My hope for now is that the Isle of Skye has
    protection from YOU. Enjoy your climb, Bertie, and will look forward to hearing from you on your return.

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  3. Bertie,

    My human is smiling at the thought that you took my suggestion seriously. Just remember if you get any ribbing about what you are wearing remind them of that old classic design quote "form follows function".

    As for the comment from Gail's coworker, I think perhaps you misunderstand her intention. She obviously realized that she does not need to take a towel as your breed standard (quoted off the UK Kennel club) says "This hardy collection of dogs were selectively bred to be extremely brave and tough, and to pursue fox, badger, rat and otter (to name but a few) above and below ground." It seems your mission, on this work jolly, is to find and catch her a suitable towel.

    Have fun on Skye!
    Woofs,
    Riley

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  4. Best of luck with the weather - I just saw the forecast! Perhaps Bertie, you should roll around in something unsavoury to deter any drying? If you do, please tell Gail that I take no responsibility for planting the seed.

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  5. How insulting! You'd better round up some otters!

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

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  6. Hari OM
    gggrrrrrwwwwwfffffffffffffff!!!! You tell 'em Bertie lad!! Go native indeed - does she no' ken that in the Hielan's that means MOSS - much more available than otters. Tsk.

    Looking at that photo and recalling how the rain on Skye can be like nails, I'd be covering that headwear as previously suggested. Said bathcap would then fool the onlookers as to the structure of said headwear.

    See? Am still working for you kiddo! Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty XXX

    Pee Ess - safe, fun and fruitful trip to you and Gail.

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  7. We think you made that pretty clear Bath Towel Bertie. Have a fabulous Friday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  8. No one would ever think of using you as a towel...a pot scrubber maybe...but not a towel:). Have a paw some trip Bertie.

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  9. Just tell them to do what WE all do... Run out and ROACH AND ROLL in the Grass!!

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  10. Have a great trip. Be careful, wear your hard hat, and bring your OWN towel!

    gussie

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  11. I think the cricket box is QUITE stylish, and no one could possibly tease you about it. And yes, you'd be awful for drying off with. Why doesn't he just learn to give himself a good shake like we do?

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  12. Oh Bertie you are going to be the talk of the cabin
    Benny & Lily

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  13. Hey Bertie!
    Wow, your head-gear is BOL perfect! Very chic and functional, but I do hope it is a new one and not used. Anyway, might want to pack a big pile of leaves and let those unprepared peeps dry on that instead. Maybe an old rug or a bedcover would work. They could stand in front of a fan even. Please bring back lots of pix of your adventure and HAVE FUN!
    Grr and Woof,
    Sarge, COP

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  14. Hey Handsome Bertie!!!
    Yep any one who dares to tease or taunt you about your head gear would be green with jealousy at the sleek style, ventilation and maintenance free helmet!! Just give them the back of disrespect and shake your terrier tail at them.
    Hugs madi your BFFF

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  15. If people tease you it is jealousy. Hope you don't get used as a towel. Have a great time! Lee and Phod

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  16. Good job you is not an otter hound Bertie! I is not sure you should go with that sort of shenanigans even before the trip!
    ~lickies, Ludo

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  17. Bertie,
    Gail's colleagues will have every right to be jealous of you when you were your professional hard hat. I mean, who wouldn't be when in the presence of a wee doggie in a cricket box hat?
    Oh, and who would enter to use a WIRY towel anyway? They'd be quite scratched afterwards, never mind clawed and pawed!
    Pippa :)

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  18. have a marvelous time! Gails colleagues will indeed be wild with jealousy

    urban hounds

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