Tuesday 28 May 2019

It wasn't our finest hour...

On Sunday after lunch, once the rain clouds finally cleared, Gail decided we'd go and explore new territory - footpaths across the farmland north of Glen Tanar.

I will say one thing for my owner. She has a pretty good sense of direction and excellent map reading skills. Possibly, she says, because when she was little, no-one ever suggested to her that these were things girls could not do well.

However, on occasion, the route finding can still go pear-shaped.

Sunday was just such an occasion.

We were not far into the walk when the intended track disappeared and I was being carried across a stone wall capped with a barbed wire fence and into a field of sheep.

We met a lady and an exuberant Labrador with a stick clamped between his jaws. The stick (actually half a small tree) became entangled in my lead while the Lab's owner was pointing across the field and telling Gail that the route over the hill to Glen Tanar was straightforward to find and the going was easy.

Neither of these statements proved true.

Confronted with a bog and then a slope covered in gorse (a coconut-scented but notoriously prickly shrub common in these parts) Gail decided to press on regardless.

If I am looking reproachful in the next photo it is because Gail has just forced her way through particularly dense thicket of gorse, carrying me under one arm (and dropping me more than once) while fending off the thorns with the free hand.

Eventually we made it to a proper track and from thereon in it was plain sailing. 

The sun came out and Gail switched the phone camera to video mode. Please be aware that the wee film below gives a wholly misleading impression of our afternoon's exertions. But why not come for a good brisk walk with me anyway?

And do try to keep up!

12 comments:

  1. oh nooo the poor hand of your gail... we hope it will heal up soon... that was an adventure you had. we often get lost and that's because my dad said he will not listen to guys who speak from a gadget made in china... LOL

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  2. Hari om
    Bertie lad, that wasn't a hike you went on, but a form of masochism!!! At least until you hit the actual track again. I bet that felt good! Hugs and wags YAM-aunty xxx

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  3. Ouch, Gail's hand looks owwy!

    My momma and grandma have a good sense of direckshun. Grandpa and Aunt Ally are anudder question, BOL.

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  4. OMDs Bertie
    There is nuttin' worse than poor directions for non existent paths. Gail's had took a beating. I might add she is your heroine for keeping you precious WFT paws safe too. I bet it is sore.
    A great video and I must note that your WFT tail was blowing in the wind I heard
    Hugs Cecilia

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  5. You are walking along at a good clip, Bertie, but poor Gail's hand.

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  6. We wanted to keep trotting along side of you Bertie!

    We also have had occasion to believe our Mama may be a bit TOO adventurous sometimes...but sometimes the best stories come from her misadventures!

    Hope Gail's paws heal soon!
    xoxo,
    Rosy, Jakey & Arty

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  7. You look mighty fine on your brisk walk...once you were away from the prickles.

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  8. That doesn't sound like a fun walk for either you or Gail. We're glad you finally found a proper path.

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  9. so brave of both of you to go without a path
    hugs
    Mabel

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  10. Oh Bertie, seems Gale has the same directional skills as Ma!!! BOL!! What an adventure! Butts lookie at you trotting along like you're in the Westminster Finals!! I rarely go that long without stopping to sniff somethings! BOL
    I hopes Gail's hand is doin' betters....
    Sendin' POTP!
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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  11. Dropping you in a dense thicket of gorse did you remind her you have political friends.
    Wills

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  12. Your walks are so beautiful and challenging on all sorts of levels! We loved to see the video of your brisk pace! You go!

    Your friend Kiki

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