Monday 6 July 2020

Return to the Highlands



Shall I let you into a wee secret?

In my role as (unofficial) Ambassadog for Scotland, I sometimes try to draw a veil across the less attractive aspects of the Scottish climate.

Take this weekend for example. For the first time since March, we were allowed to drive more than five miles from home for 'leisure purposes'. Gail decided we'd go for a walk in Ballochbuie Forest, on the Queen's Balmoral Estate. Long time readers of this blog will know it's one of our favourite places.

Just at the moment, as I'm sure you'll understand, our tourist industry needs all the help it can get. What a great opportunity then, for me to showcase our glorious landscape in perfect summer conditions.

It was bright and sunny when we arrived at the car park and I was raring to go.

The River Dee was at its sparkling liveliest too.

We tried to ignore the gathering clouds, and every time the sun peeked through, Gail grabbed the camera.

But it became increasingly difficult to capture those brief moments of brightness.

At noon, as we reached the Queen's hut, I could feel a few raindrops falling on my head and back. 

While Gail ate her sandwich on the sheltered bench, I was given a chew. But for fear I might drop the chew through the gaps between the wooden slats, I retreated on to the grass, and pretended it was not now raining hard.

While I was wishing I had a bigger chew so I could eat it safely on the sheltered terrace, Gail packed away her camera and was wishing she'd put her gloves in her daypack.

At least it was too windy for the midges...

14 comments:

  1. Hari OM
    BOL...errr,,, I am sorry to hear the outing turned a bit ragger, Bertrie lad... but golly, it must have felt good nonetheless, to be oot and aboot in the wider landscape!!! Hugs and wags YAM-aunty xxx

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  2. What a beautiful weekend you had, Bertie! The Queen's hut is such a cute little building and your pictures are just gorgeous!

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  3. Yay for you and Gail Bertie...I know you were both itching for new trekking grounds.
    It is so very pretty w or w/o sun but YIKES that storm moved in quickly. So did you have to have a bath upon your return home or did you air dry? Speaking of fur,Oh joy we get haircuts today our 2nd since March
    Hugs Cecilia

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    1. Bertie's furs are fairly water-repellent, so he only needed the usual paw wash. Gail is envious of your haircuts. She finally cracked and trimmed her fringe on Friday. Looks-wise, it was not a great success, but at least she can now see to drive!

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  4. Even with the not so great weather, how wonderful to have such a fun adventure with Gail, we are VERY jealous---with the heat here, we barely go anywhere!

    Kiki and Rosie

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  5. I keep thinking the next blog post will be written from Torridon.

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  6. Being OUT in the wild with a chew shows the rain is not important.

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  7. Sorry about the rain, Bertie. But we still enjoyed the photos and that beautiful place for your walk.

    Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber

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  8. It looks like you had a great walk despite the rain. We're glad you were able to enjoy most of it.

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  9. Ah, the rain is why your grass is so green! What a lovely place. The clouds made it look even more dramatic. I'm so glad that you two got to travel to a favorite place!

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  10. Sounds like a beautiful walk and worth it even if with the rain :-)

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  11. Bertie, Reading about your Scottish summer always makes us smile :) It is winter in New Zealand, but our Golden Retriever breed (with double coated furs for warmth and water restistance for duck retrieving) was created at "Guisachan" in Scotland in the mid-19th C so we'd love to be there with you Bertie whatever the weather! Sending you and Gail big woofs, Riley and Enzo.

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  12. You do get to some wonderful places and have exciting adventures, Bertie. A chew is a nice treat at any time, even if it's eaten in the pouring rain!
    It's very hot here now, and like Huskies, we don't go very far, and make a start around 6:30 a.m. We are glad to be home again as it's already around 28ÂșC and so tiring. At times like this I don't need a fur coat!

    Love,
    Inca xx

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