Gail finally ran out of excuses.
I'd been itching to return to Glen Tanar, one of my favourite places, for ages, but all summer my dear owner kept thinking up reasons not to go:
"It's a popular destination and will be too busy and the car park full."
"The weather's too hot/cold/windy/wet/foggy."
"My favourite path is closed off due to a male capercaillie 'displaying and holding his ground'"
"You're getting a bit old for such a long walk Bertie."
Well as you can imagine, it was the last statement that really got my goat!
I've been feeling exceptionally lively this week, and I'm pleased to say that Gail noticed (I think it was my bouncing out of bed before 6 a.m. three days in a row).
Come Sunday, the weather was pleasantly mild (around 15ºC) with a refreshing breeze and light cloud, but no rain was forecast. The Glen Tanar Estate website said the paths were all now open, and I reminded Gail that our favourite walk starts at the estate entrance and not the main car park, and this part of Glen Tanar is never busy. And of course I could still walk ten miles, if allowed plenty of time for my pee stops.
And I did. Walk ten miles that is. And we both had a splendid day out together. As you can see from the pictures below.
PS from Gail: Shortly after Bertie's TCC diagnosis last September, a kind friend consoled me by saying "what you have to remember Gail, is that Bertie doesn't know he's got cancer". Seeing him happily scampering around the beautiful Caledonian pine woods of Glen Tanar yesterday, I remembered her comment and felt thankful.
It is 15C here in rural New Zealand in the last month of winter at this moment in time.
ReplyDeleteLast Friday the temperature in our local town was 20C. Funny weather we are having. Love to hear that you are full of beans, Bertie.
What a super walk you had Bertie! Ten miles! Wow I don't think we've ever walked that far! My human says no, we haven't, but she regularly walked that far with Duke, one of my predecessors - the only one who wasn't a yellow Labrador!. Of course she was MUCH younger then - he!he!he!
ReplyDeleteIt's 29ºC and partly sunny, now, so we had our walk early again this morning, and went to our new favourite spot.
On the way home my human popped into the supermarket for "one or two things", and I waited patiently in the car. When we got home she offloaded the shopping, and Bertie - what do you think? There were tins of cat food and some cat crunchies in amongst the packets! What am I supposed to make of that? Surely we're not getting a pussy cat? Does that mean my human doesn't love me anymore*?
Love,
Inca xx
*Inca needn't worry, I love her dearly and she's numero uno! We are feeding a feral cat and her two tiny kittens, that have taken up residence in the garden, hiding somewhere in the shrubbery. The mama is only a small kitten herself and all three are emaciated, and in a bad way - it's an effort for them to walk. She has actually come onto the terrace outside the house and cried - so she must be desperate.
Inca, you'd better be vigilant or before you know it one of those tiny kitties will have wormed its way into your household...
DeleteYou look like you are having so much fun, Bertie! Glen Tanar is absolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteWoo hooo Bertie lad - I am so glad Gail came to her sense and you got to traverse the great Glen Tanar again; although familiar, I am certain there was lots that was new, too (growing things are eternally new, right?!) Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx
Oh Bertie we are 87 kinds of happy to read that you took Gail on a 10 mile hike at Glen Tanar,
ReplyDeletewhich BTW is a truly gorgeous area. Seeing you run like the wind with your WFT as your rudder made my heart sing. The fresh air surly put an extra bounce in your handsome WFT step!!!
I asked GiGi Google about the capercaillie. What an impressive photo. Out of all of the excuses Gail had for not taking the trek...this one was the best. I don't think anybuddy would want to tango with him. Wow that is one impressive bird who probably thoroughly enjoys strutting his stuff!!
Hugs cecilia
your last comment filled my eyes with tears. that is such a wonderful comment for your friend to make and i will remember this. thanks for sharing it. Bertie i have to say you outdid me, i don't think i could walk 10 miles and each photo shows you were boucning bertie and having fun. awesome posing going on too. it is a lovely place to walk. Happy Trails sweetie
ReplyDeleteI say, Bertie, you look dapper, even after a looong walk!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had a super fun time on your hike, Bertie. We're glad to see you are feeling well enough for such an endeavor.
ReplyDeleteDear Bertie, we are glad Gail finally came to her senses and took you to such a wonderful place. Looks like a wonderful walk.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a wonderful place to spend an entire day! Some of the spots you showed reminded us of a few places here in WNY, especially with the ferns and little creeks. We're glad you were up to the challenge!
ReplyDelete10 miles!!! We are certainly impressed with your big beautiful walk! You are so very lucky to share such an excellent day with your very best friend Gail!
ReplyDeleteRosie and Redford
As you say - a splendid day out!
ReplyDeleteSeeing that first pictures says soooo much Bertie!! We are so glad you finally talked Gail into taking you back to Glen Tanar!!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Sunny and the Gang
Hi friend, Ojo here! What an amazing place to romp! I can't believe how different your weather is, we are at 25 C and it feels cool outside today! (My person and I both prefer 15 degrees, to be honest.) And look how much moisture you have! Your Walk must have been full of smells!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fit boy you are Bertie! I had to look up capercaillie, and I wish I'd seen one, but I can understand why you weren't allowed there. Would you have held your ground, or asked Gail to introduce you politely? We're in a particularly cold snap here, so your photos were a welcome diversion from our bleak cold.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun. You are an amazing pup and an inspiration to us all. You look so happy romping down the road.
ReplyDeleteWoooHooooo! How funs was THAT??!! See, the peeps always underestimate us 'senior' doggies! And especially us senior doggies with the big C. We might have our slow/bad days, butts we make up for it, rights??!
ReplyDeleteSo glads you and Gail had a good time my furiend! I hopes you gets to go again soon!
Kisses,
Ruby ♥
WOW, what a fangtastic outing!
ReplyDeleteTen miles??? Really, Bertie??? You are amazing. We need to call you Energizer Bertie!!!
ReplyDeleteWoos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber
I am so thankful too. Bertie looks so happy! What a glorious place for a walk. It is gorgeous and lush.
ReplyDeleteAnother glorious walk and you weren’t attacked by the capercaillie…we had to look it up. Lee going, Bertie and coming up with more activities for Gail.
ReplyDeleteWhat a dapper and accomplished older gent you are Bertie!
ReplyDelete