Sunday 12 December 2021

It's a deal

Living together is all about compromise, don't you agree? 

Although I do not in all honesty approve of my owner's bicycling habit, I have come to appreciate that her unfortunate hobby is important to her mental as well as physical wellbeing and so we have made a deal. 

For every time that Gail heads out of the house on two wheels to join her cycling buddies for the morning (and sometimes the afternoon too) it is agreed that the next day, or as soon as the weather allows, she will take me out to a place where I can have an exciting adventure, roaming unleashed in the glorious Scottish countryside.

So it was this week. 

When Gail showed me this photo of her pals getting togged up to ride home after an elevenses stop at  the 'Teacake' café in Chapelton near Newtonhill, I successfully negotiated a compensatory walk in the hills, setting off from near Ballater.

It turned out to be a pretty good deal.

Invigorated by the snow, I set a lively pace up the valley towards Morven*, our favourite hill. 

A couple of miles on, we were out of the trees and our way was increasingly impeded by remnant snow drifts

So on reaching the deer fence, with the rounded slopes of Morven glistening white in the background, we called a halt, and after a tasty snack...

 ...it was back down the valley at pace.

Can you believe Gail could hardly keep up?

*Gail says: I haven't taken Bertie up Morven for at least a year, thinking this steep 2800' climb now too much for his 'not as young as they used to be' legs. But judging by the speed at which he raced up and down the far from flat valley on Friday, a round trip of over five miles, I began to wonder if I've been underestimating my plucky wee pup! 

12 comments:

  1. Bertie, we reckon you got the best of the deal! That beautiful walk must have been so much better than Gail's cycle ride. OK, so we know how much she enjoys them, and the company, but even they can't be as exhilarating as your walks.
    That was quite some distance you walked!

    Love,
    Inca xx

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  2. This sure sounds like a good deal to me and you had one beautiful and fun adventure, Bertie! My snow is all gone and I so want it back!

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  3. as I read the post, i thought how amazing Bertie is that he can and does race up and down the hills and vallies and snow and rain. like the mailman quote
    "Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds. this fits our mighty dog Bertie. photos are gorgeous, sunshine and snow, so beautiful

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  4. Hari OM
    Brrrrr, chilly but envigorating, no doubt! Well done Bertie lad, you showed Gail the truism of 'life in the old dog yet'!!! Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  5. What a lovely, sunny (!) day, with a lot of snow! Well worth sleeping through Gail's bicycle escapade, leaving plenty of energy with which to tackle the walk.

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  6. Bertie well done on your negation skills. Purrsonally I think you got the best end of the deal. I'm so very happy Gail and her pals had good weather for their bike trek.

    Your trek up the steep trail was amazing. Well done and YAY for Gail giving it another try.
    Lovely view at the top
    Hugs cecilia

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  7. We think that is an acceptable compromise and we are glad you are showing Gail you are able to do a lot still. Lee and Phod

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  8. That sounds like a great compromise, Bertie. We're just a bit jealous that you were able to romp in some snow which is something we've been lacking in around here so far this season.

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  9. I think your mom is smart. She loves to bike with her friends and she loves to walk with you. This way she gets to do both.

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  10. We think that's a very good deal you made with Gail...you get a day to snooze and the next day, a big adventure! And in the snow! We are so jealous!

    Rosie and Redford

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  11. What a great deal Bertie...and a beautiful hike!
    xoxo,
    Sunny, Rosy & Jakey

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  12. Wow, that looks like a fun hike!!

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