Inshriach 2021 Report: New friends and old!

So I've decided Hemp's not such a bad chap after all.

I mean, I'm not saying we're ever going to be best buddies. But it turns out that if a house has an abundance of generously sized rooms, and is surrounded by glorious open countryside ideal for long walks, then there is space enough for both a lively young border collie and an occasionally grumpy wire fox terrier to coexist peaceably enough for a few days.

What Gail didn't tell me before we arrived at the Inshriach House gathering was that another former adversary, Max, and his new 'sister' Bonnie (in the smart red coat) would also be present.

Only very long time readers will remember Max. I met him on our Inshriach visit in March 2011, when he rather thrillingly killed a chicken belonging to the owner of the big house, and thus generously diverted attention from any misdemeanours I might have committed that weekend.

Time's winged chariot speeds on and Max, two years my senior, is now both deaf and blind, his arthritis limits his movement and his hen chasing days are well behind him. All he really wants now out of life is for everyone to be his friend.

Also a bit of a shock at this annual gathering of mostly older adults was the appearance of three young children. Now neither Gail nor I are much accustomed to the company of energetic human youngsters and, bright and adorable though they undoubtedly are, it took us both a while to adjust...

I must say I was rather grateful that the children's preferred targets for attention were the other three dogs present and they mostly let me alone. Possibly Gail had said something about my, er, 'leaky' bladder and this put them off, although I'm pleased to say that my tartan belly band was widely admired and no-one present, not even Hemp, was inclined to mock.

So I enjoyed lots of long rambles through the woods by day...

...and by night I was never short of an amenable human to cuddle up against. 

It was in fact, all in all, a lovely few days, and Gail and I want to say a huge Thank You to our dear friends John and Françoise for organising the gathering and inviting us once again.

A load of rubbish!

Have you heard of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme?

It aims to "give all young people the chance to develop skills for work and life, fulfil their potential and have a brighter future".

Jolly good thing, I hear you say.

Now Gail is supposed to be supervising Gregor, a young lad who lives on our street, and who has, for his Duke of Edinburgh community service project, undertaken to devote an hour every Sunday morning to picking up litter in an area of Aberdeen near to the North Sea shore.

Well up to now he has been just emailing Gail photos as proof of his endeavours, but last Sunday I persuaded her that we really should go along and see for ourselves what he's been up to.

It has to be said that standing around watching someone pick up litter is pretty dull work, so Gail and I joined Gregor's parents plus Bonnie and Jack for a brisk walk around the lighthouse whilst Gregor got on with his task.


When we returned we found Gregor had been busy.


Gail delegated the job of sniffing out the contents of the rubbish bag to the acknowledged expert.

I confess I was a bit disappointed not to detect any decomposing seagull, or left over fish suppers.

There were quite a few beer cans (remember we are in Scotland) and these could be recycled.



It was a chilly day and I expect you have been admiring Gregor's splendid hat.

I must admit, I had been rather hoping that Gregor would bring along his lovely Norwegian friend Aurora to help, as I knew from earlier photos that she had joined him one previous time when she was over on a visit.



But sadly Aurora was back home on the other side of the North Sea, and today it was just Gregor. I do hope you will all join me in congratulating him on his dedication to cleaning up our environment.

Oh and I am now waiting with eager anticipation for my invite to join Gregor on one of those exciting overnight adventures involving long hikes and camping out in the mountains, as I believe these are also an essential part of the DofE award programme.

I would be such an asset, after all.

Biking Bertie?

Work, rest and play

The state of this garden!

I think Gail needs an assistant. There is much work to do. I mean Hamish might have made a start, what with digging a few deep holes in the borders here and there (one is still preserved in his memory), but I feel I have so much more to contribute.

Gail says she wants help keeping the dandelions under control.

(Personally I don't quite understand why Gail is so keen to get rid of the dandelions - as far as I can tell, they're the only flowers she's successful at growing in this garden!)

OK then, let's get going with the trowel.

This morning, I tried digging for the first time.

Don't want to boast, Katie pups (OK , maybe I do a little) but I'm absolutely not in need of digging advice from our friends Agatha and Archie. I've managed to work out a pretty good excavation technique all by myself, no instruction manual required. I'm a real terrier now! Just a shame Gail didn't manage to capture it yet on camera.

I am going to dig up all the moss in our so-called 'lawn'. Gail is muttering about why not paint the Forth Bridge it'd be quicker....

But it's not been all work and no play. Yesterday my border terrier neighbour Bonnie came round to visit. Something about me being 'socialised'. (Does that mean I'm supposed to vote Labour on Thursday?)

Anyway, I digress. Bonnie's four years old. I think that must be kind of ancient, because she didn't really want to play games. Kept growling at me, more like.

But guess what? I am a persistent little fellow....(apologies for the blurry video, you can't get the film directors these days).

So there's been all this rushing about. But don't worry, Aunties Martha and Bailey, I haven't forgotten about the relaxing bit.

First off I tried relaxing in my crate (look at my long legs Katie!)

But then I decided it's better to plonk myself down somewhere on Gail. I just can't quite decide which is the best bit of Gail to sit on.

The feet?

Or the lap?

Yes I think it's the lap.

PS Do you know, some very special people have been sending me lovely presents? People we don't even know, except through the computer screen. I feel a bit guilty 'cos I never asked for them, but I'm going to show you at the weekend anyway.