A change of scene!

Gosh it's fun to have a change of scene, isn't it? 

I won't be lying if I tell you it's especially fun if that change of scene involves a visit to our favourite and most hospitable friend YAM-aunty, who lives in Dunoon, and cooks yummy pancakes for breakfast, and always has a treat ready for me too.

She also has a comfy sofa where I can relax while Gail attends to important affairs. (In this picture she is typing a comment on Beau's blog).

And of course I get to explore the environment around the 'Hutch'.

Now as you might already be aware, weather in the Dunoon area is nothing if not 'changeable'. So I'm pleased to report we did see a few patches of blue sky and even sunshine from time to time.

After a walk along the promenade Gail and I headed into the town centre.

I checked out the forthcoming entertainment options,

And paused to admire the local street art.

Can you believe that Gail couldn't identify the flag pictured below? She had to look it up later. But really, she should have known that it's the flag of the International Brigade from the Spanish Civil War, don't you think? (And yes, we too are wondering why this might be flying from a drainpipe on the side of some council house in a small west of Scotland town in 2022.)

Finally we ascended the small mound beside the Castle Museum, and Gail nearly got her comeuppance for making me pose facing into the full force of the nor'westerly gale, when a sharp gust just about knocked her off her feet!

Thankfully we both made it back to safety, and were able to continue enjoying our little holiday chez YAM-aunty.

A very special trip

So Gail gave me a little pep talk when we stopped for elevenses in Dunkeld, en route to Dunoon last week. 

"Now Bertie, I understand how all is not well with your bladder, and it's not your fault that you have been having occasional 'accidents' inside our house recently, but please could you try extra specially hard to wait until you are outdoors while we are staying with YAM-Aunty this week? And if you could also try to avoid any night-time disturbances, that would be a bonus! I know our dear friend has most kindly said that it's not a problem at all and she wants to see you anyway, but I hope you'll do your best and not let me down.."

Well you know what? As soon as we'd arrived at YAM-Aunty's house I was overcome by the atmosphere of warmth and love, and a wave of well-being washed over me (and Gail I think). 

Between gentle strolls along the shore I curled up on the sofa in a state of blissful contentment while Gail and YAM-Aunty chattered away, ate good food, and watched the tennis on TV.

It couldn't have been a nicer two days, and I am happy to report that I did not in any way let Gail down.

On behalf of Gail and myself, I want to give a huge Thank You to YAM-Aunty for her generous hospitality. Spending time with friends in person is the Best!

Only the second wettest...?

I have an apology to make to my dear friend YAM-Aunty.

When Gail and I arrived on Friday morning at Yam's lovely home in Dunoon, and she told us she lived in the second wettest part of the UK, I have to confess, I doubted her. I even suspected she was pulling one of my four long and fuzzy legs.

Wearing my metaphorical Bertie Boffin hat (in retrospect a real sou'wester would have been more useful), I demanded supporting data.

Three days later, having gathered evidence a-plenty, I am pleased to report that YAM-Aunty was telling the truth, my only outstanding question being, is there really somewhere wetter?

Thank goodness even Gail eventually conceded that indoor (in)activities were the best option.

And so of course we all had a wonderful weekend together.

Aren't friends great?

A letter to my friends in Canada

Gosh it's been a very full few days and I really am too tired to say much this evening. But I would just like to send a brief letter to my friends in Canada.


Dear Hailey and Zaphod,

I hope you are OK in 'camp'. You know, it's a real shame you can't be in Scotland with the Lady and Man, who are here with Gail and me, staying in YAM-Aunty's very lovely flat in Dunoon, where I have been given the run of the place (including both of YAM-Aunty's large and most comfortable sofas). I mean there would have been plenty of room on the sofas for you too. I'm not making you feel bad, am I?

You won't be at all jealous if I tell you how the Man and I had a most satisfying game of tug of war last night, will you? He really didn't seem to mind how much I growled and came close to nipping his fingers off. Does he play like that with you? Then at lunchtime today, I am totally sure he would have shared his packet of crisps with me too, had spoilsport Gail not told him not to.

Oh and we all had such a fun time exploring Auchindrain Township in the morning, and learning how life was lived in rural Scotland in times past. I have to say that the very basic furniture in the old cottages did not look a patch on YAM-Aunty's sofas. Did I mention the comfy sofas here? Oh, I did already, apparently! The Lady and Man told us how in Canada you guys would not have been allowed to roam around a museum like this. Well that's really too bad! Although of course I don't mean to make you feel envious, especially since you are cooped up in prison at the moment. (What? You didn't need reminding?)

Well I think I've written enough for now. I do believe that the Lady and Man, who are such nice humans, are missing you very much, despite hiding it well.

Send fond and manly kisses,
Toodle pip!
Bertie.

AmbassaDog in Training?

No soon as we'd returned from a magnificent couple of days with Aunty Yam in Dunoon than Gail was cracking the whip.

"Now Bertie it is time for you to be thinking seriously about your application to be Scotland's AmbassaDog. I'm sure that we can reference some of this weekend's adventures in support of the application. Perhaps you would like to share your thoughts on your first ever journey on a car ferry for example?"

Well I must confess I was a little apprehensive about this particular new experience.

Aunty Yam assured me we'd be on dry land again before you could say "roll on roll off" and it turned out she was right. But I have to say I was mighty pleased to place my paws on the solid ground of the Isle of Bute.

Now Gail is suggesting my friends might like to see the photos of my trip to Ettrick Bay, Bute, where I had fun with a new wee pal called Winnie.

And no, Winnie was not running rings round me. That video gives a totally false impression.

Some times I think Gail has no idea at all. Why she would think that watching the rugby on telly constituted any sort of highlight when MY (and Aunty Yam's) team Scotland lost to Ireland, and then we had to sit through some tedious contest involving England and France, which I slept through so don't quite remember the result…..

Well I am fast losing patience with Gail. Really, she is being a hindrance rather than a help with this AmbassaDog application thing. But to humour her, I asked her to choose the photos from this weekend that she thinks would most likely have my readers booking their flights to Scotland the minute they've finished reading the post.

So those are Gail's selections.

I CANNOT BELIEVE GAIL HAS LEFT OUT THE MOST THRILLING PLACE WE VISITED BY FAR!

Have you ever heard of the world famous Public Conveniences in Rothesay?

It costs a mere 30p for a tour round the most spectacular and beautiful men's urinals this land can boast.

Aren't they simply splendid? The marble, the polished brass, the glass cisterns. A must-see for sure.

And to think that next morning Gail was expecting me simply to cock my leg against some boring old tree again...


What is that, Gail, about this whole AmbassaDog thing being in danger of going pear shaped?