Happy memories

Gosh Gail took about a squillion photos of our big trip down south to celebrate Human Grandad's 90th birthday.  But she says I have to select only a dozen, maximum, and that I do not have much time on the computer to tell you all about the trip 'cos she is super busy this week. 

Well here goes. Rush rush rush. 

Of course we travelled to Nottingham by railway. As you know I am by now a seasoned train traveller. 

But I bet you didn't know that the train company supplies me with my own personalised crisps. 

A shame that they can't spell, but what's a dog to do?

Oh, Gail is saying to remember it's "not all about me" and that people will want to see some pictures of the Birthday Boy.

Well here he is, together with Human Granny of course (they have been together for fifty five years).

Do you like his birthday cake?

I did sample a wee morsel myself and am pleased to report that it was just delicious.

Oh and here we all are, out for the promised birthday walk by the River Trent

I expect you will have noticed that HGD is not wearing a hat. I am mortified to admit I totally forgot that I was not supposed to let him out of the house unless he was well wrapped up. In mitigation, I plead that the weather was unusually mild for November. And that HGD still has a covering of distinguished white hair, anyway. And that you will see I am keeping a careful eye on him.

The next day I went for a longer walk by the river with Gail, and contemplated swimming out to greet a swan.

But then I dipped my paw in the muddy water and thought the better of it, remembered that I am not a water dog, and retreated back to terra firma and the nice broad grassy path.

The perfect place for a terrier to tear around.

In the grandparents' house,  I of course made myself thoroughly at home. So many comfy spots to chose from.

But oh too soon it was time to come home.

I was able to read a few blogs on the journey back.

We changed trains at Edinburgh again.

I think Edinburgh might just be the dog-friendliest city in the world. We had a hour to walk around the city centre and if Gail's camera battery had not run out, I would have been able to show you pictures of all the many kind folk who stopped to admire me and give me a friendly pat as I performed an early evening promenade up and down the Royal Mile and Princes Street (still no trams). 

So many happy memories. Can we go back to Nottingham soon Gail?

PS I would like to assure my marvellous Aunties Martha and Bailey Basset that I also gave ninety barks for Human Grandad. Unfortunately, Gail seems to think that on the train between Doncaster and Durham was not the right place to do it, and that the rude gentleman who we overheard saying, as the train pulled out of Newcastle station, "oh I hoped the dog would be getting off there" might have had some justification for his comments....

Human Grandad remembered me!

Well of course, I hear you saying. A distinctive little chappie like me. Why wouldn't he?

Let me explain.

My bloggie pals may have noticed that I wasn't much in contact last week. You see I was s'posed to be going down to Nottingham with Gail to visit her parents. I would have been the star attraction, as you will already have realised. But sadly this time it wasn't be be - something about a favourite aunt's funeral in Sussex and it all getting too complicated. So anyway, I had to stay behind in Aberdeen.

Now I am sorry to have to tell you that human Grandad's memory is not so good as it once was. He finds it especially hard to recall names of places and people. And he gets rather confused about things in general these days.

But guess what! Gail came home last night and she told me that almost the first thing human Grandad said when he saw her was "How's Bertie?" And later, more than once, "I do hope Bertie is OK", and then, when they were setting off for a short walk down to the River Trent, "what a pity Bertie's not here to come with us". He only once said "Hamish' not 'Bertie'.

It will be human Grandad's 90th birthday in November. Gail has promised me that, absolutely come what may, I will go down to see him then, if not before.  Oh I do hope so. I know he's a bit unhappy at the moment, anxious 'cos he's aware his brain doesn't work as well as it used to. I'm sure I would cheer him up.

Inspiration

The young and old* scientists bonding on the sofa in Nottingham.

*Human Grandad: research chemist, pharmacist, WW2 RAF pilot, and absolutely best father ever (says Gail). Now in his 90th year.