Not romantic?

I regret to report that the euphoria of last week's perfect powdery snow under (sometimes) blue skies has given way to gale force winds, freezing rain and treacherously icy pavements bordered with dirty sludge.

So after a quick trot around the park we're staying indoors today, and Gail has decided to show me some old letters sent from Human Grandad to Human Granny, in 1955 when they were just engaged to be married.

It won't come as a surprise to my long time readers that Gail's family are not demonstrably romantic by nature. 

Or at least I thought not until I saw this letter, written in the late evening when HGD's work had taken him away from home for a few days to a work-related conference in Eastbourne. 

It has to be admitted that HGD's handwriting was never the most legible, so here's a transcription of the passage that caught my eye:

"However, when the day does at last come to a close I lay in bed and think of ourselves, and all the pleasant things that the future surely holds for us, and the encouragement that I have received from our friendship. Somehow, since falling in love with you Maureen I have gained a new confidence in myself and a sense of responsibility to you because you seem to have confidence in me and I can't bear the thought of letting you down in any way. When away from you this seems to find its outlet in a desire to do my job as well as I possibly can in order that you can be proud of me."

Sadly, the collection of letters that Gail found when clearing out her parents' house after they died did not include a reply from Human Granny.

By the time I knew Human Grandad his wits were beginning to fail him, although he always would remember to save a bone for my visits and to welcome me a fond pat on the head. 

Happy Valentine's Day to all my friends!

Ghosts of WW2 airmen

At first I thought Gail just wanted to see the wind turbines close up, on the old WW2 aerodrome at Boyndie, on Sunday afternoon after we'd taken leave of our friends in nearby Macduff.

But then she led me down an overgrown track, following signs which took us to a derelict building.

It was only when we entered the building (me with some trepidation) that Gail explained.

"See Bertie, this is the old operations block, from where the RAF pilots of the Banff Strike Wing set out on their missions to attack German shipping in the fjords of Norway, during the closing stages of the war."

And Gail reminded me that her late father, my Human Grandad, had been one of those pilots, flying his balsa and plywood Mosquito across the North Sea and into the range of the German ships' anti-aircraft weaponry all those years ago.

We both paused for a moment, and quietly pondered what might have been going through mind of a young airman as he checked out from the operation block, walked across the runway and climbed into the cockpit.

It's not something HGD ever really talked about, but if you click and enlarge the picture below you can read more about the Banff Strike Wing operations.

A visit to Nottingham

Gosh it's been quite a while since I went on a long railway journey. Gail was worried even that I might have forgotten my "train manners" but of course that was not the case.

On finally arriving at Janet's house in Nottingham, I was pleased to discover a colourful new cushion and set about making myself at home right away.

Yesterday we went to see Human Granny and Grandad. I must say, they have a lovely spot for their final resting place. The parish burial ground is green and tranquil, and the warm (for February) fresh air was alive with birdsong as the sun fell gently on HGY's newly minted headstone.

We paused a while beside the graves, then after a romp across the heavy clays of the arable Nottinghamshire fields, our outing was concluded with a most satisfactory visit to the Old Ship Inn in Lowdham.

The day before, we had visited my poodle and human cousins. Gosh I think I could take some lessons from young Jonathan in the matter of rolling in the dirt...

Gail says she is sure Jonathan "scrubs up nicely" for his day job at Barclays Bank in Canary Wharf, and that however dressed, Human Granny would still think him the most handsome and wonderful young man in the world. However, we are both grateful to be travelling home to Scotland on a comfy train, and not in Jonathan's BMW 'track car' with its stripped out interior and, at the moment, no functioning shock absorbers...

Boots, Beeston and remembering HGD

Well I am pleased to report that I did eventually get to visit Human Granny on Sunday, and found her quite cheerful despite her wobbly knees, bent back and ever slower movements.

Gail and I are staying in Nottingham for the whole week. We are hoping our host Janet does not subscribe to that thing about house guests being like fish and smelling after three days. Although Gail has just pointed out that I was, in her words, "stinking to high heaven" (see previous post) when I arrived. So where does that leave us, I wonder?

I want you to know that I have now been bathed and shampoo'd VERY THOROUGHLY.

On to other matters. The part of Nottingham where Janet lives is called Beeston, home to Nottingham University and former HQ of well known UK company Boots the Chemists.

Yesterday morning Gail and I walked over to the Boots 'D6' factory building, where Human Grandad worked for the best part of 30 years.

Apparently D6, constructed in 1938, is now a 'listed' historic building, considered to be an icon of British modernist architecture. Oh I could have shown you so much more if Gail and I had been allowed past the security gates, but a very rude man shouted at us and called us back when we attempted to saunter casually through...

So if you want to learn more about D6 (and I'm sure you do!) then you will need to click here.

An odd sort of Christmas this year

I'll be honest with you, I've had the hardest time of it, getting Gail to take a Christmassy photo for my blog, and this is the best she could manage. 

Let me now show you what the house in Nottingham really looks like at the moment.

I'm told this is the last time I shall be staying in Human Granny's house. As you know, she no longer lives here, and apparently it has been sold and new people are moving in on 8th January. 

To escape the house clearing chaos, I went to spend a quiet moment with Human Grandad in the parish burial ground. I think HGD would have been proud of the way I stood to attention in my best 'alert terrier' pose, and also would have liked the Christmas wreath Gail bought him.

Tomorrow we are taking Human Granny to Derbyshire for Christmas dinner with my poodle cousins Percy and Coco and their family. I am hoping that I shall have some properly festive photos to show you after that visit. I am also hoping that Percy (who is HUGE) will not be too bossy.

A Merry Christmas to my dear readers. I am so fond of you all.

Companionship and calm

PS CONGRATULATIONS ANDY MURRAY!

Bertie shows the way

So we have been down in Nottingham staying with HGD and HGY for a few days.

Really, I have no idea why Gail finds these visits to her parents so stressful....

Drama, drama, drama! (A weekend exchange of emails)

Saturday 9th March
Subject: Missing you 

Hi Bertie,

Boy am I missing you here in Nottingham. Won't be flying down again until the airline starts letting dogs on board. Without you to cuddle and to give me an excuse to escape the house for a walk every morning, I feel quite the grumpy old woman. But Human Granny and Grandad send you hugs. Sometimes I think they'd rather it was you who came to visit and me who stayed behind in Aberdeen.

Anyway, here is a photo of HGD watching the rugby on TV.

I don't think he knows any longer which country plays in blue and which in green, nor who is winning, but at least he settles down in his favourite chair and seems happy enough experiencing the familiar pattern of action. Unlike last night when I tried to view Crufts - it was the toy dog judging - and he became all agitated and kept asking "Gail, what are we going to do about this?" Maybe he would have preferred to see the terrier class.

Oh and another reason I wish you were with us. Do you remember how on your last visit to Nottingham you were busy inspecting the hole under the hedge by which the badgers had entered the garden?

And how you vowed to scare away the invaders to prevent them from digging up HGD's once so lovingly tended lawn?

Well the bad news is that Mr Brock and his gang have been back on the rampage and the grass is even more messed up than ever.

Anyway, I am sure you won't be worrying too much about that while you are 400 miles away and being treated royally by Marie-Thérèse and by Jakey's Mum and Dad in my absence.

Looking forward SO MUCH to seeing you tomorrow night.

Love and cuddles,
Gail.



Sunday 10th March
Subject: Drama, drama, drama!

Hi Gail,

Wow Gail you have NO IDEA what excitement we had on our street yesterday morning!

Never mind the badgers!

I'm sure that Jake's Mum will tell you all about how I protected her and Jake's Dad from a drunken but harmless inadequate highly dangerous criminal whom they found hiding in the back of their car. And how Jake and I were put on guard duty while the police were summoned. You can guess how this evil man was terrified into submission after I barked and barked and barked at him. Really, Jake might be bigger than me, but I think we all know who can sound the more ferocious.

I understand that rewards are often given for heroic acts of valour. A medal or something. So far, I have to say, I have not received a even a gravy bone for my considerable efforts. Perhaps, on your flight back, you could think about how to remedy this......

Oh yes and that was a very nice photo of HGD, but I might just point out it would have been greatly improved had a certain exceptionally brave fox terrier been lying there and warming poor HGD's always cold feet.

Just a thought.

Toodle pip!
Bertie.

HGD Hugged - Bertie's poem

HGD*
It does not matter to me
That you sank down to rest on the sofa
Which Gail and I so often share.
I know it's hard for you these days
To remember which is your chair.

I'm told you used to be
A chemist, pilot, rugby player, boss.
That you did not really approve of dogs.

Now you struggle with the simplest task
But I have noticed how
When I pass by, your oft unfocussed eyes
Light up, and you reach down
And pat my back, and scratch my ears, and sometimes smile.

I'm told you always were a gentleman.
A gentle man, and as I snuggle close
I feel that gentleness, still.

Gail says you used to love to walk the hills.
That as a child her happiest times
Were when you took the family
On Easter Sunday ten mile tramps
To Monsal Head, Mam Tor and Kinder Scout.

Now climbing up the stairs to bed, for you
Is tougher than the steepest Northern peak.
Oh HGD if only I could speak

I'd tell you how clearly I can see
That you have formed the Gail I know and love
How the apple falls not far from the tree.


*HGD - Human Grandad, as you know. 

Special privileges

Oh thank you Gail for letting me snuggle up on your bed, for once. And yes I do think that I deserve special treatment and also that you owe me an explanation. How come you disappeared off down to Nottingham for three days and I was consigned to what you euphemistically refer to as 'camp'?

Well Bertie, if I'd have been going for longer I certainly would have braved taking you with me on the train, but time was short and I thought it simpler to leave you up here while I was down with my family celebrating my Dad's 91st birthday.

WHAT!!!? This can't be true! Tell me you're joking. HGD had a birthday party and I wasn't invited? I feel a major tantrum coming on...

Just calm down and stop bouncing on me Bertie. Please. HGD is a bit old for parties now, and anyway he has outlived nearly all his friends. You didn't miss anything very exciting, believe me. 

So then. All the more reason for me to have been there to liven things up a bit. You know I am very skilled at that. Well, perhaps you will have some photos I can post on my blog, at least.

I'm sorry Bertie. HGD had another fall on Friday and now has a bit of a black eye so it didn't seem right to take any pictures. He did ask after you though, and he was disappointed you weren't around. And of course I missed you dreadfully, especially during those 'family moments' when it is so convenient to be able to say "I think the dog needs a walk". I promise you will be coming with me at Christmas, my sanity may depend on it. So can we be friends again now?

Hmmm. Well OK then. Oh and, by the way, it is true that therapy dogs are paid with extra mince pie rations......? 

In the fog

With Human Grandad not strong enough to venture out far beyond the garden, Gail and I decided to take some photos on our Sunday morning walk in Nottingham, to show him what was happening in the neighbourhood. 

What a shame it was all so foggy. 

I am pleased to report that at the recreation ground the local would-be Robin Hoods were not deterred by the fact that their targets were scarcely visible.

Likewise the football players didn't seem to mind that you needed to be in the penalty area before you could see the goal.

With the heavy dew the furs on my legs were soon dripping wet as I raced along by the edge of the fields.

Although I saw no moles, there was circumstantial evidence aplenty down near the river.  

I was a bit mystified by the fact that some of the trees on our street had lost nearly all their leaves...

And others, seemingly identical, had not.

In fact I wanted Gail to ask HGD about this, but she said not to trouble him, as his head these days is foggy like the weather.

So I decided instead to join him for an afternoon snooze.

In the balance - a trip to Nottingham

Oh I have been ever so looking forward to a mid-October trip to Nottingham to see my Human Grandparents. Gail bought the train tickets ages ago, first class even, so that I would have plenty of room with no danger of being crushed. She specially planned the journey so that I could have a good romp around Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh en route too.

Now she is saying she's not sure I should go with her next week.

I am rather upset.

I know that Human Grandad is not well after his fall. We are hoping he will be home from hospital in a few days.

Oh but I SO want to see him again, and try to cheer him up. HGD always smiles at me and gives me friendly pats on the head. And it's not like I don't know that I must be on best behaviour. I've been reminding Gail how Human Granny said of me "he's no trouble" last time I visited.

So HGD is very, very wobbly at the moment. But also restless and confused. And HGY is coping magnificently but she too is no longer young and bouncy. Things are difficult.

Well, I would like to point out it's not as if I'm like my predecessor Hamish, who had a reputation for  getting under people's feet. I mean, Gail doesn't have to issue 'trip hazard' warnings to workmen who come to our house these days...

Another of my strong points is providing in-house entertainment. If HGD cannot go out, or concentrate on reading or the TV any more, he can always sit and watch me and my manoeuvres. And I've noticed he likes it when he's in his favourite armchair and I come to I lie at his side and rest my little russet head on one of his always well polished shoes.

I have until Tuesday to convince Gail that I should come with her to Nottingham, to work my own brand of magic on HGD.

Please help me!

Quick HGD update + big thank you to M-T

Well, while Gail was away down south, I had a fine old time at home in Aberdeen looking after being looked after by Marie-Thérèse. She took me for walks and gave me lots of lovely cuddles, although for some reason, after I had a 'squirty Bertie' episode on Friday, she did seem to be carefully avoiding the bum area....

As for Human Grandad, he is still in hospital after his fall. Nothing is broken, but Gail tells me his face is cut and bruised quite spectacularly and he is ever more confused about things. I can tell that Gail is still worried, 'cos of the way she squeezed me extra tightly when she returned home last night.

I don't have any new pictures today, but in the circumstances it seems appropriate to show you a soothing one of me relaxing peacefully in front of the wood-burning stove in Torridon a couple of weeks ago. I would like to thank another lovely friend of Gail's, Dave, for spiffing up the stove so that it works much better than before and we'll be nice and cosy over there this coming winter.

Taking care of important business

Oh I do apologise to my friends if they feel I have been neglecting them.

You see I've been away on important business (that's what all high achievers say isn't it?)

What could be more important than trying to cheer up Human Grandad?

So Gail and I went down to Nottingham for a visit last week. I took HGD for a short walk by the River Trent and as usual we had a nice chat.

 I can still make sense of what he's trying to say, even if others often can't.

We shared a joke and then it was home for afternoon tea.

See, I'm keeping him smiling with my antics.

Now you can always rely on Human Granny for a nice cup of tea.

Oh and I must, I absolutely must tell you what HGY said last Friday afternoon when Gail had to go out without me for a short while.

Gail was going through that rather patronising and annoying "now Bertie you'll be good while I'm away won't you?" routine. No doubt some of my friends get this too...

But this time, HGY interrupted her.

"I expect he'll be good. He usually is. He's no trouble."

Yes, those were her very words.

Aren't Grannies just the business?


Meanwhile, in a parallel universe, the Pet Blogging Olympics continue to enthral. I want to say a humungous thank you to all who took part in my Bouncing (narrrative style) event, both entrants and those who commented on the post. Everything went brilliantly, and it was such fun wasn't it! Now I'm going to relax and enjoy all the other games, as I'm sure you will too.

Human Grandad's 90th birthday

So, Gail and I are off to Nottingham for a few days to celebrate Human Grandad's 90th birthday.

I wanted to buy Human Grandad (HGD) a present but Gail said that he doesn't really need more 'stuff' and that what he would like most is for us to spend time with him, and take him out for short walks in the Nottinghamshire countryside.

Well that sounds fine by me.

Gail has been briefing me on how best I can help make sure that HGD enjoys our walks. She says now that I'm one and three quarters it's time to take on some responsibilities.

So let me stop bouncing around for a moment and see if I can remember all the instructions.

1.  I have to go quite slowly, or at least if I rush ahead I have to keep looking round to check that HGD is still in sight.
2. I have to remember where we have been and how to get back, in case HGD forgets the way.
3. HGD is very thin these days and feels the cold, so Gail and I need to check that he has a good thick coat, plus hat, scarf and gloves with him. If he wears his hat with the funny flaps, I am not to laugh or feel embarrassed.
4. There is a danger that HGD might take a tumble, as he is rather wobbly. But I needn't be too alarmed if he does. He will most likely get up again, apparently unharmed, and say to Gail, rather proudly, "I used to play rugby, so I know how to fall". But best not to lick his face when he's down anyway.
5. I am not allowed to bark in the car, as sudden loud noises make HGD very anxious and jumpy. Human Granny says it's something to do with his time as an RAF pilot in 'The War'.
6. Sometimes HGD tells the same story over and over again. I don't know why Gail thinks that this is exceptional. After all, she's always repeating things too. Like "NO Bertie, NO, NO, NO, NO!
7. I am to observe how HGD will always touch his cap, if we meet a lady when we are out walking. This is apparently a polite old-fashioned human gesture and sets a good example of civilised behaviour.

Well none of that sounds too impossible does it?

I am so looking forward to my visit.