Starry Midnight, Supernova, or Black Watch?

Readers of Monday's post will know that tomorrow Gail and I are heading off for a long weekend at Inshriach House near Aviemore, where I shall be required to wear my 'male dog belly band' most of the time. (At home I just wear it during the night). I am really worried that border collie Hemp, who will also be there, will make fun of me.

Perhaps you could help me by telling me which of my three bands you think the most masculine and the least likely to diminish my standing in the eyes of Hemp.

Is it: 

(1) Starry Midnight?

(2) Supernova?

(3) Black Watch tartan?

All advice gratefully received!

What could possibly go wrong?

Did you want to say something Gail? 

Yes, in fact I did. Bertie, I just want you to know that we are having a change in routine later this week, and are finally going again to Inshriach House near Aviemore for a long weekend with John and Françoise and several other friends. Isn't that exciting!

Exciting? Well I'm not so sure. These days I'm happy just to be at home with you, enjoying the quiet life, on the whole. Can't we politely decline the invitation?

Oh please understand Bertie, I look forward so much to our Inshriach breaks, and this is the first time for over two years that we've been able to go. You know I put your needs first for ninety-nine percent of the time, so I'd be really thankful if you'd bear with me on this one.

Well OK, if you absolutely insist...

I do, I do. But one 'issue' Bertie is your, er, ever so slightly leaky bladder. I'm afraid that when we are inside the very grand house, you will have to wear your 'male dog belly band' most of the time. Oh and by the way, your old adversary Hemp the border collie will be there too...

Gail, this is a disaster in the making! Hemp will surely laugh at my belly band and call it a nappy. Oh it is all going to be so humiliating.

Bertie, please be assured that Hemp will on no account be allowed to make fun of you. He is a very intelligent dog and I'm sure he has developed some emotional literacy by now. He will respect you for your years and your superior blogging abilities.

(Bertie looks doubtful)

Er, if you say so Gail... 

Oh and by the way, if any readers of Friday's post are still puzzling over the breed of the dog we met, she was, as Fay correctly guessed, a Glen of Imaal Terrier. Here she is again. Her name is Maddy.

Star of my own show?

Greetings from the Cairngorms National Park!

Gail and I are enjoying our annual long weekend with our friends in the slightly shabby (in a good-for-dogs sort of a way) Edwardian grandeur of Inshriach House, near Aviemore.

As you know, I am accustomed to taking centre stage on these occasions.

However, this time it seems I have some rivals in the posing department.

Notably Hemp the border collie (house mate for the weekend).

Then there's  Tufty the nut-hungry red squirrel, outside the kitchen window.

And not to forget Angus the Scottie, met on the path around Loch an Eilein.

So rivals, yes. But in think we can all agree who's the all time posing champion...

Definitely not Aviemore...

Er, but Gail, I thought you said we were going to Inshriach House, near Aviemore in the Cairngorm Mountains this weekend?

I do believe you have taken a wrong turn. This is most definitely not the Cairngorm Mountains.

I see. There's been a change of plan?

I must say I did not think it should take eight hours to drive a distance of less than a hundred miles...

Oh dear, you say Human Granny is in hospital again and is very seriously ill, so we have come down to Nottingham?

Well Gail, I guess we're now in the right place then.

And at least I won't have to deal with hyperactive border collie Hemp!

Gail, would you feel better if I gave your face fond lick?

PS from Gail: Difficult times. The blog may be quiet for a bit.

First 24 hours at Inshriach

On arrival Thursday evening:

But Gail, you told me there wasn't going to be another dog at Inshriach this year. So just what is Jamie's border collie Hemp doing here?

 

Friday morning:

And then you said he's going home today but he's still here Gail!

And gosh, Hemp is such a poser.

Ok I'll sit nicely for the group photo, but only so long as you absolutely promise he really is going home after lunch.

Friday afternoon:

So you are quite sure Hemp is now on the train back to Perth?

Phew. Finally I can  relax and enjoy my weekend break.