A perfect day

Gosh I want to say a huge THANK YOU to Gail's friend Carol.

After all, without her intervention, it is quite possible that I would have ended up spending all of Saturday inside, watching Gail watching replays of a certain Rugby World Cup Semi-Final* on her laptop, and missing the opportunity of a fine walk around the Braes of Gight in the late October sunshine.

But fortunately Carol had earlier in the week suggested an outing to this lovely corner of Aberdeenshire, and held Gail to the plan. So late morning, after the rugby game had finished, we drove out to Methlick and then spent a magical few hours exploring the ancient woodland along the banks of the River Ythan. The humans even claim to have spotted an otter casually gliding down the middle of the river while we were all enjoying our picnic lunch (I'll admit I was too busy chewing my pig's ear to notice it).

I'm not saying that Gail resisted turning on the rugby highlights again when we got home...

*England 19 New Zealand 7

High hopes dashed....

Things augured well for the weekend.

The sun was shining brightly in the northwest of Scotland on Friday afternoon.

On Saturday still not a cloud on the horizon.

We had the pleasure of first class company too*.

As dawn broke over the Torridon hills on Sunday morning our thoughts were turning to the Rugby World Cup across the other side of the world in Japan.

At 8:45 am I remembered to stand for the "Flower of Scotland'...

Oh where oh where did it all go so wrong...?

PS You'll notice my Saltire flag neckerchief in picture #5. Your comments on my previous post put this as the clear winner from my bandana collection and so I must thank you all most sincerely for responding to my plea for help and resolving my holiday wardrobe dilemma so decisively! 

*Regular readers will of course recognise YAM-Aunty.

Letter to Human Granny

I find I have some spare time on my paws just now, so I've decided to write a wee letter to Human Granny. When someone is many miles distant and you are missing them, it's a good way of feeling closer, don't you think?

Hmmm, what shall I say?


Dear Dearest HGY,

I just wanted to write and let you know that I miss you a lot. I am so sorry I was stuck in prison camp last week while Gail was down in Nottingham for a visit. It was not my choice!

I must admit, when Gail returned here I confronted her with a long list of complaints about my treatment 'inside'. You know what she said in reply?

"Oh Bertie, why can't you be more like Human Granny? Life isn't perfect for her either but she always tries to make the best of her new situation. She introduced me to her friend Irene and both of them were telling me they think there's no point being miserable in the care home and they try to stay cheerful and interested in life".

Well, I suppose that is indeed a good attitude.

Human Granny, I hope you have been enjoying the Rugby World Cup on the telly. (Well maybe not the game last night…) Gail says watching rugby always makes her think of Human Grandad. I expect it is the same for you. Tell me, is it really true that he took you to a game at Lansdowne Road on your honeymoon in Dublin? And that you later said you thought you'd married a quiet man until that day?

What else can I tell you?

Oh I wish you were able to walk round Duthie Park with me. The flowers are still looking really pretty, as you can see in the photos I've included below. I've been told how you and HGD used to love coming to Scotland to visit Gail, although that was before I was born. You've travelled a lot in your long life, haven't you HGY? Last time I was in Nottingham, Gail showed me some photos from when you were evacuated to Canada during the Second World War.  Fancy setting out across the Atlantic in a big ship, aged only nine, and not seeing your parents for four years. There is even a picture of you standing on tip toes to post a letter to your Mum and Dad back in England. Perhaps that was when you learned to be brave and not a Moaning Minnie!

Now the good news here is that Gail has absolutely promised I will be allowed to come next time she visits Nottingham. And believe me, I am going to hold her to that (terrier's honour!)

Meanwhile, I am sending fondest hugs and licks,

Your very own "Petsy",
Bertie.

PS Perhaps you had better not let on to the staff at the care home that you have received a letter from your daughter's dog? These things can easily be misunderstood in the wrong context…

Absolutely not the thin end of the wedge

OK now I want to make things quite clear here. I agreed JUST THIS ONCE to wear a bandana to show my support for Scotland in their remaining Rugby World Cup fixtures.

This is not a precedent, the thin end of the wedge, the slippery slope to wearing a tutu, no sir!

But oh I am so excited about this rugby tournament. If fact I am quite prepared to fly out to New Zealand and offer my services to the Scotland team. I have been practicing my tackling and rucking and scrummaging skills on the back lawn and would be ready and willing to bite any opponent if required. What I lack in bulk and paw-to-eye co-ordination I make up for in spades with terrier attitude.

PS Gail assures me that the bandana doesn't look at all girlie. She is telling the truth isn't she? Don't laugh.