I'll be frank with you, I wasn't so very excited yesterday morning when Gail announced our plan for the day. Apparently she wanted us to go and watch the final stage of the Tour of Britain bicycle race.
You probably know by now that I do not share my owner's enthusiasm for cycling in all its forms, and I was about to suggest perhaps we should stay at home on the sofa and watch a repeat of the US Open Women's Singles Final.
Until, that is, I heard the magic words.
"We're meeting Muriel and she says she's bringing cheese and haggis scones."
OK I'M IN!!!
First we had a nice walk through the woods and fields from Potarch to Ballogie, where we found Muriel and a smattering of other humans eagerly anticipating seeing their cycling heros whizzing past, plus a gang of black Labs generally failing to look interested in any activity that didn't involve eating.
Gail claimed it was rude of me to start pawing at Muriel in a 'where's my scone' sort of a way no soon as we'd said hello. Almost as if I was one of those Labradors, Gail said. But I'm pleased to report that my strategy delivered results.
Replete with yummy home bakes, I consented to posing nicely for a 'selfie' with Muriel and Gail while we waited for the racers to arrive.
A few minutes later, the lead group of cyclists passed by in a flash, inspired no doubt by my noisy encouragement.
In no time at all, it was over and we were heading home, with Gail saying wasn't that wonderful, such a great atmosphere, aren't you glad we came?
Between you and me, it would all have been a bit of a waste of time were it not for the cheese and haggis scone...
