The Lion in Winter

So many points of discussion here: 

• Why is only one out of the four lions at the base of this Duthie Park monument wearing a scarf?
• Is a scarf sufficient to keep creature who evolved on the African savannah warm on a frosty Aberdeen morning? (He looks stone cold to me...)
• With such a magnificent natural mane, surely the neck is the one part of the lion that does not need extra insulation?
• I have a matching (and very smart) red sweater. Why did Gail forget to put it on me this morning?

Hmmm, I shall ponder these questions as I briskly complete my early morning circuit of the park.

Warning, post contains troubling images...

The roads being apparently too icy for the bicycle this weekend, Gail sent an S.O.S. call to her Cycling WhatsApp group. 

I am delighted to report that Heather answered the call, and a rendezvous was arranged for Saturday morning.

But before showing you more photos from the walk along the coastal path, I need to issue a trigger alert.

THIS POST CONTAINS IMAGES OF PALE AND GOOSE-PIMPLED HUMAN FLESH. (THOUGH THANKFULLY NOT IN HIGH DEFINITION...)

But first we chanced upon two other friends, out for a run, and they paused for a socially-distanced few words. Feeling sprightly, I wanted to join them running, but was reined in.

So Heather, Gail and I proceeded as planned to Cove Harbour, where I do believe that my compliant posing was used as a front for Gail to zoom in on a small party of swimmers.

What! No wet suits???!!!

Readers, the sea temperature in these parts is currently around 7ºC. And on Saturday morning, despite the sunshine, the air temperature was only a smidge above freezing....

Rest assured I kept all four paws on solid ground. As, thankfully, did Gail and Heather.

But still I am worried that all the humans are going a little crazy just now...

Happy New Year from Ballochbuie Forest

Bertie and Gail wish all our friends a Happy New Year!

May your 2020 be full of beauty, peace and tranquillity, like an ancient Caledonian pinewood bathed in soft mid-winter sunshine. 

(Not for us, the mayhem of the Edinburgh Hogmanay celebration!) 

...And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And bounces with the daffodils.

William Wordsworth (nearly).

Oh the joys of spring! 

It is spring isn't it? Gail took her car to the garage yesterday to have the winter tyres removed and the regular ones put back on. The old mechanic looked surprised at the request and, clearly deeming it premature, asked "Ye're nae fae Scotland? D'ye ken fit month it is? "

Do wish us luck for the drive across the Highlands to our Torridon cottage this weekend...

Hoping you too are celebrating Nature Friday with Arty, Rosy and Jakey.

PS Our thoughts this morning are with all the families affected by the terrible terrorist attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Nature Friday: Bertie takes care of the ferns

Welcome to the LLB Gang's Nature Friday folks.

So I came across this fern in a walk through the woods last week, and suggested to Gail that it might need watering.

After all, dehydration is always a danger, right?

Gail says "wrong", and dehydration is not in general an issue for woodland plants in December in Scotland.

But I still say the precautionary principle is always best...

And I'm off to find some more ferns to water now.

Peak tail?

Here I am, standing in the sink, my sore paws having a soothing soak in warm water. There has been happening a lot just lately.

I don't know if you remember, but this winter, I am, in the cause of science, engaged in a 'no fur stripping experiment'.

It is scheduled to come to an end in a few weeks time.

Meanwhile, Gail believes I might have reached 'peak tail'.

What do you think?
 
PS Silly Gail, who has been a a bit distracted this week, got confused in my last post about the date of my next visit to the vet. We are in fact going this evening (Thursday). Meanwhile, my paws are a teeny bit better but far from properly better. 

Stripped and sulking

If you are thinking that I am wearing a reproachful look in the photo above, then you would be correct.

You have probably spotted the HUGE ball of furs and guessed the reason for my discontent.

I was fond of those furs. Attached to them even.

So a certain person saw a single daffodil in bloom, decided winter was over, and set to work with the stripping knife.

We only had two inches of snow this afternoon…

And don't imagine for one minute that the Fair Isle jumper makes up for losing my very own precious wiry coat. I am so not going to smile for the camera.

Just another winter walk

Ungainly? What an insult!

Oh I do wish I lived in one of those households where even the smallest of achievements are met with uncritical praise.

You see, now that it's dark in the evening when Gail returns home from work, she has decided to instigate a winter training programme teaching me new indoor 'tricks'.

This week it's been "roll over Bertie!"

It occurs to me that rolling over probably comes more naturally to the shorter legged breeds - dachshunds and the like.

For us gangling types, there seems to be an issue of where to put the legs.

Really, I think people should be impressed that I have finally, with the aid of extensive treat-related bribery, mastered the required activity at all.

But no, all I get for my efforts is "Bertie, can't you try to roll a bit more smoothly? You look so ungainly. No marks for 'artistic impression' for you my wee laddie".

Humph. What do YOU think?

At fifty seven point two degrees North ...

Yesterday afternoon, only half past three, and the river was turning pink...

Sunday, walking in the Deeside hills,  the path was all dusted with cold white powdery stuff and my paws were tingling...

And I couldn't tell where to tread...

Now which was the way to the equator?