Over Here....

So our four American guests arrived on Wednesday and when I saw their luggage I was most relieved. It was quite clear Gail had been winding me up about them bringing their bicycles all the way from from Washington State and cycling around Scotland.

Well just imagine my horror when I found out what those suitcases contained...



Yesterday they all went off for a 'shake down' ride to Drum Castle and back, and I stayed at home. As they headed down the road I heard Gail shouting "don't forget, keep on the left!"


PLEASE don't tell anyone this, but between you and me, I was quite grateful for a spot of peace and quiet, unaccustomed as I am to having my home invaded by such talkative folk.

This morning our guests plus bikes have departed for Edinburgh (by train!) Gail tells me she'll be joining them in the Scottish capital tomorrow, when the planned "leisurely" bicycle tour around Scotland begins in earnest.*


Maybe they'll come home early if it rains?

*Gail says: the plan is to ride along the Forth-Clyde Canal from Edinburgh to Glasgow, and then head north along the 'Lochs and Glens'  route from Glasgow to Inverness. Normal service on the blog will resume in ten days time. Meanwhile, Bertie will reside in comfort at Neil and Yvonne's house.

Oh no it's that time of year again...

Yes, you've guessed it. The time of year when I am forced to play second fiddle to, gulp, to a BICYCLE.

Between you and me, I had been hoping, what with Human Granny's illness and so on, that Gail might forgo her annual Easter cycling holiday with her old friends from London, and stay home with me instead.

But no, and it seems they are going even further afield than usual, for an eight day tour round Croatia and Bosnia-Herzogovina  (the latter a place I thought only existed in European history books).

Most years, I've noticed that prior to the Easter Tour, Gail disappears out on her bike for a few hours every Sunday for a training ride. Something she has not had much opportunity to do this year.

So yesterday, when I caught sight of the itinerary, I started to worry...

Let's look in more detail. This is the route profile for the first full day's cycling...

Remember, we have been in Nottingham most of the year, where the hills typically look like this:

From molehills to mountains indeed. To be honest, I am far from convinced that Gail's legs will be up to it.

What will a poor pup do if his human collapses on a steep Croatian ascent, never to return?

Perhaps someone out there would adopt me?

I really am very cute.

P.S. from Gail: this blog will be quiet for the next couple of weeks while Bertie is at 'camp' and I am pedalling  with my friends round a scenic part of former Yugoslavia. Unfortunately, Bertie's assessment of my lack of fitness this year is all too accurate, and the route is tougher than usual, so wish me luck! 

In general I do not approve of bicycles...

…but I will admit it is nice that Gail's favourite Spring training route takes her past my favourite shop.

Yes, the concept of the bicycle as carrier of dog treats does make one look more favourably on this otherwise tiresome mode of transport.