A fashion crime?

Gail has just finished knitting herself a woolly hat (with yarn left over from my sweater).

Do the Fashion Police permit Triple Fair Isle?

Gold star for best behaviour?

Between you and me, it can be a bit annoying, living in a household where boasting is not approved of and praise is meted out in puppy kibble sized portions.

"Blowing your own trumpet", "showing off", "being big-headed"; these things are all frowned upon by Gail.

But just occasionally, I feel I deserve at least a pat on the back.

Take Sunday morning for example. We had been over in Torridon for a couple of days, checking the cottage was OK before the winter weather sets in. On the way back to Aberdeen we stopped at the Basil Harbour Café in Nairn.

Gail says it is only recently that she has taken me into cafés "with confidence". She says readers will correctly guess there is history behind that statement.

Well I would like to point out that on this occasion I was as good as gold and as quiet as a mouse, despite the following potential threats to my equanimity:

• The cafe was noisy and crowded when we arrived 
• Bacon rolls and Full Scottish Breakfasts (including black pudding) were being served
• Gail ordered a yummy looking cheese scone with her coffee
• There was another dog present
• I was made to sit in the middle of the café and pose for a photo when the place quietened down a bit

Am I not entitled to brag just a wee bit about my excellent manners?

Oh, Gail thinks you would also like to see a photo of a wintery looking Loch Torridon. I suppose, since I am also featured, you might find it worth a glance.

Can you feel the bone penetrating chill of the damp air?

A day for staying in (with Rory)?

A visit to Birnam Wood and the Lonely Mountain Ski Shop

I was a bit surprised on Saturday morning, when Gail announced we were driving down to Birnam, near Dunkeld. I never knew there was such a place, outside of Shakespeare's Macbeth, did you?

Well yes apparently it does exist, and although later in the day we went with Gail's friends John and Françoise for a walk through a  remnant of the ancient Birnam Wood, this was not the main reason for the trip.

It turned out that we had been invited to the launch party for Lonely Mountain Skis, a new venture, started up by Jamie, son of the aforementioned John and Françoise. This is what the business is about:

"Lonely Mountain Skis is a Scottish ski company specialising in hand made skis built from Scottish timber and natural fibre composites. With an emphasis on quality and sustainable materials LMS will keep snow falling on the mountains."

Now I'm going to be honest with you and admit that I am not a fan of these so-called "winter sports". One time when I was still barely more than a puppy, Gail attempted to make me run alongside her as she went swooshing around Hazlehead golf course on her cross-country skis. It was not a success, from my perspective, and thankfully that particular experiment has never been repeated.

But anyway I listened politely enough as Jamie explained all about how he designs and constructs these beautifully crafted wooden skis.

And I must say there were some fine looking products on display. 

Gail seemed worryingly interested, asking all about the materials used (flax, carbon fibre, resin, maple, beech, poplar and other timber) and when would Jamie be making some cross-country skis? I'm sorry to report that she signally failed to ask certain important and dog-relevant questions, like if he was thinking about making a nice comfy wooden Bertie-sized sled, so Gail could tow me along with her.

(You weren't imagining I might pull the sled were you? What do you think I am? A husky?)

Afterwards, it was fun to explore Jamie's workshop and environs, and I was given lots of friendly ear scritchies.

When we got home, I did some research, and I have a message for young James. 

Jamie, with your superb design skills, I don't doubt you could come up with a bespoke conveyance so that I could accompany Gail on her cross country skiing outings in comfort and style. Here are a couple of ideas for prototypes. (Please note that I would consider the quality of the cushions important). 

I shall look forward to receiving the blueprints for inspection.