For all my friends who need a wee break

A word about dog parking provision

Gail, there is an important issue I wish to talk about today. Parking provision for dogs.

Oh yes Bertie? (Gail replies, with eyebrows raised quizzically.) And what prompted this particular concern?

Well do you remember how you tied me up at the 'dog park' outside the shop in Contin, on our way back from Torridon on Friday?

I do indeed Bertie. Good of the store to have special place for you, I thought. They even provided a bowl of water.

But Gail, did you not notice the overall poor quality of the facility?

Frankly Bertie, I did not. Tell me, what exactly was the problem?

Where to begin! First off, the dog parking spot was fully exposed to the elements whereas had they placed it on the other side of the door, I would have enjoyed protection from the rain. Secondly, the bowl was almost empty, containing less than a half inch of slimy, scummy water. Thirdly, given that the shop is on the increasingly popular North Coast 500 route, I think there should have been a security guard present in case some passing holidaymaker decided to kidnap me. Since Covid-19, us dogs are an increasingly valuable asset, as you know. Fourthly, you'll see that my lead is twisted around my front leg, and that should never have been allowed to happen....

Bertie, your complaints are getting increasingly ridiculous. Since when, pray, did you mind getting rained on, or balk at lapping up scummy water? As for your lead, well I think you only have yourself to blame for that. I will agree you are a most precious asset, but I was only in the shop for the time it took to buy a drink, and you were out of my sight for just a few seconds. And anyway, as far as I'm aware, kidnapping of dogs on the NC 500 is not prevalent. Really, I hope you are not turning into a grumpy old dog.

"Grumpy" "old" dog? Never! 

I would like to remind you that I am a good natured and remarkably youthful looking ten year old. Who deserves valet parking.

Never a dull moment?

For today's Nature Friday I want to bring you some typical late summer weather from Torridon. Lively and changeable, it keeps you on your toes. 

Not exactly a case of 'never a dull moment', but often more interesting than watching the telly! (Not that we have a TV here, just to make it quite clear to the TV Licensing authorities. We don't want any more of those nasty letters threatening to put Gail in prison for non-payment...)

I digress.

All the photos below were taken from approximately the same spot, just outside the front gate of our cottage. 

Oh and one more thing.  We have a sort of bonus extra today, a montage of the pretty flowers still in bloom in the cottage garden. And taking centre stage, a rose for Rosy of course! 

Thanks once again to Arty, Jakey, Rosy and Sunny for hosting the Nature Friday blog hop. Do now visit the other posts and enjoy! 

Catching up on the Torridon news

Finally we're back again in Torridon and gosh, it seems there's a lot of news to catch up with. 

So a walk yesterday morning across to Inveralligin and back, which normally takes about 45 minutes, lasted well over two hours and it wasn't all due to me taking time to check out the peemail. 

First we met local crofter Donnie, who complained how the midges had been the worst ever this year. Which at least made Gail a bit less sorry we hadn't been able to spend much time here this summer. (I, Bertie, don't understand why humans make such a fuss about these wee insects - they don't bother me). 

Then there was neighbour Bridget, fairly dancing with glee because, after years and years of trying, she and her husband had finally obtained planning permission to build a new house on their land. Further on, Gail had to stop and check out the local produce, although I opted to steer well clear of the scary scarecrow.

But it was when we stopped by Glyn and Pete's place and heard the dramatic story of the accident which earlier this year befell Shannon, their five year old cocker spaniel, that for a while we forgot all about the passage of time.

If we hadn't caught a glimpse of Shannon happily scampering around in front of her house, we would have feared the worst when told how back in March, during a visit to St Abbs Head*, she had disappeared over a cliff. Pete called the coastguard but it wasn't until an hour and a half later that Shannon was located, severely injured and clinging to life by a thread, on a rock accessible only by sea. A dramatic lifeboat rescue ensued. Shannon's tail wagged on recognising her humans. Thanks to the outstanding care of the lifeboat men and the local vet, and then some high tech surgery in the 'Royal Dick' Hospital for Small Animals in Edinburgh, Shannon survived a broken pelvis, shoulder, ribs and jaw, and much internal bleeding. She was home in Torridon just before the lockdown. And now, quite incredibly, with the help of bits of metal holding bones together here and there, she's back to romping around the Torridon hills, almost as good as new.

Shannon, you are a star!

*You can see pictures of the steep cliffs of St Abbs head in my post from September last year. Gail says if we ever go there again, I'll definitely be on my lead...