Who needs a GPS?

So here I am near the start of our Sunday walk with M and J. (Yes that's them on the path some way behind me; they're taking photos in which I don't feature, and so will obviously be of no interest to anyone...)

No doubt you want to know exactly where I am. 

I'll give you a few clues. 

The path is a disused railway line, and on one side we have the North Sea.

The geographers among you will recognise that it is low tide, and between the path and the sea is a 'wave cut platform' of rock.

(Gail says this particular clue will be of absolutely no help to anyone, but I contend it's always a mistake to underestimate one's readers). 

Anyway, looking inland we have fields and low hills (so clearly not the Highlands, duh!)

The walk begins and ends in a fishing village with a restaurant overlooking the harbour. By the way, I would like to point out it did not escape my notice how two handsome golden retrievers entered the restaurant with their owners, while I was left in the car when Gail, M and J went in to dine...

OK, I'm sure you've worked out where I am by now.

But just in case you're still struggling, here are some helpful signs... 

Seaside thoughts

A Contemplation

It doesn't have to be a beauty spot,
It might be somewhere just nearby,
An undistinguished stretch of North Sea coast
Where you can sit, and contemplate the sea and sky.

It matters not if you're just starting out 
On life's great journey, or you're near the end,

To stop and meditate on nature's power,

Will calm your heart, and help your sorrows mend.

Do go and take a peek at the other Nature Friday posts in the LLB Gang's evergreen blog hop. 

And I was only trying to help...

So there I was, relaxing on the sofa the other evening, when I became aware of Gail moving around in odd positions on the floor and I suddenly remembered her complaining to a friend about how she found it both boring and lonely having to do her Pilates class online.  

There are occasions which demand a dog. 

Bertie to the rescue! 

First I followed the instructor for a minute or two, to see what it was all about.

Having become an expert in both technique and terminology, I carefully checked Gail's positioning (neutral spine, pelvic floor engaged, tummy button to floor, no flaring of the ribs, headlights forward etc.) 

Oh dear, there's something a little wrong with your position here. I need to check you're working those deep abdominals... and please remember to imagine that soft peach under your chin...

For some reason my interventions were not appreciated, so I decided to provide a bit of entertainment instead, to liven thing up.

Yes you've guessed it. Still not appreciated. 

There's no pleasing some folk. 

Frosty morning bonus walk

Do you ever take a peek at your human's phone to find out what's going on? I did on Saturday morning and saw this on the WhatsApp. 

It was all looking rather promising. Especially when Gail joined in the conversation.

So a group of six - one dog and five humans - met in socially-distanced fashion in the Banchory Tesco car park and, gosh, we had such a lovely walk along the River Dee and up Scolty Hill. Thanks Muriel for leading the way! I'll admit that Gail and I are both slightly relieved you shortened your usual 14 mile route ... And I hope I didn't hold things up too much with all my sniffing.

Later on the phone.

I'm sure my readers would like to see the full size photo of my handsome self pausing to enjoy the winter sunshine by the river. This was early afternoon, by which time the ice had all melted.

Between you and me, I'm looking forward to lots more frosty mornings!