Christmas Stuff

Hello all,
I haven't blogged in a while but at this time of year Mum seems to have the time to sit down and write up what I have been jotting down in my diary for the last few months.
A few weeks ago we had a guest come to stay, well actually he was a runaway that mum and dad brought in from the cold. He made himself quite at home, ate my food, drank my water and slept on my sofa given half the chance. Only issue was he wasn't too keen on me being here, he wanted me gone and my Mum and Dad all to himself. So eventually we were split from arguing by Diesel being sent to to the Kitchen for time-out (Ha ha).When his owner was finally located, Diesel left the building and what a relief, I can tell you. I spent the rest of the night reassuring myself that I was the one and only puppy in the house and that this Dog was not a new Christmas present.

Speaking of Christmas it is a year of big presents, mum and dad have splashed out on a new car. The new car is a bit odd, in that it is the same as the old car, same shape, same size, same inside but a different colour, different sound , different smell. The new car was needed because mum crashed the old one (thanks Mum). Mum not happy because Dad is making her drive the old dented one to work everyday until it won't work any more, whilst dad get to drive the shiny new one. This is ok with me because I'm with dad most of the day so I get to be chauffeured around in the new one.
So under the tree this year is not that many gifts but mum is satisfied that she has them all wrapped in time.

I say under the tree it's a tiny tree, more of a Christmas scene created in the fire place, but it's quite cute and the use of the acoustic guitar make it very rock, folk.

A slight hic-up with the presents is that Iv seen my present already. I located it with my nose amongst the other gifts before it was wrapped, now all I have to do is sit by my stocking with big eyes , tilted head and ears forward until she lets me have it early.

The final bit of news is that I have learnt a whole new word, it's called HAM ( large roast ham joint) and it's the most fantastic food in the whole world. A lot of the past few days has been spent sitting staring lovingly at the large tin foil shape either in the fridge or on the side board.
So Merry Christmas Everyone !!

Birthday Road Trip

So another year passes and the big 4 arrives, I can't believe where the time has gone.

The morning started early, we were on the road by 9:30am heading towards Crichton Castle. The forecast was for sunny spells and showers but in fact the weather couldn't have been more perfect. Autumn sun shining on colouring leaves and I might venture to say that with a slightly brisk walk it could even be considered a warm day.

We parked up and read the notices, there was no information pertaining to the banning of dogs, always a good sign,  better still nothing to say I have to be on lead either, bonus.

Looking at the track ahead and the rolling hills of long grass it was a gun dog's dream location. I bounced high over, in and out of the tall grass; small seeds clinging to my fur making me look less than glamorous. At the top of the short walk we were not disappointed by the stunning views and enormous castle. It was positively picnic weather at the top but we had left the supplies in the car. So after a run around and some photographs we headed back. 

Just before leaving, a wedding party started to arrive to the church we were parked next to. What a perfect day and location for the happy couple who had opted to have their photographs taken near the castle.

Upon arriving home there was more birthday treats in store. My good friend Nico had come round to play. I was a little cautious at first as I ventured into my house sniffing the air of foreign dog smells. However, I soon identified the culprit and was excited to be spending an afternoon chasing round the garden together.

Thank you to everyone on Facebook for my Happy Birthday messages, I have had a great day.

Road Trips

Prior to the bank holiday weekend Mum and Dad decided to kit out the car as a an overnight camper-van. I say overnight because the facilities at present are very limited so you really couldn't stay more than one night. What has been good though is the ability to pack up and go on the road and investigate places of interest, using the car as a base from which to explore. 

The bank holiday weekend we set off for Gullane this was a great looking place with parking by the sea. The day we went there was a cycle race so the place was too busy. We took a quick drive through and headed on to North Berwick. At North Berwick I got a chance to play on the sand and even made it into the sea. I don’t usually go in the sea  because I'm scared of the waves but on this occasion the waves were timid and so I was tempted in by a thrown stick. 

Covered in sand and soggy we headed to a cliff top car park overlooking Bass Rock. This rock is famous for the 150,000 Gannets that live on it. The Bass Rock was formed 320 million years ago and is an active volcano. It has played a key role throughout the history of Scotland - a religious retreat during early Christianity; fortress and prison in the time of the Covenanters and Jacobites; and a strategic stronghold during the times of the Scottish and English wars.We had great fun watching the birds and the boats along the shore. 

On the way back we briefly visited Chester hill fort, an Iron Age fortified village dating back approximately 2000 years.

Today’s trip was to Borthwick. First we investigated Currie wood which has a nice woodland walk suitable for dogs and there is also a shallow river to paddle in. We then travelled to see Borthwick castle however, when we got there it was closed. A local informed us it has been bought by a new owner and is currently being refurbished and won’t open again until May. A bit disappointing but the car conversion came in handy as we were able to sit in the car under the trees with a fantastic view and eat our lunch.

Holidays with sunshine

Back on holidays again, I'm such a lucky boy. This time we were in the north west of Scotland near Inveraray in Argyll. We hired a house that had everything a dog could wish for. Plenty of space, a gazillion couches to choose from, conservatory, huge garden, a river running next to the garden and a Loch at the end of the garden and to cap it all off a paddock at the front for playing Frisbee.

I had a great week except for the midges who bit me round my eyes which wasn't nice. I did some swimming in Loch Fyne which is a sea loch. Now normally I won't go near the sea because I'm scared of the waves that chase me up the beach but in this environment I showed no fear of the still calm water and jumped right in. It wasn't until I put my head under to grab a rock I realised that sea water tastes disgusting and made a quick retreat back to the shore.

Later in the week some friends came to stay with their dogs which made for healthy competition of the tennis ball.
We had great weather for the whole week and based on facilities, scenery, walking and sleeping I would rate this area four out of four paws and am looking forward to visiting again.

Below are some holiday snaps.

Best summer evening ever!

So it's 10pm at night and its still light outside and I'm snoozing on the living room carpet trying to ignore the heat that keeps making me wake up and pant. Then to my surprise Mum and Dad got up and went outside to the garden and I was called upon to accompany. To my surprise when we got outside a large green swimming pool had arrived and it was full of water. At first I wasn't sure and I tiptoed around the edge sniffing at the water and getting only my whiskers wet. Then Mum brought out the water ball, the one I only get when I'm down by the river. I couldn't contain my excitement. Mum tempted me by placing it right in the centre of the pool so I would have to go in and get it, but I out smarted her and I used my paw to move the water and bring the ball to the edge where I carefully picked it out and shook it dry. Finally they threw it in and I was so involved in the chase I dived right in and thought nothing of it. from then on it was fun and water all the way. After 20 minutes of jumping swimming and retrieving, Mum and Dad got a heavy rubber ball and threw it in,.The rubber ball sunk to the bottom which confused me greatly. I didn't like it but I had to put my face in the water and reach right to the bottom to get it. My face was soaking and dripping heavy with water. My eyes were tight shut as I shook off the excess water and returned the ball dutifully to try the experience again. Finally the night ended with a drying session with two towels, one to play with and one to get dried with. It couldn't have been a more perfect night. I just can't wait for tomorrow it's going to be so welcome to paddle when the sun is out.
Mum and Dad surprised me with a swimming pool for the garden and it's fantastic!

Boat Trip

This was a while ago now at the end of March but I haven’t been blogging as often as I used to. It’s difficult these days to find time to blog in between the sleeping and the walkies and the sleeping and the dinner and the sleeping. Anyway, as you do, it’s good to have a break now and again and take a wee holiday. This year mum and dad opted for a boat far far away down in the south of England.

The holiday was really good fun, I got to stick my head out of the boat window when it was driving and I got to sit out of the back and watch the bubbles too. I got my own double bed to sleep on and a new environment to explore every time the boat stopped. The only down sides were not getting to swim, I had to walk on the lead and there wasn’t anywhere suitable to play Frisbee. The weather was very very windy, when we were out my ears just couldn’t stay flat. Besides the weather we got to see a few sites including exploring a ruined Abbey. (I wee weed on the sign post for it on the way there and again on the way back)  

 I did make a few new friends whilst I was there. The ducks came right up onto the boat to get bread from the kitchen and I talked to them nose to nose through the glass. As with most British tourists that go on holiday I didn’t learn any of the lingo before we went, so conversations with the Ducks were limited to body language and eye contact.

Overall it was a good holiday.

Due to the long drive and the lack of run around facilities on shore I’m going to award it 2 out of 4 paws

Inside Abbey looking up

Below are some pics and a video from our trip

Abbey