So a week ago Saturday we set off for the north west coast
to Argyll, back to the big house with the Frisbee lawn, conservatory and the
massive garden by the loch.
After initially settling in after packing pretty much the
Kitchen sink we were soon joined by the Son, Partner and granddaughter. After teaching
her how to play throw so I can fetch we were soon house bound due to diminishing
light and the descending of the Scottish Midge cloud of death.
The next day was billed to be full of Frisbee, walks, swims
and general holiday super-ness but unfortunately dad got a stomach bug and so
spent most of the next three to four days on the toilet or sleeping on the
couch.
Mum and the guests headed in to town for a look about and finished
the day with fish and chips.
Next to arrive on Wednesday was the grandparents, by now the
weather was a heat wave, Dad was feeling a bit better and I had the most
amazing time swimming in the sea loch and spent every minute of day light
wandering through the house and to the garden with my ball.
I improved my throwing accuracy by managing to be able to throw
my ball through the railings of the decking for appropriate human to pick up
and throw.
On the final day we were all packed and ready to go for our
hike, dog food was packed as well as ball and water bottle. We were off on a
five hour walk from village shop to old historical Iron Age village museum.
Along the way many sights to take in including Roman bridges and Wolf Rock.
(some-what of a pilgrimage for me as wolf Rock is an actual rock and is legend
to be marking the place where the last Wolf of Argyll was killed.) After
folding carefully their very vague instructions in to a pocket, we set off in
to the amazing sunshine to begin our walk. After a bit of debate over where to
start and which way to go ...... we were almost on the right track when Nana slipped
and broke her ankle.
Being the most highly trained member of the team I was the
first in to action – sniffing the injury and making an assessment of the
damage. After trying a nearby house for assistance with no avail I headed back
down the track to fetch help leaving Granda with the patient and taking mum
with me for dexterity support- (after all not being able to speak the lingo or acquire
tools, I needed human back up – even if she did slow me down).
Almost reaching
the main road we came across a pick-up coming towards us containing a forestry commission
park ranger. I flagged him down with my tail and asked Mum to translate
specific instructions to fetch the injured party and bring them safely down the
track to the main road. Mum did an ok job but not being the professional that I am
we had to follow the truck and eventually I had to get in the passenger seat
and give specific whisker and nose instructions myself. But hey, we got there
in the end.
Whilst the Ranger and Granda helped Nana in to the truck, Mum
and I headed down the track to meet Dad who was making his way to meet us to
take Nana to A and E. Which was over 30 minutes drive away in the next town.
Whilst Nana and Granda waited in A and E and Nana got a cast
fitted to her very broken ankle. Mum, Dad and I went in to the town (Lochgilphead)
to look around. We found a smoked fish shop and Dad bought a smoked trout which
we shared as a picnic in the car. I must say it tasted amazing and they
generously allowed me to have all the best bits (Head, Tale and Skin)
Good Times.
After returning to the house to wait for the grandparents to
hobble home, I made the most of my last night by tucking up on a sofa made for
three J
Best Dog holiday ever!
