Monster holiday at Loch Ness

So! I was dragged on an unexpected holiday for four days in the highlands of Scotland last weekend. Mum has been working extra hard at her new job and needed a break, so we went to a place near Loch Ness. 

I knew that something was up when my bed basket was put in the car along with me. My bed has never left the house before so this was new.

It was a long journey to the holiday house and the weather was very changeable, as we got to the high ground we hit a snow storm.

 I mostly slept through the storm and the scenery when the sun came out after was spectacular.

The house we went to was really snug and spacious with a fire and under floor heating. 

In the evening there were big snowflakes and in the morning I could play in the snowy wonderland it left behind.

Each morning we set out on a new adventure, we saw Deer, stags, castles and the Caledonian Canal loch gates at Fort Augustus. No Loch Ness monster though. 

Really want to go back next year – 4 out of 4 paws for pawfection

A few highlight snaps from the holiday

Selfie of me and mum

Snow?

What snow?

New Year at Crichton Castle

So after staying up late for the Bells for New year it was a weary roll out of bed at 11am for Mum this morning. We decided the roads would be quiet and we would head for the rolling hills and views of Crichton Castle.

We invited some friends along too

After having some running around fun with the Frisbee, the ball and Leigha-Jay, we headed for a cup of tea in the car. This was the first cup of tea in the new car and Mum, Leigha-Jay and I had great fun playing house in the back of the car.

Mum put the kettle on and Leigha-Jay helped get all the things out of the bag and arrange them ready for making the tea and coffee. Leigha-Jay's Dad and my Dad talked cars and spent time checking out each others car engines and comparing engine sizes as guys do.

Once the tea was made and all the things were put away, Leigha-Jay pitched in and helped with the cleaning. It was all very muddy in the back of the car with peoples shoes and my muddy fur so we had a lot of cleaning to do.

We had a really nice time watching out of the window looking at other people and other dogs going for a walk up to the castle.

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.