Crathes Castle

It was a last minute change of plans this weekend! The hubby managed to wrangle a long weekend at the last minute and so we decided to go see his mother for her birthday in Aberdeenshire and to get a well deserved break from the rat race (you know you are getting old when you look forward to bad phone reception!)

I had the dentist first thing Saturday, so we had brunch and headed straight up in the car. The weather has turned and, due to an overnight frost (the neighbouring towns had had snow the day previously) it was cold and we decided to warm up in front of the fire. 

For those following my garden exploits, yes. The frost wiped out a third of the pumpkins. Thankfully I have spare in the cold frame I was saving for a seedling sale at work, so those will be staying with me! 

We had a nice walk about the fields and Missy was happy to watch and not chase the deer we saw. The bunnies were free game, but it was certainly rodents 5 and Missy nil by the end of the walk.

Sunday we offered to help next door who, on top of just having a baby, has ended up looking after her brothers dog in addition to her own. Missy has a Romeo and Juliet-esque relationship with Duke, the dog next door, and was unimpressed that his equally hairy cousin dog had come to visit. Duke is a who-knows-what that looks like a hairy carpet on legs and Pickles is a wire haired German pointer. They make a great pair running wild and boisterously playing, but Missy dislikes being outnumbered and waited till the end of the walk when they had calmed down somewhat to play.

The afternoon dog walk was a drive down to Crathes Castle, a National Trust site that, whilst dogs are not permitted in the castle or main garden, are allowed in the surrounding woodland. The sun had come out and the wind dropped and we enjoyed something close to pleasant as we followed the trail and admired the many dogs we met. We were lucky enough to come across a flyball competition and decided to watch a few races. Missy was unhappy with the set up, which is unusual as she's watched agility shows and competitions with us before. We think the frantic barking was too similar to the shelter for her. There was a small marquee selling treats and she cheered right up at the freebies and a new Kong toy!

Flyball - looks like good fun if your dog is ball-driven

It was a year ago last Friday that my in-laws lost Flash, and you can tell they are wanting another dog now. They have decided on getting their very first puppy together (having always adopted rescues) and are waiting on a little girl Hungarian Vizsla as their next companion. We'd all hoped she'd be born on my MILs birthday, but in true stubborn Vizsla style that never happened.

Duke

Today was a get up and go kind of day. We invited the rugs next door on the morning walk and were all pleased that Duke and Pickles were a bit calmer. Missy and Pickles were flushing rabbits from the gorse whilst Duke excitedly ran about with them - I'm fairly certain he had no idea what the game at hand was, but certainly made up for that with his enthusiasm. They all failed to spot a young roe deer with his antlers, and I wasn't quick enough on the mark to get a photo, but c'est la vie. 

Pickles

Once we were all well walked we headed back in for some brunch and were dismayed as it started to snow. As you can see from the photos, though cold it was actually quite a pleasant morning - so we certainly timed that well. Once the weather broke we got in the car and headed home. Missy has been playing with her new Kong toy as we unpacked everything again and it looks like another walk and then a quiet evening. Well deserved, I think!