Highland Games

It’s that time of year again were we celebrate our Scottish blood and watch the local Highland Games. As always, it was a great day out, though I fully intend to go to one of the other ones at some point in the future!

To shake things up a little this year, my mum, older sister and nephew came along. It was the first Highland games any of them had attended and I found I really interesting what they enjoyed and what they didn’t. It was also the first year I did the ‘add on’ stuff – the Scottish Police were there and my nephew got his finger prints taken in addition to us all getting a shot in the back of a paddy wagon.  The 105^th Regiment Royal Artillery were also there and proved to be a real highlight.

I set Missy up for the above photo with the gun whilst the rest of the family dithered off and, after getting the shot and rewarding her, one of the chaps manning the area dashed over and asked if she could do it again! Naturally, I obliged (any excuse to show off and talk about Missy) and she had her picture taken again, so I suspect she’s going to end up on their Facebook. Since we’d gotten chatting, they then decked my nephew up in all the gear and showed him the gun - VIP treatment! They insisted on a photo of everyone with the gunner at the gun and, looking back on the photos, Missy is being an absolute flirt with the gunner…

I can’t take her anywhere!

Whilst I adore the dancing, it didn’t take the fancy of my sister and nephew, and he wasn’t keen on the pipe bands either. I was starting to get worried when the throwing the stone, the first event of the heavy games, had proven a fail as well to get their interest. We bumbled about the stalls again and I insisted that we give the heavy games another go for the ‘throw the weight over the bar’ (yes, the names are very imaginative!). This one is always a hit, its impressive, it’s dangerous, everyone loves it and that proved the case on Saturday – the day was saved!

Missy then made friends with a staffie in the VIP area, and alas, it was not to be as neither could get through the fence. Watching the dogs play filled the gap between events and we all watched the caber tossing – the most Scottish of the heavy games! The weather was one of those odd days were, out the wind it was baking hot, but when caught in the wind it was bitterly cold, so they had to change direction for the tossing. It’s the first time I’ve seen them throw towards the crowd, and I got some great shots out of it.

And that was the day. It was almost 5pm and we’d been out since 10am! A very different games for me compared to previous years, but still a great day.

And this little goofball had a great time!

Back to Regular Programming

Just a short post! The hubby and I are back from a two week holiday in Oz and, whilst we missed our Missy terribly, we really didn't want to come back to normality. I can officially say that I most certainly have a dose of the post-holiday blues...

Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou?

Whilst we were away doing all the usual holiday things (hugging koalas and dingoes, eating copious amounts of ice cream, trying all the new sweets and cakes, avoiding the enormous spiders and so on) Missy stayed with the in-laws. As I previously mentioned, Flash passed away and that was literally the day before we drove up, so it was a bit of a weird get together. I think Missy was good for them to have about, she certainly cheered everyone up with her Romeo and Julie antics with Duke next door.

I wasn't joking about trying all the desserts!

I wont go on too much about the holiday except to say that we had an absolutely amazing time, although trying to squeeze in Sydney, Yulara and Port Douglas into two weeks meant it was non-stop tour-de-force of a holiday. I loved every minute, but another week would have been nice!

Kangaroos and wallabies love sweet potato!

Highlights were certainly the tour days - seeing the Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains, the sun set and sun rise on the Uluru, the tea tour in the Daintree rainforest and getting the train to Karunda were all brilliant. On our 'quiet' days, doing all the wild life parks and just exploring the cities was amazing. I wont go on any more, or I will be here all day, so I will leave you with one little anecdote of a story:

As a way to fill evenings in Sydney, we went possum hunting in Hyde Park. First and second night, no success. Finally, our last evening and we spot a man and his daughter pointing at something, lo and behold, a possum! We took a long moment to admire it and, after explaining what it was to the pair, waved them off before we hear a rustle - it must be another possum, but its small, a baby possum!?

Then it opened its wings and flew straight over my head.

A fruit bat! I got such a fright but it was equally amazing!

For a Special Someone

Just a super quick post today:

Well, it's Inklings first birthday this weekend (my sisters little boy) and sadly I can't make the special day. I knew this in advance so put in a little extra effort to produce this fine gift:

He is crazy into bunnies. Bunnytown is dangerous viewing as he just goes nuts over them and, after our lakes adventure, I figured a healthy dose of Peter Rabbit was just what we needed. On an aside, at Easter, I did a bunny photo shoot with him - had him in a Thumper costume with all my cuddly bunnies I have amassed over the years and he was in absolute bunny heaven (after the initial overwhelming BUNNIES moment).

I figured that this would be a good pressie as Felix (his big sister) could play with them too and start her letter recognition and early words whilst Inkling could chew on them and, perhaps by osmosis, the letter knowledge will rub off too. 

There was a funny moment when sorting this all out when I was trying to sell the idea to myself going, they could spell Inkling... Wait, two Is. How about his sisters name. No, she has two Is as well. Mum? No, two Es on her actual name and two Ms for mum. Dad? Oh, darn it, he'll just need two sets of letters! So I did just that and I am pleased to say that out of immediate family, Felix can practice everyone's names.

There is a second tote bag as well in the same fabric, so I think he's well catered for in the home made gifts department! Eagle eyed readers may have noticed the clue Missy gave on these when I first mentioned making them!

Well, that's all for today, except to wish Inkling a massive Happy Birthday from his crazy aunt and uncle and mad wee cousin Missy!

Farewell Flash

A short post, but a sad one. Sadly, Flash passed away yesterday. It was dignified and peaceful and his mum and dad were there with him, which I think is the most anyone can really hope for.

But I won't dwell on sad things.

My first introduction to Flash

I adored Flash. He was a great big slobbering mass of sheer love and energy. Everyone simply had to be his friend. Or, at least, share their sandwich with him. I first met him eleven years ago when he would have been two - described to me as 'mad as a brush', he didn't disappoint! He preformed his majestic trick of wrapping his own snot and slobber all the way round his snout and then insisted on cuddles. Truly a wonderful introduction!

He could, on occasion, look regal

Flash was spoilt absolutely rotten. He insisted on the ends of sandwiches and had a melt down if he wasn't bought his own ice cream - he had the most wonderful Scooby Doo impression and would stamp his paws until he got his own way.

He loved being scratched behind the ears, and would insist that now was the time to do so by ramming his head between your legs and wagging his tail at you. After losing his eye (which didn't slow him down any), he would insist on having that rubbed too in much the same manner. 

But not often!

I also have a lot to thank Flash for. 

When Missy first came into our lives she was quite frightened and didn't really know what to do about anything. She wouldn't play with toys and was terrified to be left outside on her own. Every car journey she was sick in stress. He taught her how to enjoy being a dog. How to play with humans and that car rides were great, they meant adventures and fun.

And I think we should all take something from that. Enjoy life. Run, play and sleep to your hearts content. And share that joy with everyone around you.

Although, perhaps, wrapping your own face in snot and slobber is something not to emulate.

Rest in Peace, old boy. You will be sorely missed by all.

Sunny Days and Long Strolls

I feel I talk about the weather a lot, but when your furbaby insists on an average of two hours a day walking, your life starts to revolve about it. This last week has been constant niceties to the other dog parents - "Spring is definitely here now!", "Isn't this sunshine wonderful?", "Rumour says more snow" and my personal favourite; "I honestly don't care if its warm or cold, at least its dry!"

That sums up the weekends weather, dark cloudy mornings and then glorious sunshine with a chilly wind. Once in shelter, its glorious, but its certainly that time of year where you fear not bringing your coat then end up taking it off and putting it back on at least five times a walk! With that in mind, and the fact that the summer opening hours on all the historic Scotland sites has kicked in, meant it was a perfect weekend for a family outing to a castle.

Between my niece volunteering last summer at Linlithgow Palace, my constant inviting people along to the castles with us and last years jousting, pretty much everyone in the family now has a pass with Historic Scotland, so its a good cheap day out that lets everyone get some fresh air and much needed vitamin D. We have done Bothwell before, so I will spare you all the history, but it was the first time my brother, my sister and her two kids had seen it, so was well worth the revisit. Sadly the Beast from the East has damaged some of the foundations, so we were unable to get into the dungeon, but there's still plenty to see and wander about in.

This time we added the riverside walk to the day. It was my brother who had spotted it when looking up the castle, and it was a splendid way to burn off our picnic we had on the castle grounds. The path was just sheltered enough that it felt warm and pretty soon the kids were climbing in trees and insisting I get their photos. They love that my camera bluetooths to my phone so that they can see a big version of the picture instantly rather than crowding around a tiny screen.

"Wee Ben"

Missy's little cousin Ben had come along for the day too and, though he isn't trusted off the leash (he will chase anything - cars, bikes, joggers etc) he did very well and kept up with us all. He dislikes bridges, and wooden stairs you can see through which, as I'm used to Missy who has absolutely no fear, was very odd although I did feel sorry for him crawling nervously about, so insisted people carry him (I would have, but I have a strict one dog per person rule when in groups and was in charge of Missy).

And that was our little day out. My brother has definitely got the castle bug, so expect to see plenty more! The hubby and I are also thinking about our annual "staycation", and are tempted either doing the Isles or going up Elgin way to get a bunch of sites ticked off the list. I'll let you know what we decide on when I know!

Till next time!

Peacocks on the Pentlands

The weather has been glorious the last few days, so I had to go out this weekend and do something fun and a bit different for Missy. A friend of mine had suggested doing the Pentlands a few times, the first attempt was snowed off, the second I called off owing to having some teeth pulled (orthodontic work, every tooth pulled has been good and healthy, if a bit squashed) so this was actually the third time we've scheduled this and I think possibly half of Edinburgh too!

We met at the Flotterstone Information Centre and, at 10 am the car park was full, but thankfully I got a wee space in the small overflow section. My friend has walked the first reservoir a thousand times, but has never actually climbed them, despite living only five minutes away. We decided to do both the reservoirs and have a bumble about the bottom of the hills, but not actually walk them this time (we've got an action plan picked for next time!) owing to the fact its lambing season and, whilst Missy has no real inclination to sheep and would be on a lead, I didn't fancy the risk of upsetting a farmer with my big scary flobble dog.

I feel that comment needs explaining. Owing to her colouring, people at a distance (and sometimes rather close up too) think she's a rottweiler and her habit of running and showing of her sparkling pearly white teeth can give people a fright. Hence her pink collar. And the pink raincoats. And the little red parka jacket. And her cupcake one....

I do my best, but At 20 kg of pretty much just muscle, she's a sight to behold when running full pelt towards you, so I concede to the fact that people automatically see a big scary dog.

Anyway. It was a beautiful day for it. There were people fishing in boats, anglers out on the shore, dog walkers, joggers, cyclists and plenty of walkers. We could hear shooting at the MOD base there were running an exercise, but loud bangs don't bother Missy, so we spent a good 4 hours enjoying a nice walk and exploring a bit.

There was plenty of wildlife. As the title suggests, in addition to the sheep and local birds, we saw a peacock. Just strutting about like it owned the place! I need to stress that the Pentlands is fairly remote, and peacocks don't fly so well, so I have no idea how it got there or what it was doing, but it was certainly a highlight. Missy will flush birds but wont actually hunt them, and she was certainly curious and bemused in equal measure by the electric blue monstrosity strutting about. I feel a need to confess that, as it was on a wall far too tall for her to jump, I wasn't worried about the bird, however, I did not expect it to actually fly down right in front of her. Needless to say, she instantly went to flush it and the peacock very quickly went back on the wall, feathers ruffled but none harmed! My poor heart though, after Missy being so utterly well behaved I'd have died if she'd caught the thing - I'm too used to bunnies and squirrels that do their utmost best to keep out of the way of anything of the canine persuasion!

After the peacock we saw some toads which rounded off the end of a really nice day and we made a slow trundle to the car. By this point there were cars everywhere, both carparks full, the nearby pubs was full and people were parking on the street and verge, which really added to the impression of how busy it was. Still, it was really nice seeing people out and about enjoying the nice weather, and Missy got to bounce with lots of dogs and is now snoring away on the sofa. 

A very good day!

Victorias Baby

I am referring to, of course, Victoria the female polar bear in the Highland Wildlife Park, and her cub who is being very well advertised as the UKs first cub in 25 years. With a friend of mine recently moving up to the Inverness area, two birds were killed with one stone as another friend of mine and I visited and we three went to try our luck seeing the baby.

With the drive up being horrendous fog, we weren't hopeful, but Saturday cleared for us and turned into an absolutely beautiful day. I don't want to be a jinx again, so I'll just say that it felt like a season we all sorely want had arrived! 

We arrived fifteen minutes before the park opened and were shocked to be in a quickly building queue. Fortunately we had prepurchased the tickets and got in no problem - apparently last week the park filled and they had to turn people away.

Weirdly enough, despite the fact that by lunchtime all the car parks were full, we only ever felt like it was busy at the talks and at the female bear. Of course that was one of our first ports of calls (after the red panda) and we were fortunate to see mother and baby straight away. I got some photos, but with them being right at the back of the enclosure they weren't great. I was super pleased just to have seen them and we continued on with our day.

The snow monkeys put on a terrific show for their feed and then it was the big cats and the wolves. It was one of those rare days at these kind of parks where we saw everything. And even managed to get good photos of them all.

After lunch we went back to see Victoria and her cub and we were treated to the cub (it's not known yet if it's he or she) having a wee swim before playing with mum in the long grass. I got some photos I was pleased with and then we just spent  about half an hour watching them and chatting to the keepers who were doubling up as crowd control.

A very successful trip. Although I was pleased to hear that, once they know if it's a boy or girl, the cubs name will not go out to the public to pick (although they may allow the public to vote from a shortlist) - they don't want Furry McFurface the polar bear!

(Edit: Its a boy!)

And I can't forget my own Missy McMischief. After the drive home today, I was very pleased to be welcomed with a big cuddle. I'm always worried she'll take a huff with me when I'm away. So after cuddles we both had a well deserved walk in the sunshine.