Powering Through the Weekend

This weekend had an unexpected bonus adventure - the Castle Fraser Steam and Vintage Fair!

So let's rewind a bit. A few months ago, hubby's Dad finally went to a doctor about his bellybutton which had popped out into a little bump (I am positive that this is where hubby has this bad habit from, his arm could be hanging on by a thread and he'd insist he was fine). Of course, to no one's surprise, FIL had an umbilical hernia and he went on a waiting list to get it sorted.

Fast forward to about 10 days, and he was in surgery and successfully had it fixed. Which meant he had to basically be on bed rest for the foreseeable. Which would be fine, if thier dog Ruby, wasn't at least 50% Tigger.

Y'all, this dog has springs for paws. Nonetheless, MIL (who has a gammy knee) stepped up and has done all of the dog walks as well as looking after her husband. We had said since we knew an operation was going to happen that we would come up and help out with Ruby. We knew that it was the best place to help out so that MIL could have a break and get on with some well deserved reading or a nap or two. 

So we arrived and got to work by handing over a get well soon crumble. Saturday we had planned a succession of walks. The Moss. Castle Fraser. BA Field. Maybe the Estate for an evening walk too. 

Also like his father, this is where hubby, and subsequently myself, gets naming walking routes from. 

The Moss, check. A spot of brunch (aka the get well soon crumble which sadly went all too soon). Now onto Castle Fraser. 

We got the dogs in the car and pottered down the road. 

At the entrance was a big sign that said "Steam and Vintage Fair". 

"Oh", I said to hubby, "We must tell your dad they're having an event soon."

We pulled in and were met by dozens of men in bright coats waving us into the overflow caepaek.

"Oh", I said to the car in general, "it's today!" 

We rang MIL whilst we got expertly taken to out parking space. 

"Oh!" FIL could be heard in the background, "I'd forgotten that was on!". 

No, no, there was to be no adventure. We would stick to the plan and be in hand at the house. 

So. Um. Yeah. 

Really, it was an elaborate excuse to work on Ruby's posing. 

Realistically, we did the 30 minute yellow walk and caved. What better way to wear a dog out than new sights, sounds and experiences? Missy is an old hand at this, she'd keep Ruby right and show her there was nothing to be worried about. And, apart from deciding that she deserved a biscuit every time Missy did, regardless of whether she posed it not, Ruby did brilliantly. She was definitely unsure at the start - this is the second event she's done (last year's DogFest being the first), but between hubby's calm demeanour and Missys laid back attitude to the noise and smells, Ruby quickly settled in for it.

We really tried hard with the posing. And she was starting to get the hang if it at the end (although hubby is politely out if shot for them all!) 

We were spoilt for choice. Vintage cars and tractors. Tiny steam engines to giant steam traction engines and rollers. Motorbikes, fire trucks and military vehicles. Honestly, there was something for everyone. 

A very unexpected and delightful adventure. 

We sheepishly returned to the in laws and handed over the exhausted dog. They were delighted we had decided to stay and have a nice day, MIL was pleased to have got the hoovering done and also catch up on her book and emails whilst FIL had a good nap. 

A good day all round then! 

And yes, Ruby did wake up an hour or two later and we took her out again, but she was definitely more chilled out after an adventure of her own. 

Mission accomplished. 

We gave both dogs a good walk this morning before setting off. FIL is now at the point of his recovery where he is to start walking about, so will be able to start on some of the smaller dog walks, so our visit was perfectly timed in thar Ruby will be calmer for them moving into the routine. 

Not a bad little weekend! There is something to be said for a spontaneous adventure!