Auld Reekie - not smelly but windy

Gosh I was so excited when I learned that Gail and I would be spending the weekend with our dear blogging friend YAM-Aunty and her father in the fine city of Edinburgh.

Did you know that the Scottish capital is sometimes referred to as 'Auld Reekie'? And that this translates into standard English as 'Old Smelly'...

Well what could be more appealing to us canines than a few days in a famously odiferous metropolis? 

And so I must confess to being a tad disappointed when I sniffed the air outside the home of YAM's father, and failed to detect anything other than the normal city aroma. 

However, early on Saturday morning it was impossible not to notice that the air molecules were rushing past one's nose at an unusually high velocity, ruffling one's beard and leg 'furnishings', and lifting one's ear flaps to a streamlined position.

It was perhaps optimistic to imagine that on top of nearby Blackford Hill, weather conditions would be calmer.

In a sheltered spot away from the summit I had the rare pleasure of an encounter with a pretty wee foxy lass called Saffy.

I even allowed her to give me a quick kiss. Mmmm. Nice.

The next day, YAM-Aunty kindly drove Gail and me out to the quaint little town of North Berwick. (I must say her car is a lot cleaner than Gail's*.)

After a trot around the harbour we paused to admire a memorial commemorating the role of the RAF's Coastal Command in defending our country in World War Two. (You might already know that Gail's late father was a pilot in 248 Squadron, part of Coastal Command's 'Banff Strike Wing', in 1944-5.) 

The wind was still blowing mightily. Nevertheless, Gail and YAM-Aunty were apparently both in perfect agreement that if the sun is shining, and one is beside the seaside, and a van selling excellent quality local ice cream is parked on the promenade, then one is obliged to partake of the goods on offer.

And you know what? The nice man in the 'Luca's Ice Cream' van even gave me a wee taster. Yum! 

Back at base, I had a fine time getting to know YAM-Aunty's father better, and was rewarded by some most satisfactory head scritches before we sadly had to depart and return to Aberdeen.

You know, I had such a lovely weekend that I have decided to forgive Gail and YAM-Aunty for their terrible decision on Sunday afternoon to visit Aberlady Nature Reserve, one of the very few places in Scotland where dogs are NOT ALLOWED!!! Despite the fact that I was left shut up in the car for at least 87 HOURS. (Gail says more like 87 minutes).

Oh and finally, I suspect that YAM-Aunty will be posting her usual superior quality photos of our adventures on her blog at some point in the near future, and so suggest you watch that space.

*Er, Gail claims this is only because YAM-Aunty herself does not currently own a dog....

Not that I'm boasting...

Gosh, it's been a busy few days!

First off, Gail drove me down to Edinburgh, where I had a most pleasant visit with YAM-Aunty and her father. I know that YAM-Aunty has only one functional arm at the moment, but it wasn't wrong to ask her for treats, was it? I mean I would have been quite happy with the quantity of treats you can fit in one human hand...

After Edinburgh we continued south to just across the Border to meet up with Gail's friends Janet, Helen and Sue, and we have spent the last couple of days exploring the beautiful Northumbrian coastal path.

I walked about ten miles both yesterday and the day before (not that I'm boasting or anything).

I can't wait to go for another long walk today  although between you and me, I shall not be offering to swap places with the spaniel I met waiting for the bus in Craster - he  had just accompanied his owner on a twenty mile run down from Bamburgh Castle...

Edinburgh or Kiltarlity?

Gosh I've been having a fun time this weekend with Neil and Yvonne in their woodland retreat at Kiltarlity (near Inverness), while Gail has been with her book club pals enjoying the cerebral delights of the Edinburgh Book Festival.

I did receive a late evening message from Gail, but couldn't make much sense of it. (You know how these book group ladies are after a few glasses of wine....)

It seems they'd seen talks by, variously, yanisvaroufakisgregwisetomdevineshamichakrabatidonaldmurrayedithhallrorybremner or some such person or people.

Apparently it was not a dry weekend in "Auld Reekie" in any sense of the word.

Over Here....

So our four American guests arrived on Wednesday and when I saw their luggage I was most relieved. It was quite clear Gail had been winding me up about them bringing their bicycles all the way from from Washington State and cycling around Scotland.

Well just imagine my horror when I found out what those suitcases contained...



Yesterday they all went off for a 'shake down' ride to Drum Castle and back, and I stayed at home. As they headed down the road I heard Gail shouting "don't forget, keep on the left!"


PLEASE don't tell anyone this, but between you and me, I was quite grateful for a spot of peace and quiet, unaccustomed as I am to having my home invaded by such talkative folk.

This morning our guests plus bikes have departed for Edinburgh (by train!) Gail tells me she'll be joining them in the Scottish capital tomorrow, when the planned "leisurely" bicycle tour around Scotland begins in earnest.*


Maybe they'll come home early if it rains?

*Gail says: the plan is to ride along the Forth-Clyde Canal from Edinburgh to Glasgow, and then head north along the 'Lochs and Glens'  route from Glasgow to Inverness. Normal service on the blog will resume in ten days time. Meanwhile, Bertie will reside in comfort at Neil and Yvonne's house.

My kind of Festival! And a dilemma...

Yesterday Gail brought home a brochure for the forthcoming Edinburgh International Science Festival.

Gosh don't you think the event described below (or click here for link) would be absolutely the perfect brain food for Gail and myself?

Yes, you read that right. DOGS WELCOME!

Unfortunately this very intellectual discussion takes place on Easter Saturday, when we will be visiting Human Granny in Nottingham. Or might I perhaps jump off the train at Edinburgh Waverley station on our way south? Just a thought.....

Oh gosh I would so love to attend, and put everyone straight on the important distinction between intelligence and obedience, a matter which many humans seem confused about when it comes to their canine companions.

It seems sort of appropriate here, even if a day late for International Women's Day, to end with the quote with which one of Gail's book group friends always signs off her emails:

"Well behaved women seldom make history".

Advice for Americans in Scotland?

So Gail, what's this I hear about you organising a bicycle tour in Scotland for your American friends in May next year?

Yes indeed Bertie, that is so. (I see you have been peeking at my emails again.)

Well Gail, as one who was so nearly picked as Ambassadog a couple of years ago, I feel duty bound to try to ensure your guests enjoy our fine country to the full. May I ask a few questions?

Fire away little Bert.

OK, so you are starting in Edinburgh. I am guessing your friends have romanticised ideas about castles and so forth. Perhaps you should suggest they watch 'Trainspotting' or read some of Ian Rankin's crime novels, so they develop a more rounded view of our capital city before they arrive. That way we can avert disappointment, I feel.

Er, yes, well, maybe Bertie. Or maybe not. Anything else?

Oh yes, plenty. I understand that cyclists enjoy their food and have good appetites. Have you considered the breakfast arrangements?

Well of course Bertie, our hotels and B&Bs will inevitably serve generous portions of porridge, I'm sure.

Um, so are you also sure that folk accustomed to breakfasting on tall stacks of blueberry pancakes with butter and maple syrup, and maybe a side order of eggs 'over easy' and bacon, will find oats boiled in salty water a satisfactory way to start the day? I somehow doubt it.

So then Bertie, we can always add in some tattie scones and black pudding to fuel us up the hills if necessary. So what now?

Oh, it's just occurred to me, am I correct in thinking Americans drive on the right? Will they not find our traffic most confusing?

Bertie, rest assured that my friends have travelled all over the world with their Bike Fridays, and they are a capable and resourceful bunch. Why one of them is a retired USAF pilot, so I'm confident his spatial skills will run to figuring our which way the cars are coming from on a roundabout.

Point taken Gail. But another thing - I do hope they will come prepared for our weather. I mean, even Canadians complain here about how the dampness and wind makes everything feel colder than indicated by the thermometer.

Don't worry Bertie, I shall tell them to pack a full set of waterproofs and thermals. And at least we can assume that the bike trip will not have to be cancelled due to forest fires, unlike the last two occasions I have visited the USA.

Well Gail, I think we have covered enough for the time being. Oh, just one final issue - I believe your friends have said they are interested in visiting historical sites along the route. Now readers of this blog will probably already have deduced that history is not your strong suit, at least not unless it involves rocks that are hundreds of millions of years old.  Might I respectfully suggest you spend some time between now and May swotting up on kings and queens and battles as so forth, to avoid being a total embarrassment as a tour guide. Look, I found this on your bookshelves - a good starting point I think...

PS I am delighted to report that, although I shall not be taking part in the bicycle tour, at least one member of the American group has stated her intention also to come to Aberdeen for the express purpose of meeting Yours Truly.

They do things differently in Edinburgh...

It is possible that life in our capital city Edinburgh is not all that it's cracked up to be.

Initially I was quite envious of Labradoodle Lily, who belongs to one of Gail's book group friends, when I heard that she and her family are moving away from Aberdeen and going to live in a nice flat in Edinburgh New Town (that's 'new' as in only about 200 years old).

I looked on the map and saw that there is a lovely park, Queen Street Gardens, right by the flat. I even found a photo on the internet.

Won't that be a splendid place for Lily to run around in, I said to Gail.

But Gail responded that life for Lily in Edinburgh would not be so simple. First of all, access to the gardens is only open to a restricted number of local property owners, and there is a waiting list. Worse, there is a SEPARATE WAITING LIST FOR DOGS.

Gail went on to say that Lily would probably have to pass an exam before gaining a key to the park, demonstrating her knowledge of acceptable social behaviour in the Edinburgh canine context, and may be blackballed by 'The Committee' anyway on account of being a non-traditional breed (the horror!) who does not attend the right doggie creche or high end grooming parlour...

OK, I think Gail was kidding me about the exam business etc, possibly having read one too many of Alexander McCall Smith's 'Scotland Street' novels.

But I have decided anyway I am quite content with life in Aberdeen.

A change of scene for Inspector Rebus?

So Gail and I travelled down to Nottingham (again), on Sunday, this time by train.

As usual, we broke the journey in Edinburgh, where Gail decided we'd go for a nice lunch rather than our customary leg stretch around Arthur's Seat.

Earlier Googling for dog friendly pubs not too far from Waverley Station had indicated the Cambridge Bar on Young Street might be worth a try.

The sign on the door said 'Dugs Welcome' and so I led the way in.

Oh isn't it brilliant when a place not just lives up to but exceeds one's expectations!

No soon as I'd trotted through the door than the young barman and barmaid came rushing to greet me.

"Oh isn't he gorgeous!  What's his name? Bertie? Would Bertie like to sit here? Shall we bring him a bowl of water? Is he allowed treats? Aw, I love his fuzzy face. Just like a teddy bear. Where does he like to be scratched? Oh don't worry about him jumping up, we don't mind at all".

And so it went on. Yummy treats for me and a 'designer burger' for Gail, who said it was fortunate there weren't too many other customers, as they might have felt a bit neglected, not to mention concerned about food hygiene standards. Personally I didn't see that as a problem.

After a most pleasant lunch hour, Gail extracted me from the cuddles of a second barmaid and we headed out again. Just down the street we spotted the Oxford Bar, which fans of Ian Rankin's crime novels will recognise as the favourite haunt of Inspector Rebus.

In my opinion, Rebus has been missing a trick all these years, ignoring the wee gem of a pub just a few paces along the road.

P.S. from Gail: for those of you concerned about Human Granny, Bertie will be posting an update shortly. Meanwhile, rest assured she is doing OK. 

WFTs come first, right?

I have to tell you that Gail is worried she was being inconsiderate to our fellow passengers on the 12:52 train from Newark North Gate to Edinburgh last Monday. In fact, she wishes to make an apology.

I have spent all week trying to tell her she did nothing wrong. Nothing at all.

I mean, how can she be to blame if the lady with the refreshments trolley was all over me like a rash no soon as she'd spotted me in the aisle (or rather, nearly reversed into me, truth to tell)?

The fact that this lovely lady, herself a wire-haired fox terrier owner, stopped to engage in a lengthy WFT-based conversation with Gail is entirely a Good Thing, in my opinion.

So what if the passengers further down the carriage were hungry and thirsty? One could say Gail did them a favour by helping them avoid the temptation to pay a king's ransom for lukewarm coffee and a tired sandwich.

The wiry theme continued when we took a break in Edinburgh to meet my pal Horatio, plus his Vizsla brother Harris and human Amanda. It was a damp and blustery afternoon for a romp up the slippery volcanic rocks of Arthur's Seat. Gail seemed particularly keen to stay away from any ponds and avoid a repeat of the Green Dog incident….

Can you tell Horatio and me apart?

The onward train from Edinburgh didn't arrive in Aberdeen until late evening and, would you believe it, just as we were about to disembark, Gail spotted a smaller version of your truly in the adjacent carriage. Turns out she is called Poppy, is eight months old, very cute (of course) and, like me, started life at Granddach Kennels.

All in all, I'd say it was a pretty perfect day. And absolutely no apologies are necessary.

A Good Team Player…or the Weakest Link?

I had a peek at Gail's email yesterday - fellow pups, don't pretend you never do the same - and was most excited to see this from one of our of the trainers at Deeside Dog Agility Club.

Hi Gail

Since you are not on Facebook, I thought I'd email you to ask whether you would be interested in being part of the Deeside team aiming to qualify for Crufts?

The format is a team of 4 dogs/handlers (+ up to 2 reserves) running an agility course in relay with the winners of the qualifying heat progressing to Crufts 2015. The qualifying heat is on Saturday 23rd of August at the Scottish Kennel Club Show in Ingliston, Edinburgh. Crufts is early March 2015 at the NEC in Birmingham. If you were wanting to be part of the team, you would be committing to attend the SKC show and, hopefully, Crufts should you qualify.

At present, the Medium team consists of Jeri + Burns, Alison + Maddie and Yvonne + Phoebe. We hope to add Denise + Scally (yet tbc) and yourself to make up the team + 1 reserve.

It should be noted that a relay is not simply about speed, with consistency and an ability to not get eliminated being important components of a good team.

Let me know what you think. I'll be at training tomorrow night so give me a shout if you want to chat it through. The closing date for entry is ~15/7.

Thanks and regards.

….

Oh my goodness I am so flattered. Imagine me at Crufts! I am going to be a star. What could possibly stop me?

You can trust my human to pour cold water on a pup's dreams of glory.

Gail is pointing out that there are rather few medium sized dogs in our club, in fact probably only five, so making the team is nothing to bark about. Also, rather nastily I thought, she mentions the minor detail that I have yet to be promoted from Grade 1, the lowest level of agility, so may not exactly be considered an asset to a team otherwise comprised of high achievers.

Still, she agreed we could take part.

Neither Gail nor I are sure of the rules for an agility relay. I will admit that at least two of the dogs in the team are, to put it diplomatically, not my best friends, and, on mature consideration, I don't think I would be prepared to engage with them in mouth-to-mouth baton passing.

Can anyone enlighten me as to how it all works?

All aboard the WFT Express!

Gail and I travelled down to Nottingham last Friday, to check up on Human Granny.

It's a long train journey, and by Montrose I'd had enough of my chew and was feeling a bit bored, so I 'suggested' to Gail that she take me a walk down the carriages, to meet and greet our fellow passengers.

Imagine our delight when we spotted this wee wiry fellow enjoying a window seat and a cuddle.

He was a bit shy at first, but  I soon won him round.

I learned that his name is Jimmy and he is twelve years old. He is quite a bit smaller than me, and has an enviably smart haircut. 

We stopped for a break in Edinburgh before heading on south. Even outside of Festival times, there are strange sights in Scotland's capital.  

I know that many of my kind friends will be concerned about Human Granny. She is doing OK, and I'll tell you more about my visit in my next post.

PS Gail, pedantic as ever, is quibbling about my title today, saying that in no way could any train between Aberdeen and Edinburgh, stopping at Stonehaven, Montrose, Arbroath, Carnoustie, Dundee, Leuchars, Cupar, Kirkcaldy and Inverkeithing, be described as an 'Express'...

Hurry up Train, I want to see HGD!

Oh I am so happy, Gail and I are heading south on the train, destination Human Granny and Grandad!

Making good progress, we are crossing the Forth Bridge already...

Stopping for a pee break in Edinburgh is all very well, but really I want to see HGD and not hang around admiring the view from Calton Hill.

Yes and the crocuses in Princes Street Gardens are a welcome sign of Spring, but let's not miss the next  train...

Ah, Torness nuclear power station. So we are headed in the right direction...

And that looks like Berwick-upon-Tweed. Hooray, we have made it into England! No passports required. Yet. 

Now we are on the outskirts of Newcastle. I wonder why Gail has grabbed my collar so tightly...

So continuing southwards,  Gail is saying "look Bertie, Durham Cathedral. One of our finest"...

Well granted it is a splendid building, but really, can we get this train moving again? I just want to see HGD...

Coming in to York now. Yes, I know Gail, another fine Minster hiding behind the trees. And not much further to go...

Oh yes, a treat is just what I need to make the landscape around Doncaster more palatable...

Woo hoo! We have finally arrived in Nottingham. I am so thrilled to see Human Granny. But where is HGD? Oh I forgot, he is in his special new home. What do you mean we can't visit until tomorrow? I'm going to look for him right now...