Life in the old dog yet

Come on Gail, let's not dilly dally!  I want to get to the top of the hill to see the heather.

Pretty, isn't it?

OK, that's enough photos, now I'm off to see what's further down the path...

Isn't life exciting! 

PS from Gail: After a bad patch earlier in August, for the moment Bertie seems to be doing a bit better. Plus, I am getting smarter about managing his 'peeing issues', which helps a lot!

Camouflage?

It's been cold and grey in Aberdeen this week, and I have spent much of the time snuggled up on the sofa beside Gail, closely monitoring the progress of her latest knitting project.

Hmmm, it seems that Gail has started on a new jumper for herself. The colour reminds me of our Scottish landscape in August, when the hillsides are resplendent with the purple glow of heather.

I wonder if Gail intends this new garment as camouflage? With a fair wind, she should have it ready to wear for when the heather comes into bloom later this year! 

I too would like a purple sweater - perfect attire for a spot of deer stalking, don't you think?

Happy Nature Friday friends! Here are some more old pictures of me out and about in the heather-clad hills.

Thank you once again to the LLB Gang for hosting this our favourite blog hop. Do jump aboard! 

A very special walk up Morven

Just over a month ago (July 2nd to be precise) Gail disappeared off for the day with some of her oldest friends. I was most put out later to learn that they had all been for a walk up Morven, one of my favourite hills, and was not at all satisfied by being told it had been a "very special walk" and that my presence that day would "not have been appropriate".

Well I'm pleased to report that this weekend Gail decided to revisit Morven. This time I was allowed to accompany her and along the way I learned a little about the earlier "special walk".

It was disappointing to have to start off on the lead. Gail seemed to think I might chase after the sheep in field at the base of the hill, but I only wanted to commiserate with them over their terrible haircuts.

I regained my freedom when we started climbing the steeper slopes. I even stopped to pose in the heather, although, not being a Westie, this is not part of my contract.

Near the top Gail told me that the "special walk" in July had been to scatter the ashes of her dear friend Kate, who passed away earlier in the year in Australia, but who wanted to be laid to rest on this particular Scottish hill. A group of nearly twenty, led by Kate's husband Henry, had taken part in a simple but unforgettable goodbye ceremony on the windswept summit, on what would have been the twenty fifth anniversary of the only wedding at which Gail was ever a bridesmaid. 

In the summit cairn there is a visitors book, hidden in a waterproof plastic box, behind a wooden door.

Gail showed me what was written on 2nd July 2013.



After adding a brief note to record our visit today, we headed back down.


An off piste diversion to chase some noisy, low flying grouse (I SO nearly got 'em) led to an awesome patch of ripe cloudberries.



Gail would have been picking them all afternoon had I not pointed out the deteriorating weather conditions and that she already had enough for a nice 'multekrem' anyway.


Luckily we made it back to the car before the rain set in. Although not before I had been required to do yet more posing in the heather...

PS from Gail: Thank you for all your wonderful suggestions for a hard hat for Bertie. Please keep them coming!

All around the bloomin' heather

O the summer time has comeAnd the trees are sweetly bloomin'And the wild mountain thymeGrows around the bloomin' heatherWill ye golassiego?
Chorus:And we'll all go togetherTo pull wild mountain thymeAll around the bloomin' heatherWill ye golassiego?
You know the folk song don't you? Gail was humming it (out of tune) as we walked around Millstone Hill yesterday. You'll be better off with the Corries' version: 

But where is my lassie?

If only Addi were here....(sigh).

Un Poseur? Moi?

I can't believe that Gail has just accused me of being "a bit of a poser these days". After all the time and energy she's devoted to cajoling me into standing or sitting still in front of the camera in suitably scenic spots.

There's just no pleasing some folk.

So, what do you think, based on these pictures mostly taken last weekend over at Loch Torridon?

Me, standing proud in front of Beinn Dearg

Me, the first Autumn crocus and Hamish's memorial stone

Me, besides the exuberant waters of Abhainn Coire Mhic Nòbuil

Me, admiring the ever splendid view of Loch Torridon from the cottage garden

Me, lit by a shaft of sunlight, waiting to be taken outside to do more posing

Me, showing my appreciation of the Torridonian Sandstone

Me, in reflective mood in the cottage garden

Me, in guard dog pose (scared, aren't you, sheep?)

Me, the centrepiece of a stereotypical Scottish composition involving heather and mountains

Me, in the heather again (eat your heart out, Westies!)

You have to admit, I'm getting rather good at this posing lark, even though I say so myself.

Oh what's this? Gail is saying perhaps I might consider modelling some cute wee outfits then, like so many of my bloggie pals.

NO NO NO NO NO !!!

Quelle horreur.