There's trouble in the Highlands

Disturbing evidence from NASA satellite imagery has revealed a drastic change over the last couple of days with carbon degradation in the areas surrounding Lochaber, allied with a massive carbon hotspot right in the heart of Glencoe.

As a result, the Forestry Commision has employed the finest in investigative detectives to get to the bottom of the problem.  So the great Sherlock Bones has been padding around the local forests to understand the scale of the issue and look for evidence.

Sherlock has concluded that bloody city types have moved into the area and have taken the idea of self sufficiency in there heating to an unsustainable level.  Their wood pile is huge and growing daily.  However, this could not be achieved solely by an enthusistic couple alone.  They must have had an accomplice.  In steps Archie, the lumber dog.  The finest of wood collectors in the land.

Hey mum - Hey dad - A night up the Clachaig awaits tonight, a hobbit folk band are playing, can't wait - I just hope I don't have to get dressed again - you never know up in these parts - it could be a tranvestite hobbit band, and I really don't think I'd look good in Ann's fishnets - Yikes

Another day in the Glen

Don't get me wrong, I really do love coming to visit Ann and Dan, but it can be a bit of a strange experience.

For starters, Ann just wants to cuddle me all the time.  I'm quite happy, sitting on the rug in front of the sofa, but she insists on getting me on the couch so I can be meticulously tickled, stroked, brushed and tickled some more.  Some dogs like this, but Jeeez - give it a rest woman.

There I was curled up last night, in between the pair of them, getting warmer by the minute, and Dan decides to have a wee snooze strechting himself out and blocking me in - sweating my paws off I was, and Ann couldn't work out why I retired to the coolness of the hallway.

And then there's Dan.  He has this mad fixation with wood at the moment.  And I'm not talking about the fact that Ann has been working away a lot and he's more then excited when she comes home. 

No - the man is obsessed with collecting firewood for his logburner.  Last nights walk saw the pair of them take me out for a cracking walk up around the lochan, and then follow the more adventurous yellow trail.  I thought it wierd that they both went out carrying their 80 litre rucksacks, both empty, until I realised what they were up to.  They had found a stash of rather chunky pine trunks, about 3ft in length, and stashed them in thier rucksack.  I mean, there was enough wood there to keep Windsor castle warm for a week.  And off they both stumbled, fully laden back to the house.  And if that's not enough, Dan did the same again this morning with me.

It's like being out with Ray Mears all the time - all I'm waiting for now it to be dressed up in a lumberjack shirt, have a bow saw stuffed in my mouth and be sent out in the woods to do my own chopping - in time, in time.

But to be fair, this mornings walk was another cracker.  Dan took a route completely off the trail and through the forest, neatly following the contour around and emerging in exactly the place he wanted to - not sure if it was more luck than judgement, but it was cracking all the same.  The rutting deer were out in force this morning - not sure what all the fuss is about - they just sound like cows to me.  Mooooooooo

Anniversary fun

Mum and Dad, (Nick and Pam for those who don't know them) are coming up to their 2nd wedding anniversary and once again, I've been handed over to the Parry household for a long weekend.  Yep - anniversary's are that time to get all mushy and romantic, box of chocolates, bottle of bubbly, weekend away, a bit of nooky without the kids and the pets around - what makes them think I want to watch all that anyway.  But some chocolates ............ummmmmm

Anyhow, I'm more that happy to be checking out the new Parry pad up in Glencoe.  Headed here last night.  Mum and Dad have this new thing of drugging me before I head into the car - personally I think a double scotch would be better, but what the hell sort of tablets they gave me last night I can not imagine.  For nearly 3 hours I must have been dreaming the worst of doggy dreams, the rain was teaming down, Ann was driving on the wrong side of the canal all the way at only about 30 knots - oh hang on a minute, perhaps that's because the weather was so awful, and the roads were flooded most of the way.  I know she should have taken the landie, or a boat.

But we got here safe, and up early this morning for a mighty fine walk - up through the forest, around the lochan and not a single duck chase - I can sometimes be good !!!!

The autumnal colours are superb - I think I may have to do a runner so Ann can't take me back on Sunday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

weekend at the in-laws

Mum, Dad and bump have buggered off down the smoke for the weekend, and not wanting to sit on a boring train for hours on end, I opted for an activity weekend at the Parrys.

A nice and relaxed Friday, curled up on the couch was all that was required the night before a big day in the hills. 

Another couple of munros were bagged, Sgairneach Mhor and Beinn Udlamein, check out the video of me on the summit.

The wildlife was abundant too - some great to watch from a distance like the big herd of deer on the ridge, some nice to lick like the toad I found (a bit too rubbery to eat I thought), and some nice to chase - nearly got a hare, well nearly was within about 2 meters, and very nearly got a grouse before the lead pulled me back - now that was within about 3 inches - I definitely would have had him but for the lead - grrrrrrrrrr

As always, a big day on the hill is followed by a few pints, and this was no different - off to the Starbank for a few swift ales.  I was a bit knackered, so I fell asleep under the table after about 2/3 of a pint - honest it was down to being tired and nothing to do with being pissed.

as you can see - I was still tired when I got home - along with Dan (who was pissed I think - couldn't be like it myself).

Return of the Mack

well here we are again - party time at the Parry household.

I was dropped off at about 9:30 this morning and thought I could have at least the morning curled up in my bed taking a rest.  Well, that Dan is a real slave driver and had me on the go straight away.  Whoever told him I was a dab hand at joinery will have me cocking my leg on them.  But I had a quick go with the circular saw........

and then the router - what a cracking job I did - even if I do say so myself.

the afternoon was spent chasing around the garden for my frisbee - Dan just doesn't have the pace nowadays to keep up with me.

Well - I eventually managed to get him to head down the road to the Starbank.  I met a few foxy chick dogs down there - I'm not sure what the doggy term is for a MILF, but I met a grey whiskered cougar down the who kept licking my ears !!!!! - I was happy with that until the young russian husky minx came sniffing me - she was HOT - but Ann kept the lead taught - Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr



High Altitude Climbing

Mum and dad have been pondering on climbing Aconcagua in South America.  I hope they've sorted out my pet passport by then - I really fancy cocking my leg up there !!!  I wonder if I can get a 800 fill down doggy suit????

Mum was trying on Ann's high altitude boots, Millet Everests I think they were called

I find these a little on the garish side - I'm more a Scarpa Vega sort of pooch

Wedded Bliss - everyone's at it !!!!

Well - it's been a while since I've had the chance to update you on my adventures.  Mum and Dad came home from their honeymoon in Italy - so much for the promise of a pedigree chum flavoured pizza.  I bet they ate it on the plane on the way home - grrrrrr.

They did take me up to Ann and Dan's wedding in Ballachulish though.  I wasn't invited to the ceremony, but managed to sneak into the photos.  I must be a better looking dog than I thought, as everyone wanted to hold me, but I saved all that for the Bride who looked particularly hot - WOOF WOOF