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

A busy day in the office

I think if I practised my typing skills a little more, then I could well make a success of this office based work.  Hang on - someone is on the dog and bone - must go.

Leisure time photos

Sunday chill out

I was up early this morning, and was going to go for a walk around the botanic gardens - autumn is here and I wanted to bury my nose in the golden leaves.  Alas, no furry creatures allowed.  Can you believe it - a massive woodland park but no dogs.  Dan wanted to pretend he was blind and play the guide dog card, but even I couldn't pass for a labrador.

Instead we went to Inverleith Park - I had heard they do Army bootcamp training on a Sunday, so I got dressed up all ready to go.  Dad would have been so proud of me in my alternative combats - I would have complimented him in his stag do outfit.

The rest of Sunday was spent finalising some last minute things for Ann and Dan's wedding next week.  I tried on my outfit - even though I'm still waiting for my invite.

 

Anyway mum and dad, I hope you're still having a lovely time in Italy, less than a week to go until I can tuck into that pedigree chum flavoured pizza you're going to bring me home.  woof woof

Lazy weekends

Hmmmmmmm - Dan was out on the piss last night with the boys he works with and didn't get up til midday, so all my walking was done by Ann.  We spent some time in the garden though in the afternoon - I helped with the digging.  First of all I tried the fork,

but later I found my nose was better for the job.

I went to the park

couldn't decide what to play, Rugby or.....

tennis.

In the end I thought I would feed the swans

Holiday - what holiday

I've been scratching my head today trying to work out how being away on holiday can be so tiring.  I thought I was going to be able to put my paws up for a couple of weeks, but Ann and Dan are having none of it.  It's like I'm on a training camp !!!!!  But to be fair - I'm loving all the attention.

so today started with a fabulous walk over onto Crammond Island

The tide was on it's way out, but only just - in a couple of places we had to paddle through water to get over - this made it all the more exciting.

Once over, we walked to the top of the hill - look at the views - that's the mainland over there, and you can see the causeway over

And turn around,look west, and there's the Forth road bridge - I may have to walk over there some day

At the far end of the island, there's the old gun implacements.  Ack ack ack - fire in the hold - reminds me of Nam

on the way back - the crows were abundant - but I still haven't worked out how to pluck them out of the air - one day, one day

later in the day Dan was pruning the trees - I helped of course (or was I a hindrence ?)

wow - what a day.

Up early this morning, and went all the way along the coast up to Crammond Island - and then back again!  Met loads of new doggie friends.  Then I helped to cut the grass and sweep up leaves, not only at home, but also down at the old ladies house down the road. 

Watched Dan, chop down some branches, and then mend the guttering on the balcony, and then went out for a run with Ann.

I am absolutely knackered - perhaps it'll be a lazy day tomorrow ?

Pen to paper

Today, the guys were both at work for a short time, so to while away the morning I thought I'd write a letter to mum and dad.  I found an envelope and a couple of pens, but things went .......... well a little wrong in my letter writing dexterity. 

Everything would have been fine, but they'd put the waste bin out of reach, and I couldn't hide the evidence - bugger !!!!!!!!!

Easy living

Well after a couple of hours of whining dowstairs last night, I managed to kip on the floor in the bedroom, although I am sure that this won't last.  Ann's a bit soft, but Dan's gonna take some more of my cunning tricks to win around - woof woof.

Up at the crack of dawn this morning, Ann was off to Glasgow first thing and Dan had me out pounding the local area.  I wonder when Mum and Dad will return - at first I couldn't see any light at the end of the tunnel, but then ............................

- yep - there definitely is light.

We went down to the jetty again - for such a dinky dog, I do have an awfully large shadow - woof woof

Oh I do like to woof beside the seaside, oh I do ..................................

The Big A

The Big A - but what does the A actually stand for.  We had incorrectly assumed that it was for Archie - well that's his name and would appear to make perfect sense, but tonight after returning home we discovered that the A must be for ANDREX.  One roll shredded good and proper.  Better than any labrador puppie could ever do.  It's a good job I wasn't busting for a dump !!!!!!!

Doggy holidays

Hmmmmm - Mum and Dad have gone off to eat pizza and pasta for a week whilst washing it down with a fine Chianti (or two).  They've been and left me behind - the bloody cheek of it - I'd love a 12" margherita myself.

They've trusted my well being to Dan and Ann and dropped me off there today.  To be honest I sulked a little after mum and dad went.  It didn't last too long though and we went for a quick walk down on the seafront - Who needs to go to the Med for sun and luxury yachts eh

If you're reading this Mum and Dad, then enjoy your trip

Woof woof