Dog-tired!!

Look at the excitement on my tired face when Miss Mel mentions the word 'walkies'. My wee paws just can't muster the energy to go another mile...



A slightly broken Finn after 3 days in the Cairngorms!

Passing Thro...

Just back from an awesome 3 days in the wild remoteness of the Lairig Ghru pass in the Cairngorms. Our idea of a doggy dream! We are in our element and at our happiest in the mountains. Enduring long days walking, across giant boulder fields, with high gusting winds, camping overnight high in the valley under the stars....

Day 1 - Sugar Bowl Carpark to Lairig Ghru.

Our day starts with a long but level-ish walk across the lower moorlands of the Cairngorms passing newly re-planted Scots Pines and the famous Cairngorm Reindeer that inhabit this protected area. Gradually we start to gain height as we head up towards the coll that will allow us to drop down into the Lairig Ghru. 

This coll is the Chalamain Gap, a break-neck boulder field that is arduous and slow-going, taking time to concentrate, so as not to loose your footing (or pawing) or a leg between the gaps... have to say, we were slightly more nimble on our toes than Miss Mel, 4-paw drive definitely has its advantages!

Finally we're back on proper path and after a quick descent to a small river crossing we head slowly but steadily further & further up into the wilderness and remoteness of the pass, eventually to highest point in the pass (835m), for a high overnite camp. After a sit down & rest and our dinner, we are ready for our beds, exhausted and glad to curl up cosy all together under canvas and out of the wind.

 Day 2 - To Corrour Bothy

Up early and although cold, the morning sunshine was stunning, lighting up the steep valley walls with a warming glow, turning the grey granite red.

Our day today takes us past the mid point of the pass in a slightly more easy going walk, still a couple of boulder fields to navigate through, but nothing like yesterday. We pass the crystal clear Pools of Dee, the source of the mighty River Dee that flows to Aberdeen, a refreshing dip then the walking heads downhill at a more gentle pace towards the Devil's Point & Corrour Bothy, a small but welcome mountain hut. 

The plan once we got to here was to head further down the pass then up onto Ben Macdui and back across the mountain tops that are the Cairngorm Plateau, but strong winds gusting to almost 60mph meant that valley walking was difficult enough never mind the exposed summits! So instead after a lunch stop we head north, back up the valley to find another wee sheltered camp spot for the night.

Tonight after the sun leaves us behind the steep imposing sides of the valley, it is much much colder, and the sky is clear of clouds as the light starts to fade. We huddle together for warmth & comfort as Mel makes some dinner, then we will get ours & after we will be ready to zonk till morning again!

Day 3 - Lairig Ghru to Sugar Bowl Carpark.

Today we are mostly tracing our steps back towards the Chalamain Gap. We leave the pass behind us, crossing the river but again because of gusting winds, we think better of down climbing the ridiculous boulder field and bear left up onto the summit of Creag a' Chalamain to avoid the Gap in the high winds.

After a brief wind-blown break to take in the view and where we have spent the last couple of days, we leave the summit. Crossing the dry semi-tundra of short wind cropped alpine plants, dropping down some 600m later to rejoin the path. A much safer route, well worth the effort for the stunning views. Finally we are on the home straight, a nice gentle meander across better paths for our sore, tired paws. A wee hour and we will be homeward bound!  

Dog Days!

Happy National Dog Day!! In celebration we headed beachward to our favourite place to enjoy the last sunshine of the day.

 

  

Canine Capers!

Happy days in the park with our favourite canine chum, Molly-dog! Her tail is like a propeller as she excitedly charges around, nose to the ground. She doesn't stay still for a second... its all go go go and even we can't keep up! However we thought we'd give her a couple of lessons in posing for the camera... its a miracle...she actually was stationary for all of 10 seconds!

  

3 Years Young!!

It's little Finn's special day today... not so wee anymore, a big 3 years old. Happy Birthday Finn, hope you have a PAWSOME day!!

 

 

Can't believe its 2 and a half years since I met my little brother for the first time, when he was just six months old. We're inseparable now!! I've enjoyed every moment of canine madness & every adventure. I can't imagine my doggy life without my side-kick.

Sheepdogs round up the Shepherd!

We just love making the most of our summer days when Miss Mel is off & we're altogether and although it wasn't as warm & sunshiney as it has been the last few weeks, it was still a really pleasant day, a wee bit of cloud and a teeny splattering of drizzle but still warm and to be honest we're kind of oblivious to the weather anyways, we're more interested in larking about in any available bit of water and legging it across the open landscape, up the hills, across the heather and through the bracken! Todays adventure took us to Glencoe and through 2 high valley passes, the Lairig Eilde & Lairig Gartain, in a 4 & a half hour circuit that surrounds Buachaille Etive Beag ('the small shepherd') which is quite apt considering we are sheepdogs! Only down side is we are now both a tad tick-tastic!

 

Overnight Adventures

Miss Mel had a rucksack packed & everything ready for a spur of the moment quick getaway & after work adventure. We headed to Bridge of Orchy, and a fast paced walk from Victoria Bridge down Glen Kinglass, navigating high river crossings with hard doggy paddling, took us to our favourite secrect camp spot at Loch Dochard, managing to setting up camp just before sunset! A quick refreshing dip in the loch followed by wild style eating. No bowls for our dinner, eating straight from the ground like our ancestors! Then falling asleep under canvas listening to the sounds of nature (and random frogs trying to join us in the tent).

  

Last time we were here, we ate outside and sat till late enjoying the quietness, until scraping sounds from behind made us turn round. Drifty boy obviously thought that was our spot on the loch shoreline outside for the night and was gathering together dried grasses & moss into a pile making a comfy wee nest area? Bless, much to his surprise the whole pack was sleeping in the tent, warm & dry & all together!

Next day we woke to sunshine and headed further along the track for a slightly slower and more relaxed walk in the glorious weather. After, Miss Mel gets packed up and ready to head back, Boooooo! We want to stay, loving the freedom and constant water near by and rocks to bark at! On the way we stop off at a gentle cascade on the river for a bit of splashing about and gorge walking... All this cool water fun is great for us in the warmth of the summer day!