Spring Break

Last few days of our holidays left and decided to head up the North West coast with Mr C to a wee off the beaten track place called Applecross. Our home for a couple of nights was a cool wooden wigwam... which is cosy and offers more protection from the elements than proper camping at this time of year. But, in actual fact the temperatures were surprisingly warm up in this part. On our arrival we were greeted with blue skies, a very pleasant 16 degrees and a whole empty camp site to run about on... bliss!  

This area is full of secret woodlands, hidden beaches & rugged coastline to explore so after off-loading our kit and camping gear we went in search of some sandy bay. It was so great to run about and stretch our legs after being stuck in the car for a few hours. We love this outdoor life, having all this to enjoy on our doorstep. 

We relish being outdoors all day... after our beach walk and a swim in the sea to refresh ourselves we had another walk up the hill and through the woodlands beside the campsite... we sat out side for dinner and after ... before settling in for the night... another wander down to the village and along the coast road. Even met one of the locals... poor soul, old and stiff and mostly blind but still happy and friendly.

Finally, after 5 hours of travelling, 3 walks, a swim and running around the quiet camp site for the rest of the time... its bedtime!! 3 completely pooped pups... we couldn't keep our eyes open any longer. We fall asleep dreaming of running about today and look forward to tomorrow's adventures in the sunshine.

Spring Snow & Sunshine

A beautifully sunny few days saw us planning an early 6am start to head for the mountains and make the most of this feel good spring weather. We headed for Glen Nevis which, at the start, is a reasonably short and easy walk that takes you from the head of the glen, through the gorge and out into a high valley. From that point you can basically walk as far as you want. 

The path leads you through the valley, gently meandering and following the Water of Nevis and through the foothills of the mighty Mamore mountains. The valley walk gives a few different options... the main route takes you west through to Loch Treig and eventually Corrour station via a bothy stop... or south to Blackwater Reservoir then Kinlochleven. The route we took takes you around the Mamores and eventually to 2 lochans, Eilde Beag & Eilde Mor.

We are really in our element out in the wilderness with no limits or boundaries. We can explore for as far as the eye can see. We run through the bogs, chase and race each other along the track and scent new smells along the way. We sit and take in the nature of our surroundings, watch the clouds, listen to the wind, smell the deer in the air. We paddle and swim in the chill of river's melt water and roll and pounce in the snow!! We love love love it and our tails don't stop wagging for a single second!!

Even though the spring sunshine was shining its rays with all its might, the mountains are still looking epic cloaked in their winter white. The corries and gullies are all majorly packed with a huge amount of snow. Doesn't look like that's going to disappear any time soon. Reckon there will still be snow at mid-summer! 

We were walking just at the beginning of the snowline so it wasn't deep & didn't affect our walk. Just a light dusting at our level, about 400m, but so beautiful to see all around us. A couple of snow showers past through quite quickly during our day... just to remind you of the winter chill and conditions when the sun isn't shining, still a cold bite in the wind. But as soon as they past and the sun reappeared, you could feel the warmth of the rays and spring is definately here!

It was a really stunning day out, probably the best all winter, and after wandering happily for 28 kilometres through the valley, we were all exhilirated and exhausted in equal measures. Relieved to rest our paws and head for home!

Windswept!!

Mucky Pups

Spring in our step...

Our daily walk is showing the first signs of Spring and we enjoyed it in glorious sunshine today! The snowdrops & crocuses are laid in carpets of colour under the trees, the daffodils are up and ready to burst into full bloom, there's pretty pink blossom in the Cherry trees, everything's getting greener and ready to spring into life again... and there's some warmth in the sunshine!!

Frolicking with the flowers.

Almost warm enough to sit at our wee tree and soak up some sunshine!

Snow Much Fun!

Snow bound roads & paths... winter white landscapes... icy cold blizzard winds... sound bleak?? No way!! Perfect conditions for plenty of crazy doggy excitement & exstatic fun. The snow brings a whole new heightened state of exhileration to a wintery walk in the wilderness... its electrifying... new smells... new sensations... new adventures!! Just one member of the doggy duo missing... Drifty-boy... but Finn has his besties for company again, Miss Molly & Curious Cuillin!

Bounding through the drifts, chasing each other is so much fun and our inquisitive little cold noses pick up every scent to follow and trail back & forth across the path, through the trees and up & down the snow-packed bankings.

Meeting the locals!

Poor little Mollydog struggled at a few points with snow clankers building up on the her soft feathery tummy & leg hair. At a few points she looked like the abominable snowman and we had to break the hard packed icy snowballs from her fur before she was carrying her own weight in snow!! But after a certain point, once out in the open of the glen, the snow changed in texture becoming more dry and crystalline and less wet and sticky so it was no longer a problem... I wonder if its possible to get anti-balling plates for dogs?

A wee sensory bonus on the way back. We ended up following the tracks of a stalker's quad-bike with the fresh scent of venison blood to follow... all of a sudden the rest of the walk was very focused... and quiet... i'm sure the dogs expected to find their dinner at the end of the trail!!

2 Mutts & Their Mates...

What could be better than a day at the beach after being off my paws for a few weeks? Well.... a day at the beach with all my bestest canine chums of course!! First time for about 10 weeks i've been able to have a proper run around, stretch my legs, feel the wind in my fur and the freshness of the waves... and cause some chaos with Finn, Cuillin & Mollydog!

Concentrating Cuillin.

Mollydog chasing waves!

Last paddle before sunset.