The Cobbler

Well, the weather this Autumn has not been the best. Rain rain and more rain for the most part, but that hasn't stopped us getting our fill of fresh air and mountain fun. Today saw us heading up one of our favourite hills just over an hour away in the Arrochar Alps. A reasonably steep but quick hike up through the trees brings us out into the high valley floor of Allt a' Bhalachain with misty views of The Cobbler (Ben Arthur), Beinn Narnain & Beinn Ime, We had only been on the trail for little over an hour and already we were covered paw to tail in mud!!

Heading towards the misty summit

The muddyness didn't get any better but we still had a top day on the hill, running thro the valley, scrambling the rocky scree and using our noses for all the mountain sniffs. 

 

Glen Sligachan

More grey, wet and misty weather today but not lacking in another very very soggy adventure!! We packed up the car with lunch and the bike and headed to the great Sligachan glen for some long muddy trails with Mel and her mountain bike.

 

We were all as wet and caked in mud as could be but still we found fun in every little burn, puddle and bog!! If you're already wet, you can't get any wetter... right?

Who could resist this face even when wearing a bog!

Loving every second of this day in amongst the mountains. Keeping up with the mountain bike was great fun, energetic and tiring but a great way to expel some of our boundless energy. We were two extremely happy, content and tired mountain mutts after 4 hours of trail balzing!

 

Fairy Pools

Our first day on Skye and we headed out in damp and misty weather for a wee adventurous wander upto the mystical Fairy Pools. Nestled quietly in the foothills of the Cuillin mountains, we found these deep crystal clear waters irresistable for a doggy paddle and a swim around... but soon we were on our way and trailing along a rocky path and towards the hills.

We love running around sniffing and exploring, in and out of every bit of water... an having all this mountain space to ourselves. Fresh air in our panting lungs, wind in our faces and rough terrain under our muddy paws! 

Soon the path was less obvious and we started to make our own trail towards the hills and scrambled across the boulder fields. Easy peasy for us mutts with 4-paw drive... not so easy for our human!!

Finally, after a long steep climb we arrived on a flattish plateau, a col before the rest of the ascent but a good resting spot for a breather, a tasty treat and to take in the view. The mist was just hanging around at this height, shrouding the rest of the mountain from sight, but we caught an occasional glimpse of the dark grandeur of The Black Cuillin as they are known... easy to see why in this atmospheric weather.

Autumn Afternoons

Autumn this year has been stacked full of sunshine and beautiful warm golden colours and our local country park is looking awesome. There is still a lot green left in the trees too and we love nothing more than our late afternoon wanders through the woodlands with the sunlight filtering through the fading canopy. Our favourite kind of fun at this time of year is running and chasing through the woodlands, kicking up all the fallen leaves in a whirlwind of canine capers!!

Whizzin' up the Whangie! (& a taste of winter on the way)

We were blessed with yet another beautiful Autumn day of crisp blue skies and sunshine with just the teeniest hint of warmth left in its rays. So, we all headed up to the Kilpatrick Hills for a quick blast, trail-running up the path to the summit of Auchineden Hill, a mere 357 metres, but a wee hill none the less. 

The path is a slow gradual climb to a pretty featureless plateau summit but the most fun is passing through the pinnacles and rocky cleft of The Whangie... a slice of hillside that is separated from the main slope. We stopped for a quick breather, some rather rugged looking posey photos amongst the rocky outcrops and of course a ponder looking out at the most amazing view, taking in Loch Lomond & the Trossachs with the Arrochar Alps beyond and Dumgoyne & the Campsie Fells.

And the reward... a beautiful crystal clear day with 360 degree views all around. But not for long... dark clouds are gathering around the mountains of the Lomond & Tossachs National Park and moving pretty swiftily in our direction so time to get a trot on and a quick trail run retracing our steps off the hill. In the end those clouds brought HAILSTONES... and although the day was glorious and warm for a time.. winter is definitely just around the corner!! 

The Watcher II

Ever get the feeling you're being watched?

The Trouble With Sticks...

One morning Finn awoke to a tennis ball swelling on the side of his neck just underneath his jaw line!! The day before he had been pottering about on the undergrowth and so there was potential for a wasp sting? After a couple of days the swelling had not lessened and in fact Finn managed to scratch and burst it open... so with a horrible mixture of blood and puss running down his neck...instant panic ensued... and a quick dash to the vet immediately.  

The vets take on it was the possibility of a splinter from a stick had gone through his soft jowels from the inside of his mouth and lodged somewhere in his neck. A course of antibiotics and all should be well. Initially it healed up well but then the swelling started to fill up again... so back to the vets we go. This time they decided that the best course of action was to give Finn an anaesthetic, open up the area, investigate and flush out. No particles were found , it seemed that the area and flesh underneath was still inflamed and irritated from the infection, so another couse of antibiotics and all should be well!! Pheeeewwww!!

Only down side is that poor Mr Finn has to wear the plastic lampshade... otherwise known as 'the cone of shame', and be butt of humiliation for other fit & healthy dogs!! He is not a happy pup!! :-(