Learning to swim...

"Labrador Retrievers are born water dogs. Their webbed feet and water resistant coat makes them naturals at a pool party. But wait! There's one detail you might not be aware of: puppies, even Labs, are not born knowing how to swim. You have to teach your dog how." (extract from Your Labrador Retriever Puppy)

So wait, definitely no-one told us this fact. And whilst Rowan so far has loved wading in water he's been very resistant to going out his depth. So after a very tentative couple of strokes in the Dee a week or so ago, Mummy (remember her? the reticent, not sure about dogs one - now the most protective and besotted of the lot of us one) decided to book Rowan into a doggy swimming pool.

I didn't know such things existed. Let alone that dogs needed to be taught swimming. This was entering into the bonkers zone in my book; where dogs become more pampered than anyone else in the house. I mean, I'm used to being bottom of the heap at home and I was really quite happy getting Rowan for company in the gutter. But his elevated status to pampered pooch was going against the grain. Yet off we trotted 35 minutes drive across Glasgow to the doggy swimming pool. Why the local loch wouldn't have sufficed I don't know. But there you go - that's a pampered pooch for you, flotation aid and all.

The result? Well see for yourself. After quite a lot of cajoling and persuasion, I'm still not sure he loves swimming still but at least we know he won't drown. He even managed to leave a large protest outside the pool as a reminder of his views on the matter.

Videoclip: Learning to swim...

Or you can watch the video here

Busier than ever...

Three weeks into retirement and its been somewhat busy. I've barely paused for breath. So much so that not working has barely sunk in. Still, that was really part of the plan. Part One was to enjoy the summer holidays with the kids. And I've certainly done that...particularly helped by some stunning summer weather, one fox red labrador, and a bit of a thirst to explore new ground.

We've done walks - lots of walks. Well dogs do need walking and with the sun shining we've had no excuse not to. We've done new walks in Palacerigg and Chatelherault, explored the Kilpatrick Hills a little, and tramped over some old stomping ground. I've been to gigs and the theatre, and I've also picked up my old tennis racket and been coaching Emily and her friend Mirren. And then Tanya and I jetted down south for my brother and sister-in-laws wonderful 60th birthday ceilidh. Add in a spot of gardening and a few other bits that badly needed doing. And that was quite a lot, all in the first week!

Then weeks 2 and 3 saw us head north for a summer holiday in the unexpectedly glorious sunshine, first to Banchory and then on to a lovely spot in Gardenstown on the north east coast near Banff. Banchory saw plenty of favourites - Scolty, Crathes, Glen Taner, the Dee - all wrapped up in idyllic Banchory sunshine. Then it was Gardenstown and a precarious drive along the seawall to get to our accommodation which was literally on the sea.

I'd never been to this stretch of coast before. Stunning cliffs with tiny, picturesque villages nestled at their base in bays of stone and sand. And there was not much to distract from the gorgeous views apart from picnics and bbq's on the beach, walks along the coast, surfing in the waves, eating good food, and a coffee at the imaginatively named Harbucks (complete with mock logo). Don't expect to do much else if you ever venture up there, but to be honest there's little else you need. It was a little haven of peace and tranquility in the midst of life's normal turmoil.

So nearly half way through the summer hols. Lots more to come though...I guess mid-August might see me slightly pause for breath when the kids go back to school, but for now I'm busier than ever.

First up - Chatelherault

A 60th bash to remember

And there they are in the flesh

The Banchory posse

The precarious drive along the seawall

And our cottage half way along

Crovie in the distance - the next village

Happiness with a view

Life's a balancing act

Crovie up close - accessible only really by foot

It was like being in the med

Gardenstown

Troup Head - UK's only mainland gannetry

And there they are

Round the corner

And into the caves

On the beach again

Pennan of Local Hero fame

The boy had a ball

And the girls all swam a lot

The Famous Five

With sunsets to die for

Three Fine Ladies