Menoxploration; travels in unknown territory

As one or two of you surmised when you read of my impending travel once more, I did indeed fit in a visit to Aberdeen and I stayed with Bouncing Bertie and his human, Gail.

It was one of those things which fell into place quite quickly, given that I had to also be in Edinburgh to assist the father for a week or so. Anyway, there was a connection and suggestion of possible visitation and we made it happen!  It is quite a palaver getting from Dunoon to Aberdeen; first the ferry to Gourock, then the train to Glasgow Central, then bus to Glasgow Queen Street; onto next train...

Don't get me started on the fiasco of that last leg. Suffice to say that despite all plans to travel well and arrive ready to run, the plan busted when the rolling stock was changed into a sardine can on wheels. Three hours of cattle-rumbling.

The highlight was finding Bertie (and of course Gail) waiting on the platform to help me out and put me back together again! Having been unable to move at all during the journey, my legs had just about seized altogether. Bertie said hello then looked like he wanted to greet everyone who dismounted - or perhaps he had the thought that perhaps he was getting to go another adventure himself! He does like trains, does Bertie.

Back at their house, I was made to feel very welcome indeed and conversation flowed free and easy. The first point of reference was of course, the blogosphere. Bertie demonstrated his deadification skills on the Westie-stuffy and stopped and gave me an appraising look every so often. Handsome and soft-natured, he made clear that Gail was his focus, though the occasional fondling from this strange aunty was okay. He let his Gail chatter away with me and kept an ear on proceedings. 

He wasn't entirely impressed, however, when I had enquired as to exactly what this 'hand stripping' involved in the matter of his coiffure. Gail decided to demonstrate. The protest was minimal, but he did put forward the query as to whether we thought he was some kind of show-dog rather than a country gent! 

It did not take long for Gail and I to connect in other areas beyond blogs and dogs. Shipping being one of those things... (stop there YAM...)

Saturday morning, we were off down to Duthie Park.  
















Having seen this featured on Bertie's blog on a number of occasions, I had wanted to make a special effort to see it for myself. It is quite magnificent. Just the wall surrounding it is impressive and there are lots of different features to keep one's interest.

Just the other side of the park and across the road, the River Dee runs strong and immediate.

I took a seat, whilst Bertie and Gail stretched off for a more vigorous few minutes together. The light, as you see, was low and somewhat gloomy, punctuated by glimpses of Mr Sun.  The wind was strong but not overly damaging.











Bertie likes to meet and greet, though he is also pretty good with 'boundaries'; it was a delight to see him enjoying his territory.

We then moved back through the park, via the boating pond and a rockery, which has yet to reach it's maturity, but lends the feeling that it could have been there for centuries...

At the gate, there was a poster warning of the arrival of Zombies in the area... it caught Bertie's interest...






























Then back at home, a cuppa and a few minutes of business in the garden...

Buried treasure perhaps?

After this, Gail and I headed off for lunch and a little harbour tour - poor Bertie was left out of this.  We got back in a couple of hours though and picked him up for an afternoon run in the car... more on that tomorrow!




(More on the lunch time tour next Tuesday...)