Menoturals; Summer Sauntering

This is a Nature Friday post; it comes with a warning against cuteness overload as it involves a rather handsome WFT...

It was a short drive from Banchory to the parking spot on the north side of the River Dee near Keith's Tower. It is a very popular spot for dog walkers, ramblers, cyclists, runners, and swimmers. As the day was one of the amazing sparklers that can occasionally happen here, the limited parking was pretty much used up. However, I timed things just right, and a lady let me know she would be moving away as soon as she could round up the five little fluffy things that were running amok! The Grey settled into that spot and decided we would stay till the following morning. 

Before then, though, Gail and Nobby were arriving for lunch and an afternoon together. I prepared a mixed salad of different leaves, including basil, tomato, and mozzarella, with olives and new potatoes (prepared in the microwave - yes, I finally got it into the van!). Once done, we wandered down through Glebe Park to the little 'beach' by the Dee. Here, Gail changed into her cozzie and had a swim (come back here on Saturday...) Nobby wasn't quite sure about that but did paddle. More importantly... so did I!!! It was a chance to try out the new water shoes.

I must say, the silty sand was slightly sucky... but I loved having my feet in the water and was a bit ropable with myself that I had forgotten to pack the brand new cozzie I had ordered from the big A. Had it not been quite so busy with multiple strangers popping out from behind bushes, quite frankly I might have stripped down to bra and pants. I've done that a few times before - indeed, even less (in OZ)! Not to worry. I enjoyed it from the sidelines...

As did Nobby. I kept waiting to see if he would swim out to Gail, but he wasn't for doing that. Instead, he wrangled a rogue branch, dunked beside me, shook beside me, and generally looked handsome as he decorated the surrounding environment.

We returned to the van for a cuppa and then took a stroll through the delightful Silver Birch forest behind Grey, which was carpeted with blaeberry bushes. Idyllic.

I slept like a log, and by nine the next morning, The Grey and I were off to our next little adventure...

... and reminding you all that next week is FFF time again already!!!