Hounds of the Highlands - 19th August

It's been a busy time - lots of visitors and a new flue for the Aga.  We have always thought that it smelt a bit  but it got a lot worse.  The chimney sweep was unable to sweep it and in the end we had to have it replaced completely.  It was apparently fitted upside down and had a 90 degree bend in it in the roof space so over the years had blocked completely.  Not good!  Anyway Maja thought that the large bags of vermiculite were very comfy and warm.  She got chased off them when she started to chew a hole in the bag!

 Another favourite sleeping spot - the scrabbled up rug!

If I forget to push my chair in at my laptop she gets up on the chair  for a nose and pinches my specs or computer mouse.  Mouse no 2 is looking very chewed - one more chewing and I think it will have to be replaced.

Hamish prefers the comfort of a soft cushion!

Not often Maja is suspicious of anything but this rotten ribcage (deer I suspect) was approached with great caution.  However two minutes later she found the skull which I had to prise out of her mouth.  The difference being ? - who knows!

Visited my mother in Portsoy for a couple of nights. This was Maja's first time away and her behaviour exceeded all expectations.  I did, however, take her into my room at night in case she chewed anything in the kitchen.  The first night she slept on her bed on the floor until 6am.  She was woken by a neighbour leaving for work - an unexpected noise to her as we don't have close neighbours at home.  The she realised that I was in bed, leapt up and was so excited that I was serenaded with some canary noises!  Once she realised I was noted amused she snuggled in and was very happy. The next night she lasted on the floor until 1am!  She is still very cuddly though I am not sure I appreciate a lick and thump of tail every hour, or it seemed like that!

Portsoy has a lovely old harbour and  a film company was there filming the new version of Whisky Galore.  Every man and his dog was there too watching what was going on.  The wedding scene was being filmed when we were there and apparently the filming went on until one in the morning.

The weather for the two days was probably the best of the summer - it has been awful here so we had a walk down to our favourite beach, Sunnyside, where we spent many a happy summers day in the past.  They were in a hurry to take in the hay as rain was once again forecast.

The dogs had a lovely time running in and out of the water seeing who could get the stick first.

                                                       Even Kobe joined in!

And Hamish says -"don't even think about pinching it"

We are also having a window knocked out and a door put in - there is no back door in the house at present so will make a huge difference.  Maja as always was in the thick of it!

And finally I found these two photos of Hamish and Kobe when they were young so thought I would  include them for fun!

Hounds of the Highlands - 8th August

A few weeks since my last blog.  Maja continues to grow up the way, without growing out the way so is looking a bit too thin.  But, she's a young,healthy dog who eats anything and everything so hopefully as she matures she will put on  a bit of weight.  She still enjoys life to the full and still continues to be exceptionally naughty at times.  She chewed a favourite cardigan of mine yesterday and I was not amused especially as it was left in the middle of the table where I thought it was out of reach.  You live and learn!

The wild honeysuckle gives off the most wonderful perfume in the woods at the moment so was worthy of a photo.

Double trouble - just been off after a scent, presumably a deer!

At the Turriff Show last weekend, Kobe and Hamish have been there, done that, so are happy to snooze, but for Maja there is too much going on for shut eye.

Friends visited this week with there dog Ben.  Kobe gave him a grump when he arrived just to let him know who was boss and not another word was said.  Hamish too was remarkably good.  A few grumps over bones, car etc but nothing really.  Maybe instead of ageing into a 'grumpy old man', Hamish has finished with his grumping and is mellowing in his old age.  I tried him at some small agility the other week and he loved it, off the lead with five other dogs he had never met, and not a grump from any.  Hamish was too focused to even sniff another dog!  I might give it a try again - we shall see.

Anyway Ben seemed to enjoy his holiday and was quite happy to join the other three on their walks without his family which was nice.  He and Maja were good pals and had a few play sessions and games of chase.

The field is needing cut but the grass does look lovely in the evening sun and the paths are still looking beautifully neat!!

A view of the hedge for those who are familiar with it.  It is sprouting nicely, probably helped by the wet, dull weather we have had for most of the summer!