The Shoot
I am lucky to have relatives who manage the North Slipperfield Estate in the Scottish Borders. They are very close relatives indeed, and I am staying in my own fully equipped bothy. As I look out of my window I can see the Pentland hills, covered in a dusting of snow. The bread and butter here is pheasant shooting. Now, I wasn’t at all sure about this, but was asked if I’d like to join the last day of the season. This was a thank you shoot for the Beaters who have worked hard all season. Still, I wasn’t sure, but I thought I might get some decent pictures, and there would be plenty of dogs. There were. I helped with the preparation of food, and got caught up with the anticipation of the day. I watched the tweeds being brought out, the leather gaiters polished and guns carefully prepared. There was excitement in the air.
Decisions have to be made about where each gun (that means person and dog with gun) would stand. Easy solution is to give each one a shot of sloe gin with their number on the bottom of the glass. You have to drink it to find out your position……no sweat there then!
The well-trained dogs were just about able to contain themselves while they waited and waited for things to get going
This pretty girl managed to more or less sit still. It was hard though.
Some of the more experienced dogs waited in their vans, knowing what was coming. Very soon!
Not everyone got to go. Some were just too young, and not yet trained. Hard to resist though
Off at last! I must say, a nicer group of individuals I have yet to meet.
There is a strict code of conduct that ensures safety for the humans and humane treatment of the dogs and birds. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the shooting of the birds, but there was such an emphasis on maintaining the rules, that I relaxed somewhat.
It was cold. The guns and their dogs waited while the Beaters did their work. No one moved, least of all those dogs. It was a longer than normal wait, as it was the last day of the season.
This fellow is the number two shot in Scotland. Such a nice fellow too. His dog was perfectly behaved.
And then is was over. Birds are not carried by the feet. It’s just not done. Always by the head. I must say, I always look away on nature documentaries when creatures and birds are killed. I don’t like it. Somehow, today I grasped the whole culture of this ancient sport, and felt in no position to object. I also have to tell you that I will be cooking a pheasant dinner tomorrow night. Each to his own I say.
There is something lovely about a well-trained dog. This little boy was a star!
A Visit to the Scottish Borders
Just an 8 hour drive and I am in Scotland. I am fortunate enough to stay in West Linton with views of the Pentland Hills.
The day was cold and bright. There were dogs to be walked
Or rather, dogs to be let out to run freely
This group of Highland cattle were not much fussed about us passing by
And quite happy to pose for a portrait shot
They are lovely docile creatures
These rams have done their work this year, and it won’t be long before the results are born
This lovely lady is one of many wives. They have to be hardy to survive out here.
Snow s expected tonight.
I Went to the Animal Fair, the Birds and the Bees were There, the Elephant Sneezed and Fell on his Knees and What Became of the Monkey…………
I don’t like the idea of Zoos. But, this was a good one, and there were babies, which means there is some contentment among its residents
Mrs Giraffe had just had a baby, who wasn’t about to have her picture taken
This fellow was heading straight for me, keen to be in the shot
I don’t think the spectacled bear was happy about his situation. They are normally illusive in the rain forests of Peru
A rhino’s behind is really quite neat
These beautiful creatures don’t really belong here, but they had plenty of babies
I liked these birds a great deal. I think they are pelicans.
Elegant in the water
I’m still ambivalent about zoos, but I enjoyed Vienna Zoo. They said it was the oldest in the world. Not sure if that helps.
A British Garden
The National Trust is a very British institution. One of my favourite gardens in Nymans in West Sussex. It has everything I enjoy in a NT visit:
The building behind this sculpted hedge has no roof, but has been preserved as it stands beautifully
There is a border of bee loving flowers, that buzzes as you walk through
Flower beds are not too manicured and the colours clash beautifully
Lovely! The cream tea didn’t stay still long enough to be photographed…….
Oops who’s this? This isn’t a NT garden, it’s an allotment! How did my Grand Kitten sneak in to this post?????
These Pigs are Not for Eating
I have never really met a pig before, in the flesh (as it were). My sister has two girl-pigs who are part of the family. They are bright and funny. They play games like puppies and wag their tails when happy. They are called Badger and Bodger, or, The Fabulous Bacon Sisters. They will not be eaten. I have fallen for these two:
Five Christmas Creatures
I spent Christmas in Scotland. We stayed with my lovely sister. We celebrated with her family and other animals: Here are five of our animal relatives:
Nothing Else But My Cats
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When it’s cold outside and there’s a fire inside, what else is there to do but look at beautiful cats?
Wish I could fit in there with Tommy
This could turn ugly…….
It doesn’t. Just ear washing
And stretching….
And lying down upside down
Looking silly.
Cow Blockade
A good striding Sunday walk was brought to a halt by the girls waiting for us:
We were not afraid. But there were a lot of them. They did not move for us.
And looked. We decided to barge through them. But then changed our minds. The girls had not told us that their husband was also there…
Also looking. We took another route.
Five Dogs from Peru
The Peruvians are fond of their dogs. They don’t fuss over them like we do. The dogs seem happy and quite well cared for. They enjoyed each others company, rather than humans. Seems fair enough to me
Digging a hole in the sand is much more fun than chasing after a ball
Birds and Sea Creatures in Peru
A boat trip to islands made of bird droppings. How extraordinary. How smelly! These lovely birds live there
These pelicans are quite elegant in flight. The babies seem to be brighter in colour
Afraid we woke him up from an afternoon nap, but soon dropped off again
Blissssss!
Five Peruvian Creatures
There are fields full of lamas and alpacas in peru. They have individual faces and eye lashes to be coveted.
Some lamas are a bit tetchy. This one was spitting mad about something
The babies are sometimes used to make a bit of cash for photo shots. However, he seemed quite content in his little nest
I prefer to see animals in the wild like these camels who are a protected species…..without humps..
Alpacas wear attractive ribbons in their ears and seem to have the right of way on the roads. Thank goodness.
Five New Friends
The Scottish menagerie is expanding. Ducks, geese, a horse, and now turkeys.
This is Caspar who’s eventful birth I witnessed. He’s a gorgeous boy.
Caspar’s cousin was born a few days later, a gorgeous girl!
Indian Runners. Running.
Some geese in a hurry
Gorgeous boy
Don’t know what breed of dog this is. Quite rare I think……..
Or perhaps not. Just a naughty breed!
Five Scottish Friends
I met some new friends at the weekend. Mainly the animal variety.
This is Lamby. She decided to be a dog when her mother abandoned her. So now she lives with people, goes for walks. Soon she’s planning to have a bark installed so she can join the others.
This is Fergie. He looks lovely and clean doesn’t he???…….
Post mud bath.
A jumping bean. Midge.
That’s better. Got rid of our wooly vests.
Wish they’d do us.
Five Highland Girls
I visited my lovely sister and husband here in the Scottish Borders at the weekend. Surrounded by stunning countryside, their herd of Highland cows decorated the hills perfectly. Moses, the bull looks after his girls, resulting in the occasional birth. We were lucky enough to witness such an event in the small hours of Saturday morning. Here is baby, plus some of the girls:
This little chap is called Caspar, and had quite a struggle arriving into this world…..
Here are some of his aunties:
What gorgeous girls!
Five River Swans
I watched these swans in the river Arun. I think they were adolescents as they were a bit playful. I hadn’t appreciated how many ways they can contort their beautiful body’s. Here are five
Just landed. These two are making quite an entrance
Just got these tail feathers to do and I’m done
Can’t seem to settle into that elegant pose I found earlier
That feels sooooo good
Can’t quite remember where this foot is supposed to go
Five San Diego Dogs
People love their dogs here. There are special parks for dogs. They have fun like dogs everywhere. Here are some:
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Five or So Dogs by the Sea
Dogs make the seaside fun. They are up for a good time always, especially if it involves a beach, waves, sandy dunes and grassy paths. One day I WILL get a dog, but not quite yet. Meanwhile I will just enjoy other people’s. They don’t mind me taking their pictures at all, and pose rather nicely for me. Here’s my holiday dog collection:-
Five Nosey Cows
I’m fond of cows. Every year a little herd visits the field at the end of my garden for a few weeks. Just long enough to gather what they can reach with their long tongues through my fence. I like them so I don’t really mind them eating the last of my tomatoes
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Five Good Dogs
The plan was to walk with camera in search of dogs. The route was designed for dog spotting. What happened? No dogs. It rained and they just weren’t there. What I did see were: deer, cows, horses, sheep, sea gulls, robins, parakeets (there’s a flock of the around here) blackbirds, and I heard a woodpecker. But no dogs. So, I will find Five Good Dogs I have known and show them instead:
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This is Brek. He belongs to my sister Laurel and I am in love with him. Sorry, but I just am!
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This is Angus. He’s naughty. He just can’t help it.
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This is a delicious chocolate Boy. I don’t know his name, he was far too chilled out to tell me.
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This is one of those dogs who’s always up for a game. What ever’s going. A really good laugh as well.
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Oops! Thought this was a discussion on dogs. Oh well, a little goat could just about qualify…………..
Cold Monday
I must say, Five Good Things from a day that starts out cold and ice bound doesn’t flow well. However they are there if I look for them:
1. It’s February 1st. A new catface on my calendar. Not unlike this one which is my very own catface Jimmy
2. As I have another cat calendar at work, I can justify a picture of my catface number two Tommy
3. As the journey to work was protracted, I had the chance to listen to my new CD by Jordi Savall I heard it for the first time on Radio 3 and am very pleased I bought it.
4. It was almost light when I got to work. Later than usual, but only by a short while. That must mean the days are getting longer! They are!
5. I am half way through watching Mo in which Julie Walters is her usual wonderful self. Now off to watch the second half with a bowl of hot vegetable casserole (or two).
Snow-Cats
1. Thank you Virgin Atlantic for getting us home without a single delay. Not a one. Smooooth flight. Sooooft landing. Off plane faaast. Thank you very much!
2. Snow Cats waiting:
Leaping:
Hiding:
Just beautiful without trying much:
2. This is the nearest I will get to Golden Gate Bridge…..Golden Gate Washing Line in the snow………not safe to cross….
3. Some blooming amaryllis, still in bud when I left:
4. And another….
5. Juicy icycles:
Getting Ready
It’s dark dismal and raining. However, there are always FGT’s
- Waking up without the alarm, knowing I can go back to sleep and get up when I have had enough lovely sleep, a at least two cups of Earl Grey and two chapters of They Were Sisters. Will finish from my hotel bed in SF.
- A trip with Mandy into town to get tedious jobs done followed by some lunch of a most delicious bacon and brie sandwich of enormous proportions, then I had a scrumptious piece of caramel cake. Just limbering the digestive system up for American eating.
- Sensible packing, keeping things to a minimum to enable room for shopping which has to be done.
- Cats getting involved with packing
- I am taking Jimmy as excess baggage
