Skywatch Friday and True Colours Thursday

I'm combining two memes in today's post, although both fit in with Skywatch.



I'm a bit late for True Colours, it's rainbow this week and I didn't think I had anything suitable to post but then I remembered this shot. It was taken a couple of summers ago when we camped at Shiel Bridge. We weren't alone, at least a million midges kept us company. As we stood admiring the view out over the Five Sisters of Kintail, we watched the rain cloud sweeping up the loch, bringing the rainbow(s) with it. And probably a million more midges.

To see more rainbows, go on over to Blue's blog.




We're now into May so it's quite fitting that this sunset was taken in that month, albeit a few years ago now. It's taken from our back garden, looking over the houses to a glimpse of the sea. I haven't altered the image, this is just how it looked.

Visit Skywatch Friday for more glorious skies.

Black and white time again

Fishing boats at Mallaig

To see more monos, or even join in, head over to Aileni's blog

Nala Paws It Forward

There was excitement in our house today when A Paw It Forward parcel arrived from Nala (with a bit of help from her mum, Amber) all the way over in America! Jana and the paps couldn't wait to investigate, as you'll see from the photos below, some of which are a little blurry I'm afraid but that was down to the flurry of activity!

Jana's keen to get unwrapping

There was a lot of interest in what was inside!

There was this great hedgehog toy, complete with furry, squeaky eggs which you stuff inside and which the dogs have a fun time trying to remove..........

..........I've never seen anything like it before and the dogs loved it!

There was also some very tasty salmon treats, the perfect size for training

There was a lovely card and photo of Nala and also some scrummy blackberry tea cookies for LSH and me......I can't show you those because they were so nice that we ate them all!

Louis has the hedgehog whilst Rosa gets one of the eggs

Pansy thinks the eggs are just as good as her green ball

I hate to say it but the hedgehog is looking a little alarmed

Jana couldn't wait to have a play........

...........and she managed to get one of the eggs out!

I think she has a taste of those salmon treats

Hebe checks to see if anything got left in the parcel

Mmmmmm! Yummy salmon!

Jana practises her catching skills with the treats. Click on the photos to see in more detail

Sucked in cheeks just before her mouth opens. It looks like she has no teeth!

Caught it!!
Although she is quite good at catching them, I had to take many photos to get this sequence. Jana wasn't complaining as it meant she got more of the treats!
The dogs really enjoyed them, if I can't find them in this country then maybe I'll have to look into getting a supply sent over!


Thanks very much Nala and Amber for the lovely gifts, they've gone down a storm!


Would you like to join in for Paw It Forward? Here are the rules. "The exchange focuses on doing an act of kindness without expecting anything in return other than that the recipient will, in their turn, pass the kindness along and 'paw it forward' in their own way. This is how it works...we are going to agree to send something fun, inspiring or uplifting to the first 3 blog owners who post a comment on this entry. In turn you will then post about this on your blog, link to us, then send something to the first three people who sign up to play along through your blog. There are no cost restraints, BUT don't go crazy! The little something you send can be something you made, bought, were given or found. No biggie, just a gift that will make the person smile. Maybe something unique from where you live? And, remember that kindness doesn't have to involve money; there are untold ways to help others every single day, everywhere you go - just look around." SO PAW IT FORWARD...


If you are one of the first three to comment and would like to take part then send me an email with your address. My profile contains a link to my email.

Skywatch Friday

I love these wispy type of clouds, which I think are commonly known as 'mare's tails'.

To see fabulous skies from all over the world, go to Skywatch Friday.

A couple of castles for Mono Maniacs

Duffus Castle has appeared on my blog before, it's a favourite place of ours. Although it's an ancient ruin, built in 1151, this doesn't detract from its appeal and I think it has great photographic possibilities.

A bit further away from here, on the edge of Loch Ness, is Castle Urquhart. Another in ruins but equally interesting. The best view of it is from the actual loch.....but since I haven't got one from that angle, you'll have to make do with this one!
To see more monochromes click here

Easter, four generations and fourteen dogs

At last I've managed to catch up with Easter. I did try yesterday but Blogger was not being very co-operative so I gave up. Prepare yourselves for a mammoth post as there are quite a few photos! I was quite ruthless and plenty ended up on the cutting-room floor, this still left me with loads but I like them all, and it's my blog, so post them I have. I warn you now, there is much running of dogs........with a handful of humans mixed in for good measure.

Ian, Lynne and grandson Euan came to stay for a few days and brought the collies, Sam, Jura and Kyloh, along with them. My sister Paula, her husband Julian, Alex and Lewis, my niece and nephew, plus Jake the puppy vizsla, came up too but they all stayed at my mum's house. It's just as well we have the two houses as it makes family visits a lot less cramped. When we all got together there were four generations of my family and fourteen dogs between us!

The weather was wonderful almost every day the visitors were here and we had some lovely walks together. Euan is now toddling but not all the time, hands and knees are still his preferred method of moving about. He did manage to walk from one side of the sitting-room to the other a few times and he was also tackling bends occasionally. The paps and Jana have never really had much to do with children but it hasn't taken them long to discover just how great toddlers are.......especially at meal times! Euan thought it was great fun to share his toast with them. He had a pack of paps sat around him and he had their complete attention! Dog handler in the making.

Now for the photos (remember you can click on them for a larger view).

Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin.

Toffee in sprint mode

A run in Roseisle woods.
Jura, Ky and Sam take the lead with Jake close behind

My mum's little Lia sorts out Jake

The three collies after a dip in a very dirty and smelly ditch

Seeing as we only have a shower, Euan makes do with a splash in the kitchen sink

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We visited the whale and dolphin centre at Spey Bay one day. The dolphins are often spotted at the mouth of the river and ospreys can be seen fishing there too. We weren't lucky enough to see anything though, maybe next time.

Euan goes off on a mission

This statue was the only osprey that we saw

Euan strides out

Alex, the horse lover, practises her jumps........

.......as does Lynne, the dog agility fan. Marks out of ten for style, please.

From Spey Bay to Lossie forest for more dog running

The four generations, plus some of the dogs

Diving Sam. Going..........

..........going..........

........gone!



Whilst we were taking photos of the dogs in the water, Paula felt something moving under her feet. When she looked down, this is what she was standing on.......

......a wood ants' nest!!! Her shrieks were quite impressive.

Checking for any stray ants!

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Another day, another walk

Alex and Lewis go mountain climbing

Gypsy appears to be looking dreamily into Desmond's eyes

Coming at ya!

Alex has the ball and Lia, who is even more obsessed than Pansy, wants it!

I actually managed to catch Des in quite a good pose

Jana had some great games with Jake

Jana generally ran rings around 10 month old Jake but this time it was his turn to tease with the ball

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On Easter Monday Ian met up with his friend Stuart and they went jumping off the harbour, just like they used to do in the school summer holidays.

Euan with Nannie at the harbour

Ian and Stuart taking a big leap

Going off the outer wall

Euan gets a swing from Nannie and Paula

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Ian and Lynne discovered a great soft play centre nearby. It was pretty quiet and Euan had it to himself for a while. LSH and I took the motorbike out for a run there.

LSH and Euan lean into a corner on a mini Blackbird

On the bouncy castle

Then down its slide

Looks like Ian is having a great time!

Euan has a giggle pulling his grandah's beard

Getting in a bit of toddling

Euan was quite intrigued by the rabbits

Who needs toys when you have a water bowl?

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Jake and Jana got to go for a long walk together on the last day of the holiday

They had fun checking out the rock pools

Looking back along the coast to Hopeman harbour. It was another beautiful day but a little hazy out to sea

Fulmars nest along this stretch of coast. I love to watch them fly, they are so graceful

Jana wasn't all that keen on having to sit right beside Jake..........

..........but she loves him really - just look at that grin!

The two of them enjoying an evening romp on the beach