Has the summer arrived?

Horatio keeps asking what summer is. He has vague memories of last year as a young pup lounging in the sun shine. On his day bed in the garden. Warmth on his woolly coat. But he was very young, so it's all a bit misty for him. The last six weeks have seen us all wonder if the end is nye. Scott has even contacted someone regarding an ark. I mean a boat. We were therefore all rather taken aback when the sun made a long overdue appearance this week. Eyes a-blinking, we hot footed it to Gullane, three days in a row for walks and swims. There's nothing as rewarding as falling into bed at night, exhausted after a day of sandy fun. Swim-stuff swinging on the washing line in anticipation of more adventures tomorrow.

Where will we go today?

Weather forecast - fact or fiction?

I've long suspected you shouldn't live your life by the weather forecast.  This weekend was no exception.  I avidly follow the Met Office App to help determine whether I can cycle to work or not (for 'lady-like cycling' this is essentially).  By Friday afternoon the weekend appeared to be a write-off.  My sun burnt nose, forehead and shoulders this Monday morning tell a different story.  I forced myself out for a 'long' 13-mile run to Gullane on Saturday and committed the school-girl error of not being prepared for every weather eventuality in Scotland.  To help cope with my itchy sun burn, I also got myself a bee sting.  Ouch.

Admittedly it tipped it down Saturday night but Sunday then dawned .... dryish so we hopped in the car and headed to St Abbs for a cliff walk.  Scott's new camera (and subsequent new lense) are keeping him very amused and providing plenty of material for me.

Scotland really is a stunning country.

And Horatio really is very handsome.  If only he'd learn to pose properly.

Getting better Horatio, but might be better if you wiped your face first.

Autumnal Walk in the Park

I've been feeling really under par the last few weeks, despite the iron tablets that I'm taking like there's no tomorrow.  Running has had to go on the back burner and walks with Horatio are my main form of exercise, entertainment and stress buster.  Luckily we've been having a fabulous autumn - really mild and dry, which means the autumn colours are still out there to be enjoyed.

Today Horatio had a play date and sleepover with Kipper (owned by Lucy, the ultra-runner).  We all piled into the car (gone are the days when I walk/run the mile to the park...), and hit Dalkeith Country Park.  The colours were just amazing.  A very gentle day but sometimes you got to take what you are given.  Homemade fish chowder for tea and a night in front of the new wood burner (not cold enough to be really needed but it's soooo comforting!).  Scott is living in shorts.

Autumn's a coming

Horatio and I went for a walk/run in the Pentlands today (it's my new sport since full running is proving too tiring). The upside of this new sport is that you notice much more around you. We discovered a fairy toadstool. Maybe one day we'll catch a glimpse of the fairy....