Oh I do like to be beside the seaside...

The weather was cold and foggy when we left Aberdeen on Tuesday morning, and cloudy, damp and midgy when we arrived later afternoon at the Torridon cottage. 

But I'm delighted to report that it was all blue skies and sea at Hopeman on the Moray coast, where we broke the journey to meet Gail's old friend A-M for a stroll beside the pristine beach, and contemplated the pleasures of owning a brightly painted beach hut. 

A-M used to lodge with Gail in the days when Hamish the Westie was also in residence. She remembers Hamish as being stubborn. A Westie? Stubborn? Imagine that! 

We all had a lovely walk, and I was allowed off lead for a stretch by the beach, but reined back in as we approached the cliffs. 

Gail's friend hasn't been having an easy time of late, and has not been venturing out much. But for sure, a walk beside the sparking sands, accompanied by a jolly little dog, would help lift anyone's spirits, don't you think?

By the end of the walk A-M was asking Gail when my breeder would next have puppies available. 

Happy Nature Friday friends! Remember that time spent outdoors enjoying the peace and beauty of the natural landscape, with or even possibly without your dog, is not only good exercise but great for overall wellbeing. 

PS Readers interested in the geology of this area will surely want to visit Bouncing Bertie's blog post from August 2012, where, in his own inimitable fashion, he describes his experience of accompanying Gail and her erstwhile colleagues on a field trip along the Moray coast...