Roaming free (eventually) on Morven

The weather was set fair on Wednesday for a roam up and around Morven, our favourite Aberdeenshire Hill.

See how I am on a lead at the start of the walk. 

This unsatisfactory situation persisted while we ascended the first, rather steep, section of the hill.

Gail claimed I was restrained because of the sheep grazing on the lower slopes. But we passed a group of hikers who offered an alternative explanation. They had paused to 'admire the view' (i.e. catch their breath) and commented on how lucky Gail was to have a dog helping to pull her up the stiff gradient.

Do you think they were right?

What's certainly true is that when we reached the gentler slopes of the broad summit plateau I was at last allowed to roam free. So I raced on ahead, stopping only occasionally to remind Gail to hurry up and ensure we reached the small summit shelter ahead of the group we'd passed.

I'm pleased to say we made it! As usual on top of a hill in Scotland, even the least protection from the wind was welcome.

I was a good boy and did not chase the solitary mountain hare we saw near the highest point, or the brace of ptarmigan on stony ground a bit lower down. Gail failed to catch these on her camera, but she did take some photos of the wild, expansive landscapes which we both love.

Near the end of the walk, and entirely of my own volition, I took preemptive action to avoid the need for a bath in the kitchen sink.

Wild swimming (or at least wading) is so much more fun than a home shampoo, don't you think?

Happy Nature Friday friends! Once again we are delighted to take part in the LLB Gang's always wonderful blog hop.

Excitement on Morven

I'm afraid Gail failed to take a photo of last week's most important and exciting event. 

It took place during a walk with Gail and her friend Henry, on Morven, a favourite Aberdeenshire hill.

Gail did at least get a picture of me near the summit cairn, only a short while before and only a few meters from where the exciting and important event took place.

 

So let me tell you what happened next.

As Gail and her friend Henry started the descent, I wandered 'off-piste'. Not an unusual occurrence. 

I heard Gail shouting "Come Nobby, COME!" but a rustling noise in the moss and stunted heather had captured my attention.

I pounced on this wriggling little furry creature, which started squeaking, just like one of my toys, as I held it between my jaws.  

What fun! I was happily entertaining myself, dropping my squeaky new plaything, then picking it up again, when Gail approached and rudely dragged me away.

"Leave it Nobby, LEAVE IT!"

Stupidly, on reflex I relaxed my hold and watched my prize catch scuttle off into the low growing vegetation. I could not follow as Gail had for once moved fast and clamped on my lead before I realized what she was up to. 

But later, I did feel rather proud when Gail said to Henry that in nearly 24 years of owning terriers, this the first time one had actually caught a rodent* in her presence.

*Gail says: I'm pretty sure it was a field vole - they are apparently known to have a squeak that sounds like a child's toy. I am more than a little surprised that the vole apparently survived the encounter with Nobby's jaws, although I fear it would have suffered psychological damage, at the very least! 

All in a day's work

I headed off up my first ever really big hill. (Morven).

I paused to sniff the heather.

I made it to the top and admired the view from the summit shelter

I was stood my ground despite the fierce wind at the altitude of 872 m.  

I avoided the showers on the descent.

I went for a paddle in the river on the way home.

I even swam a little. 

I then photobombed a wedding celebration...

What did you do on Tuesday?