It was a funny old day, yesterday.
I'll confess to being a bit put out on finding the gates to Duthie Park closed at 7:00 am, and somewhat confused when the security guard behind the gate told Gail they were keeping the park "sterile" for the day.
I was not the only pup disappointed to be deprived of his regular morning run in the park.
So we tried for a walk along the river instead, but only encountered more barriers.
Then it was home and, most unusually, Gail started watching morning TV (and, truth be told, spent most of the time crossly muttering under her breath about the lameness of the BBC's live commentary as the Queen's coffin was being driven from Balmoral towards Aberdeen, and complaining that surely her TV licence fee could stretch to our national broadcaster having someone available who had the remotest clue about the geography of Royal Deeside....)
At about 11:30 am Gail lifted her eyes from the screen, put on my lead, and walked me the half mile to Great Southern Road where quite a crowd had gathered to see the funeral cortege as it passed through in its way to Edinburgh.
People and pups of all shapes and sizes were present to witness the event.
Gail had wondered if it was OK to take a dog along to view this final journey through our city. But apparently quite a few other folk had also decided that since the late Queen was a well-known dog lover, it would be appropriate. We even ran into my wee pal Ella.
I was patient, quiet and well-behaved, like the rest of the crowd.
Then it all happened rather quickly. A helicopter overhead, a motorcycle outrider, then a procession of seven cars, led by a hearse containing the Queen's coffin draped in a special yellow and red flag. I'm afraid Gail only managed to snap a photo of the second or third vehicle.
We didn't see any tears or great display of emotion here on Great Southern Road in Aberdeen, just a mood of calm, polite and respectful curiosity.
But apparently I had witnessed history.
Not that that means much to a pup who is only seven and a half months old...
(I am pleased to report that I got a 'proper' walk along the cliff path by the North Sea later in the afternoon.)
