Jumping for joy to be back in Torridon

Gail says: I'm afraid this isn't the whole story, but with flaky internet out here in the remote Scottish west coast, a full report on a health scare with Nobby, now resolved (cross fingers), will have to wait until Wednesday.

Pub quiz victory!

I have a question for you regarding fairness. 

When one is a hard-working team mascot at a fortnightly pub quiz, and one's four-woman team takes first prize and collects a grand total of £26, is it not fair that some of the prize money should be reserved for special treats in recognition of one's services?

You would have thought the answer obvious, so I hate to tell you that when Gail's team, 'The Indecisives', won the 'Inn at the Park' quiz on Wednesday night, they put all the cash in a special little purse, apparently reserved for buying drinks next time around, and not one penny was placed aside for yours truly...

As for the quiz, let's see how it went:

What did the Team Indecisives know?

• That Sally Wainwright wrote the TV Series 'Happy Valley'
• That Chloe Kelly scored the winning goal in the Euro 2022 final.
• That the author of the play 'The Inspector Calls' was J B Priestley.
• That Beijing is on the Yellow River

What did Team Indecisives not know?

• That Eddie Murphy's breakthrough film was 'Coming to America'
• That there have been 24 Winter Olympics
• That it was Amy Winehouse who sang 'Stronger Than Me' and not Celine Dion...

You know what? When I heard the ladies agonising about the 'Stronger than Me' answer, I tried so hard to intervene and indicate they should go with Ms Winehouse, but was brusquely pushed away.

Despite this snub, I was a Good Boy throughout, and after enjoying a wee blether with Westie Ollie at the adjacent table ("I'm fifteen you know, but still in good nick, don't you think?" etc.) I settled down quietly at Gail's feet.

Thankfully this week's contest was not decided by a single point (it sometimes is). The team seemed particularly thrilled that they won even though there were no rounds on 'Science and Nature' or 'History', these topics being their strong suits.

Gail was so happy at the result she even allowed me onto her lap for a special victory cuddle.

photo by Kirsty

Preparing to greet the day

Do you have a morning ritual?

Three Days

A Weekend in the Life of Nobby

Friday saw sun and all cares cast aside,

To Glen Tanar we ventured, and roamed far and wide,

Through soft birches and pines in the valley below,

Then high on on the hill into heather we go! 

The next day, a comedown, the rugby was on,

While Gail watched the telly I paced round the room.

I worked hard at obstructing her view of the screen,

But was pushed aside rudely, which I thought was mean.

On Sunday, we walked with our friends M and J,

On Stonehaven beach, then the steep coastal trail

To the World War Memorial. A place to reflect,

On how peace is so fragile a thing to protect. 

Snowdrops or Winddrops?

If my left ear doesn't tell you what the weather was like for my early morning walk in Duthie Park on Wednesday...

....then this video clip of the brave wee snowdrops who've emerged into the stormy conditions (and perhaps are wishing they were back in the earth) surely will.

Happy Nature Friday! And thank you once again to our dear friends Rosy and Sunny for hosting this our favourite blog hop.