Mount Snowden - May 2014

Hi everyone!  Mum decided to let me write this post since it was my favourite part of the trip.  It was definitely a little scary and some parts were hard – but it was worth it. 

After breakfast on Tuesday morning, mum and dad packed their backpacks and we drove to the starting place for our hike.  I sure am glad that I don’t have to carry around a heavy backpack all day.  Plus it would make it hard to go swimming (stay tuned – more on swimming later). 

I like hiking a lot because I usually get to explore on my own.  And let me tell you – there would have been lots to explore on this hike.  But unfortunately I had to stay on leash because there were SHEEP!  I LOVE sheep – so much.  But for some reason they just don’t want to play with me.  I don’t get it. 

Our hike started with a steady back and forth climb through field of sheep after field of sheep.  After a bit it evened out and was much easier – but only for a little while.  I took this opportunity to take a refreshing drink from some of the streams running down the mountain.  Fresh, cold water.  My favourite! 

Then we began climbing again.  It seemed like the mountain just kept going.  We did stop a few times so that dad could take pictures (cough – catch his breath). 

Not sure who could cycle up this mountain

From about half way almost to the top the path turns into a lot of loose gravel and slate.  This part was pretty tough on me and sometimes it was hard to find the best place to walk – but I didn’t let that stop me.  I’m a tough pup!  And mum and dad were really encouraging and helped me find the best paths.  I guess I’ll keep them. 

For all the tourists who can’t handle hiking up the mountain, there is a train that goes to the top.  I think it’s cheating a bit – but not everyone is as fit as me.  And everyone should be able to enjoy the view up there.  It was stunning.  We could see the Irish Sea and all the other mountains and valleys.  Our reward once we got to the top was lunch which was probably my favourite part.  Mum is a good sharer. 

While the day all around Snowden was beautiful with blue skies, the one, lonely, black cloud had decided to perch itself over the peak which meant it was quite chilly at the top.  Fortunately I have fur and mum and dad packed fleeces. 

And after lunch, we started our way back down the mountain and back to the car.  It was hard going back over all that slate on the way down – but we made it.  And by the time we got to the top valley we were hot again.  I decided it was time for a swim and found the deepest spot in the closest creek.  Oh boy it felt good.  I tried to tell mum and dad that they could go on and I’d catch up but that dang leash rule spoiled my fun. 

The hike was supposed to take us 6 hours.  I think it took us less than 5 because we’re awesome.  So we had the whole afternoon free to keep exploring.  Mum had read something about there being lots of waterfalls in Wales and dad found one that didn’t require any hiking to get to.  (I think he was worn out.)  So we turned on the GPS and drove on.  The waterfall is in the little town of Dyserth and doesn’t give anything way when you first look at it.  Dad thought this was the waterfall at first and was a bit underwhelmed. 

Then I helped him find this one – and he was happy. 

Since it wasn’t quite time for dinner (according to mum – I’m always ready for dinner), they decided to drive to another coastal town.  Llandudno was a lot bigger than we expected and they had a really nice boardwalk to stroll along.  Mum had read that there was an award winning fish & chips shop in this town so we decided to eat there for dinner.  It definitely deserved the awards.  I LOVE fish.  

And after grabbing ice cream, we headed back to the car to drive to the hostel for our last night.  Tomorrow we head home where I’ll get to sleep in my own spots again.  I love traveling, but the floor is not very comfortable.

Love you lots!

Luther

Grammy & Grandpa Steve's Visit - May 2013

A little over a month ago mum told me that Grammy & Grandpa Steve were coming for a visit.  I LOVE Grammy because she’s a total pushover and spoils me a ton.  So when mum and I headed to the bus stop I was super excited for what I found on the other end.  When I saw them walk through the gates I couldn’t contain my excitement.  I jumped and hugged and kissed just so they would know how excited I was that they had come to see me. 

I showed them how to get on the bus because I’m an expert.  They were both a bit scared about driving on the left side of the road but I assured them that it was okay.  It just takes some time to get used to it.  Then after we got home and they had a rest I took them to my hill (people call it Calton Hill but that’s because they’re silly).  I had a good time running around while they took in the views. 

It was great having them visit because we got to go on lots of adventures.  It had been a while since I had gotten to ride in a car but dad came home on Sunday morning with an Audi.  I told him I could get used to that so he better get a good job one day.  Unfortunately the first place they decided to stop didn’t think I would make a good visitor and I had to stay in the car.  Silly people – they just don’t know how friendly I am.  But it was okay because then we got to go play on a golf course.  Dad said it was famous or something but all I cared about was that there was lots of green grass.

And that same day I got to go to two different pubs!  Pubs are fun for me because I get lots of attention.  At both places I got a nice bowl of water.  But I only got biscuits at one.  Oh well. 

We spent a couple of days in a part of Scotland called the highlands.  I didn’t get to go everywhere with Grammy & Grandpa Steve, but I got to stay with them most of the time.  My favourite part was running around on the beach.  I never get tired of swimming.

When we got back to Edinburgh I had to kick them out of the house so that I could get some much needed rest.  Luckily mum is a pretty good tour guide so she was able to take on this task for me.  Although I did muster up enough energy to take Grandpa Steve to the top of Arthur’s Seat.  The things you do for family.

That’s about it.  It was a fun visit because I got all of Grammy’s sandwich crusts and got lots of rubs.  Hopefully they’ll come back to visit again one day.

Cheers!

Luther

My First Castle - February 2013

Hey everyone!  Sorry its been a while since my last post but January has been exhausting.  Once mum went back to work and dad finally went back to school, it took me a few days to get back into my routine of sleeping, eating, stretching and sleeping again.  Now I'm all rested up and am ready to tell you all about my newest adventure....

Mum and dad took me to see my very first castle on Saturday!  It was awesome!  

Saturday morning we got up early and headed to the bus stop.  After about an hour, and a ride through some beautiful countryside, the bus dropped us off right outside of Dirleton Castle.  As we walked through the gates, I got a big rub from the man who worked there.  He was really nice.

When we got to the castle, mum let me off the leash to run around.  It was so much fun to explore all the passages and rooms.  We even got to play hide and seek a couple of times.  I'm a really good finder though so mum never got lost.  

Cellars. - with interesting rounded ceilings

Checking out one of the many fireplaces.  I think they used this one for bread.

Two gigantic fireplaces in the kitchen.  Can you see me? 

We had a beautiful day to explore too.  The sky was such a pretty blue and the sun was shinning bright.  It was a little bit chilly but I have a fur coat so it didn't bother me.  

Mum and dad said that Dirleton was smaller than some of the other castles they had been to, but that it had some really cool features.  I've included some pictures so you can see for yourselves.  

Really interesting vaulted ceiling.  You can't tell how awesome it really is from the picture.

Outside of the vaulted ceiling in the picture above.

Buffet where they displayed silver 

Bowling green

Dovecot

I bet these gardens are amazing in the summer

For Aunt Benja

After we explored the castle, we headed across the road to The Castle Pub for lunch.  There was a nice, warm fire going and mum brought a bone for me to have while she and dad ate lunch.  

After lunch we walked around a Kirkyard for a bit while we were waiting for the bus.  You have to be careful with the buses outside of town because even though it says it comes very 30 minutes, the bus that goes all the way home only comes every hour.  It's all about the fine print here.

And when I got home I took a nap.  That was a lot of history for one pup to take in.  But I am definitely looking forward to exploring more castles.  If you come to visit me, I'll play hide and seek with you too.

Cheers,
Luther

Snow in Edinburgh - January 2013

Yesterday Mum & Dad went to a castle without me so she promised that today would be 'Adventure Day'.  And boy - was it ever an adventure!  We got to play in the SNOW!!!!  

When we left the flat, it was cold and a little wet, but when we got to the Holyrood Park, we saw the snow on the top of Arthur's Seat.  I was pumped because I love to play in the snow.  

We hiked to the top where it is always windy.  That's definitely not my favorite part.  I like the open grassy areas where I can run around.  But Mum & Dad wanted to go to the top so I went with them.  It was a good thing I did too because the wind stole a girl's hat and I saved it for her.  It was really easy to do because it was fur so it looked like an animal.  I was a little disappointed that Mum & Dad didn't want to play with it once I brought it to them.  They just gave it back to her.  Bummer.

Mum took some pictures of the snow and she asked me to share them with you.  Hope you can tell how awesome it was!

Cheers!
Luther