Thursday

The Dog Rambler E-diary

To 23
August 2012
Walk Climbing to the Bore Stane, The Pentland Hills Dogs on walk Archie, Gustave, Jerry, Lucas, Otis, Ozzy, Solo, Tim Length 6 miles

Archie on this his second walk and was quick to make some new friends. After the rather boisterous pairing of Phoebe and Finn last week who he found it hard to get around, today he was with the boys and soon found out things were different. Even Lucas renowned for his dislike of black labs gave Archie a welcome sniff, once he had got over the shock of a new dog as he jumped blindly into the car only to come nose to nose with Archie. Once we had set out along the long farm track leading us toward the undulating line of the hills like the rise of fall and musical notes on a sheet, Ozzy made a point of saying hello to Archie. Archie was keen on Jerry too. Not always one to play, Jerry was happy to oblige today as was little Gustave who was quite excited by the newcomer. The two teamed up to misbehave around a squashed frog. Gustave spotting it dipped his head and neck and made to roll in it. A guttural noise from me stopped him dead and with a slightly whimsical look he left it. Archie was quick to replace him at first making to pick it up before its delicious putrid scent assailed his nose and he too decided it was ripe for rolling on. He took a little more persuading not to than Gustave had. This resulted in him being made to sit down while I explained how things worked and that with the tremendous freedom he gets on

these walks comes great responsibility. Meanwhile the others had reached the cattle grid and gate leading into an open field and onto the moorland track to the Bore Stane. Tim, knowing he can get across another cattle grid we often encounter on the hills decided to make his own way across. He had not counted on this one having much wider gaps between the bars and his legs soon fell through. Leaving him beached until some shuffling got his legs up and he waddled across. The rest of us sensibly went through the gate beside it. A mixed sky of sun and darkened dense cloud escorted us along the track and the steady climb toward the Bore Stane, visible on the crest of the ridge because of its crown of trees. Archie and Ozzy raced and twisted around each other through the heather and the long willowy grass. Taking a rest Archie joined Lucas and Otis who were taking things a little easy. Solo with what looked a big smile on his face joined his often erstwhile companion Gustave ploughing ahead, pulling us all along as though harnessed up like horses. As we climbed Jerry took Archie on a broad run. Having to slow up as several groups of sheep dotted the landscape a couple of hundred yards away. None of the dogs appeared to notice them. Then the twisted wind contorted trees covering the Bore Stane appeared before us. The stane, a large block of rock, largely hidden beneath them. This marked our turning point. With Lucas now knowing the distance to go set off on a chasing run with Ozzy and Tim. And not to be left out Archie soon joined in. The sun was shining brightly now as we dropped gently down the track. I looked to my left as a wave of rain came swirling toward us misting and obscuring the trees behind. It soon hit us, I just about got my waterproof jacket on in time, but the dogs were quickly soaked. It left us as quickly as it had arrived. The sun was back but would not have time to dry us before we had travelled the farm access road back to the car. The dogs now slowing their pace and sauntering along the last three quarters of a mile.

Nick

Photo slideshow from the walk

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