Doggie meeting!

Off to visit the prospective parents of our new-to-be puppy. We met Skye and Rocky. They seemed a little shy, and both were much smaller than Henry. We met a couple of pups ready to leave today (from their other Schnauzer) and they were sooooo cute! The deed is done. We’re first in line for the next litter, due in May, ready for us in July!!

We had a nice jaunt before we went there - the Borders looking at its best. Ploughed fields, rolling hills, weak sunshine, lambs all over the place - but none near enough for a photo, or if they were, there was no place to stop. The mist over Edinburgh stayed with us all day, although every now and again it would try to break through. But the hills looked lovely in the soft light.

We saw two dead badgers and a dead fox on the road. Dozens of (live) male pheasants, lots of (live) donkeys and even some (live) llamas.

We were heading for the Main Street Bookshop in St Boswells, only we went to Newton St Boswells. Wrong place. Fortunately, my new phone has a GPS on it, and so we got there. It also directed us round all the back roads to our dog destination. Just as well we had it. I am growing to like the smartness of this phone a bit more...

The bookshop is terrific - they have big names visiting for ‘meet the author’ evenings. We had an excellent sandwich and salad lunch, followed by an excellent coffee and an even more excellent hummingbird cake (me) and lemon drizzle cake (JR).

After the dog meeting, I fancied an ice cream at Melrose, and JR fancied a nose around the shops. The ice cream shop was shut, only just. Even though I stood at the window making ice cream licking actions, the staff just shook their heads at me, laughing. AND the Abbey has scaffolding all over the free-to-view side. But no! I’m in Historic Scotland now, I can go in! But it had just closed too.

We pass this marvellous Leaderfoot Viaduct many times, but I’ve never stopped for a closer look. I rather liked the wee balls of moss on the old bridge, so included them.

It was either this or a shot of a group of four gorgeous Belted Galloways running away from me. Or Melrose Abbey covered in scaffolding.

PS This time next week we'll be off on our exciting holiday!!