Highs and Lows
Posted By Judith on 12th June 2025
It’s that time of year again and I’ve been to Scotland to visit my sister and her husband.
The forecast was poor, but we managed to dodge the showers all week by going out each morning and returning early afternoon which was usually when the rain started.
We had lots of lovely mornings visiting our favourite places.
It was my second visit to RSPB Troup Head where the Gannets nest on the cliffs
and there was a lot more activity this time, giving Graham a chance to channel his inner Chris Packham!
We also saw a razorbill, but not near enough for a photo without risking life and limb.
Whilst there we met a couple of keen ornithologists from the Czech Republic who thought, and I quote, it was “Awesome”, we couldn’t disagree.
We also went to other favourite places, Cullen, and Pennan where I had a paddle!
On my last day we were all awakened at 4.30am by Arran, their (almost) 15-year-old black lab,
who was clearly in some distress. To cut a long, heartbreaking story short, he’d suffered a spinal seizure, from which he would not have recovered.
By 6am Janice and Graham had returned from the vet without him.
After considering our options, we decided that moping around at home wouldn’t help anyone, so we marked his passing by taking a trip to another of our favourite places, and his too, Bow Fiddle Rock.
And we were so glad we did because we spotted a pod of 4 orcas swimming offshore, not near enough for a photo, but I got a good, albeit brief look at them through the binoculars.
What a treat!
So there we are. In less than 12 hours, desperately sad lows and exciting, spectacular highs.
Life is full of heartbreak and surprise, ups and downs, highs and lows.
We take comfort in the idea that Arran is now reunited with his brother Skye.
But as we know, life goes on.
So, let me introduce you to Luna, rescue dog extraordinaire who arrived from Macedonia last September.
And so begins another chapter.
RIP Arran. July 2010 – 9th June 2025.
