Gorgeous place. Yay to a Keir visit! And Mags, too, obviously Stanners is such a cutie. So, you should be getting that when your yet-to-be-conceived pup is, what, about ten years old?
Yay, I'm rejoining the labratour just in time to be useful. I know this area well - in fact I was there last week! The coastline from Aberdeen to Inverness is all beautiful. As a tourist area I'd probably prefer to stay near Inverness (option to visit Loch Ness and even Skye on a daytrip) and then drive to the breeder - the coastal drive from Inverness to Aberdeen is quite nice and shouldn't be too far if you're only going halfway (maybe near Elgin?) Beach walks along the way - try Roseisle (forest, sand dunes and beach near Elgin) and Nairn beach (faded Victorian seaside town), also Findhorn (home to the famous newage Findhorn Community). Nairn and Elgin towns are both a bit faded but might be convenient for you. Protip: if you need to work/use internet, don't book anywhere without asking about internet speed! and don't be reassured if they just say they have broadband - it's incredibly slow up there and outside a town it's often pretty much useless. You might have to rely mostly on phone 3G if you're in a rural spot.
Actually, I didn't think there would be much tourist accommodation near Roseisle beach but there are quite a few air bnbs in and near Burghead (https://www.airbnb.co.uk/s/Roseisle--United-Kingdom/) That could be a good spot for beach, proximity to breeder and hopefully internet!
and if you'd like to know anything about areas to stay/ visit in Aberdeenshire feel free to message me - I grew up around there. Finally, something I know about to contribute on the forum! Might have to go and have a wee lie down to recover.
You are SO hard on me! No, I'm actually pretty good at researching cameras, laptops and such mainly because of my professional artsy-fartsy buddy in Ireland. I ask him what I need, he gives me a choice of 2-3 items and I pick. Hasn't gone wrong yet. Too bad he's not also a Labrador breeder.
Wow! Great info - thank you, thank you! Ugh, yes... I'm very careful about this anyway, but thanks for re-iterating that rural Scotland may be "challenging" when it comes to internet. 3G does me no good as I've not yet sorted out how to turn my phone into a hotspot that I can then use for my laptop. I know it's possible, I just haven't worked it out. Can do! Thank you again!
Last comment on this, promise, but if you've seen the film Local Hero (and if not, that's something you should correct at the first opportunity ), Pennan beach in Aberdeenshire is one of the filming spots. That would take you off the main road but might be a good daytrip depending on where you're staying.
I would love this but as you say, maybe not for this trip as the islands are likely too out of the way. Luckily I'll be back to Scotland, so I'll get there eventually!
Thank you for coming to visit us, Emily! It was so lovely to meet you and bringing us and Stanners treats! It was lovely to hear more about Duncan and Brogan! And Emily has confirmed that Stanley is infact, not a mini lab! So he's normal yey!
Emily is very good at this. She also confirmed that Pongo is not a giant Labrador x Shetland pony. He too is normal. Well, normal for Pongo.
So very grateful to Mags (@Boogie ) and Keir for joining me on the Labratour this weekend. More photos to come, but here's a sneak peak (and also my favourite of the bunch) : Keir is simply a wonderful pup and let's just say if I shock you all by showing up with GR pup instead of the planned Labrador, the blame rests firmly on his soft and cuddly shoulders. He is gentle, calm, oh-so-smart and will one day be a credit to guide dogs everywhere. Right now he's a credit to guide dog PUPPIES everywhere (and the skills/love of doggie mama Mags).
Thank you for a wonderful weekend. Keir was a good boy and had many new exciting experiences. Staying in a caravan, walks by the seashore, train and tram rides to name a few!
It's official, I've got my last (maybe) breeder visit planned for northern Scotland on Wednesday. I'm doing the drive from here (near Lancaster) in one day and have found a converted schoolhouse near the beach for my stay. It was hugely helpful to be able to talk with Mags the last couple days about all my breeder visit adventures as it really helped me to digest it all. I do feel like I'm just starting to get a real handle on it and wish I could start the whole thing over to get it right on the second pass! On the other hand, I've still got my name in the hat for Devon's/Luna's breeder and (knock on wood) am still quite happy with that. So despite all my dithering, significant progress has happened. Tonight is very quiet and a bit lonely in ye olde caravan. Definitely missing Mags' company and Keir cuddles. Nothing better than a cuddly pup in front of a (incredibly fake) fire! Thank you!
Last night of caravan living and in front of my fake fireplace (which I'm absolutely fascinated by). I had an evening walk with the boarder dogs - a few Labs among them - as well as an evening visit from this gentleman: I just love these egg-head bullies and he had SO much personality. He gave me a serious cuddle (head in my lap, butt in the air) while his human changed the gas tank on my house so that I don't freeze tonight. Then he (the dog, not the human) left me with his own gas deposit in my living room and sauntered out with a very pleased (and gastrointestinally-relieved) look on his face. What a character! I'll miss this place. Lots of dogs and sunrises like this: It was definitely more fun with Mags and Keir, though. A few more pics of Keir, just because.
