Our Trip Down South To Beside The South Downs (Kind of)

The 20^th of January saw both Mummies and Electra go on a plane for the first time together. In fact it was also the first time both Mummies had been on a plane together. But all had flown previously on their own.

Pipa got about an hours sleep, while Electra and Sam got a fair bit more. Never the less we were all up at 7 a.m. To catch the flight from Edinburgh to Gatwick.

The day started with Pipa checking, checking and checking once more that everything that was to be packed was, packed. All the paperwork was in order and all the identification was to hand, then checked again. As you can tell, Pipa is most certainly thorour.

Once the multiple checks were done and Pipa was 90% sure everything was in order, we piled in to Sam's granddad's car to the local park and ride so we could get the airport bus. We were there earlier enough to catch the bus before the planned one. This made Pipa happy, because there was weather problems. The bus ride was only twenty or so minutes.

Once at the airport we made our way straight to the British Airways check-ing desk. The staff were great. Looked at the ID – checked us in and took our bag away. Sam was a little hungry due to not having food prior to leaving as suggested by Pipa. So, we went on the hunt. We found cheese burgers and chips in the Turn-house bar (JD Weatherspoon's) which was a massive disappointment for the £23 it cost. After leaving half of it for the bin we headed through security.

Security, for Sam and Electra was fine. They both walked through the arch with no trouble what so ever. Pipa, was up last, needless to say it was less simple for her. Beep, Ping, bong! “can you come over here please madam”... Boots off and x-rayed; full pat down and a wave of the handheld metal detector but nothing found obviously – so she was sent on her way. Also needless to say, the security staff adored Electra and she made many new friends.

At this point the flight was delayed from 1435 to 1518 due to bad weather all over Europe. We were pointed in the direction of the anticipated boarding gate. We waited here for a while and Electra made more friends. (you'll see a reoccurring theme :)).

Pipa's holding powers aren't nearly as good as Electra's or even Sam's so after she found the toilet we noticed the flight had been pushed back again. The gate had also been changed too, so we relocated and got comfy.

While waiting – a nice man came to ask a few questions on behalf of the C.A.A about our thoughts of Edinburgh airport and how it could be improved. Pipa suggested a TV wouldn't go a miss, even if it was just the news channel that was on. Followed by the remark, “You can't beat a good bit of genecide to pass the time”. Only afterwards did she realise it was maybe a little bit in bad taste...

A while longer and we were boarding the flight. The cabin crew were brilliant with all of us. They made sure Pipa was comfortable and safe. That Electra was comfortable and happily petted :). Also if Sam would like any help in Gatwick since we didn't know where we were going. They kindly sorted out some assistance once we got there. During the flight there were snacks and drinks served, these were enjoyed by Pipa and Sam but Electra didn't get so lucky. However, she got lots of attention from all the cabin crew.

As we started our decent. The sky below us turned into a shag pile rug of blackness. It was pretty spectacular, Pipa was going to take a picture but her camera was in the over-head bin, and she wasn't that committed. There was a layer of dark royal blue above with a paler strip of blue at our level and this fluffy blackness below. There was also a slight glimmer of sun as it set and hid behind clouds. Then we plunged into almost complete darkness as the lights were turned off and we went through the black clouds onto a wet, and dark Gatwick airport.

Getting off the plane was like stepping into the spectator area of an ice rink. It was cold and stole your breath in part. Thankfully our assistance new were he was going, some how. We went down all the little snickets and corridors until we arrived at baggage reclaim. The nice guy was going to escort us to the rail station but Pipa was happy with the directions he'd given her so let him go. Our bag was the first off so there was no waiting around.

We were aiming for the 1812 to Brighton since we'd missed the planned connection an hour prior. Sadly, we got to the station at 1820 – however, it was delayed until 1828 which was a result.

We got on the train but it was really busy. Pipa being the way she is, rather than sending Sam to hunt for a chair just plonked her bottom on the floor out of the way. Sam and her were happy where they were until the conductor offered us a seat in first class. Saying thank you to her, Mummies and Electra grabbed the nearest seats and relaxed. The journey took an extra hour and a bit due to engineering works and the lovely weather. There were two ticket inspectors from a rival rail company in there too. Pipa got chatting to them about all sorts from football, hotel reviews and trains of course.

After some useful local advice, we got off at Brighton, which was the last stop for the train but not us. Into a taxi and away to our hotel. The Best Western – Brighton Hotel, on King's Road. It was a little bit away from the station but not so far away from food for that evening.

After checking in and getting ourselves together again we left to hunt for food. At first the idea was to just get some snacks to keep us going until morning, we got these but we also got kabob meat and chips, then we trudged back to the room over the ice, snow and through the cold.

We settled in for the night with our food and television then got some sleep.

Up next the trip to the capital of the UK – London. Coming to a computer and mobile device near you very soon.

Pride Scotia

So, rainbows were brightening up Edinburgh yesterday for Pride Scotia!

The weather was typical for Scotland at this time of year, raining one minute then sunny warm glory the next.

Hopping on a bus, both Mummies and The Poodle along with Sam's little sister we headed for Pride.

In actual fact though the party started before we left the house. Pipa had the music up loud why everyone got ready.

Pipa, had her pink hoody on that declared that she was “OUT – AND I'M NOT ALONE”. Sam had a dodgy homemade top that had “Born This Way” and “Pride” emblazoned across the front. Electra however, stole everyone's attention with her rainbow triangle scarf under her harness. A Rainbow love-heart ID tag on her collar and rainbow ribbon zigzagged up her handle.

Pipa, got excited on the buses and got a little loud much to Sam's annoyance. She also started talking a lot of trash about everything!

We got off the bus and headed to the Omni centre where the event was being held, Electra got worked there at high-speed much to Pipa's enjoyment and Sam's horror weaving in and out of the crowds on Princess Street.

When we arrived there was very little there. This was mostly due to the event not actually starting yet. There was however, a stand for the “Say Yes To Independence” when asked “Would you like to sign the petition?” Pipa politely replied, “I'd really rather not thanks.” and walked off. Sam just about fell-over laughing. You probably had to be there.

We went around the stalls and Sam got a hand made bracelet thing that's of course, rainbow coloured and very pretty! Both Sam and Pipa got some badges stating lots of things like “Dyke” “i Don't Even Think Straight” and “100% Bitch”.

After spending time came party time 2.0 – they found the entertainment and didn't move for two and a half hours. There was drag acts and all different kinds of music. Pipa was getting right into it. Sam seemed to be a little unsure but enjoyed it none the less and Electra loved it all she was like a side show! People were petting her and wanting photos, generally just dotting over her adorableness. Nearer the end I think her legs got a bit tired so she lay down and tried to get some sleep.

One person who wanted a photo was from the “Say Yes” group. Pipa agreed to let him take a photo but made sure he was aware Electra would be voting “No” and that she wasn't even a European!

The vibe was good and the energy was great!

We headed towards “mood” a gay club where there was free food which everybody knows Pipa likes regardless of what it actually is. Thinking it'd be open to all with it being Pride (no logic) Pipa was gutted to find the usual age limits were in place. Due to Sam's little sister being three years too young for the club it ment, we had to then go and buy food. This was adding insult to injury.

The time we finished off an enjoyable cheese burger and chips (not from a fast food joint!) we headed back but everything had finished.

We headed for the bus station to get home. On the bus was a rowdy group of young males, who insisted on singing loudly and generally being annoying. Thankfully though, we got off of the bus before them. Downside was though we still had an hour of it!

The idiots never got us down though. We returned home and let Electra have a mad half hour in the garden. Sam tried jumping on the tyres we have in the garden (which are for a project that hasn't begun yet). Two foot to two foot was the intended idea however – it was more like two foot to face plant into the inner wall of the tyre! Pipa turned round and all she saw was Sam's bottom and legs waving around and most of Sam inside the tyre lying there laughing like a deranged hyena with a case of excess Nitrous Oxide inhalation.

The day was brought to a nice close with an episode of Prime Evil and a failed attempt of watching Kong Fu Panda 2. Only Sam stayed awake!

Victers Visit To The National Museum of Scotland

Originally Composed 12/04/2012

Back by popular demand – Two Mummies & A Poodle!

Thanks to Pipa being a 'bit' of a Twitter addict we found ourselves at “Tweeting the Universe – Tiny Explanations of Very Big Ideas! A talk based on the book of the same name.

“How on Earth!” I hear you call out in your masses.

Well with a lot of things free they come up on Pipa's radar a lot quicker than most other things.

On the mighty social networking phenomenon one afternoon, she noticed a retweet (RT) by Fife Council of a tweet by Edinburgh Science Festival. The tweet was about a competition for two tickets to the talk and a free copy of the book. All she had to do was tweet back to @EdSciFest answering the three hash tag questions #LifeIs #UniverseIs and #EverythingIs. Of course this being Twitter the answers had to be 140 characters r less including the hash tag subjects and @EdSciFest; this for a wise person like Pipa was not a problem - so she tweeted:

“@EdSciFest #LifeIs the process of being born, breathing and living for x years then expiring. While living you learn useful/useless things.”

“@EdSciFest this #UniverseIs the place we all live with an infinitive boundary comprising of many galleries, made of many stars and planets.”

“@EdSciFest #EverythingIs the collective subject of all things ever thought of. #EverythingIs something but something isn't everything.”

So far a boring story. Anyway after a late night Tweet from @EdSciFest and a quick email to the address in the Tweet, the tickets were secured.

Sam went along to her parent's to get them printed off for that evening (the email reply with the tickets only came on Saturday morning).

The Adventure began (kinda).

We walked to the local rail station and hopped on the next train to Edinburgh which wasn't that busy given that there was a football crowd making there way home.

After a short train ride made up of Pipa trying to convince Electra she didn't want to go under the seat in front anymore than she actually had to; Pipa and Sam talking about boring stuff and the drunken fans making their usual quiet chatter - we alighted in Edinburgh. Navigating the station was both fun and confusing as the requirement for all the upgrades to the station. What ever the reason was I don't know but it was perfectly ok the way it had been for years before, sure a few renovation maybe but they practically rebuilt the place. I however digress.

Pushed out onto Market Street into the lowering sun we made for the National Museum of Scotland where the talk was held. I could describe the route we took but I don't wish to make Google maps any less important in all of our lives.

Once we had arrived at the main door to the museum we were pointed to the correct entrance (around the back) and obviously made our way to it.

We got let in that little bit early because it's a well known fact blind people have to sit down and their Guide Dogs need to rest otherwise they might fall-over. Sitting in the spacious hall outside of the auditorium Sam decided she must have a drink of juice from the beverage stand. Trying to persuade Pipa to have one also but to no avail. She soon found out why. £1.60 for a can of diet Coke.

While chatting away Pipa and Sam were politely interrupted on many occasions by people wanting to pet and generally make a fuss of Electra. One nice man who worked there came across to see if Electra would like some water and then went of in search of a vessel to hold the liquid. At this point it would be brilliant to say he returned with a priceless Ming Dynasty bowl or a Roman drinking vessel but sadly not, he came back with an empty Tupperware style container full of chilled water (alright not empty) but Electra was incredibly happy to take it.

At around ten-to-eight we went into the auditorium and took our seats (not that there were any actually designated) but anyway, we sat at the front. Catching Electra in the corner of his eye Marcus Chown came over and introduced himself to Electra and had a chat with her and both Mummies. When the talk began it was “kicked off” by the director of the Edinburgh Science Festival before he had to rush away to other commitments. He did a general welcome and then said how refreshing it was having a dog in the audience and how it was nice to see astronomy and cosmology was interesting for all species. At this point Marcus called “her name is Electra” at this the guy gave her a personal welcome. Which made Sam slide down in her seat with slight embarrassment. Ninety minutes later and lots of talk about M-theory, quantum physics and infinitives – Pipa was presented with her copy of the book. Which both Marcus Chown and Govert Schiling had signed and dedicated to Pipa and Electra.

On the way back home, while playing spot the suicide Provence plaques on George the VI bridge a drunken person walked past and loudly told everyone in a twenty-five meter radius (minus those off the actual bridge) that Electra was “The coolest dog I've seen all night!”. This made both Mummies bite their lip to stop them laughing out loud.

Hearing the train being announced Pipa rushed with Sam and Electra down the steps to the platform where Sam felt the need to ask, “Does this bus go to...”. After boarding the train in stitches of laughter Pipa pointed out to Sam it was a train not a bus – unless she was mistaken trains were the ones you get on at a train station.

Once back at home station prior to getting off there was a small group of young drunk guys. One of whom was Welsh, the others took great pleasure in telling him to leave Electra's hair alone because it wasn't wool and to stop getting excited. Pipa at this point told Electra to watch her bottom which was laughed at by all but as always, Electra stole the laughter by actually turning her hind away.

Once off the train we walked to the ATM got some cash and went for some chips and curry sauce before coming home proper.  

Beyond Broadway

Monday 4^th July 2011

Beyond Broadway:

Once Electra was brushed and cleaned up – it was time for Pipa to get herself sorted out. At this point Electra was looking much more attractive and less mucky than Pipa.

After haling her self out of her mucky clothes into the bath and back into some clean, none “Chav” clothes and touching up her make-up, Pipa was finally ready to have dinner and head back out for the final time.

Still warm, sunny and free of too many clouds we walked to “The Carnegie Hall” on East Port, Dunfermline. We were going to see “Beyond Broadway” preformed very well by a group of young adults. This was Electra's first time at the theatre. Samantha's first time at a serious show and the first time in a long time that Pipa had been to the theatre.

On arriving we were surprised to see such big crowds. It had never occurred to us that it would be such a popular show or venue.

After standing for a while in a cue, Sam figured that in actual fact it wasn't the cue for the auditorium but that for the “Box Office”. So as we finally entered the auditorium and finding our seats, about to get comfortable the fire alarms started to sound. Like any good member of the public we precoded to sit down and wonder what was going on.When the usher came to tell us it in truth wasn't a drill we decided it would probably be best if we vacated the building as directed.

Once it had been agreed that someone had burnt the toast (speculation) we were all allowed back into the building.

Once more we located our seats and took them. There was a older group of people around us that really enjoyed patting and clapping Electra before the show started.

The show opened with a great rendition of Happy Birthday. The musical quality was consistent from start to the finish of the first half. The story line was simple but fun and jolly. At the interval, all the older folks descended on our position and started clapping Electra. Electra being a Broadway kind of pooch loved all the attention and in seat service of the usher bringing her water with a smile!

The second banzai took the music to another level. It was much more lively and energetic. Which is quite an achievement as the first half was already very intense.

Near the of the second half., was a Michael Jackson medially and a mash up of Glee and Grease tunes.

Unlike most venues, at the end of the spectacular performance -

there was no crushing or jostling to exit.

Electra sat watching and following all the events unrolling upon the stage and really enjoyed it. Sam loved it all. Pipa loved all the lighting and vocals.

Stepping out into the dark but warm night we made our way home to bed.

Apologies for the lack of a funny title and information. There is only so much that can be done, in my human limitations. :)

CARRY ON UP THE GLEN

 Monday 4^th July 2011

Carry on up the Glen :

After Pipa eating flowers and Electra searching the castle for any century old left overs, we escape the dungeon and made for the Glens.

We headed into the first Glen by the eroding stone steps that twisted down the steep contures of the Glen side.

Reaching the bottom we fought our way through the shrubs and over gown undergrowth. Where we then came to a double sided wooden bridge over a fast flowing but shallow burn and a baby water-fall.

We hooked a left through more over grown undergrowth where Pipa and I lost Simon and Electra as they had both walked way in front. We had a slight 'Hansel and Gretel' moment, standing in the woods lost with no way of finding the way back at a fork in the path. Ok, maybe not lost but anyway separated. Realising the gate on the left fork was open we figured this was a marker sign left by Simon. So we followed the path and after a few hundred metres we met back up with Simon – he had turned round and started heading back with Electra as the way up front was to risky for Electra. Simon said, “The drops are even to big for you” referring to Pipa who has a tendency to coming out of the most unlikely situations with very little scratches.

We made back to the bridge where Pipa couldn't decided if the water-fall was worth taking a photo of or not. Then Electra decided to do another crazed circuit over the bridge through the burn and so on.

At this Pipa decided she wanted some photos of Electra in the water so went to the side of the burn where she was going to go in and encourage Electra back in. Simon pointed out how jagged and sharp the stones were so she decided against this and just through stones in for Electra.

At first Electra was confused to what was going on as the stones started raining down into the burn. After diving her head under to look for a few she had a shake and gave up looking for them. After looking for a fun way out Electra had a “wee bevy” then weighed up the way she came in.

We were going to head straight back to the "Chav Mobile" but found another path down into the next Glen the steps were in much better condition as they had been recently updated.but they were still steep. Getting to the bottom we met two dogs who weren't up for playing as much as Electra enjoys. We double backed at this point to the “Chav Mobile”. Electra insisted on doing another crazed dash over around and through the first burn on the way back. Getting into the “Chav Mobile” Pipa let Electra in first who jump straight onto the seat and refused to move onto the floor so she could get in. Pipa got her back out the car and did as she should of the first time and got in before Electra.

After heading to the shops on the way home to get a drop of shopping, Pipa gave Electra a good brush before we headed out again. As You'll see from the pictures Electra Was in some state.

Invasion of Campbell Castle & Gardens:

Monday 4^th July 2011

Invasion of Campbell Castle & Gardens:

As days out go this was a good one. The sun was high in the sky with it's rays beating down upon us. It was around the 25◦c which for Scotland is like putting a camel in the centre of the sun.

Pipa's dad (Simon) pick us up at around 12pm in the “Chav Mobile” which is a red Honda Accord with a massive spoiler on the back.

After we drove through Dollar and missed the turning we did a quick three-pointer and went back to the turning, where we were faced with a incline that was easily a 2:3 gradient. On reaching the top we all hopped out and made for the castle.

To get to the castle there was a nice but steep downwards incline that curved down to the base of the saddle where the castle sits. At the bottom of the hill there was a bridge to cross that passed over a shallow fast flowing burn/stream. The bridge was a wooden construction with only railings on the right hand side. Electra being Electra insisted on running into the burn out the same way she went in, then over the bridge back in the water from the other side, out the side she first went in then back over the bridge.

After this she was put back on the lead before we stormed the castle. When I say stormed I mean walked through the open gate at the front and into the shop. We went into the shop to show our Historic Scotland Membership Cards, which gives us free access to that castle and lots more that you normally have to pay for. It's not only castles but lots of other historically interesting sites that it gets you free access too. After showing out cards, Simon bought a guide book to the place. We also answered all the normal questions about Electra: Yes, she is a Poodle – No, definitely not a Labradoodle and Yes, she is very uncommon it's only her and her sister that do the @Guide Dog@ job that are Poodles in the whole UK.

Standing in the wide stone floor court-yard with the walls high above our heads Simon read from the guide book tell us about the castles ability to withstand a light attack but how it would be screwed in a siege. After this we headed for the tower, which due to ongoing enervations was the only real bit we could access. We first entered the cellar where the stores would have been kept – but now houses a cased model of the castle as it would have been that plays sounds and lights up with different buttons. It also has some rat bait on the left just before the looming spiral stairs, that Simon had to stop Electra trying to having a munch on. We climbed the stairs to the first floor where we came to a room with a night big window and an anti-room that housed the top of the pit dungeon which for obvious, safety reasons now has a railing at the top. Moving up the stairs to the second floor there was a wooden floored room, called a barrel room, funnily enough because it was the shape of a barrel.It had wooden carvings on the right hand wall near the top and a nice big south facing window. It also had a toilet of the old school sorts. On the third floor was the final room; the master bedroom as we'd call it today. With great views over the glens and beautiful sky. Down side to this property is no 3G signal only GPRS. This however, I doubt would have been a concern to the Campbell lairds that lived there in the 1600's and before. The final ascent of the spiral stairs took us to the balcony or as historians like to call it the buttress, which had been 'blinged' up by the Victorian conservationists to look like “how a castle should look” As much as it's a great shame it's not how it would have been, it's better than it not being there at all. Sir Walter Ralley visited the castle in the 1800's and said something had to be done to save the ruins or they would be lost in the next 50 or so years.

We steadily descended the stairs and came out by the tea rooms. The tea rooms are next to the renovations, but the bit that is getting renovated up until abut a year or so ago was the property Manager's home. But, they retired and the renovations began. We walked past the Great Hall that is now no more than a couple of ground floor arch-ways with gravel flooring looking up to a few inaccessible stair-ways leading to other rooms. We went to the gardens which were a later addition to the property. These were very nicely landscaped given that they were on a fairly steep incline. Out of the back of the gardens was a plato with sheer drops surrounding it where it was said that, John Knox preached his cermons, but this is unlikely as the area in question is very inaccessible and hazardous. It is more likely he'd of done it indoors.

Once our tour of the castle was complete we stood chatting with one of the staff getting a bit more background information to the place.

Electra throughout seemed very interested to get into every room and have a sniff around and explore. Pipa could smell something she recognized from curry and Simon suggested maybe it wasn't from curry but it was a Dog Rose so he picked on for her to smell. After smelling it she decided it wasn't the scent and took a bite out of it claiming at first it tasted like lettuce then apple. One thing that will become apparent through out these blog posts is that Pipa isn't scared to try new things.

That was the castle done.

If you would like more information about the castle just click ”http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

Operation Slanket:

May 31^st 2011

The aim of the task was to get a photograph of Pipa in her webbing, kevlar helmet and gas mask. The added twist that it had to be outside of Edinburgh Castle along with the high-profile location she had to wear her camo slanket. The slanket was key to the photo as she had won it from the “Richard Hatch Show on BFBS Radio 1” based on the agreement that she would take this rediculous picture.

We thought “earlier we get over to Edinbrugh less busy it will be”. Wrong!

We got to the top of Castle Terrace where I was confronted by half-a-dozen tour buses. Mortyfied would be a slight understatment to describe my emotions at this point. It really didn't improve at all. On ascending the million steps to the Esplenade I realized it wasn't just the tour buses but all the people that had walked to the Castle also that were milling about not to mention the construction workers building up the stands for the annual Military Tattoo. We found a spot and quickly unpacked all the bits an pieces from the ruck-sacks. However, tourists were coming left right and centre wanting to get photos of Electra – which slowed the process down.

Pipa through me the camera quickly got “kitted up” and I snapped a few pictures. During the thirty to sixty seconds there was a fair few laughs from all around.

Following this, Pipa quickly stripped down packed away the kit and we made fast for the Bus Station to get home.