Maeve on the Beach

7.5C dull with some rain in the middle of the day. Windy.

The BBC forecast was showing rain for lunchtime so Maeve the Deerhound and I went for a walk about 10am. We went up by the church, down the bridle path, and across the level crossing to go down to the beach. It was dull and windy (25 mph gusting 35) but dry.

The tide was coming in and the waves were rushing across the rocks. There was still plenty of beach to walk along. The beach by the Fishermen's huts was free of stones for a change so I let Maeve off her lead so she could have a few minutes to herself. As I suspected she rushed around and enjoyed being on the clear sand. She did look at the sea, but was not for paddling. We had the beach all to ourselves.

I stood with Maeve looking out over the sea in the channel through the rocks and had a think about all the places we went this year.
A long weekend in Edinburgh in March with a visit to the Scotland's People Centre for family history research.
A wonderful cottage holiday in May at Ardlamont on the Cowal peninsula with a view from the garden over to Arran that we loved.
An Orkney visit in June where we met new friends and met more members of my Hoy family. I feel very lucky to have spent time with them in their historic island home.
In September there was painting and printing in Ullapool with sunny weather and lots of fun and laughter.
Last but not least we had a week at a cottage on Dundadd farm in Mid Argyll which allowed us to walk with Maeve from Tayvallich to Carsaig, amongst the standing stones in Kilmartin Glen, and along the towpath of the Crinan Canal to look out over the sea to Islay and Jura.

As we turned away to walk the half mile or so home I couldn't help but wonder how long it will be until the planning begins and Apothecary7 and Maeve and I can have some more little adventures.

Later it will be 2014 !