Rosemarkie and excitable Jack Russells

After the attendant had delivered breakfast, I flipped open the window to my sleeper berth and glorious sunshine poured in. The view was stunning - the Cairngorm mountains in sun. A perfect sight to wake up to.

In Inverness, Fred and I were soon on the road with Heath and the Jack Russells in search of Rosemarkie beach. We couldn't have asked for a nicer afternoon - there was real warmth in the sun. A seal swam offshore, bopping his head up every so often. About seven red-breaster mergansers paddled a little farther out, narrow beaks pointing sunwards.

Mum and I baked Heath a coconut birthday cake. We had fun breaking open the fresh coconuts and Mum had even more fun separating the coconut from its skin (thanks Mum!) She thought it was far too dangerous a job for her daughter to undertake. Baking done, we took the cake to Heath's, and tucked in to a feast with grand company, and Jack Russell's underfoot, hoovering up anything that was dropped.