“The Dog’s blog” posted on behalf of Kila (Research Assistant)

Day 3 apparently….but for me it started like all the others – just as it’s getting light the humans throw on several jumpers and woolly socks and I get all excited that a walk (sorry a stick throwing session) is on the cards but as usual, it wasn’t to be …. And the shifts begin for one or t’other of the humans to join me outside come rain or shine!

However this morning was to be different after all (apparently although it was sunny it was something called a “sea state 5” which I can only think has something to do with the wind as I do indeed believe that those dastardly sheep smelled even closer!), and only a few shift changes in, they’d packed up and loaded the moving box (the one that gets you to and from walks…and stops you from getting at those dastardly sheep)!! The humans appeared to enjoy the time in the box (taking photo things whilst I on the other hand just kept seeing sheep going past the window at 40mph….) and were rather happy when we rounded a corner to be greeted by “4 navy ships” (one was called the “Bulwark”, weird name if you ask me but hey…) hanging out in Loch Ewe. I was excited cos I finally got to go for a walk….but not before we were buzzed by the biggest bird I’ve ever seen (even bigger than the eagle we saw the other day), turns out it was of the species Helicopteri francais.

For the next wee while we (the humans actually, if truth be known) stumbled over heather covered rocks and took up residence in what used to be a gunnery outpost in WW2…very nice view of all the activity going on in the Loch and out into the Minch, some of these birds really can fly fast can’t they? No chance I’ll be catching one of them…and they’re a bit noisy for my liking too!



By the time we got back to the house it was sunnier but windier than before and although there was still lots of human discussions on-going, lots of “maps” being poured over and lots of standing around looking out to sea with those big glasses they have, there was also much more stick chasing for me, when I wasn’t running up and down the length of the fence to get at those dastardly sheep that is – if only they’d leave the gate open….!!

An exciting moment happened when the human called Sarah spotted a group of surfing porpoises, and then the one called Nicola found us a basking shark (just off the beach at the end of the garden!!) – don’t like the sound of that but I’m assured they only eat plankton and never come onto land, so I feel better knowing that… although I may think twice about swimming down there now! And if that wasn’t enough excitement for one day, we then got buzzed by what I presumed was another member of Helicopteri francais, however I was informed that although it was from the same genus, it was in fact a different yet similar species, Helicopteri royali navyi – there must be quite a diversity out here!

I’ll bid you farewell for the moment as I’m guessing it’s about time for the trip in the moving box to the place called the “temporary office” (I call it the pub…they claim it’s the only place they can get wireless…and after driving around in the moving box for ages trying to find an alternative source I’m beginning to believe them!) but I get packets of pork scratchings and lots of attention from other people so I don’t mind….and they might even stop at a beach for a walk on the way home before dinner and an evening of lying on the sofa for me…whilst they pour over more maps and talk about “data”, “navy ships” and “minke whales” – all Greek to me!

It’s a hard life being a dog…..and ensuring there are enough sticks to last the day – I had to make do with a chair leg the other day, after they’d taken the bone off me, how was I to know it was from a whale?!

Until next time….woof!