Ted was brilliant on the journey. He really manned up, staying clean in his kennel and is now completely cured of whining (who knew a 2 day journey including 14 hours on a boat could do this?)

Anywho, leaving our long and arduous travels well behind us, Ted and I arrived home at about 8.00. Pepper was delirious to see a new dog (read victim). I however was chopped liver and I think she doesn’t remember me at all.

The two dogs sussed each other out.

And Monster watched.

While I wouldn’t say Ted is thrilled with Pepper, having spent all his life wanting to play with another dog, Pepper is besotted with Ted.

On a good note, Ted has obviously lived with cats before. He had three homes before Mum so somewhere there was a cat in all of that.  Monster got in a few “pervy sniffs”.

And then promptly sat in Ted’s spare bed to make his point. Something about Ruling The World.

Lunchtime.  My travel bag fell in a puddle when I arrived home.

Someone had a telling-off for being a total brat who seems to have lost the art of listening or doing what she is told.

And so now peace reigneth and I think all will be well if a certain Princess can calm down and behave herself.  I moved Ted’s lovely pink fluffy bed to live under my desk where he is currently sleeping while I type this.  That is where BeAnne used to live.

I wish I could tell Mum that Ted is happy.  She would want to know this.

Ted and I were up and out by sunrise (07:15) and up on the hills behind the house. It was beautiful – ruddy freezing though, but beautiful. We were the only ones there.

A good English breakfast ,packing and then back on the road for us.  Ted had one of my sausages for sitting nicely while I ate.

Many hours later, a quick stop off at Tesco, Dundee for my supper, I took Ted for a long walk in Duthie Park, Aberdeen. I gave him an early supper, more walking and we have just got in the boat.

Ted has a nice big kennel, two beds (his pink one and a blanket too), a little food with his anti anxiety drugs and water. I am in bed in my cabin with a cup of tea.  I must admit I am very stressed. Hopefully the tea will do the trick. Still, I’ve done it! I’m nearly home.

I am currently sitting on the floor with Ted in our Bed and Breakfast in Tebay. We are both on the floor because of the gleamingly clean white duvet cover on the bed!

So that means we are half way. Ted was a good boy (ish) – there was a bit of whining every so often but he did his best to be behave and, so far, I am proud of him.

Tonight we are going to the local dog-friendly pub for supper.  We may have to have a takeaway!

Onward, ever onward up to Aberdeen first light tomorrow after a walk and breakfast.

My sister and I spent the morning doing the administration stuff that needs to be done in times like these.  All very sad but necessary.

Then I packed and sorted in the afternoon.  Ted has his travelling crate ready and I have all his toys to come with him.  During the trip north, the crate will be covered and the vet has given Ted anti-anxiety drugs as he is not the best traveller (think, whinge every mile).

This evening I popped out onto the golfcourse, after leaving the foxes their absolute positively last meal from me – one stayed behind to watch me afterwards. It was rather nice – he was saying thank you or probably more like is there any more?  And yes, there may be some butter tomorrow that can go out!

And these photos are from this morning’s walk. The golfcourse is a good place to think. I’ve been doing a lot of that recently.

Wish me and Ted luck for the next few days. We leave first thing for Cumbria tomorrow.

So much to do with much officially to get sorted.  There is no escape and my sister and I have worked tirelessly all day until we are now boggly-eyed.

My sister goes home tomorrow, while Ted and I drive north on Wednesday up to Cumbria for the night, then on to Aberdeen and the boat overnight to Shetland.

I am so tired.  I need to see and live this.  Normality in my world.