I am not back to normal (what is normal?), but I am feeling much better today. Sadly, OH took to his bed for the morning. He looked and felt like death warmed up. I sympathised.
So, after feeding the horses, the ponies, etc, I took the dogs out for a walk. We went to Leradale because I love it there, especially in autumn. It is very special.
We walked to the loch, which is shallow and perfect for learning to swim in.
Pepper was intrigued.
On my way, I grabbed an old rotten fence post and was throwing bits in to encourage her to go in.
Obviously I had to go in too to prove this was the best fun.
Ted was a very determined – No Way! Not Never, Not Ever!
Then Pepper became braver and more independent.
She was watching something the other side of the loch.
She did some experimenting with this new watery stuff.
And her confidence grew.
I have no idea what was on the other side but off the dogs raced and Pepper leapt into the loch off a rock and suddenly found herself swimming! She executed a perfect circle, got to the bank and clambered back onto dry ground and shook herself. I think she was a bit surprised about this impromptu swim but was not put off. I, of course, do not have this moment of posterity on camera as I was busy running after her in case she couldn’t get back onto the shore.
So much encouragement and praise for Pepper to say this was all perfectly normal, and off she raced up the hill where it was drier.
I think Pepper will be another little otter, like BeAnne. This is the perfect loch to swim in. Shallow and warm in summer and very safe.
Lovely photos! We will finally have early Fall tempertures next week – still in the mid 70’sF.
Ted is too much a dandy to want his hair to get wet swimming. Pepper is becoming all grown up.
Little Miss Maine Coon send OH purrs and hopes Monster is playing bed warmer.
You’ve recovered remarkably quickly, Frances, and the ‘scenery’ photographs are superb. Hope your OH starts to feel better soon. Sending him good wishes and positive vibes!
I will. He took to his pit again today.
happy you are feeling better and bravo Pepper!
So glad you’re feeling better already! Sorry to hear about OH though. Hope he’s feeling much better soon. What a nice swimming experience for Pepper….too bad Ted is so shy of water. We had a swimming pool once and my OH dropped one of our cats in…..she swam with a great dog paddle over to the edge and got lifted out!
Good to see you out and about and feeling better.
Just curious, what is the highest temperature any of the waters near you ever achieve?
As a swimmer who is spoiled by heated pools, I can’t imagine they would be warm enough for a human to swim in without a wetsuit, or even at all.
Temperature in the water? Hmmmm. Apparently it averages (the sea, that is) at “about 6℃ (42℉) in the winter to about 13℃ (55℉) in late summer.”
The loch is different, though, because it is not very deep and has a peaty bottom so can get beautifully warm in the sun.
Patterdale terriers do not know the meaning of the words “wet” or “cold” or even “perhaps not a good idea” Everything is a brilliant idea, apparently!
So beautiful.