Poppy’s grand day out
It was the day after the night before’s football carry-on. Mum and Dad had watched the second half before we went out, but Scotland lost 1–0 to Morocco. Never mind, I had more important things to think about — like where we were off to next. We all piled into Blue and she set off down the Clyde. I kept my wee nose busy at the window. We didnae go over the big bridge, though. We just kept going. Mmmm… were we going to an island? But then Blue pulled off the big road far too soon for island adventures. Before long she stopped beside a castle. A castle! How had I never noticed that before? Out we jumped, and I was ready to proper explore.
Well, turns out Poppys are not allowed inside castles. Rude, if you ask me. So we just had a wee wander round the outside instead. That didnae take long at all. Right then, Mum — where are we off to next?
Back into Blue we went, and off she trundled back the way she came — only this time we went over the big bridge. We passed through Dumbarton, then Balloch, and headed towards Loch Lomond. Mmmmm… we only usually go to Luss in Betsy, so where on earth were we going? I soon found out. Blue pulled off the road and stopped at a wee jetty. The Inchmurrin Ferry Jetty! I knew this place. I’d been here before. Yum yum… that could only mean one thing — fishees and chips!
The ferry took us over to the island and, sure enough, my wee nose was right — we were getting fishees! Oh, they were yummy. But there was no time for hanging about. Come on then, Mum and Dad, more adventures please!
The nice ferry man came along the jetty, and I hopped straight into his boat like a proper wee sailor. Before long we were chugging away. Dad pointed to the boat beside us and said it obviously couldnae read. The ferry man laughed and said, “You’re not kidding — what part of ‘for the ferry only’ did he not get?”
The boat trip back from the island was smooth, only the noise of the engine purring and waters lapping. This is a nice Saturday.
Back into Blue we went, and off we set again. This time we were heading up the lochside when Blue suddenly pulled into Luss. Luss? But Betsy wasnae here. So where were we supposed to stay? Blue had a wee rest while we went out to stretch our legs. I like Luss, because Poppys are allowed off the leash there. By the time we reached the church I was roasting, but luckily I found the most perfect patch of grass for a good roll about.
We plodded down to the loch and I dipped my paws in the cool water and had a drink.
Luss was fair busy, with lots of peoplesees from all sorts of places. We went for a wee saunter down to the end of the big jetty. Nice breeze off the loch, eh Dad? Then something very strange happened. Two peoplesees started taking their clothes off — right down to their pants! I looked at Dad. Now, if it had been young dafties, I might have understood it, but these were not wee daft laddies. When I looked round again, they were gone… and all I heard was SPLASH! Right, Dad, let’s get out of here. I’m not having that happening to you.
We made our way back to Blue and off we went again. This time it looked like we were heading home, which puzzled me, because I was sure this was meant to be an overnight adventure. But then Blue surprised us by turning off the road and into a park. Not just any park either — this one had a great big house sitting right in the middle of it. Blue stopped outside, and before I could even have a proper sniff, peoplesees in kilts came over and took our bags. Then one of them jumped into Blue and drove her away. Dad! He’s just stolen Blue! Mum and Dad didnae seem worried at all. Mmmm… alright then. Let’s go inside and investigate.
We went through a grand room with flowers everywhere and arrived at a big desk. Mum was given a key, then another peoplesee whisked our bags away. What was going on here? Off we set on the trek to our room — and what a trek it was. Honestly, it felt miles away, down long corridors and round more corners than a wee dog could count.
When we finally got there, our bags were already waiting for us! How did they get there so quick? Was Blue hiding in here too? It was a big room, and then I spotted what they had left for me. Duck sausages! Oh yes, those beauties were getting scoffed tonight.
I sniffed around and soon found a nice seat with a good view for poppys out the window.
More nozeing around to do this room is massive. Once I was happy where I was it was time to check out my bed for the night.
It was far too nice outside to stay in, so off we went to explore. The gardens were just as grand as the house — honestly, it was more like a whole park! We followed a path that led us down towards the loch, and oh my paws, there were loads of brilliant smells for a wee nose to investigate.
Further along we found a boat park, full of wee sailing boats and motor boats, and it even had a pub and a restaurant. “This is where we’re coming for dinner tonight, Poppy,” said Mum. Mmmm… it looked no bad at all. Mum and Dad had a voucher for free drinks back at the big house, so we plodded off again. On the way I spotted a funny sign. What’s this, Dad? “It tells the weather, Poppy.” Tells the weather? How on earth does it manage that?
Back at the big house, we sat out on a huge veranda looking right over the loch. Mum and Dad seemed very happy with their fancy drinks. I had water, which was… fine, I suppose. Still, it was lovely sitting there in the sunshine. After a while, time started marching on, so we plodded back to the room. The World Cup was on the telly too, and Poppys likes footy.
All of a sudden, the telly changed. Uh-oh… telly-selly time. Better keep my eyes peeled in case any Petplan or ScotRail adverts came on. This room might be big, but let’s be clear — there’s only room for one doggy in here, and that doggy is me.
Mum and Dad started getting ready to go out, but first they sat down with some daft juice. The footy was finished by then, but the telly was still worth keeping an eye on. You never know what might pop up when a Poppy is watching.
I must have nodded off, because Mum and Dad sneaked away for dinner without me. The cheek of it! They woke me when they came back into the room. Excuse me… where’s mine? Luckily, I got some treats, then Dad got me ready for night-time patrol. It was still quite warm, so we wandered down to the side of the loch. We passed a couple of wee boys still out fishing. Time for bed, boys — Poppy’s on patrol now.
Next morning, Mum and Dad left me tucked up in my bed while they went to fetch my breakfast. And what a breakfast it was — bacon, salmon and sausages! Once we were all full up, we went to the front of the big house. Pretty soon, who came round the corner but Blue. I hoped she’d had a nice night too. We all jumped in, and she took us safely home.