We have been back for two weeks and it has been very, very busy!  We had a lovely vacation for the first week, the weather was great, very sunny but cooler than at home as we are of course further north. 

The view from the cottage and the blue sky!

Coco did really well on the drive up.  We did not go on the motorway as there are only the Services to stop at.  The road we used we could just pull in to places to let her out but she was fine and in fact slept most of the way (above).

The cottage at night on one of DH’s trips round the garden with Coco!

We did not do a lot except take Coco out as we both just need to chill.  Although the garden is fenced it is not fenced enough for a five month old puppy so she went out on her lead every day.  I bought a long lead which DH used once as Coco and he managed to get it wrapped around things and when the wind blew it was all over the place!!!!!

Coco did have a good time running around though on her usual extender lead!

She loved every minute of it.  We did decide one day to take her to the beach.  This was the one that we used to take the Boys to when they were young and it was always quiet with just a few locals.  Well we got there to find that someone had put about 250 static caravans next to it and you could not see the beach for people so we decided it was not a good idea.  However to save driving the long way round via the road, there is a summer ferry between the two points called The Nigg Ferry so we went on this.  Now when I say ferry it has room for two cars or one truck and people. Coco thought it was very interesting being on the sea.

The ferry goes across the Cromarty Firth which then opens up to the deep port of Invergordon which is where they service the gas/oil platforms.

The day was very warm and sunny.

I got quite a lot of reading done which was great and managed to finish five books, as well as doing some quilting.

We had taken a lot of new toys for Coco to play with and keep her entertained, one of them was a toy giraffe with tennis ball feet and she loved it.  However she started to pull the covering off the feet so DH picked it up to take it in the kitchen to remove the feet and Coco was not happy about this.  Up to now she has not really jumped much but this particular evening, the Monday of the second week, she launched herself from the floor up to DH’s arm to try and grab the toy.  Unfortunately she did not land on her back feet but with her left rear leg under her and squeaked holding her leg up!  We felt her over and nothing was dislocated so we thought she had perhaps pulled a muscle.  By this time it was 10.30pm. 

The next day she was still hopping on three legs so we took her to the vets our friends use.  She had to stay in and have an x-ray and they found that she had an evulsion fracture on her “knee” and she would need an operation to pin it but this had to be done by an orthopedic vet.  DH and I thought we were going to have to drive home overnight and go to our vet and get a referral from them but fortunately there was an orthopedic vet in Inverness and he was able to do the operation the next day, Wednesday.  We took her in for 8.30am and she was there all day and now has a pin and wire in her knee.  The worst bit of all this is she is on crate rest for six weeks as she is not to jump, run or stretch the knee in case it pulls out again.  Trying to keep a five month old puppy still is like asking water not to run!!!!!!!! 

First day of crate rest, you can see her shaved leg.  Don’t worry only six more weeks to go!

The other problem is that of course Coco thinks she is fine!  She had her stitches out this week and then she will need an x-ray at four weeks and eight weeks after the op and we have to make sure that as she is growing her back legs are growing at the same rate, if not then she may have to have the pin and wire removed which will be by the vet who put them in, in Inverness!  Needless to say the final two days of the vacation we stayed in at the cottage!

She is being very good although we have to really keep an eye on her to make sure she does not do anything she shouldn’t and she is taken out on her lead on the patio several times a day.  We have also bought her quite a few interactive toys to keep her busy and to add insult to injury we have had to cut her food down because of course she is not doing anything!   I don’t know who is going to be more mad by the end of six weeks her or I!

I did say to DH whether it is a good idea for us to go on vacation!!!  Here are a few more pictures.

One of the day we woke to find mist over the mountains which cleared when the sun broke through.

The heather was coming out which we think was because it had been so dry.

We had lots of fluffy white clouds

On the road from the cottage to the main road there is an area which reminds me very much of The Game of Thrones sets that were used especially The North!  Below are some pictures I took.

The Highland cows were in the field, last year’s baby!

One of this year’s babies!

A tiny Christmas tree.  Needs to grow a bit before it can be dressed!

I went to The Festival of Quilts on the Sunday after we got back on the Saturday and I will show you those pictures tomorrow.  Sorry this has been a picture heavy post but hope you have enjoyed our vacation to The Highlands! 

Have a great Friday.  Hugs & Love, Susie, DH & Coco xxx