Surprise New Puppy!

Well, that was a very emotional evening. I have just watched my Dad say goodbye to his school after 19 years of teaching there. The school organised a lovely evening of drinks and 300 people turned up to say farewell and good luck. The unforgettable moment was Dad receiving his present from the parents. After months of plotting between the parents, my mum and myself we finally got to D-day. Year 8 children were lined up with wrapped packages and one by one, Dad opened a squeaky toy, a dog whistle, a packet of treats, a dog bed, a travel cage and a collar. I think he then expected at the very most, a cheque for a getting a dog. The look on his face when he was handed a real puppy was priceless and heartbraking.

Love at first sight! Dad and Fingal "Fin". When the pair of them get up to Mull, what a life they shall have!

The other highlight of the evening was the cake made in the shape of Ru'a Fiola. An incredible work of art that must have taken hours and hours to make. I was speechless when I saw it. Look at this attention to detail! It was made by a parent at Twyford School and was made mainly from looking at photographs of the island, though her daughter was a loyal Ru'a Fiola-ite and directed exactly where everything should be on the cake.

Dad did brilliantly at the do and his next day was the last day of term and his last day at Twyford. The teachers gave him a drum kit by way of goodbye, he showed off his new puppy and the year 7 girls all burst into tears during assembly as the headmaster officially said farewell. What a way to have your departure heralded. I expect Dad is feeling rather overwhelmed.

In other news, Ali and I have done a coastal navigation and tidal planning course, which was brilliant! Anyone interested in sea kayaking should consider it. It is a BCU course and a pre-requisite for 4star leader but even as a stand alone course, it is very interesting.

We have also visited the borders and the Johnson-Ferguson family for a whirlwind tour round the farm on quad bikes. My respect for Iona went through the roof as she safely navigated us through huge deep ditches, up steep hills over rocks and branches and through streams whilst all the way keeping up with Torquil's much beefier and comfier quad.

Well, the clocks go forward next weekend, but it doesn't seem to be getting spring-like just yet. I have seen a couple of lambs, but they are just the brave pioneers. I have also just made it back up to Oban, from Winchester, through some exciting weather and the train man charging me an extra £100 because I forgot my rail card!! Ouch... Having been so emotional at dad's do, I promptly burst into tears and made the whole packed out carriage feel extremely uncomfortable. The train man didn't bat an eyelid. B*****d. The ferry is cancelled too. Just one of those days I guess.

Bring on our housewarming party week!