A Day in the Life of Eriska

Its amazing how time flies as yet again a significant birthday has arrived and my sister and I have enjoyed celebrating although at 70 years I am trying to persude my two leggeds that I should be starting to take things a bit easier and when I suggested more help from rides round the island on the buggy they simply pointed out that at my age i could apply for a bus pass!!  Not really the type of transportation assistance I was suggesting!!



Anyway 70 today and despite a wee bit of grey hair all who admire me- and there have been many today- as I passed by on my afternoon tea inspection- remarked on how well I looked so maybe my target of 100 and a telegram from the Palace are within reach!!







Dibley

Over the last few weeks, my paws have been ever so strained as I have been overseeing the work on Arnott's House - no rest for the wick you know! And by the weekend, Eriska's 1st self-catering house on the island will be fit for a king - just in time as we are about to welcome our first guests!

And the 2-leggeds have once again pulled out all the stops to ensure it will be ready for our first guests arriving not this weekend but next.

Although I, myself, have not been able to help much in the way of labour for the project, I have loved seeing the transformation which my two-leggeds will share with you shortly.  I think most importantly of all, I have enjoyed their company and if I am really honest, the fuss all those new faces make over me is not bad either! So until the next time...

Afternoon all! And yet again I have to apologise as it has been a while but I have been busy with lots of new 2 legged friends to play with, especially with all these bank holidays yesterday it has been great fun although has left me pretty tired. But on the bright side it is all good exercise and is keeping me young.

I am certainly looking forward to this weekend coming as I have heard whispers from my owners that it is set to be a scorcher and I might never want to come out the Loch after paddling. One thing I am excited about is getting back in that water for a swim without having to jump out seconds later due to the cold.  It is funny how my owner also can’t wait to get back in the water, however he is more suited to keeping dry on a boat whereas I would rather jump in and do my best to keep my head above water. Each to their own I suppose as the saying goes!

Anyway, precious time is being wasted and I better look my best for my long anticipated dip tomorrow when I here temperatures are supposed...

You would think I don’t work hard enough for my 2-legged friends going by the amount of projects that go on around here...just after I completed my supervision of the sports hall, ensuring Peter and his team were working hard, does work on Arnott’s house begin and I seem to be supervising not only the renovation work going on over here, but also the whole island as Arnott's House is found much higher up than the hotel overlooking much of the island.

However I have to say, it does mean I don’t have to walk too far from home in the morning and when I get a bit peckish, it doesn’t take me long to get home for a bite to eat – always a plus side to everything! For now, I should really get myself off the net and head on over to Arnott’s and make sure there is no slacking going on.  Will keep you posted...

Wow time flies and I have been slacking on the blog front again – sorry folks! Only a couple of weeks ago (in March!!) we were threatened with snow once again – as if the winter hadn’t been long enough already – and just these last few days the weather has allowed me to bask in sunshine...well, I can dream can't I?! I certainly liked to imagine I was as I explored and surveyed the Eriska grounds without feeling the slightest bit chilly. And now we come to the last day in March...

I like to think I have done a fairly good job over the last few months of overseeing the Sports Hall, keeping an eye on the workmen ensuring they are working hard and it has certainly paid off – now it is ready to use and just crying out for my 2 legged friends to get stuck in and make the most of it.  Sadly, I don’t have the pleasure of getting to take part – after all the supervision I have done as well – 2 legged friends only I have been told....

Over past couple of weeks I have been working flat out, supervising the finishing touches the busy bees, namely Peter and his team have been working on at the sports hall, prior to our guests being let loose on Wednesday just past.

This afternoon, my 2-legged master will be getting his glad-rags on as Dennis and Tony Hardley visit the sports hall to get some action shots, proving that at last the sports hall is in fact functionally and can’t wait for some company from more 2-leggeds, and with Easter just around the corner, you couldn’t find a better excuse to work off all those Easter Eggs the Easter Bunny will bring next month!

Over the next few days, I will continue to patrol the sports hall and ensure that all our new guests arriving at the hotel are well aware of the fun they can have here, as I leave a trail of doggy footprints in the direction of the sports hall....

It is February already and as well as it being Monday, having been moseying around the hotel all weekend, it also happens to be Valentine’s Day today – I have been watching so many 2-legged, loved up friends coming and going from the hotel over the past few days and it doesn’t look like it will stop anytime soon! However, as is the case every year, once again, this morning I found myself waking up to my own little Valentine’s present from my owner - reminding me that I am not missing out!

On another note, I am looking forward to welcoming back a couple of my playmates from their brief holiday in Taynuilt as their owner took off to sunnier climates! As we welcome them back tomorrow, I will look forward to helping them acclimatise themselves to Eriska  – very much needed as I hear a whisper that is may be snowing at this very point! Luckily, as my 2-legged friend keeps reminding me and his fellow 2-legged friends, with Eriska being situated on the Gulf Stream, we escape from the worst of it, so hopefully...

I just love the run up to Christmas and the festivities surrounding it, everything and everyone is just so exciting and Eriska always has a full house so I am never short of company – 2-legged and 4-legged!

My good behaviour must have paid off as Santa certainly spoiled me rotten this year - so many presents and not enough time in which to play with them.  I just can’t decide which one is my favourite, although I have to say, the squeaky badger given to me by my owner is certainly keeping me entertained indoors out of the cold. And forward thinking, as ever, they even got me a floating ball which I cannot wait to jump off the pier and fetch when the summer comes to warm the water up a bit.

For now though, following a couple of days of relaxing and enjoying the milder weather, I am now eagerly awaiting the arrival of some different 4 legged friends who will help me welcome in the New Year.  I just hope I have the energy for more fun and games! My next blog will be in 2011 so I want to wish all my...

Following my excitement of witnessing Father Christmas on Eriska last week in one of the hot tubs, it got me thinking that I was sure I recognised that red and white suit he always wears, and in fact, I think I have seen something similar peaking out of my 2-legged friend’s wardrobe...but I suppose I will never know.

Today kicks off the Eriska Christmas festivities and I am SO excited as it means a lot more 4-legged friends for me to play with over Christmas – very welcome news especially when it is so chilly outside!

With it only being 2 days (!) until Christmas Day, I have been on my best behaviour , ensuring my owner notices this in the hope that Santa will be extra good to me this year. I think I have just about mastered this art but will have to wait another couple of days to find out what goodies Santa brings!

With the weather being rather chilly of late, I have not been spending much time outside as the warm fire at home has been much more tempting! I have also noticed that I am not alone as I keep hearing murmurs from others of how cosy and warm they are indoors at Eriska beside the fire.

 

While my other 4 legged friends around the country appear to have had great fun in the snow, I have been eagerly awaiting in anticipation that we might have at least enough snow to make the cold temperatures worthwhile.  However, no such luck so far – for me while I hear a sign of relief from others!

 

I do miss my regular afternoon swims down by the Eriska pier, and get a bit jealous when I see my 2 legged friends in the hot tub in the pool and those who are lucky enough to have them in their own garden! As I was doing my rounds the other day, I saw this image through one of the gates lying open to the spa suite…



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