Ow!
Have you ever suffered a close encounter with a gorse bush?
Round about this time of year, many of the hills near Aberdeen turn a vibrant yellow colour. It all looks so pretty from afar, glowing in the cool bright northern sunshine. It even smells nice (sort of like coconuts).
But I can assure you that appearances can be VERY deceptive. Especially if you're a dog with tender skin and paws.
As I found out all over again this morning, those gorse bushes on Brimmond Hill are VERY prickly.
Just ask Winnie the Pooh.
It's all OK when the path's wide enough and contact can be avoided. But in some areas there's no escape, so I just have to stop and plead to be carried.