Hearty Welcomes & Salutations! Originally an action-packed travel blog from a globe-trotting Scotsman, An Ache for the Distance has, over the years, slowed down (I post less often), mellowed out (domestic life has found it's way way on here) and become more of an expat/photo blog. Take a look around, leave a comment and share the love if you like something.
Stuart Mathieson, Lübeck, Germany

Tuesday 23 December 2014

The Evolution of the Furry Fish

As monsoon season replaces the antiquated term "winter" in Western Europe, Mischa seems to be evolving in the direction of a furry fish...


Monday 1 September 2014

Side, Turkey

My best lunch-time view of Summer 2014, The End Restaurant in Side, Turkey.


Friday 6 June 2014

A Flying Visit to Tuscany - Pisa, Florence, Chianti & Lucca

Duomo - Florence

Secret Italian Missile Launcher - Pisa

David above the tourists - Florence

The Good Stuff

Street Art - Florence

Street Scene - Florence

Chianti
Lucca

Wednesday 26 February 2014

My Rajasthan Top Ten

"From the cackle of its colour-charged cities to the luminous splendour of its sun-kissed desert, Rajasthan is romantic India wrapped in gaudy royal robes... Compiling a must-see list in Rajasthan can cripple the fussy traveller..." - Lonely Planet

Deciding what to see in Rajasthan can be tough so here's my top ten sights/activities to give you a helping hand on your way...


MONKEY TEMPLE in Jaipur (Galtaji)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galtaji

" The temple complex of Ramgopalji temple is colloquially known as Monkey temple (Galwar Bagh) in travel literature, due to the large tribe of monkeys who live here. These rhesus macaques were featured in National Geographic Channel's Rebel Monkeys series and "Thar Desert - Sacred sand" episode of Wildest India Series. "



Crashing Out, Husky Style

There's definitely a theme developing here...

Tuesday 25 February 2014

Wednesday 19 February 2014

The Sadness of Sexual Rejection

I got an email a couple of weeks ago asking about Sam's balls... Is it better to have a pup with dangly bits or say arrividerci to the plums?

Sam has all of his tackle in tact, firstly out of respect for the man-code (never cut off another fellow's balls) and secondly because many Dobermans, Sam included, suffer from Von Willebrand disease which means he could actually bleed to death if you took a knife to his sack (Potential Doberman owners beware!)

The downside to this for Sam is of course the rejection from his ladies when his nuts are sending him into sexual overdrive.  He's been trying to get laid for a couple of weeks now but both the Husky and the German Shepherd have sent him packing.

This shot was taken seconds after another toothy rejection from Taia (lying, sex-free, on the floor behind him.)

Saturday 11 January 2014

Swimming Techniques When You've Got Four Legs

Husky Driftwood at Lago di Fiastra
Last summer we took the puppies swimming at Lago di Fiastra in Italy and discovered that doggy paddles differ.  Taia the husky took to the water like a fish, in fact we didn't even hear a splash when she went in, I simply turned round and some husky-sized, white, fluffy driftwood floated by. Mischa however was a different story. With every stick thrown into the lake, there was a scene reminiscent of a fully clothed Eskimo drowning.  OK, she was moving forward in the water but there were definitely no points for style. I tried giving her some tips but just got this look!

Mischa's reaction to swimming tips.
Mischa, Taia & Sam on Facebook