You Can Never Go Back

I love rules with a fierce veracity—they’re the guiding principles that dictate our lives—government, legal or self-imposed. But when it comes to travel, I only follow three:

1. Leave while you’re still having fun. 

2. Holidays romances should remain as such. Nothing destroys the magic of a holiday romance faster than creating unnecessary opportunities to see your lover settled into the mundane tedium of their everyday life, sorting their recycling and buying toilet paper. 

3. And above all else, you can never go back—places only exist as a moment in time. 

I broke all of these rules when I decided to return to Sydney this February. It had been less than a year since I’d been there last and as soon as I booked my tickets, I knew it was a mistake.

Deltiologically Speaking: Eilean Donan Castle

Clutching a hot coffee and screwing my face up against the cold wind, I scurried back across the empty parking lot to our rental car, tossing my bag in the backseat. It contained the only souvenirs that I'd purchase throughout my week in Scotland; a clan Cameron keychain for my brother and a postcard.

"The postcard is for my Great Aunt Mary," I explained to Jules, pulling away from Eilean Donan Castle and back onto the road. "I don't see her very often, but I try to write whenever I can."

As we drove on, towards the Isle of Skye, I told Jules about how even though Mary is now in her 80s, she still travels regularly. The last time we visited, I informed Aunt Mary about my plans to going trap shooting. In turn, she told me about how she'd been a sharpshot in her day, hunting grouse for dinner. And when she asked me about my plans to have a family or get married, I told her that exploring was my priority for the time being. She responded by nodding in approval.

"She's kind of my hero," I told him.

But as it turns out, I wasn't the only one to be holding Mary in my thoughts at Eilean Donan castle.

Last month, I received this email from Mary's son, Bob:

Tips for Bringing Your Dog to the Cottage

When I brought my Boston Terrier, Brockton, to the cottage for the first time, I was shocked when my house-trained pup had an accident inside. It was only the start of many problems that would follow throughout the weekend—Brock developed a rash from rolling in wet sand, he ran away during a fireworks show and at one point, he nearly drowned.

Stories like this don’t come as any surprise to professional dog trainer Caryn Charlie Liles. “In cottage country we have different health concerns than in the city,” explains Liles, a trainer at Whatta Pup. “There’s toxic plants, ticks that carry lyme disease, wild animals—you name it. Without careful planning and supervision the trip to the cottage could be a minefield. Preparation and awareness is key in order to make it a wonderful week for everyone.”

Here are some ways that you can ease a dog’s first trip to the cottage—regardless of whether it’s a new puppy or an old rescue that’s out of the city for the first time. 

Read more on Cottage Life»