Wednesday 25 February 2015

Wednesday 25.02.2015

Couldn`t resist going straight out this morning: hard frost, chilly breeze and clear, bright blue sky a real contrast to the last couple of sleety wild and windy grey days.
Long shadows,







larks a-larking overhead, chaffinches warbling away in the woods and an altogether springlike feeling to the day







and that despite all the icy puddles and singing gates.


Good job we went when we did too for the day deteriorated and by teatime we were back to grey and wet and ....the other side of February.


Sunday 15 February 2015

Sunday 15.02.2015

Wild and windy, the tops still capped with thick cloud. Wasn`t intending a walk all the way up but hey - last day here and all that. Exhilarating`s the only word - the noise of the wind in the trees like the sound of the roughest ocean,the billowing cloud further up swirling round us and, at the very top, the feeling that if we`d stood too close to the edge we`d have been blown off.
Instead it was a case of crouching briefly in the shelter of the trig point before sliding carefully down the steepest steps at the top until it was possible to stand up again. The feeling of powerlessness actually made me laugh. Talk about no such thing as bad weather.
Pics a bit superfluous even if I`d been able to hold the camera steady. :)

Saturday 14 February 2015

Saturday 14.02.2015

Thought we`d make do with a couple of short sprints round the woods, shrouded in cloud as we`ve been all day, but the second trip turned into a magical mystery tour as the mist worked its enchantment, drawing us onwards and upwards on paths that could have led anywhere.......




Without the usual landmarks it would theoretically be possible to wander round in circles but we`d been this way before and knew if we simply kept going upwards on the (ever-narrowing) path we`d end up near the top of Mither Tap and so it proved. Emerging out of the heather onto the main path with the cloud much thicker and swirling round us we eschewed the actual summit and scuttled off the hill and into the woods,with more ghostly trees







and the gloomy light endowing the mosses and lichens and ferns with an almost fluorescent glow.



Bad weather? No such thing really.

Friday 13 February 2015

Friday 13.02.2015

Yesterday the gentlest: a warm sun quickly dispersed the early frost leaving a benign,undeniably Spring-like day,a few wispy clouds drifting across the sky creating a softer light than we`ve been having, perfect for a wander round the woods.








And we stayed in the woods today,


the tops being covered in cloud, the atmosphere damp and cool, Spring pushed back a few more weeks after all.







Thursday 12 February 2015

Wednesday 11.02.2015

So through the woods,







young dog wondering what`s taking me and older dog so long.






12.25 Mither Tap looking across to Oxen Craig







12.45 On the path to Oxen Crag looking back at Mither Tap





13.08 Oxen Crag looking towards the Cairngorms






13.34 Last stop Craigensharroch then back down to complete the circuit,past mini-cairns
(love a pile of rocks)







Hosie`s well

(more history)





looking back at the sun starting to descend behind Mither Tap





and finally home through the woods.





Just over three hours, tired legs, sore feet but worth every minute. Cannot believe how good the weather has been this week.

























Wednesday 11 February 2015

Tuesday 10.02.2015

Another startlingly beautiful day - and night. There are definitely more stars out there than there were yesterday...

This morning, a frosty start,surprisingly icy tracks in places,








trees to get lost amongst,









a bit of history

and more woodpeckers!





Monday 9 February 2015

Monday 09.02.2015 (2)

Just back from that last walk: the sky star-studded, the music of the spheres audible in the still, chill air.
And Orion overlooking it all. Had to resist the urge to say goodnight to him - out loud anyway.

Monday 09.02.2015

Horse/sheep/chicken and dog-sitting at the foot of Bennachie and we have been blessed with almost perfect days - and nights!

Yesterday it was still and clear and warm and we wandered through the woods (just the dogs you understand, the chickens can`t keep up, the sheep wander off the tracks and the horses frighten everyone else`s dogs) pleased but not surprised to see Mither Tap still there (it`s been a long time)keeping a dignified watch on things



New young dog here also necessitates night strolls - starlit and still with strange night noises echoing out of the woods.




And today more perfection: Mither Tap awaiting






the woods were magical







and despite some storm wreckage,







familiar landmarks endure.









Once at the top it was all greens and browns in one direction,










in the other, mountains, snow and ice.










Spirit raising, putting-it-all-in-persepective (but not too much), soul enhancing......and to cap it all a woodpecker in the woods on the way back. :)

Sunday 1 February 2015

Sunday 01.02.2015

Couldn`t stop taking pictures of trees this morning, whitewashed by the snow showers that had been blowing across all night:





Just the right amount of crunchy snow to walk on again - deer and rabbits rushing about to tease the dogs and the birds giving it laldy in the woods. We even got a little winter music from the metal gates as the icy wind blew across them.

This after another gallivant to Glasgow on Friday to see the gleeful Harald Haugaard* with Helene Blum,



at the splendid Oran Mor** venue. Celtic Connections really is an inspired event to help keep the dark of a Scottish winter at bay.

*http://www.haraldh.dk/
**http://www.oran-mor.co.uk/