Sunday 30 April 2017

Sunday 30.04.2017

A keen easterly came as a bit of a shock as we set off up the road around four o`clock this afternoon, but the light was bright and clear, the colours sharp and we soon warmed up. A typical Spring day in fact - still some winter silhouettes







fresh green







and brilliant yellow.







And yesterday Auld Reekie was looking particularly springlike. Had gone to catch an event that was part of the Edinburgh Trad Fest (http://www.tracscotland.org/festivals/tradfest/events/7368/on-the-radical-road-enacting-hamish-henderson)

which was held in the fascinating Anatomy Lecture Theatre, a small slightly claustrophobic venue, redolent of Burke and Hare (and I have since discovered that William Burke was actually dissected there!!).

But also had time to wander round, take a little stroll round the Princes Street Gardens, (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princes_Street_Gardens)

blossom everywhere and that iconic castle looming over it all,




And should give Cafe de la Poste a mention (http://www.cafedelaposte.co.uk/) - a bowl of excellent onion soup revived and restored perfectly. :)


Wednesday 26 April 2017

Wednesday 26.04.2017

Last vestiges of snow lingering in patches underfoot








and on the tops in the distance




after the last couple of days of ferocious "April showers" Scottish style i.e.three inches of snow, hail, sleet and thunder interspersed with the brief appearance of a warm sun attempting to turn the snow to slush before the next onslaught.


Fortunately it didn`t arrive until Monday because on Sunday a group of us had a long-standing booking for a climb up Clachnaben. https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/aberdeenshire/clachnaben.shtml

Last attempted on a day when the tops remained resolutely covered in cloud, this time the views were splendiferous and revealed the fact that there is more than just the distinctive granite tor to explore once you get up there although that is certainly very impressive








But a little further along, a trig point,






paths tempting us to walk further






(though we resisted) and Bennachie from the other side.......





A successful tramp, good company and all rounded off at the excellent Buchanan`s Bistro.......
www.buchananfood.com


Friday 14 April 2017

Friday 14.4.2017

No dramas out there today, just a spring day quietly going about its business, something of a relief after the freezing wild winds of the last few days.
Bird song and coconut scented gorse,








curtains of new larch







and luminescent fresh grass.


Saturday 8 April 2017

Saturday 8.4.2017

Only one thing for it on a day like this - a quick scoot to the top of Oxen Craig after work this afternoon. Already starting to get a bit hazy on the horizon as we cleared the tree line




but the view from the top was still worth it.









It`s not often conditions are so perfect, the warm sun, a welcome cooling breeze: really didn`t want to come down although the walk back through the woods was also a delight.


And the cricket season is up and running. If I knew what the emoji for contented sigh was I`d use it. :)



Friday 7 April 2017

Friday 7.4.2017

A lot of walking round one way and another this week: every day a little warmer than the last though the wind kept reminding us it`s still relatively early in the year. Changeable would some it up best, definitely stirs something...as Chaucer knew....

"WHAN that Aprille with his shoures soote
The droghte of Marche hath perced to the roote,
And bathed every veyne in swich licour,
Of which vertu engendred is the flour;
Whan Zephirus eek with his swete breeth
Inspired hath in every holt and heeth
The tendre croppes, and the yonge sonne
Hath in the Ram his halfe cours y-ronne,
And smale fowles maken melodye,
That slepen al the night with open ye,
(So priketh hem nature in hir corages:
Than longen folk to goon on pilgrimages
"

Unfortunately no "pilgrimages" planned just yet but this afternoon`s walk was a good leg stretch. Felt like a leisurely Friday afternoon, the warm sun encouraging strolling rather than the usual brisk yomping, so stroll we did but took an extra loop round so we were out for a bit longer. Always good to get a few alternative viewpoints.....