Completely perfect summer morning up on the hill very early. A small smudge of white cloud hung near the waning moon in an otherwise clear blue sky. Not a breath of wind and the long grasses sparkled in the morning dew. Three birds sat atop the old "lightning" tree at the back of the top field - a yellowhammer and two linnets - and hardly missed a beat as we strolled by. One of those mornings to remember when were buried under several feet of snow and there`s a blizzard blowing.
Hopefully that`s a few months of yet and in the meantime we make the best of what we`re given: yesterday another brief visit to New Aberdour beach where we may have seen otters playing on the rocks which rather surprised us and has yet to be confirmed.
There have been other walks this past week in the woods but basically it`s been a story of recovering from the big haul up Lochnagar last Friday. The weather was (as promised!) perfect, sunny and warm but with a fresh breeze to keep the flies away. Although the car park was rammed and along with dozens of other people we had to park on the roadside (which it should be noted added an extra quarter of a mile to the walk - an important factor on the way back) the mountain and the loch are big enough to spread everybody out so it didn`t feel crowded.
Through the trees at the bottom and soon out on the track with the younger members of the four man party powering ahead (plus the newest, youngest dog to have temporarily joined the household - the two older ones holding the fort back home).
Plenty of chances to admire the views (i.e. take a breather)
and then it was onwards and upwards,
over the last few boulders
and finally, thankfully, onto the plateau which leads to the top.
Despite the beautiful day it was blowing a hooley and suddenly felt quite chilly so after the obligatory we-made-it pics
it was time to hightail it down the other side,
looking forward, as has become the tradition, to the riverside rest, recuperation and picnic (the cold water on the feet absolute bliss and sausages cooked in the open air always the best).
Then downwards
and, after a brief (not entirely intentional) dip in the waterfall for some of us
onwards for the long final trudge through trees, over bridges and back by the Loch, looking particularly splendid in the late afternoon sunshine.
And the biggest killer was that last extra quarter of a mile back to the distantly parked car!
However, despite sore feet and, variously, depending on age and condition, aching legs/knees/backs it was a memorable day.
