Week 41 - 21st to 27th July

Monday 21st - day 338

Again the weather is looking promising for our trip, and it remains lovely all day! This is just as well as we are visiting Easdale and Seil Island with the wrinks, and I had no idea just what joys lay ahead when we set off. For years I have had two disconnected but lovely memories, but had no idea where they had been created, and the first vivid memory was identified as we crossed over the bridge across the Atlantic (which I had thought was much further north) and I can picture picnicking there with the children when they were very little. However I had forgotten just how beautiful the whole setting was. The second was earthed as we entered Easdale on Seil Island, where there is lovely harbour that the chicks and I had walked along watching the boats taking people on seal spotting trips, and I can remember taking Hannah into a weird shop, where they asked for our address so we left quickly, oh joy to have those memories identified, but back to the present, and be here with my lovely husband, creating more memories!
After a mooch around we went to the Oyster Inn (which houses its own brewey) and had lunch, before heading off for a leisurely tour back to base so that the wrinks could have a snooze, to recover from the busy day! Fully envigourated they came round for supper, and for a good while we were engaged in big discussions about places still to see whilst here.
We also realised after studying the map that we needed to include a stay in Kyle if we were going to visit Skye, so we have booked a week in Sheil Bridge rather than go to Ullapool for two weeks as there is too much to see round there to pass it by!

Tuesday 22nd - day 339

The wrinks set off for home today, and we are having a rest day!!
The weather starts sunny, but the mist comes down and sets in for the rest of the day.
We have booked the car in for its MOT, so we take it to the garage in Oban, then go for a wander round, and book a couple of trips to Mull.

Wednesday 23rd - day 340

It is hard to say what the weather is going to be like today when I reach to turn the alarm off at 6.30 – yep, that was no typing error. We need to be at the Caledonion MacBrayne ferry at 9.30 having parked up (as we are foot passengers) and got there, so we determine to leave at 8.30, which we achieve, and with rucksack full of packed lunch and afternoon tea!
The weather is cloudy to start with, but by the time we are nearing Mull the sun has broken through and we have blissful weather for the rest of the day.
We have seen some spectacular sights today, and they started while we were on the ferry, as we spotted two dolphins swimming past us, and several puffins bobbing about in the water.
We had a coach ride the length of Mull to arrive at Fionnphort where we caught the ferry over to the tiny island of Scaffa to visit Fingals Cave (the inspiration for Mendelssohn's Hebridean overture) – which, at over 2 billion years, is amongst some of the worlds oldest rock, forged after volcanic activity, and shares the same formations, history and folklore a as the Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland.
We were allowed 1 hour to explore the island and visit the cathedral like cave before we were returned to Iona, where we were given another hour to visit the Monastery. This was a beautiful little island that looked even lovelier in the sun, the sands were white and the granite rock was pink, I think that we will be back to visit this little gem again!
The tour was almost over, but we had to get back to Oban, which meant a ferry ride from Iona to Mull, a bus ride across Mull and the ferry from Mull to Oban, which all took a couple of hours, I can’t imagine how the locals manage on a regular basis!
We were back at the car, with fish and chips by 8.30, and plans for an early night as we are back up at 6.30 am tomorrow!

Thursday 24th - day 341

Another 6.30am alarm, and it was a bit harder to get out of bed today - doesn’t bode well for any job prospects! The day did not start well as I was trying to move things along to get us out, and knocked a full pot of espresso bean coffee ALL over the bench. Boy did we move, I was throwing soggy cushions out of the van and hovering coffee grounds of the floor, Chris was outside batting the grounds off the cushions, Vanish was sprayed on anything that was moving and the water barrel had to be refilled before we had finished. There will be no sitting on those cushions for the next day or two!
Finally we set off, leaving windows open so that we didn’t return to a coffee fest!
We were heading back on the ferry to Mull to visit the Tobermory Highland games, and the weather is perfect for all that tossing the caber and welly wanging.
Once there, we walked the length of Tobermory’s bright and colourful harbour. I think that it had been made even brighter since they had filmed Balamory the popular children’s programme, before heading up the hill to the golf club where the games were being held.
For an island with a population of just over 2,000 there were a lot of people there, and it was all happening. At one end there were the young athletes limbering up, in the middle were the Scottish dancers, skirting the perimeter at regular intervals were a Pipe band, and at the far end were the heavy weights, all in kilts, stretched tee shirts and bulging muscles…… one of us was almost apoplectic by the end of the day - but I managed to calm him down.
We were treated to the whole spectacle, throwing all manner of heavy objects, though it has to be said that the most evocative of all things Mel Gibson was the caber tossing, there was just something quite thrilling about men in skirts throwing a telephone pylon. I have to say that I thought that the pagpipes only came out for us Sassenachs, but no, the Scots appear to play them for themselves!
But everyone was extended a very warm welcome, and everyone had a chance to join in some race or other – in fact there was a multi national race, and there were quite a few nationalities standing on the starting line for both the men’s and the women’s races. We didn’t quite make that one, but if they had had a race for the old and slow, I am sure we would have entered – well Chris would have!!
The sun beat down all afternoon and by 4pm we were beginning to feel a little crispy so it was time to go and find some shade, so we headed back for the harbour front.
We had missed the penultimate bus back to Craignure and the last bus was not due until 6pm so we found a deli, and bought our tea. We found a lovely bench over looking the harbour for our picnic, and just as we were wiping artichoke oil off our fingers a bus came round the corner. They had put on an extra bus because of the games, and this bus driver wanted to fill up quickly then he could go home, so we got on the bus and arrived back at the ferry port in plenty of time to wait for our ride home.

Friday 25th - day 342

After two early starts we had to have a long lie in this morning! And as I could no longer squeeze another item of washing into the sturdy recyclable Morrison’s carrier bag, and there was no choice of tee shirt in the cupboard it had to be time to visit the laundry room!
Chris also had nearly a weeks worth of photos to name and log, so we had little choice but to engage in domestic activity until mid afternoon. The weather is still fabulous so one of us had a leisurely lounge on the rug soaking up the sun, while the other did a little fix it on the water heater.
After which, the treat for all our labours was to pack our dinner, a bottle of wine and a disposable barbeque, and head off for Loch Melfort for an alfresco supper. It was just lovely, peaceful all to ourselves. This was a red letter moment twice over, as I had bought some magnificent olives in Rome last year on my trip with Tim, and was determined to save opening them until we were sitting in a beautiful spot, enjoying the perfectly chilled glass of white wine – and this was it!

Saturday 26th - day 343

We are touring again today, this time we are visiting lovely Crinan.
It really is a beautiful spot, and we spent awhile mooching round the harbour, before heading to the café for a pot of tea.
The day and light were glorious so we walked down the towpath to Bellanoch bridge, a couple of miles down, with the thought of looping back to Crinan. But the views along the tow path were so magnificent we chose in the end to make the return journey back down the towpath, taking in all over again, the beautiful lock keepers cottages, and moored up yachts.
Along the way we stopped awhile to watch the birds along the saltmarshes - known as Moine Mohr, a national nature reserve of some significance.
The tide had just gone out so the birds were very busy and we saw Oyster Catchers, a Curlew, several Herons, Sandpipers and a Redshank –not bad eh!
We left Crinan at 7pm in search for another lovely spot for an al fresco supper – in hind sight we should really have stayed at Crinan, but the urge to see what is round the next corner is always great, so we set off for Tayvallich down the side of Loch Sween. We must have gone up every viewless blind alley, passing through the lovely Tayvallich as it was very busy, and it was nearly 9pm before we finally reached Danna Isle, which was glowing in the evening sun, before we pulled out the picnic blanket. Apart from the lateness of the hour, it should have been perfect. The scenery was wild and atmospheric, the light was sparkly and the air was soft, and we were quite alone, apart from a couple of campers a discreet distance away. But as we settled so did the mosquitos, and they wouldn’t leave Chris alone. Within half an hour he was so fidgety and grumpy looking all that could be done was pack up the car and head for home!

Sunday 27th - day 344

What a glorious week we have had, with fabulous weather. We decide to stay and enjoy the caravan site today, and its beautiful setting, as we are off in a couple of days.
We have booked to have supper in the fab Seafood Temple for a second time, as we enjoyed it so much last week, so by 5.30 we are ready with keen appetite for our trip into town.
The meal did not disappoint, Chris had oysters again and monk fish, and I had crab and scallops, the flavours were incredible and the setting superb, when you are next in Oban, be sure to visit it!
Because we had gone for the first setting we were leaving by 8pm, so took a drive to check out Gallanach, before going up to McCaibs tower to see the sun begin to set over the harbour. We had been told that Dunstaffnage Castle was worth a visit, so one of us had the bright idea that it might be worth seeing in the glorious sunset, so off we set at a pace to catch the rays over the battlement. Unfortunately we could not find the castle, and the view across the bay was less dramatic than further down. But we stayed and watched the sun go down behind the mountains before we determined to find the castle –which we did after a drive through a business unit!

Week 40 - 14th to 20th July

Monday 14th - day 331

Today was mostly spent finding smart clothes then washing, ironing and packing, ready for our trip to Manchester tomorrow to celebrate Hannah’s graduation.
But by tea time we needed to get out and feel the breeze, so we took the road down to Kinlochard, parked up and took a lovely early evening stroll by Loch Ard. The light and air were so lovely, soft and clear, and so hopefully it will sooth us into a good nights sleep, ready for an early get up, and prompt departure for our journey in the morning!

Tuesday 15th - day 332

The 7am alarm heralded the beginning of a loaded 48 hours, but we were up for it! We had spent most of yesterday getting ready for a prompt departure today, but it was still 10.30 when we left, but we were pleased with that! We had a fairly uneventful journey and were drinking tea with Kathryn by 3.45pm. The worst bit of the journey was wading through 12 sets of traffic lights which all turned to red as we approached down the A56 to get into Hale!
By 6.30 we were we were back in Manchester ready to pick up Hannah from work, and by 7.30 we were sipping cocktails at the Slug and Lettuce while Hannah opened her birthday presents.
After a leisurely drink we wandered down to Wagamamas for our meal, and managed a slow supper there by ordering each course separately!
We did discuss going to see “Mamma Mia” but Hannah had a house to clean, so we dropped her off at her new digs and were back at Kathryn’s by 11.00, and setting the alarm for 6am – oh yes!!

Wednesday 16th - day 333

The problem with setting an early alarm is the bother about sleeping through it, and the consequence of that seems to be a sleepless night, so it cannot be said that we were bright eyed and bushy tailed - but it can be said that we were promptly - outside the student union at 8.15, much to Hannah’s amazement! Considering the ceremony did not begin until 10.00 I would call that was an act of unconditional love!
We trooped in for Hannah to get her gown, and then went for a recovery coffee. By 9.20 she was assuring us that we needed to be taking our seats, so off we went to sit again in the grand hall and wait the 40 minutes for things to kick off. Good job the company was stimulating!
The name calling was done at some speed and was over in 50 minutes. Fortunately some brave families early on whooped for their own graduates so we were able to give a loud cheer when Hannah went up, which brought the pink to her cheeks! It became like a wedding then, with countless rounds of photos of different groupings, but by 12.00 (having had to round Tim up several times!) we were heading for the union bar for a bottle of fizz that had managed to stay chilled since 7.30 am!
We had a little present opening ceremony and the boys played pool – I believe Tim won, but we are not mentioning it! And after a show round the bars that Hannah works in, we headed off to Piccolino’s for a lovely lunch.
Towards the end of main course Tim really started to flag – no stamina the youth of today! And he took a little persuading that “Mamma Mia” would be worth sitting through, but as he as in the minority he had no choice, so after a long sit we taxied over to the cinema (the high heels were not made for walking, and neither were Chris’s sandals)
What a brilliant way to end a celebration, I think “Mamma Mia” may turn out to be THE feel good film of 2008. It was side splittingly funny, particularly when Piers Brosnan, Colin Firth and Julie Walters all had songs to sing, Meryl Strep was superlative, showing all her versatility and there was so much “joi du vivre” you could not help but sing along!
We were back at Hannah’s by 6.45 for a quick cuppa and a long good bye, before heading back up the motorway for an uneventful journey and bed by 1am!

Thursday 17th - day 334

Needless to say we did not wake early this morning, but had a very leisurely start to the day, the weather was not very inviting making it even harder to leave the warmth and comfort of the van, but by lunch time – as usual – the sun was beginning to shine and the green and verdant landscape took on the iridescent glow in the crystal clear light that we are enjoying so much, and the call to explore could not be ignored. We decided to visit Crieff and take a walk along Loch Earn. Crieff was well worth the visit, and Chris expressed a desire to return, as we passed an antiques centre that was closed on the way out!
We took the back road that ran the length of the Loch Earn, and as it had plenty of stopping places to choose from we decided to make use of one! We had found the perfect spot for a cuppa, right by the loch, with sweeping views of its length, seen beyond the bobbing of colourful little skiffs, away from everyone except the ducks. With the picnic blanket spread, the teapot full and the sun on our faces this was it, what I had been dreaming of in the years leading up to our adventure. Well we sat and stared across the water, lay and stared at the sunlight through the trees, but did we walk……… not on your life, nothing could stir us until an eventual time check and hunger pangs reminded us the we were going to be late home for supper!

Friday 18th - day 335

We are moving on again today, but having spent the night listening to the rain pelt the caravan we are not sure whether we will not be sailing out of the Trossachs. I think that we should have had a magnificent drive through the glens all the way to Oban, but alas very little was visible as the clouds stayed very low all day, and if it had been raining in Aberfoyle it was pouring in Oban, steadily and continually until we turned in at midnight!!

Saturday 19th - day 336

It continued to rain for most of the night – Chris reckoned the only time it wasn’t raining was when he was asleep – best just agree I think!!! But it was lovely by the time the alarm went off, blue skies, fluffy white clouds and shadows!
We decided to give the car a rest today after its busy week, and the camp site is set on the edge of a very wide bay, so we packed the rucksacks and binoculars and turned right at the waters edge.
The shoreline swept away ahead of us toward Tralee, but we had to negotiate some interestingly shaped rocky outcrops to avoid leaving the bay, and there was a moment when I wasn’t sure whether Chris wasn’t going to end up in the water, but with some dainty foot work (and a lot of stick flailing) he made it to the other side with only wet feet!
We reached the end of the bay and had to turn in land, so we found a circular route that looked interesting enough, before we should rejoin the shoreline for the return journey. We followed the map, but nothing felt quite right, and we were ¾ of the way round before we had enough clues to show us that we had been going round the opposite way, so we arrived at the ford at the end of our walk rather than at the start, and now the tide was beginning to come in. We decided there was enough solid ground to walk across the estuary, but of course on closer inspection the channels were deeper; however we did not want to walk back the three sides of the square that we had come round, so we rolled our trousers up and carried on. I think that was the most exciting bit of the walk, and at the other side we were almost back to the beach, where we ate our sandwiches, and foraged for a few wild raspberries (very yum!) before making the return journey.
We were back by 5pm, in time for a cup of tea before preparing supper for the wrinks who are joining us for a few days after their week at Keswick Convention.

Sunday 20th - day 337

The wrinklies are joining us for the day, so we are spruced up and ready for fun! We start the day with a visit to beautiful Aird’s Bay Hotel, which sits in an equally beautiful setting, overlooking a bay of the same name, where we stop for a coffee in these grand surroundings. Properly fortified we take a stroll round Port Appin, a lovely little village and harbour which had wonderfully panoramic views across the open lochs to Staulker, a fine Scottish castle set against the far mountain ranges, and After our wander we found a picnic spot where we could continue to soak up the views. We also spotted a very inviting wooden bridge across the marshes which just needed exploring so the wrinks dropped us off and set off for the Staulker Castle visitors centre and a cuppa, and Chris and I walked the path down to, and over the bridge, up the other side of the wide bank and joined the road leading back up to the car park and then it was our tea time!
We returned to our respective bases in good time for all the olds to have snoozes before we met Margaret and Alan, and June and David Bleazard at 6pm for supper at a rather interesting fish restaurant.
This little eatery had formally been a set of public conveniences, overlooking the bay at Oban, but had been gutted out and renovated in glass, wood and mirrors. They only served up the fish that had been brought into harbour that day, and hand wrote each menu, which in itself was quite an achievement. They opened at 6pm and held two sittings 6pm and 8pm. Needless to say, we were booked in for the 6pm sitting. The meal was fabulous, the fish was superb, Chris ordered oysters then was gentlemanly enough to share them with me, then he had 2 Dover Sole, and I had hot and cold smoked salmon – smoked by the restaurant! And David and June, who sat either side of me, had scallops (which was my other option) and they looked magnificent, so I think that we may go back!!
We finished the evening with coffee and Scottish strawberries back at June and Davids, then home to recover from our busy day!!!

Week 39 - 7th to 13th July

Monday 7th - day 324

We had to go to Stirling today to refill the food cupboard, and petrol tank – so that will empty the bank account!!! On the way through Doune though we spotted a sign advertising an antique

centre, so we decided to take a peek; 2 hours later we emerged exhausted from our window shopping! Never have we been so surrounded by so many beautiful (and some times affordable) antique furniture and artefacts. We didn’t purchase but I suspect that we will go back!! This of course made us late for our visit to Stirling, but we enjoyed a leisurely recce of the town, stopping first to look at the enormous memorial to William Wallace, national hero, for his battles against the English, and a wander around the grounds of the castle, stopping to gaze up at a larger than life statue of Robert the Bruce first King of Scotland (we are beginning to get a sense of Scottish patriotism!) We stopped at that, deciding to go back to visit the jail another day.

Tuesday 8th - day 325

Today we have woken (early) to sunshine, a much welcome change in our weathery fortunes! We should really have packed our rucksacks and gone walking, but we decided to tour the west side of Lomond, so we packed the picnic box instead!
Our first stop was Luss, as I had a faint memory of an old harbour, but on arrival could only assume I was confusing it with somewhere else! Since my last visit though, Scottish Heritage had been instrumental in renovating a row of old cottages (felt a bit like Bibury) and they now were looking very buffed up with their brass knobs and knockers.
We drove on then down past the “Rest and Be Thankful” picnic area at the top of Glen Croe, and turned left for Lochgoilhead, where we planned to stretch our legs by the Loch.
Once we had extricated ourselves from a very loud American, who was very keen to give us his ancestral history from the 1200s, we set off down the road towards Inverlounin. We had not got very far before it started to rain, from blue sky to black in moments it was incredible, (we watched it travel across the loch, then heard it on the roofs before it hit us!) so we sheltered for a while, as we had no wet weather gear with us! then carried on. It seemed that it was going to clear up, but alas the heavens opened again – big time and we returned to the car looking like a couple of drowned rats!
By the time we got to Inverary we had dried out, so we pulled up outside the town, in a layby over looking the water and ate our lunch.
We were better prepared for our walk round Inverary, reaching for our anoraks despite the brilliant blue sky! However rain held off, at least we didn’t notice it while we visiting the Loch Fyne Whisky Shop. This was the shop that I had bought a bottle of Springbank for Chris last time I had been there with the kids. Chris was a dribbly mess of anticipation all the way round, pointing out a bottle of 50 year old Glenfarclas at £950, and fair swooning at the joy of all those single malts. Needless to say we bought another bottle of Springbank, as it would have been too cruel to ask him to leave without something in his hand, oh and he was inspired to buy Christmas pressies for Jmz and Dan – impressed or what!!
We finished our stroll round the town with a walk down the old pier, which we shared with a bunch of fishermen, then back to the car for our pot of tea and a bit of tiffin, before making the journey back to Aberfoyle in the early evening light, which stayed with us long enough for us to sit outside and have a Pimms, not bad eh!

Wednesday 9th - day 326

We have thoughts of walking locally today, so set off for the Dukes Pass with thoughts of parking up there and setting off. Because the landscape is so large here, mostly the routes are designed for long distance cycle rides, so finding circular walking routes is proving tricky round here, and in the end we arrived at Loch Katrine’s pier. So once there we decided to investigate/book ferry tickets and hire of a bike for Chris, so that we cycle the length of the loch later in the week, I’m really looking forward to this as it will be the best way to see more without getting into the car! We are beginning to think that we got rid of Chris’s bike too soon!
Once sorted we got back in the car to pursue our walk for today, but as if on purpose the heavens opened again and after 20 minutes we decided to visit Callander. I have fond memories of starting childhood holidays from there, but it somehow held few charms today. By late afternoon the rain had stopped and we were in need of some serious refreshment so we drove to Invertrossachs, had our tea and found a circular route, up through a managed pine forest to a lovely little loch, then back down along another path back down to Loch Venachar and back to the car by the water. We were looking hard for red squirrels al along the way, but instead saw a frog, a field mouse and a baby bird, which was sitting in the middle of the road looking like a bit of a pudding! We stood for a minute, he gazed up at us, and we gazed down at him, but he didn’t look like he intended to move anywhere, which might not have been a problem, but as two cars had passed us on the road earlier, we could not be certain he would be safe, so Chris started to make mother bird movements and eventually the little chappy flapped and waddled his way into the grass, leaving me quite unsure as to who looked the most endearing.

Thursday 10th - day 327

We had planned to return to Stirling today as according to the weather forecast we are in for torrential down pours today, but it seems that they happened in the night, and today was dry if lacking in sunlight.
But we went anyway, via the antiques centre were we had nearly lost all our dribble earlier in the week, we were trying to make a purchase for our keepsake drawer, but it would appear that there was still too much choice, and I suspect that we may return if we ever get a home of our own, to make some serious purchases, like tables, chairs, lights, hat stands etc, so again we left in a daze!
On arrival at Stirling, we had a spot of lunch first, in the Portcullis just by the castle, and then made our way to the “Jail”. We were asked if we needed concession tickets, (I presume they meant for Chris) but we told them that we were gap year students and they let us in for student rates, plus a further 10% off because Chris flashed his heritage card at them!! (even though it was English!!)
The visit was a bit of a whirl wind tour, led by an actor who kept changing coats and playing different parts. At one point he needed a model to demonstrate the techniques for capitol punishment, and he cast his eye over the audience until his eyes fell on Chris, he looked no further, and in a moment Chris was sat on the stool in front of us all, awaiting some nasty fate, but after waving a branding iron and a rope around for a little while Chris was free to go. He played his part well I think, nodding at the right bits and looking suitably cowed at others, well I’d have given him his equity card.
The tour was only a short one, and told us a lot about reform, but little about a prisoners day (other than the modern day routines explained in an exhibition, in another part of the jail) but it was thoroughly enjoyable no the less.
We left there for a wander round town, and of course a cuppa, before returning to the caravan to make sure that my bike is working ready for our cycle ride tomorrow – can’t wait.

Friday 11th - day 328

Despite the forecast the weather has been good to us today, not exactly sunny, but enough UV rays to burn Chris’s bons!
With three alarms we managed to be up by 8am, and were present, correct, and fully equipped by 10.15. I have to make note of this for all cynics who don’t think that we can get anywhere on time – we did, and it has been documented!
The cruise on the Sir Walter Scott was set to last 45 minutes chugging down the Loch Katrine to Stronachlachar, but 10 minutes in – as we headed towards the bank - the Skipper calmly reported a mechanical failure so we made our way back to pier! The steering was fixed by the time we had reached land, so we did a turn about and carried on, getting to Stronachlachar just in time for hot chocolate – well it had been chilly out on the loch. Once refreshed we set off on our trusty two wheeled steads and headed for home. The journey was 14 miles of gently undulating roads, with the occasional steep climb, and the views were spectacular. We had packed a picnic, but were making such good progress that we were nearly back at the pier before stopping for lunch. We stopped at a bench before the last corner and sat and ate watching other walkers and cyclists coming and going along the road, all enjoying this beautiful place. Finaly a quick wander round Aberfoyle, and we were back at the van by 5pm, the earliest ever, in time for a little snooze before dinner. The day ended well with a phone call from Tim, just back from Argentina.

Saturday 12th - day 329

We have had a lovely day today, not going anywhere! We have spent the day sorting out the camp sites in Ireland and ferries etc. We had planned to go out n the evening to the folk night at the Lade Inn in Callander, but we were feeling too lazy by the evening, and just stayed put and enjoyed being “at home”, and not a little relieved to have sorted Ireland out!

Sunday 13th - day 330

After such a lazy day yesterday, we needed to relieve our squashed buttocks and stretch our legs. The weather is definitely trying to improve so we packed our picnic box, and drove just beyond Aberfoyle to David Marshall Lodge in the Queen Elizabeth Forest, a popular walking and cycling spot. At first we were not sure whether it had been a good idea, as it felt like most of Glasgow (and possibly the Netherlands and Germany!!) were there sitting in chairs by their cars, lounging on the park benches or picnicking at tables – all “getting away from it all”!
Anyway we found a bench that didn’t quite meet any one else’s gaze, and tried to pretend that we could hear the birds!
After lunch we popped into the visitor centre for a map of their trails to guide us round the rabbit warren of little paths available to us, before setting off. With binoculars in hand, and the eager anticipation of red squirrel spotting we waded past the masses on the 20 minutes round the waterfall trail, but soon left the madding crowd behind, and had the paths almost to ourselves (except for eager cyclists and a few fellow walkers). Soon after we had settled into the quietness, we were, (for several moments) a little confused by a loud whirring above our heads, and as we looked up saw people sailing through the sky like monkeys, then we remembered the queue outside “Go Ape” up at the Lodge, where a bunch of excited folk, were waiting to be strapped up in harnesses to a pulley system that sung them through the trees, and over to an adventure playground of more rope swings, walkways and nets. It all looked fabulous fun, but we ere on another adventure!
The hunt for new birds and red squirrels was on, but after 5 miles of happy wandering all we had managed to spy were these wonderful toadstools and some magnificent scenery!