Week 46 - 25th to 31st August

Monday 25th - day 303

Here we are at the August bank holiday, where has the year gone! I think that we have had better weather than most, but it has not been the hottest or driest summer on record!
Well this is our last day in Brora, I don’t think that I shall be sad to leave the area, the countryside has been unremarkable in the main, though as I think about it there have been some real high spots such as Dornoch, Loch Achilty and Rogie Falls. But today we are off (after a food shop, as the kids join us tomorrow!!) to the Beauly Firth area, the map shows several touristy spots along the way, but nothing enticed us to stop other than the Kilmorack Gallery, where we stopped to browse an art exhibition that enthused us enough to have us chatting like a couple of old art dealers once back in the car! We did also try to find the Aigas Dam fish lift but with no success, so we moved on to Inverness as we were only about 10 miles away.

What a good decision that was, the lovely sunshine brought a glow to this charming old town with its Castle and Cathedral, sitting by the River Ness, also with many churches along its bank – at one point Chris could point out five different churches or chapels within 50 yards of each other along the river bank!!
Unfortunately we could not stop to spend the evening there as we needed to be back and prepare for tomorrow!

Tuesday 26th - day 304

We leave Brora today, to drive down to Glenmore – near Aviemore, where the kids are joining us for a few days.
After a very easy journey, we arrive at our next site- a forestry commission site in the heart of

the Cairngorms, just by Loch Morlich. As we settle in we make two unnerving discoveries:
There is absolutely no signal for TV, radio, phone or internet – the most pressing concern now is that the kids do not know where they are coming to at this point, and we cannot let them know!!!
There are more midges and mosquitoes per square inch than the rest of Scotland!!! – there is going to be trouble!
Once settled (and many attempts to text or phone later) we got back in the car to go and find some airwaves. We found them and suddenly all my texts flews across to Hannah’s phone – I don’t think she was impressed!
We gave them the necessary directions and returned to make dinner – a full Sunday roast (without potatoes – I found those in the oven 2 days later!! - though Tim still ate them once found!!)
H&T arrived by 6.30, and suddenly our spacious living accommodation shrunk to matchbox size, but we squeezed everyone in, and settled to an evening of exchanging news, until Tim collapsed first at 11.30!

Wednesday 27th - day 305

Fortunately we woke to lovely weather, as the request has been to go cycling! So after a leisurely breakfast we went in search of bikes for Chris, Hannah and Tim. The site rents them out at £7 per half day – which would be just long enough for us!! I think we caused the lovely Site Manager some wry amusement, as he tried to settle Hannah on her bike, but after much weaving and stalling she did eventually set off in a straight line – and she looked very fetching in her hat!
Finally, with rucksacks full of snacks to keep Tim full we set off for the Visitors Centre to buy a map – which we couldn’t interpret, so returned to the shop to find the starting point! Then we were off taking the blue trail to Lochan Uaine. Although there was a lot of puffing to start with we were soon in our stride, and also quickly at our destination, the little aquamarine lake set serenely in the clearing, so we stopped for a breather, and a climb!!
Having rekindled the Robinson Crusoe spirit, we set off again to weave our way round the other trails, passing through some lovely landscapes, with its abundance of purplish Heather and interestingly shaped silver trees.
From the forest trail, we crossed the road to follow the path that took us all the way round Loch Morlich, but one of us did not read the path correctly and we took a little detour through a swamp – much to dismay of some of the cyclists, but after much screeching and groaning we had waded through the bog, and found the proper path again (not half so exciting though, I thought!) We were almost making god progress again when my bike chain broke, so hero Chris (who I think had had enough of the bike by now!!) volunteered to walk my bike back, and get it fixed, so the kids and I were left to complete the circuit, and by the time we returned Chris had fixed my bike (my hero!)
Once recovered we packed a picnic supper, and set off in search of that old perfect spot, by the water where we could light our bonfire, and we found it just by Loch an Eilein, another crystal clear water deep in the forest. Now that should have been our clue – all this land is owned by the Forestry Commission and here we learned that there are rules about fire lighting!!
We found our spot by the water, and enjoyed a burst of wood foraging (while Chris returned for the matches – bless him!!) and set up camp. We made a very good job of building our little camp fire, close to the water for ease of extinguishing if necessary, small enough to keep under strict control, and far enough from the nearest set of lower branches so as not to pose a risk, or so we thought……
Just as we were beginning to heat up our potatoes, a very grumpy old man came, and made it quite clear that our actions were not appropriate, and he was going to inform the Warden – which he did!!
After he had left us, all enjoyment for me evaporated, and all I could envisage was the (extremely unlikely) picture of the forest going up in flames because of our little fire! So we let the fire die down (though we did get our tea cooked!) and used our little disposable barbeque to melt our marshmallows. Now this was the scene that greeted the Warden, and he was almost apologetic as he witnessed us crouching over our rectangle of briquettes! (Good job he didn’t come 20 minutes earlier!) And after a very apologetic conversation on both sides – he invited us to use the field marked out for camp fires near the car park (which we had noticed when we had walked past!)
It did dampen the joy of the evening for me, I’m afraid, but we decided to try again another night, in less riskier circumstances!

Thursday 28th - day 306

The sun is out today too, which is just as well as we have decided to walk up to the Funicular Railway at the base of the Cairngorms. We again have a leisurely start, enjoying breakfast al fresco (which is much easier to manage than inside it has to be said!)
We pack sandwiches today as we will be out for a while. The walk, though only 3 miles to the station is through lovely woodland, mostly by a river, and always up hill – there was no relief, it was onwards and upwards all the way! Fortunately the sun was on our faces which felt good (though the wind which was also on our faces did not!!)
We reached the station feeling very pleased with ourselves and took the ride to the top to get the views across the Cairngorms, whilst we enjoyed our picnic.
What we hadn’t quite expected was the wind speed at the top. Tim and Hannah nearly took off, and quickly retreated behind the glass window of the viewing platform – leaving only the stout hearted outside (or should it just be the stout!!) So we joined them inside to eat. There were a couple of exhibitions at the top, plus the usual shop and café, so we had a wander round and a cup of tea, but the public were not allowed beyond the viewing terrace to descend the mountain. It was not far, nor risky to the walker, but was very risky to the environment, so there were notices everywhere, asking us – in the name of conservation – to stay within the perimeter fence.
So rather than walk back down, which had been talked about, we returned down the funicular. We were jolly glad that we did as we were treated to the only sight this week of the native Cairngorm Reindeer.
Once landed we walked back to the caravan in the lovely golden early evening light.
This evening we stayed in for supper – Fajitas –and games – Dominos, Crib and Jenga, until Tim keeled over again – no stamina these youngsters today!

Friday 29th - day 307

After a blowout bumper breakfast of bacon, sausage and black pudding, I spent the morning assisting Tim complete his CV and application form, whilst H & C rested and recuperated!! (though Hannah spent a good deal of her time scratching her bites – the midges had really found her!)
But by the afternoon we were ready to go out, so again we packed a picnic supper, and went into Aviemore for a wander round, a cuppa and a purchase of more bite cream for Hannah.
Other than that there was not a lot to keep us in town, so we returned to the car and set off for Loch an Eilein again.
We decided on a walk before supper, and the late afternoon light across the pine woods were just delightful, so we took to the path that led round the loch. We had a wonderful walk in the dappled light, and every now and again strayed from the path to find our own route, which involved a lot of marshland, and in the end saw Tim take a dive into the soggy earth – which was greatly enjoyed by all, though he was keen to point out that his dash meant he got there fastest – best say no more I guess!
As we were returning to the little bay area at the start of the walk, we were treated to one of our highlights - the spotting of a Red Squirrel, it was not Chris’s first, he had seen one the previous day, but it was a first for the rest of us, so we were thrilled, and there was a lot of standing still and looking up for some time.
But then the stomachs started to rumble, and the search for wood was begun!
We were going to barbeque properly this time, in the right place, using the right equipment - and not putting ourselves at risk of the harsh tongue of the old man!
We had gathered enough wood to get started, and felt the reward of a little glass (or two) of wine was called for, when we realised that it was still in the fridge, so it was my turn this time to play retriever. It had not gone unnoticed that we were much closer to town than to camp site, so we went to Tescos for the wine (and cider for Tim). On the return journey we stopped for more wood, which was just as well, as we arrived to find only a little left of the wood that we had first foraged for – we must have been longer than we thought!!!
It did not take long though to get the supper on the go. Tonight we were going to make our own kebabs using the cubed pork and vegetables that we had prepared earlier.
I think that we may have consumed more wine that our empty tummies could process and the long evening passed in a very cheery, good humoured and garrulous fashion, and it was only when we became aware that we were sitting in the dark that we moved. Tim very kindly turned the car round so that we could pack up in the headlights, but there was something rather incongruous about this piece of string behind a vast bonnet, which seemed to delight everyone! Needless to say I drove us home, but we ALL accompanied the Rolling Stones as they and we belted out (at volume) some of the old favourites.
Fortunately, though it was dark, we were not very late, and did not disturb any sleepers – we think!

Saturday 30th - day 308

Sadly, the young’uns leave us today, but we are going to accompany them to Edinburgh, and see if we can catch any of the fringe. Again we start the day well as the weather is good enough to sit and eat breakfast al fresco. Hannah, who has not been sleeping well is slow to join us, but we enjoy another leisurely start to the day – not to our advantage we discover later!
Once all is packed and cleared we head off for the city – by now it is 11.15.
We reckon the journey is about 1.30 hours, so that should allow 4 hours or so for sightseeing, before supper and farewells.
There was one hold up at Blair Atholl that the kids waded through, but thanks to a phone call we detoured, but somehow it was still 2pm when we arrived at the Hermiston Park and Ride some 20 minutes before H&T.
Needless to say it was 3.15 before we were standing in Princes Street, not quite enough time to do much of anything really, so we split up until 4pm as I need to purchase new underwear (it would be very embarrassing to be rushed to A&E at present!) then we re-united and went up to the Royal mile to visit the Cathedral (which we had missed on our last visit) and walk down the road to check out any remaining acts.
The cathedral was not in itself very interesting, but there was a side chapel called the Thistle chapel, which was truly lovely, with very ornate bosses, and woodwork, and though small was a little gem!
There was still a buzz of the fringe about the place, but as it was the penultimate day, things were cooling down, however we were treated to seeing a man standing upside down with his head in a bucket, a giant fairy liquid bubble blower, and a woman who squeezed herself into a glass box – which was fascinating!
We could have stayed a lot longer to wander down the Royal mile, but time was pressing and H&T needed to be on the road as soon after 6pm as possible, so we headed down to Jimmy Chung’s Chinese Buffet, for an “eat all you can for £13” meal. It would seem that we are all getting older now, especially those who swanked that they had made 9 return trips to the table on the previous occasion, but this time could only make 4 return trips!!(Chris made 6 return trips, so I can feel a challenge coming on!)
We were back at the car by 7pm, and it was time for sad farewells, it has been so lovely all being together again, and it will feel very quiet without them, but off they set back to Manchester (where Tim is going to stay a couple of days to help Hannah move). We had a phone call at 11.30 to say that they were back – which was excellent time. In fact they were home before we were, as we decided to take a detour round the Fife coastal road to visit East Neuk’s little treasures of St Monans and Pittenweem. They were very pretty little fishing villages, but unfortunately it took so long to get there, that the light had faded too much for us to get out and take photos –but it impressed us enough to want to make a return visit. In the end we got back about 11.50, much later than we had expected – these slow Scottish roads still surprise us!

Sunday 31st - day 309

Today is catch up and recovery day. It is raining hard outside, so there are no excuses for not getting on with the domestics. By tea time we had clean clothes, replenished store cupboard and an up to date diary (which took all flippin’ day to complete, after all that had happened since Tuesday!!). As the rain had stopped we protected ourselves against the pesky midges and went for a wander through the bottom of the camp site and out into the woods then on to the shore line of Loch Morlich to take in the soft clean evening air, we have found a lovely spot here in the Cairngorms!