CHRISTMAS AT CAWDOR

Once again we decided to have Christmas Lunch at Cawdor Tavern after a short walk in the woods. It was a bit wet, but spirits were high and it was a fun day.

This photo may look like it was taken after we had been to the Tavern, but in fact it was during the walk, but it gives an impression of the great speed at which Jim does these walks, especially given his age.

Neil and Sharon on the other hand seemed to have decided that the grass in the middle was better than the path and so walked wearily into the gloom, probably thinking of a nice hot meal and in Neil's case a nice cold beer.

As you can see, the weather was poor, but the company was good albeit that the best of outdoor types seldom take an umbrella on an adventurous trek.

Just because it was Christmas we had to pass by the fairy castle - no sign of any elves, though.

Still after the walk in the rain it was back to the pub for a good lunch and one or two ales. We also had the embarrassment of some of the oldies having to put on glasses to read the menu because their arms weren't long enough to hold it far enough away.

Others, however, decided that drink was the only answer - so much so, that a great deal of care was required to put the glass down on the big table.

After the apertives were over it was on to the meal and then the fun of Secret Santa. I still don't know who got me the Grumpy Christmas book, but revenge will be sweet. What possessed them to get something so inappropriate I will never know. Another thing I will never know is why Jacque decided that the pub was the place to show of the results of her classes in deportment.

A great time was has by all and we went back to Hugh's to drink some more and then it was time for home and preparations for the real thing. Here's hoping that 2008 is drier and that our next trip away is as much fun as the one we had in 2007.

THE NOVEMBER GETAWAY

November was a new departure for the Dinosaurs. We went away for a whole night! We stayed at The High Range in Aviemore and very good it was too. Fabulous rooms at a reasonable rate negotiated by Hugh. A great time was had by all except for those of us who went through the purgatory of the Scotland Italy match. Even that had a highlight and that was Hugh showing extreme courage and good sense to head straight for the bar and not the seats when we were let into the room set aside for the spectacle.

However, before we could indulge in the football we had to have lunch. That took a little longer than we expected due to the fact that one of our number forgot to take their boots and didn't discover that fact until they were at Carrbridge. I did think of keeping the identity of this person secret, but it was Mac.

After a very pleasant lunch and a beer it was onto the serious stuff - a nice walk up to the Green Loch and beyond for some. Sharon and Sue showed that lunch was no barrier to striding out and off we all went.

It might appear that there was a little bit of confusion over just where we were going to, but we soon got that sorted out, at least on the way there. Confusion was even greater for some of us (Dave) on the way back and there was much angst about whether or not some of us would get to the football or not!

A nice group photo - Dave didn't know he was going to get lost, but he should have prayed for divine guidance when he was on his knees here.

This rather fetching photo of some of the ladies was taken before they all took their clothes off and danced round the fairy ring. Unfortunately Sharon has destroyed all photographic records of that event - at least I think it is unfortunate.

Whatever the truth about the photographic record, it is quite clear that some of us did not know where to look.

The Green Loch

The end of a very pleasant walk and nearly the end of the day except for a good meal a few drinks and plenty of "if only" discussions about the football. Oddly some of the "girls" decided that football wasn't the thing for them and they went shopping!

This is what shopping apparently looks like - it never seems like that when I have to do it.

Unfortunately, the next day dawned somewhat differently. In fact, it was hissing down. We went in search of breakfast and descended on the little cafe at Glenmore, probably to the consternation of the owner and her daughter who did a magnificent job of feeding us all.

Whilst it probably isn't too good to see photos of people eating breakfast, here they are before the sausages arrived.

Mac and Janet clearly were very hungry because they couldn't take their eyes off my breakfast. Suffice to say they didn't get any of it.

Allegedly, some of our number went for another walk in the downpour while the rest of us indulged in some gentle shopping at Rothiemurchus. As there appears to be no photographic ebvidence of the mythical second walk. It is not recorded here and we all know that it if it isn't in black and white then it didn't happen!

Finally, thanks to Hugh for arranging all of this and thanks to everyone for a great weekend!