ANOTHER NOVEMBER TRIP AWAY

Once again the dinosaurs hit the trail and went away for a night in November - and once again we went back to the Loch Ness Inn at Drumnadrochit. And once again they looked after us very well. Unfortunately, a few of us could not make the trip. Jacque was in hospital getting some "woman's problems" sorted out. You could just hear Les Dawson there couldn't you? Jim had to stay at home to fetch and carry - no real change there, I suspect. Sue and Charlie were also laid low by flu. However, as much we missed them all we still managed to have a really good time.

We started the day with a walk in the Abriachan Community Forest. It was a bit wet, but that didn't dampen our spirits and we set off with high hopes of enjoying the 360 degree views promised by Dave and in the walk description.

This is us getting ready in the car park - as you can see we could not find a leader to tell us which direction to set off in.

Neil couldn't do it as he was too busy helping Pam get into my gaiters - if you see what I mean.

After half an hour, Neil checked his watch and said that he would try and get the second one done a bit quicker!

Eventually, Sharon decided that we had to make a start and dragged Neil away from Pam's shapely calf and strode out in what turned out to be roughly the right direction.

Soon Hugh and Pam joined us and Hugh seemed to be remarkably happy for a man whose wife had been the subject of close attention from another man in a car park in the woods - not as happy as Pam, though.

Quite soon after we started we happened upon a little hut..............

and in this little hut there lived................

Bilbo Baggins!

After that shock, we needed a drink, so we followed this sign, safe in the knowledge that the second symbol on the bottom line had to be a pint glass, signifying a rustic inn with a roaring fire, inglenook and foaming ale. Unfortunately the truth was quite far from this ideal.

Before we got very far we met a man without a dog. The dog had run off and he was looking for it. This was pretty wierd, because the dog was called Reggie and his owner was CJ. Clearly he hadn't got where he was by keeping the dog on a lead. No sooner that he told us what Reggie looked like and there was a woof from further up the path where Mac had lead some of the party. It wasn't him, it was Reggie, and soon CJ and Reggie were reunited - a shaggy dog story with a happy ending.

After we had done the one man and his dog bit, we hit the high spots - well the highest point on the Great Glen Way - we still had a bit of height to make to take advantage of the fabulous views.

The way to the high point was, oddly, marked with what looked like dinosaur footprints, so we knew we were on the right path.........

................it also looked a bit like the dawn of time making it even more apt.

However, we soon made it to the top and here are a few photos of us enjoying the views!

After that bit of exposure to the elements it was time for a nice lunch - hot soup and something to bite on in a cosy little bothy would be brilliant - and that is exactly what we got! This is us outside the bothy!

And these are the photos of us inside having our lunch. It was a bit before one o' clock, but even Dave wasn't going to make us walk past the bothy in the rain just because we were a bit early for lunch!

Pam and Hugh obviously didn't really like their sandwiches - or else Pam had finally told Hugh about Neil and the gaiters episode.

Ann had managed to get her hand stuck in a packet of crisps!

I tried to say grace, but nobody ever listens to me....

After that it was downhill all the way - in more ways than one - after Sharon and Susan asked me to take a photo of this. It is reproduced here without comment.

Happily, we were soon back at the car park. Indeed, Pam was so happy to be back that she started to dance. Fortunately, my battery ran out before she progressed beyond the veils!



After that it was on to the hotel and the pub where we stayed for the rest of the day - although some of the women did go and spend some time sampling the delights of Drumnadrochit in late autumn - they were back within half an hour.

As I say, the rest of us stayed in the pub and this included David, who had joined us after a hard day reading the papers, indeed he was suffering withdrawal sypmtoms so much that he had to read some leaflet that he picked up at the pub.

More photos of us relaxing before our meal in the pub. This is Sharon playing at statues - Susan and Sandra lost.

Mac seems to be thinking - "Why have the boys left me to sit on the girls' side - what did I do wrong?"


After a few drinks it was into the dining room for our meal. Sensibly they had put us into a bit of the dining room where there was no-one else otherwise we might have ruined their evening.

This may look like the end of the meal, but in fact, Ann had started with the cheesecake! Well actually I just got the photos in the wrong order!

Maureen, Susan and Sandra talked so much that Robin fell asleep.

Neil and Janet just had a small drink between them.

After Robin had shouted at Susan for waking him up, she kept her mouth firmly shut!

Believe that if you want.

And soon the dying embers marked the end of another great day with the dinosaurs.

And before we knew it, it was Sunday morning. After a big breakfast we gathered in the car park for another walk. Even the jaunty and dapper Mr Blair was there.

And soon we were off with a mounted guard as befits our station.

Once again, Pam wore my gaiters - only this time she didn't ask - she just put them on!

David came on the walk and sported an altogether less appropriate form of footwear - probably best described as loafers.

And this was what it was all about - a great view - even though we saw it last year, it was still worthwhile!

And here are the men at the top - well not counting those of us who had our hands on our hips - perhaps a case of being too much in touch with the feminine side.

And here is the feminine side.

And here we are all together.

Another fabulous trip away. Thanks to everyone who made it such fun. Thanks to Dave and Sandra for organising everything and thanks to the hotel for putting up with us.