NOT THE DAVA WAY

For the first walk of 2010 we were going to do a bit of the Dava Way. However, when the Smiths had checked it out the weekend before, there was something like 2 feet of snow lying about - and if you know the Smiths you will realise that this would have represented a significant obstacle!

Instead, we opted for something near the sea where the weather was a bit milder. We went to Nairn and walked along the beach eastwards towards Lochloy and Kingsteps.

Before we left the golf course car park, though, Sharon did some bird watching. I asked if they were ducks that she could see. She said they were Eider Ducks. I said - Eider Ducks or what? Oh, how I laughed!

Soon we were heading towards the little harbour at Nairn, as was this yacht which was going very slowly because there was no wind - a prerequisite of sailing, I would have thought.

And here is the harbour.

And here is the yacht heading into the harbour - cheating by using his engine!

Then we really got going, striding along the strand - it looks empty, but there were actually quite a lot of people about, although the further from town we got the less they were - or else we had just scared them away.

As this is a blog, I couldn't resist this photo!


This, of course, is the artistic (b)log.

And as we are on (b)loggy theme - here is the green variation.

There are no more of these - I promise.

In order to get to the woods for lunch - and, perhaps more importantly, the path back - we had to cross the water. We saw a fairly rickety looking construction a little way away. When other people started using it to cross - off we went. To call it a bridge would be an insult to Thomas Telford, but it did get us across, but not without the opportunity for Robin to demonstrate his leadership qualities. The unkind among us did think he just went first because the tide was coming in and he wanted to avoid a call to the rescue services.

And so began a series of crossings that had moments of high tension and low thoughts about who might be the first to fall in - not on my part, of course.

Unfortunately, we all made it across without mishap - and here is the photo to prove it.

It wasn't quite as easy when we got to the other side. Most of the paths were actually ice rinks.


And as always this brought out the Torvill and Dean in Jimmy - and here he is giving his version of (un)Ravel's Bolero.

However, we escaped the icy clutches of winter and Jim made it onto something he could stand upright on and we got into the woods - nice silver birch.

The lack of snow, ice and a general feeling of hunger meant it was time for lunch. As you might expect when having a picnic a bit away from the main tracks someone and his dogs chanced upon us. This is the third blog in a row to feature a dog - and here he is trying to eat Jim or at least his sandwich. Luckily his owner had him on a lead. Jacque let him go free after lunch.

The lunch-stop photo.
Then it was through the woods and back to the public road and into Nairn. After Jacque and Susan missed the turning, probably due to excessive garrulity - look it up or take an educated guess based on their ability to talk - we stopped at the bridge across the Nairn for a funny face competition.

From there we went to find the Bandstand Bar for Mac due to it being Real Ale pub of the year last year - and here is the bandstand after which it is named.

Some of us were clearly more than relieved to get to the pub!

And thus ended another fine walk. Thanks to Jim and Jacque for organising it at short notice. We hope to do Dava in February.

NOT A PICNIC

For the Christmas walk in 2009 we went to the only place in the Highlands where you cannot have a picnic! And why not - because it's in Dores! Ha ha.

This is the view up the loch - spoiled a bit by the fish cages which have been specially placed to impinge right in the middle of the view at the focal point!

Soon we were on our way, with nearly a full house of dinosaurs. Unfortunately, Maureen and David could not make it. Whilst it was a cold day, it was really nice and we were soon walking on a good path, but this wasn't it!

Luckily the going got a little easier and the path opened out. We came across this dog with two balls in his mouth - none of the men would own up to missing anything!

Further on the track, and as usual, people started to form little groups and talk to each other. Sharon has her eyes closed but can still walk in step and talk at the same time.So much so, that neither she nor Susan noticed that they were being stalked by the notorious Blacksmith twins. At least I think it was them - same height, same grey hair, same walk ...........

Jimmy and Robin clearly could not read the signs.

Soon we came into sight of Aldourie Castle - a real fairytale place - which should suit Robin and Jimmy rather well.

Just along a bit we stopped for some mulled wine taken rather stylishly from polystyrene cups. It still went down pretty well, though.

Then onwards around the other side of the castle. It was here that we were advised that we should not be there as there were some very, very, very, important people staying for the weekend. We thought they would be happy to see us as we are all very important too. No doubt if they read this, they will let us know who they were and invite us in the next time they are up.


Back through the woods and down to the pub.

Charlie the gentleman...or did he need a helping hand down the hill?

And for those of you too busy chatting and making a noise - here is a bit of wild life - a roe deer running across the field at the bottom of the woods.

Back across the beach where we met someone else who didn't want us walking where we wanted to. This time it was some guy who said he was testing out his equipment. It was supposed to look for oil in Argentina or something like that and it was very sensitive and would be affected by us passing by with all our magnetism, I think he said.

No photos of him or his equipment, but Jim did find an old boot.


OOPs - wrong photo - this is the right one.

And soon we were back at the pub for a really nice Christams lunch and a good time was had by all.

Then the sun went down on another year of great walks, wonderful scenery and fine company.

Here's to 2010 and more of the same.