THE GLENSHEE ESCAPE

Once again we went away for a whole weekend in April. This time we were off to Glenshee and stayed at the Gulabin Lodge hostel. We set off on Friday morning to get to Glenshee for a round of golf in what we hoped would be sparkling spring weather.

Given we were only going away until Sunday our car was loaded up as if we were setting out for Everest base camp. If only we had known - the weather was probably better at Everest!

Once we got to Glenshee the intrepid golfers went to the Dalmunzie Hotel for bacon rolls before venturing out into the sleet, snow, rain and wind for a fun time. I don't have photos of the golf on the basis that getting the camera out was likely to render it as useful as my golf - which wasn't very useful at all.

Luckily it was nine hole course so there was a bit of relief for lunch. This turned out to be a grand affair, with the Hotel giving us a very stylish room of our own - they obviously knew who we were.

Certainly Hugh felt right at home - but then he hadn't played the first nine.

Before we went out for the second nine, Jimmy pointed out to Hugh were a wayward drive into the river could end up!

As I said, the room was very nice as was the food. I am not sure whether Susan was trying to feel the quality of the napery or whether she had hit her knee on the table leg - I will assume the latter.

Here we all are ready for service. I can't tell you the last time I saw white linen like this.

After luncheon we retired to the drawing room for coffee. The waiter was a bit of a lad and got down on his knees to serve Jacque and Sandra - much to the evident horror of Janet, who clearly knows that the hired help should know their place.

Jacque then told Sandra what he said to her and Sandra was obviously shocked to the core!

After the second nine in weather which was just as atrocious as the morning, we all went back to our hostel and had a fine dinner prepared by all of us in advance. Whilst the surroundings were not quite so grand as the hotel, the food was outstanding - and there was heaps of drink.

Of course, there had to be a winner at the golf and here he is - Dave making his acceptance speech - or was he just illustrating how his club slipped out of his wet, frozen hands at the sixth?

After listening to Dave's speech for the first hour, only Charlie was left at the table.


The choice of food was really excellent - but Janet decide early on that she wasn't going to have what Sue was suggesting.


Of course, after dinner there is always the washing up to do and here are the women hard at it.

Here are the men hard at the fridge deciding which beer to have next.

After the women had done the hard work we all got down to a bit of relaxation - which in the case of the golfers was well deserved. This was taken just shortly before Robin fell asleep while Dave went on about his wonderful round of golf again, and again and again.....

Even Sandra became bemused by it all. So much so, in fact, that most of the company went to the kitchen and started to sing - at least that is what they told me the noise was.

The morning after the night before and the weather was better, with only light rain at the start of our walk - but it soon got better.

Soon we were on the trail, but as always there are one or two who can't resist the opportunity to let loose their inner child.

But soon we got onto the proper walking following the line of an old railway line that had been built by the estate owner to get his friends out to the shooting - something everyone has in their back garden if you know the right people.

And here is the engine that used to ply the line.

As for the few past walks, we met a dog.

Soon we came to raging torrent that we could not cross. We only got there because we had not quite followed the rail line and so we had to climb the hill a bit - something we try not to do. Susan was saying to Sharon - do we really have to do this?

But we did and so we carried on and here is a photo to prove it.

Soon we found the railway line again and then we got to a bridge where we had to have a photo taken.

And then we arrived at the ruined shooting lodge and stopped for tiffin. Unfortunately Hugh let his background in Fife shine through and he had a can of Tennants.

Of course, after a can you always have to got the little boys' room - or in this case the little boys' wall.

Susan and Robin really went all out to blend in with natural surroundings.

And here is a slightly squint lunch photo - not taken by Hugh after his lunchtime drinking, I should add.

Then back we went, with Charlie showing that the age of chivalry was still alive.

And if you thought we were mad.....

Sue was really tired by this time and had taken to sleeping standing up.

It really was a magnificent walk as you can see here.

Another bridge photo - some would say a bridge too far - at least Sue and Janet didn't take the star thing too far, foregoing the shades.

We had walked quite far by then and we were all needing a seat and sure enough we found one.

But soon enough we were back at the hostel for a real seat and off with the boots.

After a short rest we went to the nearby Glespittal Hotel for what they called dinner, but it really was a bit strange - most of us had turkey and all the trimmings - only no crackers! Happily I have no photos of that or the bus party playing bingo in the next door lounge.

It was time to leave the next morning and here are Sharon and Mac just after they got off the ladder you can see in the background. Actually that is a lie - they were just mucking around on the grass.

The group photo before we left the hostel for tea and biscuits at Mac and Janet's second home.

This is us in the woods at the back of the second home or it may have been the grounds, I am not quite sure.

After a nice walk in the rain and the woods, I found this apt photo of old Braemar. Just look at these old codgers desperately seeking some outdoor clothing.

All in all a very fine weekend away and one that I am sure Ann and Neil would have enjoyed if they had been able to be there. Thanks to everyone who made it such fun despite the golf.