DOLPHIN DAYS

Before I start on the blog for the June walk around Kilmuir, I must pay tribute to the 4 hardy lady dinosaurs who took part in the Moonlight Meander around Brodie and Culbin on the 29th May. It was absolutely hissing down all night long, but Sue, Agnes, Pam and Sharon walked 10 miles in aid of the Highland Hospice. Given the weather it was an act of considerable charity.

Here they are before they started out - Agnes ready to crack the whip!

This is them at the end when they were looking a bit whipped and certainly a great deal wetter than I was - despite being in the bath!

Congratulations to all four of them.

However, enough of that and on to the June walk around Kilmuir and North Kessock.

Here we are setting off from North Kessock to go under the bridge towards Kilmuir. I am pleased to say that we were joined by Ann and Neil for the first time since Neil had some surgeon rummaging around in his head - good to see them back.

A view of the bridge from the underside.

Jim and Jacque were not there because Jim was recovering from his plumbing surgery - and had to take things easy.

However, although they were not there we did come across Jim's second home in the woods.

And here is a beech tree by the beach. We came across this after some strange man tried to frighten us off by letting his very large dog out of the back of his 4 by 4. Nothing could stop us, though so we carried on, in what Pam and Hugh assured us was the right direction!

Soon we came across an abandoned boat with the Captain's log still in it. We couldn't translate it though, so we don't know what befell the crew - perhaps the Doberman ate them.

When we got to Kilmuir the elderly among us had to stop for a rest!

After that we came to spot where a more permanent rest was on offer.

Robin, looking a bit agricultural decided to take a photo of us all.

Don't ask how he got over the fence to get into the picture, but it wasn't elegant - nice photo though.

Given that Dave wasn't there we decided to stop for lunch very early.There were plenty of seats about for us all and the residents were pretty quiet.

That's not to say that there wasn't some starnge goings on going on. What was Pam doing?

Then off back towards North Kessock, but this time we climbed up from the beach into the trees where we met an elephant.

And just to prove it....

Then on to photographers Rock. And just to prove it.......

..........and this is what he saw.

And this too - not nearly so pretty!

Finally it was down to North Kessock where we got some great views of the dolphins.

What a fine walk we had - ending up at the North Kessock Hotel for a well deserved drink and back home in time for the World Cup - Italy New Zealand - a one one draw for those who collect statistics.

Thanks to Robin for some of the photos and well done to Pam and Hugh for almost organising the walk. They did have an excuse though, because they were somewhat distracted as their daughter, Carly was soon to have a baby. And sure enough not so little Amy-Grace arrived on the 7th of July. Congratulations to the new grandparents!