AND SO TO BED

The August Amble was back to one we had done before - from Cromarty to McFarquhar's Bed. A small but select group met up in Cromarty and set out from the village along the coast. Well, at least some of us did. Pam and Susan were rounded up back on to the correct route by a friendly collie.

Soon we were back on the coastal route and you get a very nice view back to Cromarty.

There was a lot to see, but I don't know what it was they were looking at!

We came across some old war gun emplacements and radio bunkers. Robin, being a physicist, could not resist going inside - luckily he got out again.

The view over the Sutors from the top.

A big boat.

The first of a number of obstacles that we had to negotiate. As you can see Susan had to struggle over whilst her husband looks on.

And then, to Susan's obvious disgust, he helps Maureen over the fence. That would come back to haunt him.

Here he is helping Maureen at the next obstacle. Will he do the decent thing and help his wife as well?

Of course he did, after she let him know what she thought of his particular code of chivalry.

Unfortunately he didn't quite take the same care with his wife as he did with his neighbour's wife. No harm done, but a lesson learned, I think.

Here is the merry band crossing the plains towards the trees and the sea.

This is McFarquhar's bed - apparently he slept on the top of this! Suffice to say we did not try to emulate that particular feat!

A fossilised crab!

Hugh thought this tree would make an artistic photo and he was right. At least one man got something right that day.

Lunchtime, and Hugh has obviously got something wrong as well, or else he forgot the deodorant this morning.

The rest of us enjoying lunch at the little hut next to the beach, where they had thoughtfully provided nice seats for us, but not for Hugh.

Then on to the beach for some keepie-up - or not as it turned out.

Robin shows some remarkable chest control.

A fine action shot showing us on the way to the world record of 7 - yes seven!

A diving header - but where is the ball?

Children playing in the rock pools.

Starfish in the cave.

Something a degree more attractive and atmospheric.

Maureen and Susan bring up the rear along the avenue of trees.

There used to be a pig in this little hut. I guess he's had his bacon now.

Robin disappearing into a burial vault - by now Maureen had the vapours as she hates all that Gothic stuff.

Pam reaches the end of the walk and decides it is time to show us a clean pair of heels - or at least one of them.

All in all a really good walk and some nice weather and scenery. Thanks to Susan and Robin for the organisation. And if anyone beats the world record, please let me know and I will ignore it.