A GRAND WALK IN GRANTOWN

For February we went to the Anagach Woods at Grantown on a fairly crisp, snowy day. Not a lot of snow, but enough to make it very picturesque. It was also one of our few walks with a lot of animals of one kind or another  to be seen - starting off with this nice little red squirrel in a garden next to the woods.

Soon we were off into the woods - mainly old Scots Pine. Very atmospheric.

Indeed, I got the feeling someone was watching us.

Nice views through the trees to the Cairngorms and to the Cromdale Hills.

It was also a day for some fairly fashionable spectacles.

As we stopped for a view over Cromdale towards the eponymous hills there was a fairly rambling and ultimately tedious and indecisive discussion about how many Corries there were and what were their names. This is the Flower of Scotland Corries and not the ones in the photo below.

No matter, the whole episode reduced Jimmy to tears.

I was going to put in the photo of the intestinal remains of some small animal that we found on the path, but there may be children or others of a nervous disposition who will read this, so I have decided against it. Anyone who is sufficiently interested is welcome to request an email copy and to have a go at identification of what seems to be quite a small animal.

Instead of that photo, here we have a picture of Dave managing to sleep at the same time as walking and pretending to listen to Sharon go on about how hard it is not to be retired, and to actually work for a living

Time to slow down or we will be at the lunch spot too soon, so we follow the advice on the sign.

Even the livestock is clean here.

  According to Robin, this is a cow operated watering device. He is a physicist, so it must be true. The cow allegedly pushes the flat bit at the front which opens the valve and allows water into the little trough.

 Next stop, lunch - and these are some of the ladies who lunch. Its not exactly Harvey Nicks, but it did the job on the day.

 Robin tries to look through Sharon's head to see what she is looking at....

....Then is distracted by Jimmy showing how he used to win hula hoop contest as wee laddie in Fife. This was before the days of television, talkies and, indeed, writing.

 Dave responded by saying that when he was young they had no toys so they just looked at the world through pretend eye glasses formed by their fingers.

 The obligatory lunch photo outside our well appointed fishing bothy that we couldn't actually get inside.

 The boat that the people who could afford to get inside use for fishing.

Onward and back into the trees

 And then out of them into the open by the river.

Some unusual looking sheep - I told you there were a lot of different animals on this walk.

Buzzard

 A pheasant's footprint, or was it Arnie Saccnuson?

 A calf. Even Pam wasn't scared of this one.

 A long-tailed tit on the nuts by the road.

Snowdrops.

 An enigmatic sign on the drive to Anagach House. Did it say "shut up and drive", or "South Drive", or "Don't putt, drive" ? I might be persuaded to buy a drink for the person who can provide me with the most implausible suggestion.

 Finally, whilst talking about the blue knickers worn at gym in the really olden days, Dave got all excited and brave and through a snowball at Sandra - she was just as brave and carried on walking, with only a slight muttering to be heard under her breath. We haven't seen Dave since that day.................

A great walk and good fun. A pleasant drink in the Garth Hotel afterwards, so thanks to Dave and Sandra for organising it all.

AVOCH NO, WHAT'S THE POINT?

The January walk was from Avoch to Chanonry Point and then on to Rosemarkie. It was a fabulous day and given the weather before then, it was a real bonus.

We started off from the car park in Avoch, passing the sails going nowhere fast - it must have been because there was no wind. I understand lack of wind is not a problem at the Fitness League on a Monday night. I shouldn't mention which of the dinosaurs take part, but its Jacque, Sharon and Susan!.

Soon, we were on the path following the old railway line from Avoch to Fortrose. Nice easy walking on a well maintained path. Clearly a walk chosen by someone of discernment and care for his walking companions - yes you're right it was me.

Just along the line we come across a monument to Culloden, which lies across the Firth. And the sun was shining on us by now.

On the other side of the stone there was a bit of a creepy eye.

Perhaps it was looking up the tunnel of trees.

Just as we came into Fortrose we came across a dummy - but it was no-one we knew.

Even though it was Sunday morning, it is not often that some of us would find ourselves in a place like this.

Strangely, however, on the opposite side of the road there was the pub and even the road sign conspired to give the lie to the alcohol free zone.

All right cock?

The strange weather has allowed roses to remain in flower into late January.

And here are another couple of roses on the look out for a thorn. You never know when you will need your walking stick.

The path took us along the side of the golf course, where the local hounds can clearly read.

For some strange reason, Jim and Sharon were delayed in the bushes.

Perhaps Jim wanted to avoid his son, who was out walking with Jim and Jacque's grandson, Stuart, who has featured in this blog before. But no, Jim was happy to see them and they were happy to see him - so they said. So clearly something else was going on in the bushes. 

Eventually, it was time for a stop at Chanonry Point for lunch. Not an auspicious spot in some ways for a meal as the Brahan Seer was burnt here. At least we didn't cook anything.

Whilst we were having lunch the resident dolphins came out to play

And here is the lunch photo.

Jim and Jacque's daughter in law asked us to take photos of the lighthouse, so here are a couple. If J+J want to pass them on, I can send them direct if they give me an email address. (This is really a test to see if they actually read this drivel.)

Back along the beach now towards Rosemarkie, long shadows slicing across the sand. If it wasn't for the walking sticks and the fact that there are only six of them it would be a bit like the Magnificent Seven coming into town. 

Some long tailed ducks having fun offshore.

Some interesting ornaments in someone's garden in Rosemarkie. Clearly a better class of person than us lot lives here. The best we can do are a few gnomes - and I know who has them!

A really nice first walk of the year made all the better by the dolphins and the weather - perhaps we can get through a whole year without getting soaked.

Finally, we welcome in a new year and some new life - that sounds a bit like a minister starting of the Sunday sermon. Perhaps I should just say we are a grandparent - echoing one of my heroines, Margaret Thatcher. 

Sue and Charlie and Ann and Neil have both become grandparents - indeed Ann and Neil texted us on the day of the walk to announce the fact. So here are the bonnie babies. I will leave it to you to guess which is which, and I know that can be tricky for men, but the clue is that baby James is wearing the Snowman Rally suit given to him by Charlie and Anna isn't. Congratulations to all involved, especially Rory and Sarah and Ailie and Wayne.