THE LOVAT AGAIN

It being November, we had another away day at the Lovat Hotel in Fort Augustus. They had looked after us very well the last time and did the same again this year. (and no, I wasn't paid by the Hotel to write that, but I could be open to offers).

Our first walk on the Saturday was around Loch Oich - just over 10 miles. Here we are gathered at the car park. Little did we know what we were in for by the end of the day.

We soon got started walking in the magnificent Great Glen, remote from modern day life, at one with nature, our souls soothed by a holy communion with the simple things in life. Jacque, meanwhile was on the phone,

It wasn't long before we came to the first bridge and we stopped for a nice little picture.

Then onward and upwards.

Soon it was time to stop for a cup of tea, and the facilities laid on for this walk were second to none.

More phone calls, or perhaps Janet is just explaining new technology to Mac.

A big hole in the ground, which, given Mac's bladder, could be about to be filled up.

On to the obstacle course.

It looks like Bilbo Baggins made it.

Another bridge, but it was too wet to get everyone to stop for a photo.

Up the hill where Robin and I stopped to take a photo of the view up the Loch Oich. This involved a bit of a clamber up a wee hill.

Had we but known, there was a proper seat and a viewpoint just around the corner - and the view was better.

So was the weather!

A nice spot to stop for lunch.

But there was not enough space for us all to sit down. As you can see there were a few gentlemen among us.

Lunch with a view.

It felt like that as well and we were not quite halfway round the loch!

Halfway, and the view up the loch from south Laggan was superb. 

We soon arrived at the old railway station, but unfortunately there were no trains to take us back to the hotel.

Never let it be said that I don't try and educate as well as entertain you all.

And here we are walking along the old track bed.

The ruins of Invergarry Castle. The boat had seen better days too.

The view down the loch back towards Invergarry.

Another view back down the loch through the rain and mist. We were pretty wet and tired by then, so we didn't linger over the the scenery. The thought of a warm fire and a nice pint were all that kept some of us going by then.

That was us at the end of our ten mile trek around Loch Oich. Whilst it was a good walk, it would have been much better in the dry.  All we had to do was get back to the hotel and get dry on the outside and wet on the inside and we managed that pretty successfully. Well done to Mac and Janet for dragging us round.

DAY 2

Hugh and Pam went overboard in dressing for the walk on the second day.

 As you might spot, we started the second day's walk from the same place as the trek around Loch Oich. This time it was a shorter walk along the canal from Aberchalder to Fort Augustus.

 We were joined by David, but as you night expect he wasn't walking, he was merely being a taxi driver.

Robin and I decided that going to see the mighty Caley Thistle play Motherwell was a better bet than another walk. How wrong could we be - they lost. By a margin.

Two bridges, but no photo, because I wasn't there to get them in line.

More education.

I'm not sure if they were a bit beyond education, though.

 And off they went down the towpath.

This was turning out to be quite an educational trip - not at all the sort of thing we are used to. It looks like the birds found it interesting, though.

The towpath becomes a waterway - basically the canal was overflowing.

It obviously has happened before!

Once a teacher always a teacher!

 A wee boatie on the canal.

A nice bit of Sky, but they weren't lost, it was the sky in the sky, not the sky in Skye.

A nice spot for a rest, but nobody seems to have been that tired. There would have been a scramble for it the previous day.

 A bridge photo - well a lock gate photo really.

Quiet reflections.

We were given some nice little biscuits by the hotel when we had left in the morning. Robin and I didn't get to eat them, but everyone else did.....

.....including Ann and some guy from the Politburo.

 And then they went back to the hotel for more tea and biscuits - not very fair if you ask me.

All in all a great weekend with the usual good fun, great food and fabulous company. Well done to Mac and Janet for all their organisation.