THE HOLY STONES WALK

The Sunday of our February walk at Loch Bunachton dawned very bright, but cold. We milled about the start of the walk obviously raring to go.

So after a quick check of equipment by Brown Owl we were on our way......

.....only to be confronted by fallen trees. Despite my best efforts to just go back to the car, we carried on instead. Luckily Maureen was on hand to give old Charlie a helping hand.

The rest of us had to struggle under the branches - some with more elegance than others.

Still after a quick breather and on with the shades, anyone can look like a film star.

Still we carried on into the dazzling sunshine, which doesn't make for great photography.

Then we came across the first of the holy stones - or rather stones with holes in them. In reality, just old fence posts, but quite interesting for all that.

Soon we came around the corner to find the loch, which was looking good in the sunshine.

An old cowboy leaning on the fence.

The path took us up and away from the loch.

It soon got a bit warmer and some of us started to remove the many layers that were necessary at the start of the walk.

Another holy stone, with a helpful model alongside so that you can judge the scale. This only worked with standard sized men and was no use for Jimmy or Dave.

A closer view of one of the holes. You can't say this isn't exciting stuff.

From the wilds onto the tarred road for a mile - and we didn't see a single car.

We did see this Victorian gate which Dave suggested was of some value, but no-one was prepared to carry it home to test the theory.

From the road you got some very nice views back over the loch.

There was some evidence that winter was still lurking about, even though there had been precious little signs of it up until now.

Then we reached the end of the road, or at least the end of our bit of it. This was the perfect opportunity for a bridge photo, but there wasn't one so we used a gate.

And just to prove that the sky was still blue.

Soon we found a sunny spot for a bit of lunch, which is clearly a serious business in the Marwick household.

Sandra jealously guarded her yoghurt, whilst Jacque looked on enviously.

Jimmy tried to sneak up on Sandra to get the yoghurt for Jacque dressed as a giant yoghurt carton - but his disguise was seen through fairly easily. Yakult! shouted Dave. Not me! cried Jimmy.

Time for the lunch photo.

Soon we were on the final leg home and then we were off to The Dairy for tea and cakes.

And here we all are, except for Pam who was hiding behind me!