D'YOU KNOW NO-ONE WAS THERE?

This may turn out to be one of the shortest blogs ever. On the appointed day in June, nobody apart from Mac and Janet could go on the walk. They had turned down all sorts of foreign holidays and exciting days out just to find us all a walk but we all had something else to do!

So they went for a walk by themselves, breaking years of tradition. They walked along the River Beauly on a nice sunny day. 

There was only one photo sent to me and it is probably beyond my meagre powers of invention to make up something about this walk based on that. So, I won't try albeit there is probably something in there about old ruins, sunny dispositions down by the riverside, how church attendances are falling - that sort of thing.

It is a walk that we have done before and it would be all the better for a nice sunny day. I am told they enjoyed it immensely despite (or because of) the lack of other dinosaurs.

HERE WE GO GATHERING NUTS IN MAY

For a variety of reasons the walk in May was attended only by girlies. The boys and some of the girls couldn't make it. As you might expect this made the walk a bit unusual to say the least. For a start they all went in one car. That would have been a little too close and intimate for us unreconstructed guys. I bet they talked about stuff too.

Here they are getting out of the car near Aviemore, ready to start and not a map in sight.

However, Sandra decides that a bit of testosterone is required and does her matador impression. Not sure if Jacque is the bull or just bending over.

Pam is clearly affected by the outpouring of masculinity and cares not a jot for the grazing cattle.

However, things start to pose a problem - there is a choice up ahead! Decisions, decisions! How to choose.

After making the choice - the inevitable question "Does my bum look big in this?" Luckily there were no men to answer that, because we all know that there is no right answer to the question.

Here they are looking as if no bridge is too far.

And indeed, it wasn't. Or is this them at the barre limbering up for a spot of ballet?

Even Sharon couldn't resist. We all know that little girls want to be ballet dancers. That clearly applies to big girls too.

Loch an Eilean through the trees.

Is this a toilet we see before us?

Perhaps it is a shop - we better look our best just in case.

You never know who might be about - Scottish Premiership footballers, for instance! Even though they are young enough to be their sons!

Luckily it is only a shop! Funnily enough this might be the only time we have had a walk when shopping was involved half-way through rather than at the end of the walk! I wonder if this had anything to do with there being no men on the walk. 

Not only was there a shop, but there were toilets as well! I expect it just doesn't get any better than that if you are a woman.

And there was a bench! If only we had brought the tablecloth. Because there was only women it took some time for them all to sit down and face the camera.

But they managed in the end.

After three hours they dragged themselves away from the shop and toilet and continued on the walk. Despite this being in Badenoch and on a walk chosen by Hugh and Pam they did not get lost - even for a moment. Of course, Hugh wasn't there. Whilst I am not saying that was the only reason, it seems the most likely to me.

Sharon took a lot of photos of trees backlit against the sky. I have learned never to ask why Sharon does anything, so I can't tell you why.

Here are Jacque and Maureen leaning against a big one.

More ballet practice. A bit of work required before any of them is a serious threat to Darcey.

 Finally, they reach the end and pose by a big rock.

Then Sharon reminds Pam that Hugh is not with us, but is unfortunately stuck on the golf course, so she decides to look bereft and sad.

By all accounts they had a great time, didn't get lost, had shops and toilets and didn't miss the men for an instant.