YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE INSANE TO WALK WITH DINOSAURS, BUT.....

For our February walk we stayed pretty close to home and walked around Craig Dunain. This was the site of the former Mental Hospital which is being redeveloped for housing.

We started off at the Rugby Club car park and walked up to the canal. Here is our small, but select, band walking along the canal bank.

 We pass the Jacobite Queen,and then head for Torvean Golf Course and the Great Glen Way. Rugby, Golf - what a sporty lot we are. 

The Great Glen Way - conjures up images of wild open spaces, doesn't it? 

The reality was shadowy figures in the underpass. You wouldn't want to meet this lot in the dark, let me tell you.

They certainly scared the droppings out of this guy.

But Nessie seems a bit happier.

There was a brilliant view of the Castle.

There was also a street light to show us the way - hopefully we weren't going to be out after dark - we might meet the weirdos in the underpass.

Soon we were climbing above the city - when I say climbing, I really mean we were heading upwards - no crampons or ropes were necessary.

There were some nice views, though.

Spring was in the air despite the cold wind.

Although the way ahead was barred to us, we were not dissuaded and forged ahead.

Soon we were able to look over the towers of the old Mental Hospital. It really was a Victorian work of art. Quite impressive.

Lunchtime was approaching and we were delighted to note that we were to be serenaded over our sandwiches, if only someone knew some xylophone tunes.

Unfortunately, no-one did  which was just as well, really, because the xylophone was no longer there, but this weird looking plank of wood with a face was.

From here you could look down on the whole of the hospital.

From our picnic site we could also get a view of the city and the sea.

You could also get a view of these pine cones which had been hung from the trees. I know that pine cones often hang from trees but these ones were hanging from beech trees. In fact, they had been dipped in fat and seeds and were natural bird feeders.

Maureen had her own feeder with her. Her lunch was inside and then it.....

.....folded out to make a place setting. How posh is she?

Here is the lunch photo - as you can see - quality, not quantity was the order of the day.

As we get older, some of us revert to our childhood. At least, that would be a charitable view of whatever Jacque was doing.

Hugh was going to give her a push, but there was no back to the swing, so his natural chivalry came to the fore and he decided against it.

And so, Jacque jumped off.

Onwards and upwards we went, not too traumatised by Jacque's demonstration of swinging from the sixties.

Somewhat unexpectedly, we found a large frozen pond.

It may have been a surprise, but it was quite photogenic.

Presently, we chanced upon the local version of the Paris Pont Des Arts. Hugh and Pam, ever the romantics, had added their padlock to the bridge when they were there. That may be why bits of the bridge are failing under the weight.

Right on romantic cue, Jimmy brought out the Matchmakers.

So we carried on with a spring in our steps. At least Jacque did - whether it was the Matchmakers or the thought of all that swinging, we can only guess.

Even Pam and Maureen were sashaying through the forest.

The Hydro had laid on a zip wire for us to get down, but we declined to use it.

A wall of stone snaking across the field.

Cows imitating a wall of stone snaking across a field.

Remember the heart tree in Game of Thrones? Well this is the tree from the Lame Old Crones.

And there they go.

This could easily be Craster's Keep.

Could this be Daenerys Stormborn's horse, Silver?

"Aye right" she winks, " Nay, I'm actually the Lone Ranger's horse, Silver."

After leaving Westeros, we wend our way to the canal and the cars. From there up to Simpson's for tea and cakes. A fine end to a really nice walk.

Thanks to Jimmy and Jacque for organising it all.