ANOTHER COVID NO SHOW

Another walk has passed us by due to stupid Covid.

It is getting beyond a joke now. 

We have hardly walked as a group this year and it doesn't look very much like we will get another walk together before the year is out. 2020 has been cancelled for the Dinosaurs.

Luckily, we can look back with fondness at previous walks in October. If this pandemic doesn't stop soon, looking back might be all we can do. We may all be too old and doddery to go walking as a group again!

We did have some pretty mixed weather in Octobers past but did get to see some nice sights and a bit of autumn colour.

Our first October walk in 2006 (yep, 14 years ago) was from Rothiemurchus to the Lairig Ghru. This was when Dave thought we were an intrepid mountaineering group.

We were certainly a good deal younger, although we exhibited the same tendency that has always been with us - an inability for everyone to look at the camera at the same time!

The scenery was a bit special, though.

There was no October walk in 2007 or 2008. I'm pretty sure there was no Covid about then, but I'm not sure why we didn't walk and the blogs for the following months give no clue. Age seems to have dimmed my memory, so I can offer no reasons for this.

In 2009, we went to Torachilty for the day and we were joined by Sharon's sister Sandra and her husband, Chris. Here we all are sitting down to luncheon.

There was a lot to reflect upon.

2010 found us walking from Duntelchaig to Loch Ruthven and for that walk Bob's brother Bruce and his wife Irene tagged along.

We seemed to hole up in a canyon, like some Wild West outlaws hiding from the posse.

The trees on the side of the cliff had turned golden yellow to remind us it was autumn.

For 2011, we were back down in Badenoch and Strathspey at Loch Morlich.

What a happy band we were. Was this because I wasn't there?

Or was it just because the sky was blue?

It was quite good weather when we went out the back of Beauly in 2012. We still couldn't look at the camera, either. Then again, why would you with views like these.

In 2013, we were at Avoch and Rosehaugh Estate. Young Stewart, Jim and Jacque's grandson joined us for that walk. He was obviously a glutton for punishment, because he actually came on quite a few of our rambles.

We had some nice sea views that day.

The weather turned in 2014, when we went to the Slochd. That might explain the poor turnout. I can't say that this was a merry little band. A quick look at the body language would give the lie to that.

At least the gloom lifted sufficiently for them to see some hills.

In 2015, we visited Foyers. It wasn't exactly blazing sunshine, but we did have a little picnic on the beach at Loch Ness. No monster, though. Not sure why Jacque was doing an impersonation of the old school nit nurse, though.

The loch of tranquility.

It was not so tranquil for Pam in 2016 when we had to walk through a herd of cows at Drumashie. Here we are, safe behind the gate. Sharon's sister Sandra was with us again.

More autumn colour looking over to Meallfourvonie on the other side of Loch Ness.

Skye of Curr was next in 2017. No cows here, just sleeping sheep, well, roches moutonees.

There were some nice views over the Spey as well.

Next up was the little yellow hill, or Beinn Buidhe Beag as it is properly known.

Not such good weather that day.

There were some fine views over the Firth, to make up for that, though.

The latest October walk was to Loch Vaa from Boat of Garten last year. The weather was a little mixed (that might be a the name of a girl band, but I'm too old to be sure of that).

More autumn colour on show among the pine trees.

Nearly time to end on a cute note!

Time to definitely end on a note of hope that we will see the rainbow after the clouds have gone. Surely we will see some light at the end of the tunnel.

Keep safe, sanitised and sane.

COVID CUTS IT SHORT, AGAIN

Another Sunday and no real Dinosaur walk due to Covid. It is really playing havoc with our social lives, not to say everything else. We might be lucky to get another fully (wo)manned walk this year.

It was the turn of Richie and Agnes to choose the walk and they had wisely decided that, with a low turn out at their last walk, a repeat would be a good idea. We were all getting excited about that, when Wee Nic says Gonnae no dae that? How no? Cos you're a' gonnae get the lurgie if ye dae! OK?

So we didnae. Well, at least most of us didnae.

Susan, Robin and Maureen were intrepid and went on their own. Without a guide. No Agnes and no Richie to show them the way. Controversial and possibly foolhardy, but there it is. It would not really be giving things away to say that they survived and, indeed, Robin sent me some photos!

As it happens it was exactly a year ago to the day this walk had been arranged and completed. So it wouldn't look like the same walk it started in a different place,  In fact, it doesn't look like any walk to me, as I was not on either one, although I have done some walking in that area, so I might recognise some of it. If you see what I mean? If you want to be reminded of the first walk, here is a link.

http://walkwithdinosaurs.blogspot.com/2019/09/

This time the walk started at Fairburn Tower. It seems that some progress is being made on the restoration of the tower. The Landmark Trust intend to restore the tower and convert it into holiday letting accommodation for four people. The scaffolding is the first stage of this, being designed to stabilise the structure and then allow for further works to take place in due course. It should make for a fine AirBnB in due course - no Covid parties, of course.

Not sure there are two metres of separation there, but I don't have my measuring tape. I'm also not sure of the order of the photos, but this is how they came to me. They give a flavour of the day, even if they may be chronologically disorganised.

Robin thought this illustrated a glorious day out. Certainly a bit of a weir's way.

This must be quite a low wall.

Agnes dropped in to check that the walkers were not doing anything they shouldn't have been.

They must have been good, because Agnes seems to be very pleased with herself.

Looking over at the Falls of Orrin.

Susan completely missed the point of a wee mat for sitting on for lunch.

The remains of the hydro scheme at Orrin, which provided power to Fairburn House.

Girls in a glade.

More hydro remains.

A spreading Scots Pine.

Just to prove he was there, Robin gets in the frame.

Water through the trees.

Robin suggested that this was a bit Game of Thrones. It looks nothing like Daenerys Targaryan to me and I do remember the details.

Signs of autumn - only 80 odd days until Christmas!

A higher wall, or else they are just knackered.

Getting ready for a bit of bouldering.

No sign of them now.

Robin called this one woodland nymphs. I'm not sure if that is short for something else! 

Robin and Maureen tussling over the last individually, sanitised and distanced chocolate twirl.

Agnes sent me this photo that she called some lovely rose hips - not her own, I think.

Yummy brambles as well.

It wasn't just Agnes checking up on things, the farm cat had a wee peek from the roof light of the barn.

Clearly Agnes was worried about her hair being affected by her cycle helmet. She was so very glad to see this handy mirror on the side of the farmhouse. Something to reflect on.

Blooming heather, but no wild mountain thyme for Agnes. Given the Covid situation, there's no chance of any lassies going anywhere.

While the little band were at Fairburn, Sue and Charlie were at Ullapool. I'm guessing this was them up at first light to take in the air before a bit of wild swimming.

Unmistakeable Ullapool front.

Another view of the front, but alarmingly, the sea seems to be draining away.

On that note, it is time to thank Robin, Agnes and Sue for the photos. They were all good and illustrated the fact that you can't keep the Dinosaurs down, even if you are a tiny wee bug. One day we will all be in this together.

Keep safe and wash your hands.