A weekend away

We made a flying visit to Perth this weekend, to join in the celebrations for the In-Laws Golden Wedding. Whilst we were there, David and I took the boys for a quick dash around Moncreiffe Hill, roughly 4.9 miles and total ascent of 953ft in just under 2 hours. There were some lovely views from the top which would have been better without the low cloud and light rain (waterproofs were deployed, again) but we could see Perth prison and the Tay estuary amongst other landmarks. We saw lots of wild strawberries in flower and wood sorrel en route. Not a bad walk to stretch the legs and blow away the cobwebs caused by too late a night (or early morning, as the boys were kind enough to point out…) with many G & Ts in hand, one at a time to maintain decorum, ahem.

Upon our return, I discovered I’ve won a prize! Over on Martin’s blog, I’d entered his competition last month to win a Golite Jam, amongst other goodies, and my name was first out of the hat, wow! Makes one wonder where my good luck was last October, but hey ho. I’ve supplied my address and now eagerly await my parcel, thanks Martin!

Planning is still in progress for The Great Escape, but I’m hoping to happen across a couple of Challengers, maybe in the Tomdoun area and maybe after I’ve made an attempt for my first Munro. I have no intention of starting a tick list, my vertigo would probably not allow me up certain hills and I don’t do ropes, so any ticking would be entirely pointless, but I would like to do a few for pleasure. A couple of totally unpronounceable ones have been found, Gleouraich and Spidean Mialach, in the right vicinity, so I’ll give them a shot.

Today, we’re embarking on a new mini-adventure. Geocaching. This is a family adventure, minus one. The Teenager is staying home alone, but she will at least be studying, she’s the studious type, thankfully.

Might actually take the camera and use it, for a change.

Walking, there’s been a bit

Admittedly, not an awful lot.

I did the usual Monday circuit with Louise and Lynne on the 26th, Angela couldn’t join us because of the girly walk we’d done the day before, oops! We checked on the osprey and they are still there, which was a relief as none of us had seen any sign of them for a fortnight. Thankfully, it must all have been about timing.

We did the usual girly walk on the 25th. Angela’s husband had kindly worked out a fifteen mile circuit, taking us over ground that all of us knew a bit of, just not necessarily the same bit. This was to prove entertaining as we got further into the walk!

I provided the taxi and parked it at Clashdu, part of the Dava Way and we set off towards Craigroy, onto Tomnamoon, Johnstripe and the Divie Viaduct.

After passing under the Viaduct, we had a conflab. Angela’s knee was not good, she’d overdone it the week before (!!!!) and Judith had only intended a short walk with us before being rescued, so as a physio, she strongly encouraged Angela to go with her.

So there we were, Me, Jo, Alison, Sarah and Pip (a person, not a four legged friend.) We continued across the road and down a lane that is clearly signed Private, but we don’t care! Onwards towards Dunphail House, Relugas and Daltulich Bridge. This section was intersting because I had the map, but the only person who’d done it was Judith. Ahh. Down to my map reading skills then.

Well, we found the bridge, so that was good! We also had the ‘Sally Effect’, as she wasn’t walking with us, it rained. Straight down, wet rain. Waterproofs were deployed.

The path from the bridge took us north along the bank of the Findhorn. Now, with all the snow melt of late, the Findhorn is running pretty high and fast. Raging torrents spring to mind. And this path is high and narrow. Luckily, Sarah knew this bit, so she took the lead and Jo and I brought up the rear so they didn’t have to suffer/witness my minor attack of vertigo and Jo was a love and looked after me. What a wuss! I think the speed of the water flow didn’t help.

There was much scrambling to be had on sections of the high, narrow path that had been washed away. I had no idea that such slopey bits could be so soggy! Alison and I both sank up to our knees at some points, not quite sure how the others remained so much drier and less muddy.

We slithered onwards, past Randolph’s Leap (felt quite ill at that point) and off towards Logie Steading. Alan would be so proud, we stopped and had coffee and cake! Although, Jo and I both sighed “Real toilets!” and rushed first to the cupboard in which they were kept to cries of “Porcelain, doors and running water!”. A shade snug with a small pack on, but at least I took mine off and left it by the wash hand basin. Jo realised her mistake soon after, but managed to escape. Our relief was two fold at this point, it stopped raining at this point.

After hot coffee (chilled elderflower presse in my case) and cake were suitably enjoyed, we abandoned Pip and Sarah to their fate, (a lift home, they waved on the way past…) Jo, Alison and I took the scenic route down the long, long driveway and up the long and winding road to the A940, which was crossed quick smart. We then paddled through mud and farmyard muck to Peathillock and rejoined the Dava Way to return to Clashdu.

It was a lovely day out, despite the rain and an interesting method of navigation (“Who knows this bit?”).

(Data will have to be added later, I currently have a technical hitch.)

If you boil marmalade just a little beyond setting point, it becomes Oxford Dark Marmalade, ahem…

Well, that’s what it’s going to be labelled as. It has a lovely, deep, caramel orange flavour and is definitely set this time. For a second shot, I’m quite chuffed. I can feel a slice of toast and marmalade coming on for supper tonight!

I’ve been very productive in the kitchen today, in preparation for our Anniversary dinner tomorrow. Mulled pears with Roquefort dressing, followed by casseroled lamb with red wine and rosemary and crushed new potatoes with olive oil and parmesan, followed by Tiramisu (David’s rather partial so I’ll just have to force myself…). The Tiramisu is chilling, the pears are mulled and tomorrow I shall sous the vegetables for David to make the mains. Someone round here definitely drew the short straw, but we’d both rather cook ‘together’ than pay for a disappointing meal at a restaurant, (we appear to have much higher standards than most around here!) or, shudder to say it, a take-away, horrors!

Walking? Oh, there has been some. A couple of short walks with a combination of Angela, Louise and Lynne and a longer walk on Sunday with Angela and Jo, just to check if hoppy’s knee can go a little further than 6 miles. Apparently, it can, so we have a fifteen mile girly walk planned for Sunday. Hoppy’s knee may be fine, but I’m less fit than I was few months ago, (a little apathy having set in, oddly enough) so I may huff and puff my way around a little, but I’ve made bringing up the rear into a fine art, it’ll be fine!

Must dash, got to bolt down dinner before Ciara and I head off to Brownies. Now that was another daft idea.

Bet the original was easier to plan

Mum has  said David and I can have a few days away while she is having for her now shortened stay next month, so I am planning The Great Escape from the 14th – 18th May.

Now all I have to do is plan where, how and what we will do.

Obviously, walking and alcohol will be included, but not necessarily at the same time.

Decisions have never been my strong point. Out with the maps!

Enough said

Yesterday, I was despondent. I was less than despondent. I was miserable. Depressed.

Now, I am hopeful for next year. Positive. Looking forward.

I’ve a year to refine, to train and to get fitter.

Why?

Because today, I want for a short walk with David, the boys and Ciara and we saw this:

and this

and this

and I remembered why I love being out of doors.

I’m planning a few days with David next month and then, onwards and upwards to next May.

(Just in case you’re not sure, that’s a red squirrel (we saw two, but this was the best shot) and an osprey. Beautiful.)