Hello, hello, hello!

I am a bit late in posting up about our walk last Friday - not for anything exciting, I'm afraid, but just because life got a tad busy.  But, here we are on a lovely balmy Monday morning, a respite from all the rain we have had since we got a soaking, last Friday.

Yes, we had a smashing walk around Faskally loch, at Pitlochry. * We started off from the Pitlochry Festival Theatre car park, where we met a new friend, David.  He initially asked us directions for over the hill, crossing the A9, but later joined us on our walk. And, what lovely, interesting company he was!

This was just over three miles of a fairly easy walk, though there were many more steps than we were expecting, with added mud from the rain (did I mention that already?)  Luckily, there was a bench in one place and a lovely tea stop half-way around, at the cafe, where the promised hungry ducks were in evidence and enjoying the very drippy wet rain!  We had a giggle at the table, with conversation ranging from 'knickers' (US speak for short pants ie trousers) philosophy, theology and ending on the guilt from what a person would like to sin at!

However, we continued back to the theatre and quickly made a decision for next Friday's walk at the Falls of Bruar  We will meet, as usual, at the shop at 10.00 am  UPDATE:: It will now be 9.30 am as there is a coffee morning at the Kirkmichael shop 10 - 12 noon, in aid of the MS Society.  We are asked to bring a cake and partake of a coffee before setting off on our walk - see you there!

*  I am awaiting the one photo we took, but I gave out a wrong address for my email - doh!  When I have that I shall post it up here.

Den of Alyth

Well, our walk today was really lovely!  The sun was out, but it wasn't too hot, as eleven of us, including my bezzy mate from Cambridgeshire, Flick, set off into the woods.  Where, I might add, there was a surprise for us at the end of it.

This was the 'crew' for today

Gill, Susan, Karen behind Theresa, Kate Jean I, Rhoda, Jean D, Jeanette, and Charles

with the photo being taken by Flick

I would just like to say that one of the beauties of this group is there are no 'leaders' as such - we make up our mind where we'll go and then we turn up, and, well, go there!

                                                                           

  

However, when it comes to height discrepancies, we tend to tackle it head on and just see how we measure up.  I couldn't find any photos of the two shorter bodies from the group, suffice it to say that there was not much between them.

But, at the end of the walk, we got on like children in a playground, all playing together.  

Did I say playground?  

Well, when one of the group said she would love to play on the swings, more especially, slide down the slide, like fairy godmothers, ping!  

One appeared, and we had a ball!

So, Jean got her wish!

Another Jean, another slide

Kate and Jeanette on the See-Saw

Karen, not sure about this sliding lark

Theresa and Jean taking a turn on the See-Saw

Gill and Kate busy on the swings

Rhoda braving the Slide

Flick reaches the end of the slide, and Kate is waiting to follow her

I don't think we would actually be allowed to go onto the apparatus at the park, but who cares?  We enjoyed it so much, had a laugh and as Theresa said 'I felt like a 5 year old again!'

We were definitely ready for our lunch as we reached the Strathmore Golf Centre who made us more than welcome, by quickly putting two tables together, and bringing our lovely soup or sandwiches, soon after they were ordered, despite being fairly busy.

Next week, folks .....

It's likely to be Faskally Loch, at Pitlochry - Map Here

Jean D says it's best to start at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre car park

but, we'll meet at the Kirkmichael Shop at 10.00 am

and we can travel in fewer cars

UPDATE::::

I found it!  The picture of Charles going down the slide - a classic!

We did it!

Hello folks

Just reporting in after our lovely walk, starting at Fingask loch, this morning.  We had a convoy of about six cars, two meeting places and ten women all jollying along.

It was a really lovely morning, bright and warm, but not really sunny, and no rain at all.

We walked for about an hour or so, supposing to be about two miles ..... but, we all reckoned that it was more like four!  We were really pleased to espy a swan on the loch, and then we saw some ducks and a coot on there as well.

We walked through the Bluebell Wood, but though there was greenery, alas no bluebells.  We decided that we should go again in a month or so, when they are out.

Some Ducks

A Coot

Valerie, Jean D, Gillian, Susan, Jean I, Kate, Rhoda, Theresa and Marian, with Karen taking the photo

Here is the group, or should I say, here are the culprits? 

Apparently, we should not have parked where we did, as there was a notice to say that only farm and fishing vehicles are allowed down this track, oops!

Sorry, officer, we promise not to do it again ..... 

We did, however, high tail outta there and off to Dalmore Hotel for a very welcome cuppa and some had the pea and ham soup.  We were made welcome by the friendly staff, who put together two tables to accommodate us, and were quick to bring our order.  You can tell there is a 'but' coming along, can't you?  Well, it was just a little off-putting that only what was ordered was brought - it would have felt warmer is a basket of bread and several dishes of butter were laid on the table, instead of the exact amount of bread and pat of butter ..... I don't know, it might have just been me!

Next week we are going to the Den of Alyth and, if you can't click on the map on that information, it is here.  In the meantime, Jean D has the route map, and unless otherwise arranged - we should meet in Alyth town square at 10.30 am next Friday 16 April.   See you there.

We have a plan!

Yes!  This Friday's walk will be near to Blairgowrie.  It is the Bluebell Wood Walk, highlighted in Yellow on the map in this link to Blairgowrie Path Network  Jean and I have gotten our heads together and decided to suggest we meet at the Fingask Loch and I have found Driving Directions from the Wellmeadow, Blairgowrie Here   which, I hope works!  See you at Kirkmichael shop at 10.00 and Fingask Loch at 10.35 am.

If you have any questions, please do get in touch with either me or Jean D.

Looking forward to seeing you all on Friday.

Karen x

This Friday's walk - and previous pics

Hello again folks,

Just in to say that we'll be meeting at the shop at 10.00 am on Friday - where this week's walk will be revealed by Jean!  Actually, I don't think we know where we're going as yet, so any suggestions, please contact Jean D.

Speaking of whom, Jean has sent me some pictures to post on here

This is from the walk on  20 March from Bridge of Cally to Black Craig Castle which we did not quite reach. From the left - Marian, Charles with Hilary peeping over his shoulder, Jeanette, Petrina, Susan, Kate, Rhoda and Jean was taking the photo.

And, on 6 March from Kirkmichael to Kindrogan where we got shown around Kindrogan and told what they do there by Mike Curtis. Back to shop for a newly baked rock bun made by Jan with our cup of tea/coffee. From the left - Jeanette, Marian, Rhoda, Sandy, Kate, Susan, Jacqueline and Jean was taking the photo.

Let's hope that after the rain of the past few days, and the hailstones today, that the weather will be kind to us again this Friday!

Last Friday's Walk

Our group gathered outside Kirkmichael Community Shop

(Charles, Jean I, Charles' wife, Liz, Jean D, Marian, Jeanette, Jean I's Son and Daughter-in-law)

Again, the group went from Kirkmichael to Pitcarmick This Link gives quite a lot of information about Pitcarmick, and other places where there are standing stones.

We walked over the bridge and turned left at the village hall and down the way, the weather was really lovely and sunny, though a bit chilly.  Very different to the howling snowstorms of mid-week.  As we kept the river to our left, we continued over the sheep field and onto a path - which was blocked half-way by a fallen tree!

I did promise not to take pictures of any bottoms!

You can see already that the sun is still shining through.  And, more photos were taken after we got through the next gate, and onto the road.

Jean I's son and dog, Liz, Karen, Jean D, Marian, don't know, Cath, don't know, Cath's daughter and grandson

We then returned to the Session House for scrumptious, home-made hot cross buns with tea or coffee - a tea-stop that is thoroughly recommended!  The Session House was open as a Good Friday Coffee Morning, and there must have been over twenty-five people enjoying the 'get-together'.  My husband rang me while I was there and requested I go outside to speak to him, as the noise was deafening!

As soon as I know where we're going next week, I shall post it up here again.

19 February 2010

Here is a picture Jeanette sent me of the walk the group took on 19 February 2010. This was from Kirkmichael to Pitcarmick, on what looks to be a lovely sunny day. I'm still not sure of the name of people, especially the first two on the left (perhaps someone will fill me in?) But, third on the left is Petrina, then Charles' wife, I believe, then Marian and then another couple who I do not know! Oh dear, this feels so rude not to know people's names, and it may get worse as I get older!

Good Friday Walk

Just in case anyone is reading this during the night, or before the walk in the morning, I thought I would post this email that I received;

Hello everyone!

Our walk tomorrow is Balchrochan and Burnside, Kirkmichael. It is only 2 miles long as we want to be back in plenty of time to enjoy the Hot Cross Buns at the Session House before lunch time and not sure how the weather will be either. Meet as usual at the shop at 10.00am.

Please let me know of other walkers' emails that you know of. Also, could you let anyone else interested in our walks know of our plans tomorrow.

Karen has started a blog of our walks - it is wonderful! She will let you know all about it tomorrow.

Looking forward to a catch up with you all,

Jeanette

 
Sorry I didn't get this up sooner but, due to the snow storms of the past couple of days I lost all communications with the outside world!  It was all back on this morning except the internet, and I only just came home and opened the one above.  Mind you, it was a lovely quiet evening with no-one ringing in or out - peace!