Right Ladies (and gentlemen) I tend to tell some lies so must apologise for that first and foremost.

Only 4 of us turned up today for the best ever walk so far. 

Susan, Gillian, Jean I and me, Jean D, had a wonderful time in the Bluebell Woods walk.

 

We parked the car in the Dalmore Hotel car park and crossed the road to the path into the Bluebell Woods. Spotted some Comfrey and Honeysuckle as we walked to the White Loch where a pair of swan were swanning around some coots and we think some moorhens. Bogbean, Irises, Parsleys and grasses were at the edge of the loch. 

We met lots of dogs taking their owners for a walk and trying to persuade them into the water where they said it was lovely but none of the owners took up the offer.Cowards - the lot of them!! 

At the bridge we saw Mr & Mrs Mallard showing off their little babies and maybe looking for some tasty nibbles but we had forgotten the breadcrumbs. "Sorry, ducks!"

 

It was a beautiful day as we sauntered past Loch Fingask - only one boat out today and no sign of any Ospreys. Up and on through the field where we spotted lots of wild flowers - White Campion (Not Corn cockles as I said. Lie no 1), fumitory,gorse, forget-me-nots, speedwell, hacquetia, epipactus and lots more.

 

And then we entered the Darroch Woods. Darroch meaning Oak so there were lots of Oak,Elder, Hawthorn in full bloom, Rowans just coming out in flower and Willow and Beech. 

And Wow!! All you folks who did not come along you missed so much - Bluebells by the thousands and Blinks and Ferns and Stitchwort (Not snow in summer - lie no 2). We saw Blackbirds, Chaffinches and Tits and there were birds singing their hearts out to us galore! ( Martin we needed you)

 

We decided not to go out onto the road and break the wonderful ambience so we just continued round the woods and back to the start and back the way we came in by the two lochs.

Went for lunch at the Dalmore and had a lovely chat about all we had seen.

** NEXT WEEK **

 

Decided that next week we shall go to Dunkeld and do the Larch Walk.meeting at 9.30 outside the Kirkmichael Village shop. Hope this is okay with everyone and hope for a bigger turnout next week with the same weather as today.

MacMillan Walk - a success!

Wow! Isn't Jeanette clever? She took these pictures while we were on our MacMillan walk, last Friday, then made a collage in Picasa.  As you can see, the weather held out for us, though it was not sunny, the rain more or less stayed away.

Some sheep, looking at us, looking at them

There were about twelve of us who started off, then, Kate arrived by car.  Not unusual, you might think, but then she unloaded the pushchair and her grandson, and proceeded to take part in the walk!  There's no
stopping us, is there!

You can just see Kate sans pushchair in the middle of the group

We were joined on this walk by Martin Robinson, a local man who is renowned for his knowledge of plants and birds.  Martin was kind enough to stop and show us lots of plants, that we might otherwise have missed.

Above is one he showed us, that is a carnivorous plant, and I can't remember the name of!  I'm sure someone will let me know in the comments box below - please!

The scenery was simply stunning

Jean D gave me a list of the birds we heard on our way, that included the Willow Warbler, Redstart, Tree Pipit, Crossbills, Coal Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Cuckoo.  Wow, what a list!

As you'll see from the sidebar, we smashed our £100 target, and then some.  Everyone was encouraged to email the Jusgiving page to their friends and family, and I know I have more people intending to sponsor us (one of my cousins is currently taking part a sponsored walk around Spain, and will donate on his return!)

On our return to the village, we enjoyed some cakes which a couple of us provided, and had a welcome cup of tea or coffee.  We have to thank Martin for adding so much to our walk, and the people from the Kirkmichael Village shop, for allowing us to use them as a base, especially Sally, Marie and Hannah.

** Next week's walk **

... is around Ardblair again, and this time, hopefully the bluebells will still be out.  Meet at the shop at 10.00 am and at Bridge of Cally at 10.15 am.

We will be parking at Dalmore car park, and return there for our lunch.

21 May at Glenfernate AND notes for the MacMillan Walk

It was an absolutely gorgeous day, the sun was shining as we drove into Glenfernate and parked our cars just past the end of the road up to Loch Crannach. There were ten of us today - Gillian, Jean D, Jean I, Jeanette, Jacquelin, Kate, Rhoda, Susan, Sylvia and a very nice gentleman called Alan who is staying in Kirkmichael for a wee holiday and decided to join us.

We walked along the Allt Fearnach (River to those who don't know what Allt means) up to the Daldhu. It was a a lovely walk as we were walking in towards the mountains with hills surrounding us and the river alongside us all the way. 

At one bridge there were small trout jumping away like mad and nobody thought to take a fishing rod!!  Some of the ladies spotted 6 deer legs lying at the side of the road on our way in but as we never saw or have seen or heard of a 6 legged deer we checked on our way back and found 8 deer legs.

But well spotted Susan and Gillian! We then headed to the Strathardle Inn for our lunch and a welcome Shandy or two.

We walked a bit further today than we have done before - by my reckoning we did 10k (6m) so well done everybody except Jeanette who skedaddled away back home to be in time for a wedding she was officiating at. (But she did do a walk yesterday -so we shall forgive you this time Jeanette.) 

This is a must do again walk - it was so peaceful and beautiful. We should take a picnic next time as there are so many places to stop and relax by the river. Or ask permission to drive up to the Daldhu and walk up to Loch Loch which has a beach!! or up the other track even.

Knackered Jean D

** NeXt WeEk **

 Walk in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support 

We have decided to walk the Cateran trail from Kirkmichael towards Bridge of Cally next week in aid of  MacMillan Cancer Support  We can walk just the distance we want to, and then turn back and go to the Kirkmichael Village Shop  where there will be banners and balloons!  Maybe even a cuppy and some cake, too.

If it is a nice day some people might like to take along their picnic and have it on the way.  And, it may be possible for those who go the whole 8 mile distance, to get the school bus at Bridge of Cally (opp. the Post Office) back to Kirkmichael (check with the driver, or you'll go up the glen) but, you'll need to be there by about 4pm.  It might also be possible to arrange for some with cars to collect people from the Bridge of Cally Hotel car park.

Glamis Castle ** and this week's walk update **

Friday 14^th May.  This week we headed to Glamis Castle to walk round the estate and the village. It was sunny and quite warm, a lovely spring day.

After coffee in the castle kitchen we headed off to meander round the grounds. The Walled Garden, the Pinetum and the Pet Cemetery were all stops on our route. The Italian Garden was a delight with spring flowers.

 

We headed down the Nature Trail by the side of the Glamis Burn and up steps by St Fergus Well to reach the village.  

Our next stop was lunch at the Strathmore Arms. The soup was delicious.  

We walked on though the village and down the long drive with the splendid view of the castle and back to the cars.  

                                                    

It was a relaxing day enjoying the weather, the fresh air and company, walking through the estate and village.

Jacquelin


**UPDATE** for this week's walk;
The walk this Friday is to Glenfernate.  We will leave the village shop at 9.45am and drive the relatively short distance to the estate and hopefully start the walk at 10.  Plan is to walk for 2 hours round trip and back to the village for lunch/coffee.  It was suggested that we try either the Kirkie or Strathardle this time.  - Jeanette

Edradour Walk

Hi folks, we had a lovely walk on a lovely day at the Black Spout in Pitlochry. There were 6 of us today - Jacqueline, Susan , Gillian, Sylvia, Nicola and Jean D. We set off from the tourist info but there is a parking place at the start of the walk so next time we will know to go there.  Anyway we walked down past the Bells distillery and under the bridge till we came to a signpost saying the Black Spout, turned up there and it was an uphill climb so we had a welcome seat on the first perching bench we came to and took a photo.

It was all rather beautiful with the wood anemones in full bloom spreading all over the forest floor with little lilac violas and oxalis too. Then on and up till we came to a view point over the waterfall. It falls over 60m and was quite spectacular. We spotted some tree creepers there. Another welcome rest and then up some more till we eventually came out at the Edradour Distillery. "Great" - we all said together. Then we saw that it would cost us all a fiver to go in and see round the smallest distillery so me being an Aberdonian said "I'm nae paying that!" So Nicola went over to the kiosk and bought her beloved a wee miniature "Cos he is worth it" she said and we continued on our walk and once off the road and on to the track it was downhill all the way. As we got to the end of the track we looked down over a japanese garden in the Palace Hotel grounds which looked very nice and worth a closer look sometime.

We then headed for the Victoria Restaurant and had a lovely lunch - 5 bacon and lentil soups and 1 baked potato. Sylvia said that she thought there was a half pound of bacon in each bowl of soup. It was very nice with plenty of bread with it and all served very quickly.

Jean D
** Next week's walk is to be around Glamis and we'll meet as usual at the shop at 9.30 am on Friday **

The Falls of Bruar

Sheila, Jean D, Lavender, Dawn, Jean I, Karen, Marian, Petrina, Nicola (at back and in disguise), Susan, Silvia and Gill

Last Friday's walk up to the Falls of Bruar was, for me a first timer, both exciting and stunning!  The walk meandered around the hill with beautiful waterfalls around nearly every corner.  At one point there was a large rock pool that, if we were in the Caribbean or had their weather, you could just pop into and have a swim around.  However, the rain kept us moving along the way, and away from the edges where there were treacherous sheer drops to be wary of.

Marian and Susan by an up-turned tree

Silvia and Sheila on the first bridge

Some of the group looking at the first waterfall, Jeanette on the left

Ta da! Jeanette's photo of the Waterfall

Jean I and Karen getting out cameras and Petrina taking in the view

Taking a photo of Jean D, taking a photo of us!

... and, here we are, on the bridge!

Dawn and Lavender enjoying the scenery and part of the walk 

Jean I, Petrina, Nicola, Marian and Karen smiling through the rain

Susan, Gill and Dawn in the forefront, you can see the slopes here, and the smiles!

The beautiful rock pool, but unfortunately, no sun to go with it

Now, as the Falls of Bruar are right beside the House of Bruar on the A9, there was lunch to be had.  It was very busy in the restaurant, but service was quick and the food delicious.

And then, Shopping!  We all had a scan of the Food hall, Ladies and Men's wear, and then the Sale room.  On the way home, Sheila, who had come along for the first time, remarked 'I hope these walks are not going to be this expensive, every week!'

Next Friday's walk will be at the Black Spout at Edradour with everyone meeting at the shop at 10 am, as usual. This walk will start and finish at the Edradour Distillery - with the possibility of a taster or two of their main produce, apparently! 

Please note: you can click on any of the photos or links, to have a closer look, and back space to return to the blog.  I have to put up smaller photos onto this page, or we wouldn't be able to fit them in.  Also, for those with a slower broadband, it would take more than the 'forever' it currently takes to open up the blog at the moment.

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.