Just emerging from a period of hectic activity, including a holiday in Scotland. The picture is one of a number discovered at Dot’s Aunt Ethel’s. More may follow. This one is of Evelyn’s two children – Peter and Rosemary – Dot’s cousins. They haven’t changed much…
Barbara and Roger arrived from Canada on August 14, and we spent a day and a half showing them a bit of Norfolk, including the Hoste Arms at Burnham Market, Holkham beach, Blakeney, Lisa and Annette’s sitooterie at Blickling, our old cottage at Yelverton and Dot’s old house at North Walsham.
Left on the 16th for Skye, stopping overnight at Abington in the Borders and then travelling via Glasgow, Loch Lomond, Crianlarich, Glen Coe, Fort William and Kintail. Stayed three nights at a guest house in Kyleakin which was excellent. Covered most of the island, including a boat trip to Loch Coruisk from Elgol, with close-ups of the Cuillin; fish and chips in Armadale; very pleasant meal at the McKinnon Hotel; exceptional meal at the Three Chimneys, near Dunvegan; Portree; Trotternish; Uig. Weather quite reasonable, though it was cloudy and cool in Trotternish, so that we couldn’t get a view of the Quiraing or the Old Man of Storr. However, on the way to Elgol we had some terrific views of Bla Bheinn, which I intend to climb one day. So fascinated in fact, that my front nearside wheel slipped into a culvert at about 1mph while trying to squeeze past another vehicle. The other vehicle’s occupants helped push us out. No damage, thank goodness.
On the Sunday we drove over to Ballater via Torridon, though low cloud meant we couldn’t get a good look at the big mountains there. Had a quick look at Loch Maree, then on to Achnasheen, where we stopped for a snack in a really nice little cafe by the station. At Inverness found ourselves in a traffic jam on a bridge near Inverness Caledonian’s stadium: they were playing Celtic, and the hold-up was caused by fans crossing the road. South on the A9, then to Grantown on Spey, where we filled up with petrol and took the usual route to Ballater.
Weather in Ballater was very good, and we spent the first three days walking – so much so that I ended up exhausted, largely because I had been fairly low when I started. Throat was annoying, and I felt very low on energy. Nevertheless we started with a walk to Loch Callater. On the way back we were passed by Prince Harry in a Land Rover pulling a trailer full of dead deer; then by Prince Charles in a Range Rover, looking in a happy mood and giving us a wave. The next day we climbed Glas Maol, despite some thickish cloud on top, and the following day we did the long walk to Dubh Loch, above Loch Muick. On the way we saw Camilla walking some dogs, again seeming very happy. The walk went on and on, but Dubh Loch is stunning.
The next day B was keen to do another long walk – she really wanted to climb Lochnagar – but I had had it, and so had Dot. So she went off with Roger to walk up to the left edge of Loch Muick by the zigzag path, round and back by the steep path at the end and home. Dot and I relaxed and met them three or four hours later.
After that we took it easy, visiting shops and galleries including the amazing Lost Gallery in Strathdon, which is quite literally off the beaten track. Some impressive work, though, particularly by Peter Goodfellow and Sarah Cameron. In the end though I bought a print from the Knock Gallery near Balmoral, run by the impressive Polish lady who specialises in jewellery. Also visited McEwan’s – some very expensive stuff – and Larks in Ballater, but Annie had had a baby and wasn’t there. Went to the Butterworth gallery too, and I bought a small print there. Decided I wasn’t so keen on his depiction of building and people, though.
Popped in to the Fife Arms at Braemar a couple of times – still a delightful coffee shop – and of course the Log Cabin, which is under new management but not too different. Possibly even better. I bought a couple of shirts and a couple of rucksacks, which came in very useful.
Also went to Linn of Quoich, one of our favourite spots (B decided she wanted to walk the Lairig Ghru) and dropped in at the Lochnagar Distillery and Crathie Church.
Spent a Sunday in the Aviemore area, going up on the funicular to the restaurant and shop on Cairn Gorm – weather was not good enough to climb it, thank goodness – then driving to Loch Einan and walked round it, as the weather had improved. Very pleasant, with first-class loos. Drove through Aviemore, but weren’t inclined to stop, and got fish and chips in Ballater before the usual bridge.
The other big event was on the Saturday – the Lonach Gathering in Strathdon, to which we had been invited by Ella. Thousands of people there, with car parks all over the place. Well, fields, to be precise. Found a spot fairly easily, then were found by Ella and a friend and taken back to her car park for the picnic, which turned out to be for about 30, including one or two we knew, like Anne and Gareth. Amazing food and good company. We had seats for the Games – a few rows in front of Billy Connolly, who unfortunately didn’t have his usual retinue of celebrities because of fears he would have to go into hospital with an ear infection. But his wife Pamela Stevenson was there.
Games were colourful, with the Lonach men particularly impressive, as were the Lonach Ladies (“on the pull”) tug of war team. On the whole, though, not terribly well organised, with the announcer barely keeping up with what was happening. Worst moment was when the winner in the hill race – the premier event – arrived back in the arena without anyone noticing or giving him directions what to do. He ran the wrong way round the track and was initially disqualified, though he was eventually reinstated by the judges, who if they weren’t shamefaced, should have been. They also stood around by the winning line, getting in the way of runners who had to go round again. Bit sad, really. Still, it was all a terrific spectacle and an unforgettable experience, and afterwards we returned to the picnic site for a fill-up before heading home.
Called in at Holy Island and then Caddington on the way back to Norwich, to see the grandchildren. Bought some M&S food on the motorway and ate it at David and Vicky’s. Arrived late in Norwich.
The next day I took Roger to the Castle Museum to see an excellent exhibition called Rockface, while Dot and Barbara shopped. We ate in Cafe Rouge after Roger and I had spent ages getting his rental car. Started at the airport, but it wasn’t there, so had to go to the Longwater industrial estate at Costessey. Took a roundabout route as Middleton’s Lane was hopelessly jammed. Eventually picked up a rather nice Mercedes Diesel. So rental firms gave R the wrong place to leave his original car (Martineau Lane instead of the airport), and the wrong place to pick up the next one. Great record, especially as it was two different companies.
Roger and Barbara departed that evening for Essex, and we got back to almost normal. Happily Joe and Ilona, who had been staying in our house, had left it immaculate.
