CARRICKDRIVE

The weather forecast had been for heavy rain about 5 pm. I was on the bowling green this morning and felt a spot around 11.30. I had not taken any waterproofs with me so I may get wet. Luckily that was all we got and finished our game just before 12.00.

Came home and changed in to shorts with the intention of going to do some tiding of bluebells in the garden but it started to rain and we had just a little bit of down pour around 12.45.

Watched a bit of the second half of the Scottish Cup final when it went a bit on the dark side and the commentator mentioned it was pouring at Hampden Park.

At 16.51 it started to rain a little at Carrick Drive and for the next 10 minutes the heavens opened, gutters not able to take the amount of water coming down on the roof of all the houses. The street was a wash to about 3/4 inches of water and running pretty quickly.

The video is from the Carrick drive security cameras.

Woke up to glorious sunshine after some heavy rain overnight. We were expecting it to be rainy today so hit the keys on laptops and tablets to see what best to do as it was so bright and inviting.

Decision made to hire bikes and hit the off road tracks near the chalets.

Loch an Eilen was a our first goal a distance of about 5 miles along lovely forest tracks in the morning sunshine, first spot was a wild deer and Jax heard cuckoo calls. Circumnavigated the western edge of the Loch before a bit of fun crossing a burn. Philip flew through a small burn and the challenge was on for Jax who went first and got stuck then a small crowd had assembled to see the old man try – it was camera videoed –  foot down and a little damp.

Almost completed circular route of the loch before we decided to go cross country to Loch Morlich. The tracks were again excellent with a lot more cyclists and walkers taking advantage of the great weather. We crossed the Caingorm Club Bridge before joining a small footpath which took us close to the loch before breaking out on to the forestry commission road and then to Loch Morlich.

Our route back to Pine Bank was via the old Logging road which gave us a chance to push the pedals a bit.

A great morning/afternoon out in the best of Scottish countryside.

Between 15/20 km covered.

View from Ptarmigan Terrace

The Caingorm’s National Park and Aviemore has special memories for Margaret and I as a couple. We came here in December 1968 stayed at Kinguisse Youth Hostel with Anne Pryor her boyfriend Stan Watt and a friend of mine from Minworth, John Burford.

Since Margaret passed away in January 2016 I have chosen to spread her ashes in a number of locations that I felt would be appropriate in remembering her and to involve our three sons as well.

The first stop on this journey was Lamlash in Arran where she spent many holidays with her family. Steven, Yvonne and their family joined me along with Margaret’s sister Sandra. The weather was not kind with pouring rain most of the day.

Journey two was to South Africa in December 2016 to reunite Anne her best friend from primary school. The location was Vitomi Dam in The Kruger national park a very fitting place to spread her ashes.

Journey three was to Leuchie House where Margaret went for respite twice year from 2000. The many friends along with her brother David and Janice joined me for a very emotional reunion almost exactly a year on from when she was taken to hospital on her visit in 2016.

And so I am accompanied by Philip and Jacquei on this latest journey. I do not know exactly the location of the photo (to be added) which was taken in The Cairngorms in December 1968.  That period from December 28 to January 4 was to be our introduction to each other and finally married in 1970 and to over over 45 happy years together.

The picture shows me, Philip and Jacquei at the Ciste Piste area where we re-located to from my original plan of Loch Morlich. The vista was stunning showing the area at its best. 

A ride up the new Mountain Railway to the Ptarmigan restaurant for lunch again with stunning views across the national park to as far away as Inverness in the north and Ben Nevis just visible in the west.

I read this poem by Emma Atwell

© Emma Etwell

Please do not weep.
My body may not be there.
It has chosen to sleep.
I’m not that far away.
My soul lives on,
Looking down, watching over
You and everyone.
And when you feel sad
And life seems so blue,
Just remember
That my spirit has its arms around you.
And on those special days,
Times that you wish I could see,
That cool breeze flowing past you…
Well, that will be me,
So don’t be sad.
Have no fear.
God has taken me under his wing,
But I’ll always be near.
I still watch you
Every minute, every day.
My love and soul are with you,
And that’s where they will stay.

Source: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/always-there-3

A great day viewing Scotland at its best.

Today we travelled up from Glasgow to Aviemore on another journey that I planned to make after Margaret passed away in January 2016. This journey I am making in the company of Philip and his wife Jacqueline.

The Youth Hostel in Kingussie closed in 1995

Aviemore has some special memories for me not least as it was where Margaret and I found that something which bonded us together for over 45 years. First stop was to see if the youth hostel in Kingussie was still operating but it has now been turned into a restaurant call the Auld Alliance. As no one was at home we made I had a little look round and took some pictures it had not changed at all. I recall the moment when we returned from bringing in the New Year in Aviemore with over a foot of snow on the ground. It was well past midnight so no access into the hostel till morning lets just say it was a little on the cold side for a few hours.

On ward travel to Aviemore via the old road just as I did all those years ago to our stay for a few days at Pine Bank Chalets. 

The evening was spent at The Bridge Inn for a belated birthday treat.

Tomorrow we are going to spend Margaret’s ashes on the shores of Loch Morlich and then travel up to the Ptarmigen Cafe at 3500ft by train no walking/hiking.