Dee-ciders Walking Group
I HAVE just reminded myself about what I wrote in the last Courier - Post Boxes. While this memory is still to the fore, I found another ancient Post Box (a wee bitty from home but I'm sure many of you will know the area well.)
It is an Edward VII and it's on the wall just before you cross on the "Shakin' Briggie" at Port-na-Craig in Pitlochry. Down from the Pitlochry Theatre, walk along the riverside path and, just past the Ferryman's Cottage, there it is on the wall. Maybe you know of others. Goodness, I think I'm getting a bit obsessive but I find it quite exciting.
Now for the walks. We've had some lovely days. Loch Muick is always a favourite walk and some of us went up the `Streak of Lightning' - the view looking down the loch was magical. We then caught up with the others who had gone round the loch. A fair hike!
We had another great day at Forvie. At the time we were there, the fluffy little eider ducklings were just being hatched. There were many male eider ducks in the estuary - they make such a funny `glucking' noise - and one or two `mothers' with their broods enjoying the sunny weather. The tide was out and we walked on the hard sand which is not nearly so tiring as the soft, dry stuff. We walked to Colliston where, perched on the cliffs, we ate lunch.
We didn't tarry long as there was quite a chill wind. Our walk along the cliff tops was a delight - spring flowers in abundance and it was a bit warmer. That was a great day. It's lovely to do a coastal walk when you are high above sheltered coves and you can see such a lot of nesting sea-birds; the cormorants, sitting upright on the rocks with their wings spread out to dry is a beautiful sight. Returning home on the bus, the fields are beginning to show growth and the fields of rape make the countryside glow with their bright yellow flowers.
We ended our season with our usual BBQ but this time at Phyllis' and thoroughly enjoyed the food, drink and the beautiful garden. It is now holiday time and we start again with a get-together lunch then a walk the following week. It is to Clais Fhernaig, one of favourites. So here's to August. I hope you all have enjoyed some of the sunshine we have had recently.
Jean Duff