THE 50 + WALKING GROUP CULTER
WE journeyed by Mini Bus to Crathes Castle on the 28 June, a short run, but once there, several walks are available and the scenery is always worth the effort. I believe the group visited the shop / cafe to have some refreshment, which adds to the day's enjoyment, and the weather was favourable too.
On 12 July we went to Dunnottar Woods, Stonehaven, lnverbervie and a walk along the seafront to Gourdon where fresh fish is always available and some get a 'fry' to take home. The Bervie Chipper was also visited -missed myself again as I had just arrived home from holiday and was not ready for a hike. Age or Jet-lag or a bit of both!
Our next outing was to The Burn O' Vat on 9 August and I was amazed to see this 'wonder' of nature. It was my first visit to that site and as the amount of water was minimal we could enter the 'Vat' without getting our feet wet. The onward walk was by the Loch of Kinord, a place we always enjoy, with good weather other than a very short shower which did not dampen our spirits. Summer is passing and the leaves are changing colour with, of course, the berries giving a splash of brightness, showing autumn is nearly here. Deeside always looks wonderful in autumn colours.
On 23 August, after a sustaining cup of coffee at the Shieling in Banchory, the Over 5O's Group enjoyed a walk at the Blackhall Forest, the Shooting Greens of Potarch, on one of the sunniest days of the summer. With a kindly, refreshing breeze we climbed the gently sloping hill to find that the views from the top were breath-taking and the cameras were clicking to capture the beauty of our surroundings and, incidentally, to snatch a breather. As a new member of the Group I am continually finding out how lucky we are to live in this part of the country.
The 6 September walk was to Glenbuchat and the scenery lovely and we enjoyed a running commentary about the countryside and former occupants of the cottages and farms from Adam Craigmile, one of our senior members who knows that district very well. A very pleasant outing.
Forvie Sands was our next outing. Rain, rain and more rain but the sea was lovely and we came home unsure if we had been sea bathing or not! Hot bath was the order of the day and no ill effects to follow.
Autumn is well advanced but the trees are worth seeing and our walk to Glen Dye was an excellent outing with the sun making up for its absence on our previous walk.
We are happy to have three new lady 'walkers' joining our group and hope they enjoy themselves as much as all the old-timers do -not referring to age of course.