DEE-CIDERS WALKING CLUB
ON A snowy day in March, we had a glorious sunny walk up at Loch Muick. Getting out of the mini-bus when the temperature is showing minus -, there's a bit of a wind, you look up at snow-covered Lochnagar and you ask yourself; 'Am I wise?' But you pull on scarf, hat, gloves and start off.
Passing Robertson's farm, we go higher, the Loch is on our left - a lovely sight looking up Loch Muick with snow-covered Lochnagar topping the scene. As we press on ever higher, we pass the Royal House, Alt-naGiubhsaich, and follow the river, pausing briefly to look at the falls, The Linn of Muick: Snow was lying on the rocks making them rather slippery but the sun was still shining! No matter how many times you've seen the water tumbling down, the view is always enchanting.
We walk along the familiar road to Mill of Sterin, passing the backdoor of Birkhall out at Ardmeanach - at the wee post box on the dyke - past the path to Knock Castle on to the Bridge
of Muick, and on our way to the Kinord Hotel.
This was a special day for Ian McKay - he was celebrating a 'big' birthday so we were invited to share this with him at the 'Kinord'. We could have stayed there much longer - convivial company, relaxing drink - but time to go home. It seems this year we could be enjoying more of these celebratory drinks (something to look forward to!) Perhaps the walking will be secondary on those particular days.
This was a great day, another one for the memory book.
There was no space in the last Courier to mention that we have a new secretary. Yvonne Morrison had been secretary since our club's inception, doing a great job and, along with Ian Spence, really helped to get us organised. However Yvonne thought it was time to hand over and our thanks go to Yvonne for all her hard work. Taking over as secretary we now have Moira Connon (born and bred in Culter and known to many of you). We wish good luck to Moira for taking on this happy, chatty bunch.
Jean Duff