Days out
A perfect day - just the two of us
After a lazy breakfast we wandered down the lane, picked up a newspaper and had a browse in the shops in Strathpeffer, Got a perfect little print of Ben Wyvis in Strathpeffer Arts and loved the stroll around the pavilion gardens. Headed down to the Victorian Station and had a delicious cappuccino for elevenses on the old platform.
Decided we really must get on, walked back to Birch Cottage, packed the car and headed west. Stopped after just four miles to walk the dog at Rogie Falls – wow! What an experience – standing on the bridge the force of the pounding water was exhilarating – hung on to the dog tight! We’ll definitely come back when the salmon are jumping.
Back to the car and took the road towards Gairloch. Could easily see why Loch Maree is thought to be the prettiest in Britain. Kept our eyes peeled for golden eagles all the way over.
Made it to Inverewe Gardens – what a fantastic place, the rhododendrons were magnificent –surely the best collection in Britain and so many other unusual plants.
After a quick lunch at the Old Inn in Gairloch we set off for the even more scenic route home – fantastic sea views the whole way.
We stopped at Gruinard, took off our socks and shoes and paddled on the acres of white sand – we were the only ones there!
We were tempted to turn left
at Braemore and have a seafood supper at Ullapool but we had a table booked at
Red Poppy in the Pavilion so we returned to Birch Cottage for a quick shower
and crossed the square to the restaurant. Delicious meal and, since we could
walk home, celebrated with a very nice bottle of wine.
What a perfect day,
can’t wait for tomorrow.
The long walk
Prepared a flask and some sandwiches, donned our walking gear and set off to conquer Ben Wyvis. Drove a few miles along the Ullapool road and found the car park on the right. What a day! A path right up to the top although it was a steepish scrabble in places but what a view! Hot and exhausted we got back down to the foot at about 4.30pm and couldn't resist a swim in the burn. Too tired to go out that night - curled up on the sofas at Birch Cottage and watched telly. A day we'll never forget.
Beautiful sunny day so we took the children to Landmark Park at Carrbridge. We just loved going down the wild water coaster although not quite brave enough to try the steep, straight flume. The ropeworkx course was a real challenge, felt a great sense of achievement when we made it to the end. The first time the children had ever seen red squirrels was a real thrill for us all when we did the treetops walk..
On our way home we took a detour at the Tore roundabout and
went up to Fortrose. We parked the car at Chanonry Point and walked a little way
along the beach and there - just where we were told they might be - we saw the
beautiful Moray Firth dolphins leaping out of the sea in the sunshine -
couldn't believe how close to the shore they were.
We pressed on a few more
miles to Cromarty and had delicious pizzas for dinner from the wood fired oven
at Sutor Creek right by the shore - best we have ever tasted. Back to Birch Cottage to watch a DVD before bed.