Wednesday 3 September 2014

Lochnagar


Well Gail forgot her camera when she took me for a walk up Lochnagar on Sunday, so I shall try to paint you a picture in words.

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Arrive 10 a.m. at start point in Glen Muick. Lochnagar summit in clouds. Put trust in the weatherman, who says it'll clear later.

No wind. Super!

Stop to talk to talkative German hiker. Discover lack of wind not so super - dense swarm of midges descends before Fritz has finished telling Gail how Austrian Alps better than Swiss Alps. Humans start dancing a midge-induced Highland Fling. WFT unperturbed. 

Round corner, startled by a group of ten young men, heads covered in black nets, plus video cameraman. Gail relaxes on realising it's midge protection gear being filmed and not a Jihadi recruitment video.

Reach summit in record time, due to impossibility of stopping. Clouds lift. Half of Scotland in view.

Wind gets up, sun comes out. Midges dematerialise.

Humans can now stop to eat picnic lunches. Rich pickings for cute looking fox terrier (a morsel of ham sandwich, an apple core and almost half a bag of cheese and onion crisps).

On leaving summit plateau, enjoyable encounter with one year old Bedlington terrier bitch - pretty silver curls and a fragrant rear end. Owner comments that a Bedlington/WFT pairing would make gorgeous puppies. Bertie prepared to give 'puppy making' a go but is dragged away...

Meet Fritz again, now philosophising about harmony of Scottish landscape. Or something.

Rocky and  precipitous descent by side of waterfall, Bertie nearly wiped out by brainless mountain bikers.

In woods by Loch Muick, Gail looks enviously at ceps gathered by French foragers.

White sand beach at head of Loch. Bertie dips a tentative paw in the rippled water. Chilly.

Return to car 5 hrs 20 mins after setting off.

26 comments:

  1. Bertie - 5 hours 20 minutes. You must have the healthiest WFT cardiovascular system on the planet !

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  2. Our favourite place!!! Was anyone staying in Altnaguibsaich? Very jealous you saw a Bedlington. I simply love them but Scott won't entertain the notion. :-(

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  3. that was quite the hike - and some interesting encounters along the way :)

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  4. Dem midges sound kinda like our skeeters. No fun.

    I'm still BOLing bout da Jihadi recruitment video.

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  5. So that's the origin of the Highland Fling..... Sounds worse than the Aussie Salute (flapping flies away.)

    Great day out, wonderful score on the picnic food!

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  6. Sounds like a lovely little jaunt, it had everything a story needs romance, adventure, why would you need photos! with writing like this

    retro rover

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  7. Wow what an adventure, like climbing on that Mont Blanc ... ah na wait that's just a pen, its like climbing on that Mount Everest. I'm glad Fritz wasn't there as you had your picnic lunch... it's amazing that you meet that german magpie twice... Is that the same Lochnagar like in the book of Prince Charles?

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    1. Yes it is. Lochnagar is on the Queen's Balmoral Estate, reputedly Charles' favourite place. Byron also wrote a poem, Dark Lochnagar.

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  8. That was a big walk .... we would have loved to see the midge dance!

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  9. Hari Om
    Crikey that was some picnic you had Bertie lad... and a Bedlington Lass??? Quite a few long years ago, when still a young Homoeopath, one of my clients was a Bedlington. They are indeed very appealing creatures and I could well imagine your match with one. Your genes could strengthen the line as there is a tendency to inbred condition (copper toxicosis); which turns their silver furs pink... which is fine for the ladies...

    Tell Gail I had an outing recently to Bute and only once the bus was on the Rhubodach ferry did I realise I had left the camera behind. This would not seem so bad except the thing is the size of a handbag... Well done on the verbal imagery!!! Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  10. Bertie those 5 hours and 20 minutes were slam packed with fun, food, exercise, beautiful scenery and a close encounter with a lovely lady. Hugs madi your bfff

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  11. Sounds absolutely wonderful. Who needs a camera when you have words at your fingertips. Though we might have liked the view from the top.

    gus n teka

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  12. Great account Bertie and phew it wasn't a Jihadi recruitment video. Drats at been thwarted in your puppy making plans. Have a wonderful Wednesday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  13. OMD you tried to Bed the Bedlington Lassie???
    THAT must have been the Highlight of the Long Trek.

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  14. That sounds like a fangtastic hike, minus the midges!

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  15. We are painting a picture. The clouds look beautiful over the summit. All those people were oh so very nice. What a fantastic hike
    Snorts,
    Lily & Edward

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  16. OK, we got a visual on this! Sounds like it was a fun time!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley
    Mayorz For All Paws
    "Use Your Noodle & Vote For A Doodle!"

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  17. What is a cep and why were the French grabbing them all? Good to see you're still having an interesting, active life. Yep, midges sound as annoying as skeeters - except not sure if midges carry heart worm or Nile Virus or other nasty things that skeeters do.

    We're waiting with baited breath for the Big Vote later this month. With all that's going wrong in the world now, we personally hope Scotland will stick with us and with GB.

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  18. Excellent review of you climb, whew we are worn out. OK what the heck is a cep?

    The Mad Scots

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  19. Wows, lots of interestin' thingies happening in the Highlands!! I like the snacks found at the summit..SCORE!
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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  20. Who pulled you away from the cute Bedlington ? Your Mum or Hers?Seems if you wish to be a Dad, you have to be a little sneaky about it!

    Jo and Stella

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  21. Bertie, we are really impressed. That is the longest walk! I can't even walk for one whole minute! Hope you've been well. xo

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  22. Can't believe you scored some snackies!!! We are your newest followers, looking forward to more posts! Happy Friday!

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  23. Bertie,
    If Gail and chums had just decided to leave that adventure for next weekend, then you may have also bumped into a rather lost-looking bunch of teenagers on Duke of Edinburgh Expedition, including Eve! Just saw Mandy's comment, and that is the place where Eve will be camping. The past two groups who did it there met the queen, so fingers crossed! Unfortunately, I, Pippa, seem to have been left out of the jollies of this, because apparently dogs can't do the DofE award and also Eve doesn't want the added weight of my kibble on her back. I'm sure that wouldn't be a problem though!
    Sounds like you had quite a good trippie anyway! We have been absent from blogging due to Eve's practice expedition two weeks ago, and assessments and stuff at school, so it's been a bit boring for me, whiney whine! Will hopefully get something up soon!
    Pippa :)

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    1. Gail wishes best of luck to Eve and says don't forget the insect repellant!

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