Wednesday 12 May 2021

Our latest conquest


I expect you are wondering which mountain Gail, myself, and our friends M and J ascended this week.


Is it Everest? 
No, I can still breathe.

Kilimanjaro perhaps? 
No, this doesn't seem to be an extinct volcano.

The Matterhorn?
Not pointy enough. 

Ben Nevis?
Er, I don't think you can see the back end of Torry from Scotland's highest peak...

OK, I suspect you're tired of guessing so I'll reveal we were at Baron's Cairn on Tullos Hill, the area known locally as 'The Gramps' on the southern edge of Aberdeen. We reached the grand height of 83 m above sea level and Gail and I traversed a treacherous boulder field to conquer the summit. 

We descended on a path through the yellow gorse-covered hillside, where I'm pleased to say the scent of coconut* was strong enough to overpower any nasty whiffs drifting over from the nearby landfill and waste treatment sites. 


*Fun fact for today: when cycling along a narrow and gorse-fringed lane a few days ago, Gail's well-travelled fellow cyclist Anita observed that whereas gorse shrubs in bloom give off the powerful scent of coconut, there is no such aroma if you are pedalling through an actual coconut plantation! 

15 comments:

  1. oh really? we will look for that gorse, the mama loves coconuts LOL

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  2. Wow, that's some height Bertie!
    Those boulders are huge, so I hope you didn't hurt your paws.

    Love,
    Inca xx

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  3. Rocks are a tough climb! How wonderful to walk through coconut scented shrubs!

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  4. Hari OM
    I adore the whiff of gorse on the wind... and true observation from A, that. Seeing those boulders reminds to mention that, if you have not already seen it, on Landward recently there was a report about that hill fort in the Grampians you have featured here before (all the L'ward shows are worth the watch I feel!) - turns out it is very important indeed. Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  5. having never seen gorse or cocanut plantatons, will have to take her word for the smells. I do love the smell of cocanut and it is one scent that doesn't harm my allergies.. Bertie you are excellent at rock climbing and standing on them, i would be tumbling down....

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  6. Triple OMDs Bertie. What a gorgeous place for a trek with friends.
    Coconut aromas great observation Anita discovered.
    Hugs cecilia

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  7. You and Gail are very brave to conquer that rock field to reach the summit. Those yellow flowering shrubs look lovely and how nice that they smell like coconuts too.

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  8. What wonderful views, totally worth the precarious walk on the boulders!!

    Mmmm, we can almost smell the coconut too!!

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  9. Make sure you put mountain climber and most interesting fact sharer on your resume Bertie.

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  10. You and Gail are very brave to tackle those big rocks. Mom wouldn't let us near that place - we always manage to hurt our legs:(

    Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber

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  11. Oh Bertie, what a FABulous hike!!! And, my word, I have never smelled those FABulous gorse shrubs befores, butts I would loves to!
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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  12. Re fun fact and gorse: Don't they also say that when the gorse is in bloom kissing is in season - or the other way round, when it's out bloom, kissing is out of fashion... same thing really I guess.
    This of course has nothing to do with coconuts!

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  13. What a wonderful walk you had! That is pretty darned high up! And those boulders don't look very easy to walk on!

    Rosie and Redford

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