Elie to Lower Largo 7 mile Walk 4/10/19

We left Sitka with Lesley's neighbours for the day so that we could go for a longer walk, because at 13 he struggles with bigger distances.
The forecast wasn't too bad on the east and we hadn't walked this stretch of the coast before.
We left the car in Elie and made our way along the beach towards Earlsferry, crossing the edge of the links golf course then up the cliffs to Kincraig Hill. We passed through the site of the ruins of Kincraig Battery, a second world war observation post looking out over the Forth towards North Berwick. It was pretty breezy but thankfully we only got caught in one rain shower.
After Kincraig we made our way down the hill back onto the beaches of Shell Bay and Largo Bay.
We stopped of at the Railway Inn at Lower Largo for cheese toasties and a pot of tea, not a bad day for a Friday.

Elie Harbour

View over the fields from the battery

Earlsferry links with the Bass Rock in the distance

West and East Lomond Hills

A lone curlew and a couple of oil rigs

The statue in Lower Largo of Alexander Selkirk who provided inspiration for Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe

Malagan sculpture by artist Alan Faulds made from 5 separate sections of Scottish oaks and the roof tiles made from his old hot water cylinder

Screenshot of our route

Lady Mary Walk Crieff 12/10/19

In search of autumn colours, we went to Crieff for a walk along the river Earn to follow the Lady Mary and Laggan Hill route. There were plenty of other folk out walking their dogs enjoying the scenery. The going underfoot got a lot muddier as we headed uphill towards Laggan Hill, the path being a run off for any water coming off the hill. Just as we stopped off at a handy bench for a piece of Lesley's neighbours home made quiche and some hot chocolate out of the flask, the heavy rain started. The three of us got our waterproofs on and we headed down the path towards Crieff. We got into the town just as it pissed down, briefly stopping to chat to Brian and Cherry who were on their way to Brian's mum's birthday celebration. The dog friendly cafe was shut so we traipsed back to the car. For the most part it was a braw day, just great to be out when the sun shines.

Sun star through the trees

River bank colours

Fly in the leaf

Fishing hut

Green leaves

Leaf mask

Autumn colours

Wee offshoot

SCMS Autumn Equinox, St Fillans 22/09/19

We had a bit of a dreich run to St Fillans but despite the weather it was a decent turnout though and its always scenic. Its was great to catch up with friends and blether to new acquaintances. I had taken my Olympus film camera and a roll of Cinestill Bw XX, a film that I think really suited the weather conditions.
Thanks to the organisers for their efforts.

Our bikes in the dreich overlooking Loch Earn

Mac's JPN

Nice Guzzi

Bonnie Triumph

Practical looking outfit, even had reverse gear

Marion and Alan's bikes

Old Triumph

Alan in story telling mode

A Yamaha LC and a YR5? heading off

Quite liked the style of this Harley

Sandy's Sunbeam on a rainy day, stunning bike

Jake's Sunday sermon

David T's Commando and a 1200 Mirage

Phil's braw Ducati

A dreich but good day

Stevie's Fazer adding a bit of colour to the day

Murthly Walk 21/09/19

We went for a wee walk in the sunshine along the banks of the Tay from Murthly.
We ended up in the grounds of the 15th century Murthly Castle, within the grounds is the Chapel of St Anthony the Eremite, the first Catholic place of worship in Scotland to be dedicated after the Reformation.

Caputh Church

Tall trees

Tunnel of trees beside the Chapel

Trees almost animated

A happy Sitka

Norton Gathering at Town Yetholm 7/09/19

On the Saturday we packed up the bikes and headed to Yetholm for the annual Tay Valley and Northumbria branches get together. We stopped in Kelso for fuel and something to eat before making our way along the country roads to the campsite. There were a few folk that had been down from the Friday night, a late one in the pub by all accounts. We had a good blether once the tent was up, and it was great to chat with George Martin who had popped in for a visit on his Triumph. Pretty soon it was time for beer so Lesley and I sat out the front of the Plough in the sunshine till the others appeared. It turned out to be a great night with lots of stories and laughs, the best night we have had at the Yetholm weekend. Sunday morning was spent drinking tea and saying our goodbyes, then pretty soon it was time to pack up and head home, via a diversion because of the bloody cycle event, nonetheless it was a fine run home. What an excellent weekend and thanks to the organisers who made sure everyone was catered for.

The black and white photos were taken with my Olympus OM1 and Cinestill BWxx film.

Our bikes in Kelso square

George's Triumph

Campbell and Bill's bikes

Windy's Commando

George setting off

Alec's V7

Plenty stories and laughs at the tea table

Sunday morning packing up

A cool morning

Orkney Holiday August Part 5

After packing up the tent at Wheems, we got the ferry back to Gills Bay and headed down the road to Dornoch campsite for the last night of our holidays. The next morning we drove to Cromarty to meet up with the dog sitter before we went on an EcoVentures boat trip, hopefully to see some dolphins.
We met up with the crew and the other passengers at the office to get kitted up, then headed to the jetty and boarded the rib. We set off in the Cromarty Firth around the oil rigs looking for any signs of activity. All was pretty quiet as we ventured out into the North Sea, until someone spotted movement in the water some distance away. The skipper headed nearer and suddenly the dolphins appeared on both sides of the rib and some were rolling underneath. There were lots of oohs and aahs from all the passengers. It was a magical experience seeing them so close especially in their natural environment,
If your are near Cromarty on your holidays, its definitely worth booking a trip with EcoVentures, they are very professional and knowledgeable.  When we got back on dry land we went and collected Sitka, he didn't seem to have missed us as he was busy tucking into an ice cream.
What an amazing weeks holiday - ferries, islands, camping pods, white sandy beach walks and the highlight, seeing the dolphins up close.

Lesley's first day on the job

First sign of the dolphins

Getting closer

Curious dolphin

Submerging again

Pod

Mother and calf

 Rolling alongside the boat

Leaping, an amazing sight

Dolphin splashes

Head first