On the previous day, Cath and I had driven through Inveralligin, north of Upper Loch Torridon. One of our guidebooks had a walk not too far from there and the terrain was sufficiently flat for Helene to join us on the walk. So, we drove there. The walk had good views across Loch Torridon. When … Continue reading / view photos Eagles, ticks and drawing
A stroll from Lower Diabaig
The day started with us watching the Queen’s funeral. It was an unprecedented event in our life times: the death of a monarch. As we watched, we observed that the Queen had reigned for our entire lives. Regardless of whether you supported a republic or monarchy, it was difficult not to be moved by the … Continue reading / view photos A stroll from Lower Diabaig
Bealach na Bà pass
When we were in Kingussie, our hosts told us about the Bealach na Bà pass in the Applecross peninsula. I’d not heard of it. It’s the steepest road in the UK, eventually reaching 626 metres. We mentioned this to Cath, when we met up, and it turned out that she, with some friends, had attempted … Continue reading / view photos Bealach na Bà pass
Walking along Loch Damh
Before we got to Scotland, we had done a big online food shop for the week. One of the supermarkets delivered orders at the Torridon community centre twice a week. There must have been sufficient local demand to make the delivery because, our cottage owner told us, the driver had an hour’s journey to get … Continue reading / view photos Walking along Loch Damh
Driving to Badan Mhugaidh
On the third day, our holiday, as originally planned, could begin. So it was goodbye to Kingussie and onto Achnasheen to meet our friend Cath, who was going to drive us all to Torridon, a Scottish village, which is where we were staying. The final breakfast for me at The Osprey Hotel was a king-size … Continue reading / view photos Driving to Badan Mhugaidh
Hike around Càrn an Fhreiceadain from Kingussie
An essential website for ideas when hiking in the Highlands is walkhighlands. They have lots of walks and reviews of the walks. Some of the reviews have photos and even drone footage! I found this walk on the website. The summit of Càrn an Fhreiceadain is 878m, which is not high by world standards but … Continue reading / view photos Hike around Càrn an Fhreiceadain from Kingussie
Kingussie – Creag Bheag
We were due to go to Inverness (Scotland) on the sleeper train then be picked up a friend on Friday morning. This plan was spoilt when a train strike was announced. Our train was not directly affected but there were knock-on effects that resulted in the sleeper train being cancelled. When I learnt this, I … Continue reading / view photos Kingussie – Creag Bheag
A hush descends
In 1997, when Diana, Princess of Wales, died, I went into Central London to witness the outpouring of grief that the UK experienced. London had never been so quiet. Earlier today, after the Queen’s death yesterday, I went to Buckingham Palace to join thousands of other people who were there to pay their respects, cover … Continue reading / view photos A hush descends
Food Forever at Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens, the botanic gardens in West London, is one of the most relaxing places to spend a day in London. I’ve been a member for a few years now and regularly go there to relax. It’s lovely just to wonder amongst the variety of plants. They also regularly have new exhibitions. I remember enjoying … Continue reading / view photos Food Forever at Kew Gardens
Shoeburyness to Southend-on-Sea
It was a lovely day for walking. Sunny but not too warm with a pleasant cooling breeze. Shoeburyness is an hour’s train journey from London. I went with a friend. We didn’t have any firm plans about the route except to walk along the coast. When we got to Shoeburyness, we asked someone which was … Continue reading / view photos Shoeburyness to Southend-on-Sea