No showers, just April sunshine!!

Spring Break II

An exploration day... that spells adventure!! A new path, new smells, new sights, new sounds. We took a little known rocky trail across the dry coastal moorland of the Strathcarron Peninsula to the south of Applecross just near to Toscaig. It wound and weaved its way up and down, at times out in the open with the warm wind blowing and others underneath the arching arbour of the Birch and Alder trees. 

The path is an old drovers path out to the once thriving farming clachan of Coilliegillie but now sadly all ruined. A wonderful place to wander and potter leisurely in the spring sunshine. The trees not yet in leaf mean there was lots of light softly filtering through the branches and making the mossy edges either side of the path a very verdant green against the silvery boughs of the Birch and the grey granite.

Spot the Drift?

Trailblazing!

Our inquisitive nature rewarded us!! Look what we found at the end of our walk.... BEACH... not just any beach... but perfect pure white sandy one with crystal clear turquoise waters. Looks like we could be in the Caribbean but the don't let the sun and summery look fool you... its was icy cold.... but soooo beautiful!! We chilled and splashed and swam and had fun while the humans faffed around and dipped their toes in and recoiled in freezing pain... but we are just happy to take it all in, even the Arctic chilled waters and have the freedom to explore and enjoy this stunning place.

Spring Break

Last few days of our holidays left and decided to head up the North West coast with Mr C to a wee off the beaten track place called Applecross. Our home for a couple of nights was a cool wooden wigwam... which is cosy and offers more protection from the elements than proper camping at this time of year. But, in actual fact the temperatures were surprisingly warm up in this part. On our arrival we were greeted with blue skies, a very pleasant 16 degrees and a whole empty camp site to run about on... bliss!  

This area is full of secret woodlands, hidden beaches & rugged coastline to explore so after off-loading our kit and camping gear we went in search of some sandy bay. It was so great to run about and stretch our legs after being stuck in the car for a few hours. We love this outdoor life, having all this to enjoy on our doorstep. 

We relish being outdoors all day... after our beach walk and a swim in the sea to refresh ourselves we had another walk up the hill and through the woodlands beside the campsite... we sat out side for dinner and after ... before settling in for the night... another wander down to the village and along the coast road. Even met one of the locals... poor soul, old and stiff and mostly blind but still happy and friendly.

Finally, after 5 hours of travelling, 3 walks, a swim and running around the quiet camp site for the rest of the time... its bedtime!! 3 completely pooped pups... we couldn't keep our eyes open any longer. We fall asleep dreaming of running about today and look forward to tomorrow's adventures in the sunshine.

Spring Snow & Sunshine

A beautifully sunny few days saw us planning an early 6am start to head for the mountains and make the most of this feel good spring weather. We headed for Glen Nevis which, at the start, is a reasonably short and easy walk that takes you from the head of the glen, through the gorge and out into a high valley. From that point you can basically walk as far as you want. 

The path leads you through the valley, gently meandering and following the Water of Nevis and through the foothills of the mighty Mamore mountains. The valley walk gives a few different options... the main route takes you west through to Loch Treig and eventually Corrour station via a bothy stop... or south to Blackwater Reservoir then Kinlochleven. The route we took takes you around the Mamores and eventually to 2 lochans, Eilde Beag & Eilde Mor.

We are really in our element out in the wilderness with no limits or boundaries. We can explore for as far as the eye can see. We run through the bogs, chase and race each other along the track and scent new smells along the way. We sit and take in the nature of our surroundings, watch the clouds, listen to the wind, smell the deer in the air. We paddle and swim in the chill of river's melt water and roll and pounce in the snow!! We love love love it and our tails don't stop wagging for a single second!!

Even though the spring sunshine was shining its rays with all its might, the mountains are still looking epic cloaked in their winter white. The corries and gullies are all majorly packed with a huge amount of snow. Doesn't look like that's going to disappear any time soon. Reckon there will still be snow at mid-summer! 

We were walking just at the beginning of the snowline so it wasn't deep & didn't affect our walk. Just a light dusting at our level, about 400m, but so beautiful to see all around us. A couple of snow showers past through quite quickly during our day... just to remind you of the winter chill and conditions when the sun isn't shining, still a cold bite in the wind. But as soon as they past and the sun reappeared, you could feel the warmth of the rays and spring is definately here!

It was a really stunning day out, probably the best all winter, and after wandering happily for 28 kilometres through the valley, we were all exhilirated and exhausted in equal measures. Relieved to rest our paws and head for home!

Windswept!!

Mucky Pups

Spring in our step...

Our daily walk is showing the first signs of Spring and we enjoyed it in glorious sunshine today! The snowdrops & crocuses are laid in carpets of colour under the trees, the daffodils are up and ready to burst into full bloom, there's pretty pink blossom in the Cherry trees, everything's getting greener and ready to spring into life again... and there's some warmth in the sunshine!!

Frolicking with the flowers.

Almost warm enough to sit at our wee tree and soak up some sunshine!