Autumn Colours & Winter Winds!!

We enjoyed a beautiful sunny day out on the hill, just the local munro of Ben Lomond, but it was the first wintery hill-walk of the season. Our favourite time of year is here!! Bring on the snow!!

Although a dry and sunny day the wind was from the north and brought with it a bitter & biting arctic edge. There was a little ice and dry powdery snow towards the summit. We get so excited at this time of year when we see the landscape starting to get frozen and white with hoar frost & snow. Other than the beach it is our absolute favourite thing to play in. But not just yet, only the lightest dusting on the hill tops but its not far away. We can smell it in the air!

Forest Frolics Part II

Team Collie in their new matching harnesses!

 

Cuillin

Beach Boys!

So we've already introduced the new boy in the pack, Cuillin, to our favourite beach on the West coast So, we thought as he enjoyed it so much that we'd take him East side and have another energetic day running about on the lovely sands of Yellowcraigs!

A brief moment of stillness while Cuillin wonders what mischief he can get up to next!

Annnnnnnd pounce!!!

The first properly cold wintery day with an icy wind but that still didn't stop us racing into the sea chasing balls and sticks... and each other. Cuillin runs rings around us with his puppy antics, herding us, chasing us, stealing our toy of the moment (whether it be a ball or a branch), but its all good fun and we love having him around bringing out our playful nature and reminding us what its like to be a daft pup again! Mr Finn however gets slightly grumpy with the non-stop hound hi-jinks when he's tired but Cuillin's a clever cookie and takes the hint.

 

It's not long before he's tired and not so fast on his four legs... deciding to let Finn and I get the ball when he knows he can't run so fast. He's going to be a sorry wee soul after his first hard day out on the hill, stamina he has not! We probably won't see him for a week after... hope he learns to pace himself when he's out for a big day with the big boys!

 

Welcome to the Pack

Meet Cuillin, the doggy duo's newest canine chum!

He has been rescued by a good friend of ours and is now enjoying joining us on our daily walks & adventures. He's full to brimming with puppy-ish fun, mischief and boisterousness, continuously testing his place in our well-adjusted pack. 



Sussing out the opposition!

Underneath he's really a soft wee snuggly soul who is loving all this attention and company & is fitting in just perfectly. He is going to get along with us just fine! On our first proper 'of the lead' adventure we introduced him to one our favourite beaches for a cold & blowy Autumnal walk which was just what Cuillin needed to stretch his legs and get rid of some pent up energy after a week in the Sspca rescue centre. 

Running riot.

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3 & a half hours of racing us along the beach, chasing waves, catching balls & meeting other beach buddies proved to be too much for the new puppy pooch (and us), exhausted silence in the back of the car on the way home and straight to our beds when we got back!

Forest Frolics

Dog-tired!!

Look at the excitement on my tired face when Miss Mel mentions the word 'walkies'. My wee paws just can't muster the energy to go another mile...



A slightly broken Finn after 3 days in the Cairngorms!

Passing Thro...

Just back from an awesome 3 days in the wild remoteness of the Lairig Ghru pass in the Cairngorms. Our idea of a doggy dream! We are in our element and at our happiest in the mountains. Enduring long days walking, across giant boulder fields, with high gusting winds, camping overnight high in the valley under the stars....

Day 1 - Sugar Bowl Carpark to Lairig Ghru.

Our day starts with a long but level-ish walk across the lower moorlands of the Cairngorms passing newly re-planted Scots Pines and the famous Cairngorm Reindeer that inhabit this protected area. Gradually we start to gain height as we head up towards the coll that will allow us to drop down into the Lairig Ghru. 

This coll is the Chalamain Gap, a break-neck boulder field that is arduous and slow-going, taking time to concentrate, so as not to loose your footing (or pawing) or a leg between the gaps... have to say, we were slightly more nimble on our toes than Miss Mel, 4-paw drive definitely has its advantages!

Finally we're back on proper path and after a quick descent to a small river crossing we head slowly but steadily further & further up into the wilderness and remoteness of the pass, eventually to highest point in the pass (835m), for a high overnite camp. After a sit down & rest and our dinner, we are ready for our beds, exhausted and glad to curl up cosy all together under canvas and out of the wind.

 Day 2 - To Corrour Bothy

Up early and although cold, the morning sunshine was stunning, lighting up the steep valley walls with a warming glow, turning the grey granite red.

Our day today takes us past the mid point of the pass in a slightly more easy going walk, still a couple of boulder fields to navigate through, but nothing like yesterday. We pass the crystal clear Pools of Dee, the source of the mighty River Dee that flows to Aberdeen, a refreshing dip then the walking heads downhill at a more gentle pace towards the Devil's Point & Corrour Bothy, a small but welcome mountain hut. 

The plan once we got to here was to head further down the pass then up onto Ben Macdui and back across the mountain tops that are the Cairngorm Plateau, but strong winds gusting to almost 60mph meant that valley walking was difficult enough never mind the exposed summits! So instead after a lunch stop we head north, back up the valley to find another wee sheltered camp spot for the night.

Tonight after the sun leaves us behind the steep imposing sides of the valley, it is much much colder, and the sky is clear of clouds as the light starts to fade. We huddle together for warmth & comfort as Mel makes some dinner, then we will get ours & after we will be ready to zonk till morning again!

Day 3 - Lairig Ghru to Sugar Bowl Carpark.

Today we are mostly tracing our steps back towards the Chalamain Gap. We leave the pass behind us, crossing the river but again because of gusting winds, we think better of down climbing the ridiculous boulder field and bear left up onto the summit of Creag a' Chalamain to avoid the Gap in the high winds.

After a brief wind-blown break to take in the view and where we have spent the last couple of days, we leave the summit. Crossing the dry semi-tundra of short wind cropped alpine plants, dropping down some 600m later to rejoin the path. A much safer route, well worth the effort for the stunning views. Finally we are on the home straight, a nice gentle meander across better paths for our sore, tired paws. A wee hour and we will be homeward bound!