.............not all those that wander are lost..............

Tuesday 26 October 2010

Hag Hopping!......

After a whirr of activity, including a visit to Zurich, we're now back in Scotland.......

Despite yet more unpacking and washing waiting to be done, I took myself off, in bright cold sunshine, for a walk in Glen Muick.

Arriving in the car park, and seeing how many others had had the same idea, I opted not to follow the crowd and took the path beside the Allt Darrarie hoping to find my way to the Shielin of Mark.

{Looking back to Lochnagar - sparkling white in the sunshine}

I crunched, hopped and sploshed my way along the footpath squinting into the sun. I had left it until near lunchtime before setting off, not quite believing the forecast for a good day.

After a great deal of hag hopping I had to admit to myself that there was no such thing as a short cut across this terrain, I finally reached the bothy, where I had my lunch sitting outside. Inspecting my Keen boots, they were heavy with peaty water but my feet were not wet. Brilliant!

{At last - the Shielin of Mark comes into view}

Lunch over I decided to return to the car park by keeping to a lower level and following the streams. I did have a little internal rant about the narrowness of the path through the heather as I approached Glen Muick again. There was no comfortable way to walk without catching my gaiters, or risking tripping on my own feet, as I was forced to mince along.

I think I was tired!

3 comments:

Alan Sloman said...

Whenever I walk with Lord Elpus and its wet underfoot its always good to let the lad take the lead. That way he brushes most of the water off the heather, picks up the majority of the ticks and finds the leg grabbing potholes in the disappearing streamlets.

He is a great companion. He does mince a bit on the narrow paths too...

Mike Knipe said...

Ooer - Lochnagar looks interesting...
As Alan says, though, Phil is very useful for breaking trail. I followed his groove through several deep drifts once....

Louise said...

You're back in Scotland (hag hopping was a giveaway!) and I'd love to meet up for a walk sometime (maybe without hag hopping?!), any suggestions? louse4@btinternet.com