As you read on Bertie's blog last week, we enjoyed an outing to the Cairngorms while I was there. Thankfully, unlike the day before, we did not get shut out by snow gates. In fact, the roads travelled were mostly pretty good; only a few in the early parts were overlaid with ice and slush, the rest having been well-gritted. This was due, one suspects, to the need for revenue on the ski slopes. Gotta keep those sports peeps happy!
I managed a few 'on the road' shots through the window of the car. Not the sharpest, but full of 'character'.
We made a short stop in Ballater, which we had visited three years prior. During that time there had been a devastating fire at the railway museum one year and an extreme flood situation another year. Glad to say it is much recovered. The church was looking magnificent in the bright sunlight.
We drove up, and up, and up. We stopped, then drove up some more. We came to a cabin on the hillside which provided a most delicious hot chocolate and shortbread. Warmed and revived, we returned to the road, up past the VERY BUSY ski field. Gail said she didn't recall ever seeing so many cars parked there at one time. Continuing past this, into Tomintoul and another stop, for the mirror cube. We had a cuppa and a scone then we started to drop from the deep snow and back into 'greener' areas again.
We were heading towards Rhynie, where there was a small area of forest with Nordic skiing runs.
Gail had a trial run, and Bertie approved of the chance to be off leash for a while, as well as the crumbs on offer in the hytte.
Then it was the scenic drive home. It had been a fabulous day and I was immensely grateful to Gail for taking the wheel, leaving me free to fiddle with the Fudge and snap endlessly similar images! You will be subjected to more of these over the next two or three Tuesday Me-Now-View posts!
On Monday it was time for me to pack up Little Ren again and to head back to the Hutch. I had been away a mere ten days, but it felt like as many weeks, so busy had they been!
I managed a few 'on the road' shots through the window of the car. Not the sharpest, but full of 'character'.We made a short stop in Ballater, which we had visited three years prior. During that time there had been a devastating fire at the railway museum one year and an extreme flood situation another year. Glad to say it is much recovered. The church was looking magnificent in the bright sunlight.
We drove up, and up, and up. We stopped, then drove up some more. We came to a cabin on the hillside which provided a most delicious hot chocolate and shortbread. Warmed and revived, we returned to the road, up past the VERY BUSY ski field. Gail said she didn't recall ever seeing so many cars parked there at one time. Continuing past this, into Tomintoul and another stop, for the mirror cube. We had a cuppa and a scone then we started to drop from the deep snow and back into 'greener' areas again. 
We were heading towards Rhynie, where there was a small area of forest with Nordic skiing runs.
Gail had a trial run, and Bertie approved of the chance to be off leash for a while, as well as the crumbs on offer in the hytte.
Then it was the scenic drive home. It had been a fabulous day and I was immensely grateful to Gail for taking the wheel, leaving me free to fiddle with the Fudge and snap endlessly similar images! You will be subjected to more of these over the next two or three Tuesday Me-Now-View posts!
On Monday it was time for me to pack up Little Ren again and to head back to the Hutch. I had been away a mere ten days, but it felt like as many weeks, so busy had they been!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW what a beautiful series of photos you were able to snap and look at Gail!! We give her a 10 for staying upright.
ReplyDeleteThank you Gail for driving Aunty to such lovely places and Bertie thank you for tagging along
Hugs madi your bfff
Oh gosh Yam-Aunty it was fun wasn't it? I especially enjoyed the off-leash time and the crumbs in the hytte! And that photo of the church in Ballater is simply fab.
ReplyDeleteCan we do it again some time?
Toodle pip!
Bertie.
Hari OM
DeleteBertie lad, you just know we will - there is SO much to see and do in our Bonny Land!!! mwah! YAM-aunty xxx
OH, it looks like it was so much fun. Mom loves to visit old churches - that one is magnificent.
ReplyDeleteWoos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber
oh that is the best to beat jack frost... hot chocolate and shortbred, YAY!
ReplyDeleteHello, love the pretty church and the cute pup! I have never tried skiing, I would be on the ground. Looks like a fun day, loved the photos. Enjoy your day and week ahead!
ReplyDeleteSo looks like you had a great time. Getting to see the snow would be fun! janice xx
ReplyDeleteThis is so much fun! We were planning trip to the city tomorrow, by JBs aunt need to see the dr. sigh.
ReplyDeletecheers! xx