My goodness Royal Deeside was beautiful today! I decided to walk along the Deeside Way which has stunning views of ploughed fields, tree covered hills, and the snow topped Cairngorms in the distance. The air was filled with birdsong and there were warm, floral scents, as the spring sun started to heat up the bones of the earth. I played pooh sticks (by myself) at the wee bridge over the Tullich Burn, then continued on my merry way until the path joined the River Dee, at Cambus o' May.
What a magnificent river the Dee is. As it moved steadily, burbling over small weirs, the sun shone through its clear waters to light up the stones and sand on the riverbed. I chilled out and took in the scenery while I ate a packet of mini cheddars. I even took my boots off and paddled in the icy water. It was bliss.
The path continued beside the river and through forests of Scots pine; I could hear gentle cracking sounds which I think was the pine cones opening in the heat. I bade a cheerful hello to other walkers and cyclists. One man who passed me on a bike asked if he had heard me singing as I walked along and I had to admit that he was correct! I eventually arrived at the tiny hamlet of Dinnet where I left the Deeside Way and jumped on a bus back to Ballater. I walked along to the village green where I met Susan who was sitting on a bench enjoying the sunshine (she and Debbie were not long back from their hill walk) Ballater was jumping with happy tourists, sitting outside the numerous coffee shops. Lots of people were sunbathing on the village green - it was more like July than March! In fact it was more like July than July usually is around here! Susan and I had a coffee and a bannock before heading back to the hotel, where I found James having his shower. He, Ally and Cat had driven to Linn of Dee and climbed the Corbett Sgor Mor where they had a great walk and saw fantastic views of the northern Cairngorms.
No comments:
Post a Comment