Glencoe Mountain Rescue Weekend

                               Mountain Rescue stuff isn't Plain Sailing

Ok, the weekend was meant to be easy.

However, for anyone who knows us, they know we seem to attract 'weird situations' like fleas tae a dug.....

First task was to visit the bank in St Andrews to collect one of those large presentation cheques to hand over for the cash raised from the sales of Blazes calendar.
Second task, head to Glencoe on the Friday, and get settled into the bothy.
Third task, present the cheque.

Straightforward, yes......... NO!!

As is wont for us, few things go according to plan.....

Since mid week, our truck has taken up residence on the ramps of the garage next door having failed miserably in the MOT test...(not enough studying I reckon).  However, understanding our predicament, the nice garage people told us we could have the use of a spare van.  Easy..... the white one in the car park with the keys in the ignition.   What could possibly go wrong???

Here is a test.....

A white van with keys in it (garage owned)

A white van with keys in it (NOT garage owned)

You can see where this is leading can't you???

Anyways, we headed up the coast for a beach Tweet-up with some of Blaze the collies chums and had a jolly good time as well.

Of course, when doing beach frollickings, the phone was left behind in the van, thereby allowing us to miss the persistent ringing, informing us we now had the lead role in Grand Theft Auto...

I must admit though, it was a lovely van, and credit to the owner, extremely pristine inside....or it was until a wet and happy dog carrying copious quantities of beach sand in his coat made himself at home in the front seats...

On the plus side, the nice people at the bank, as promised had the big cheque ready for us to collect. As luck would have it, we did manage to park right at the bank door, which in St Andrews on a busy afternoon is nigh near impossible.  One would think it was 'planned'....

At this point, another, more scary thought was taking shape in my head.....

Consider this... I am now in possession of a technically 'stolen van' with plenty of 'booty room', in the rear, parked outside a busy bank........

Another factor suddenly emerged that threatened my liberty..  The realisation that I was 10 days into growing the 'winter beard'.       Now, whilst this unshaven look is carried of with great aplomb by the David Beckhams and Brad Pitts of this world, it gives me the appearance of someone who is at the lower end of the drug baron food chain and has been given 24 hours to pay up the owed money, or I'll be fed to the fishes....

As I entered the bank, I could visualise the staff with their fingers hovering over the panic buttons akin to the film scene from Gunfight at the OK Corral.

So, with trepidation, cheque in hand, we headed home, barely seeing the road as the eyes are firmly fixed on the rear view mirrors awaiting the pursuit of Plod with lights-a-flashing and sirens-a-wailing...

No harm done, and the 'stolen' vehicle was duly returned to the rather irate owner, who oddly enough had absolutely no sense of humour...  Merry Xmas mate, and peace and goodwill to all men....

It was with a sigh of relief I got to bed that night without the prospect of a hard cot in an iron barred cell and a 22 stone prisoner called Bert whispering sweet nothings into my ear.

Friday.....

Started well.  Got all the weekends gear into the van,....  unstolen version,.... and did a last check of e-mails prior to setting off up North to Glencoe.

At this point, seeing a last minute demand for Blazes calendars, we realised that not only had we achieved the £1,000, but had indeed went £50 over that. 

A cold finger of dread swept my brow, as, when I thought it would indeed be impossible to reach that giddy amount, I had promised, foolishly as it transpires, that I would pose in the hills wearing nowt but a kilt and a stupid grin..... That  promise had now reared its ugly head and was a grim reality now.  A promise made is a promise kept sadly....

Kilt added to climbing gear.

Whilst the van we now had was legal, it also became apparent that the fuel filter was clogged, and removal of the filter cap proved to be impossible, therefore we set off with a van that had 40% power, but with careful and tender driving would indeed get us the 120 miles to Glencoe.

Firstly of course, we needed fuel.  easy eh???   NO, yet again.

Of course, we parked up to the pump with the fuel filler cap on the wrong side, so a quick zip around the garage, and the van parked perfectly next to the diesel hose.   Then followed a 10 minute search for the catch to open the fuel filler cap, much to the annoyance of the ever expanding queue that was forming behind us.   

There was no other option but to call the garage for opening instructions.  At this moment, the previously unseen forecourt attendant, with ninja like stealth appears, screaming that verily, I could set off explosions like the world has never witnessed since the Somme, due to my irresponsible phone usage...

Transpires it was a simple easy procedure....not...... You must exit the van, lock the van, unlock the van, twice, and this is the magic combination of events that allow the fuel cap to open.......

Therefore, suitably fuelled up, we crawled northwards, only stopping to pick up mountain survival essentials, such as beer.

Upon arrival at the Hobbit house at the Glencoe ski centre, the closest thing to disaster was awaiting us.  Not the prediction of torrential rain and sleet, not the arrival of 80 mph winds, but the fact that the Kingshouse hotel bar was shut.....

Luckily, having procured the survival rations earlier, we managed to brave it through the evening, and slept soundly until next morning.

The only drama that happened that evening was when I was dropping off to sleep, stroking Blaze and realised he had a 'growth' just under his chin.  I fumbled and fumbled...groped, stroked and felt for a good while....until one of the girls informed me that Blazes head was at the 'other end'    Can I get arrested for 'dog fiddling'???

Getting settled for the night.

Next morning, we traveled the mile and a half to the bothy where we were to reside that night, where everything would be just fine and civilised.... Yeah, right...

No water...

Therefore, first task was to wade down to the stream to fill buckets to do our loo flushing with, and get the kettle filled.    

The rest of the gang then arrived, and the days plans were laid out.

What was to happen, is the 4 guys would do the Devils Staircase walk to Kinlochleven, which in the quickly worsening weather conditions, was going to be a great feat of courage and, I may add, a touch of lunacy thrown in for good measure.

Meanwhile, me, Blaze and the girls would carry out 'the promise' of the photo-shoot.  I wish I had went on the walk instead.

We waved off the band of hardly explorers, then the remiander of us huddled around the log fire getting as warm as possible for the intended camera session.  By now, the wind was whipping around the bothy at 60mph with gust of 80mph and horizontal sleet.

We settled upon posing on the bridge that spans the river Etive, as the girls with the cameras could be afforded a small degree of shelter, whilst Blaze and I 'did our thing'.

So, with gritted teeth, we all headed out into the storm.  The girls got into a suitable position to film the madness, which was going to prove difficult due to the rain beating onto the cameras, so the only option was to use a mobile phone that according to the manufacture was reasonably waterproof.

So, after a count to 3....then another...then another... I finally whipped off the waterproofs and made a mad dash onto the bridge.....

Now, the photo doesn't really show the true weather conditions.... but take my word for it...it was feckin' wild...

Blaze popped his head in for all of 2 seconds before running off to join the girls in the leeward side of the building, as he is surely a damn sight smarter than I am....

What happens next???

Well a car draws up next to the bridge.....

Let's look at things from their viewpoint.

They have just driven through the most despicable weather conditions to arrive at their intended destination, only to be confronted with the sight of a semi-naked man, sitting on the parapet of a bridge over a storm swollen river, in torrential sleet and gale force winds.......

It's really hard to communicate to them, given the circumstances, that indeed I was neither mad (debatable), nor suicidal (getting that way though)....

They very quickly slammed the car into gear, and zoomed off, likely enquiring to each other all the way up the road, if I was possibly only a moment of collective madness in a vision...

As it transpires, that evening at the Clachaig Inn, I was warily approached, with suitable caution I must add, by the very same couple, and was able to explain the circumstances in which they had encountered me.

Upon arrival at the Inn, we got ripped into the beers and wine, and awaited the arrival of Linda and Bryan from Glencoe Mountain Rescue, and duly presented the cheque.

Then food was ordered...and more ale of course, and Blaze, being the centre of attention, was placed at the head of the table and spoiled rotten..

Then the band got started, the most excellent White Rose.

It was just a fantastic night, and the crowd of wet, damp hillwalkers and copious, well behaved dogs roaming the premises made it one to remember.  Lots of singing and dancing and waggy tails.. Just brilliant.

We all then headed back to the bothy, a 12 mile taxi jaunt in still horrendous conditions, stoked up the log fire, and commenced liquid consumption duties where we had left off at the pub.

Guitars were produced, whisky by the gallon, beers and wines of every description flowed.  By 4 in the morning though, by necessity, we all traipsed through to the sleeping platforms for a well deserved, peaceful sleep....     Oh Yeah????

One of the group, whom I shall not dare name, snores.  This is not snuffly-wuffly snoring, not grunty snoring..This is full on 'rocket blasting off' stuff...

Therefore, in the name of retaining sanity, I grabbed my sleeping bag, stomped through into the front room and laid out as best as I could on a wooden bench which turned out was harder than Vinny Jones.....

Surely at least now, I would get some sleep?   Well yes....and no......

After 45 minutes of slumber, one of the girls needed the loo. 

We did hear her stumbling through the dark room, fumbling for the light switch.  Now, we all know what a light switch feels like, don't we children??

What it does NOT feel like, is the little red box, with the "break glass in event of fire" written on it.

That was it... everyone was now wide awake....except for the snorer and one in the group, who as profession would have it.....is a feckin fireman.  Hope he's not on duty the night our house is in need of extinguishing.

We are now home.  

We are now showered. 

I had a poo in a flushing loo.  

A hot shower taken.

A wonderful weekend, and thanks to all of those, be you on Twitter, Facebook or just in the pub who bought Blazes calendar.

God bless, and have youself a peaceful Xmas and a drunken, riotous and Happy New Year.

Steve and Blaze xxxxxxx

Lochearnhead Highland Games & Balquhidder mountain walk.

www.microlodge.net

We were up at the crack of dawn on the Saturday morning, to allow us a nice & easy drive to Lochearnhead.   We passed through the village of Falkland, just awakening in preparation for the Big Tent festival, but it seems we will be missing out on The Proclaimers this year.
The good part about starting off so early, is we had little traffic all the way as far as Crieff, and even then, very little after that.

We arrived in the village at of Lochearnhead around 9, giving us time for coffee & breakfast...then it was out with the kilt in prep for the games. Cathy was working in the Post Office, so wouldn't make it along until later in the day.

Explaining the rules to Blaze about NOT chasing the caber..

Unusualy for the event & festivities, it wasn't raining, and even the midgies didn't seem to have appeared as of yet...but that was to be rectified come dusk.  Due to the original field being flooded out from previous days, the event was to be held in another, so the street parade had been cancelled, therefore we headed off to catch the clan chiefs entrance walk.

Bring on the band...

The games were very well attended, and we picked up lots of foreign languages, French, Italian, German, Canadian & Dundonian......

Sooner than expected, honest...... we visited the beer tent, which was to become a regular pit-stop whilst circling the field...and this continued until very late in the evening, when we joined a group that had the guitars & fiddles out, and we even joined in with a few songs on the guitar ourselves.. Possibly this was not the best of ideas considering we had a hill walk planned for the next day, and the forecast predicted heavy rain arriving from the North West.  Still, come 11 at night, with squadrons of midgies attacking..it was decided to end off the evening.

Next morning, we helped feed Cathys horses, then packed the rucksacks, having decided to do the mountain pass walk from Balquhidder to Lix Toll near Killin. We drove to the far end of the walk, dropped off one car, then all piled into the other to return to the start of the walk, which was to be at the church where the grave (????) of Rob Roy McGregor was.

We're not going in...are we???

2 minutes into the walk, we were forced to return to the car park due to both the dogs deciding the churchyard, which is a major visitor attraction, was the perfect spot to have their first poo of the day, which was duly 'bagged up' & taken off to the bins back at the car.

Then it was a photo session at the graveside of Rob Roy.

The start of the walk was a steep climb through forest...just right for a hangover cure on a Sunday morning, and the forecasted rain did indeed prove to be true. After an hour or so, we broke clear of the trees, and it was a gradual climb to our 1st sandwich stop of the day, by the waterfall so the dogs could have a swim & play.

Almost at the top of the pass through the mountains.

After food...it was certainly time to move on as the dreaded midgies had found us and we continued the climb upwards to the lochan. There we met 3 guys...in shorts & flip flops on their way down...soaked to the skin...Ah well...I suppose you can only get so wet...

By this time, we had also decided to put on full waterproofs, so whilst dry from the outside...we were still soaking inside from the sweat.. Sometimes it's a lose - lose situation.

We reached the lochan in good time at the summit of the pass...and then the wind hit us, so we decide not to hang around too long and go seek shelter a bit further along the way.  We had spied a large rock?? a mile ahead, so set a course for that.   As it turned out, we think due to being inaccessible to the deer, this rock had it's very own little eco system of trees and heather growing on it. Due to the weather, we decided it would be a bad idea to climb up for a better look.

From here onwards, it turned into a bit of a slog over bog marsh...and pretty soon, the first of my boots breached water, so it was a soggy left foot for a mile, until the 2nd also decided to leak in sympathy. There was lots of drenched sheep all around, so I was keeping my eyes peeled for a spare skull, due to wanting to have a go at horn bending to make a walking crook, but all the available options were still firmly attached to live rams...so that was a let down.

Heads bent against the rains, we eventually reached a shearing pen, and stopped for the last coffee of the walk, huddled as close to the leeward side of the wall as possible...and it was still scant protection against the downpour. We took a bearing...and set off again to intercept the old Killin railway station, which for some unknown reason, is about 3 miles from Killin. I bet past travelers were not amused about that....

Soon, we hit the old line..and followed that to Lix Toll, where we had left the car..glad to see it & get out of the soaked gear.   It was decided, that as we were so close, a visit to Killin village was in order where we could stock up on raspberries, and I could get some photos of the Falls of Dochart.

Not surprisingly, due to the weather, there were very few tourists around, and those that were had sensibly taken refuge in the local pubs.  It would have been fun to join them, but as we had to still return to the start of the walk..this was deemed a bad idea.

Upon reaching Balquhidder...disaster...I couldn't find my car keys, so it was 'empty the rucksack contents onto the ground' time...nothing.  Check pockets...nothing....... Eventually, check ignition inside the car...Bingo, there they were.  Luckily for me, no-one had went into the car & valeted it for me during our absence...

So, that's it for another week, and looking forward to next weekend when we have the sheep dog trials and if the weather is good, maybe go climb a mountain...or 2.

It's Summer???

www.microlodge.net

It's been a while since we posted, mainly due to the fact that age is creeping in...and thereby my ability to remember passwords has diminished accordingly.  Thus after hours of mental torture, I have regained access to the blog.

Well, we did manage to get 2 units built rather swiftly for Tyndrum at the By The Way Hostel.
http://www.tyndrumbytheway.com/HobbitHouse.php

They are certainly in a prime location, and were being booked into within minutes of arrival. You can't ask for better than that.

We then got cracking on units 5 & 6 for Glencoe Mountain resort, who opened to the public last Friday...at long last.

http://www.glencoemountain.com/

6 at Glencoe.

It's certainly not been all work though as Gary had some hols & nipped off to Turkey for a while, and myself & Blaze took the chance to get some adventures in. We managed at last to do the Bidean climbs which was lots of fun, and also 2 Munros at Bridge of Orchy...with lots of snow still in evidence.

Me & Blaze on summit of Ben Dorian

We then managed a trip to the site at Kinlochleven and had a wee catch-up with Callum which was fun.

Blackwater Hostel Kinlochleven.

Blaze even managed to sneak his bear into the rucksacks.

We even had a 1st (and last) attempt at waterskiing. I think the water levels in Lochearn have been reduced by a few inches after I swallowed copious gallons of it.

Blaze was non too happy with being left on the shore during my pathetic attempts at this sport, but came round a bit when we were able to take him & his labrador buddy, Digger, in for a swim afterwards.

Blaze, Digger & Cathy in Lochearnhead

We have also been informed...sound trumpets.... that High Seas Hobbit  http://www.facebook.com/pages/High-Seas-Hobbit-House/217284054988565

have been visited and filmed by the BBC with the programme due to air in September, so best of luck to them as they have worked really hard at getting their business recognition.

In the midst of all this flurry of activity, there was one very special day, when my youngest girl was sent packing, at long last...

The proud father & beautiful daughter

Of course, I had to explain that 'someone' wasn't invited...

Anyhow...enough for one blog, and now that the password has been noted down...yet again, it will hopefully not be too long until the next.

Still got snow

www.microlodge.net

Well now, what a busy week it's been.  After the trauma of getting lost in Wales, it was back to the workshop and a rush getting a microlodge ready to head to Tyndrum, and for a change, we finished it with a full day to spare.

We loaded that up on Saturday morning, then myself & Blaze headed to Lochearnhead, where we had plenty of time for a stroll around Loch Tay. I tried to get Blaze to swim for the first time...but he was having none of it.. Digger on the other hand had to be dragged from the water.

Then on the Sunday, it was time to pick out a few Munros to climb. The first had to be rather special as it was to be Kathys 100th, so we headed North to look at what was on offer weather-wise.

The forecast was to be lashing rain by noon, but as we reached Bridge of Orchy, it seemed clear enough, so the decision was made to go for Beinn Dorain then Beinn Dothaigh.  What a wonderful choice.

The weather was glorious & the views were infinite, and as an added bonus, there was snow...lots & lots of pristine snow.  The dogs had a wonderful time, as did we, although it was a tad more wearying than the distance deserved.  Still, we wouldn't have swapped the day for anything...

Ben Dorain summit

Summit of Beinn Dothaidh

Blaze & I then spent the night in Kinlochleven at Blackwater Hostel, one of my favourite places & had a few beers at the Bothan Bar before having an early night.

Then on the Monday, we headed to Tyndrum to 'By the Way Hostel, to offload the microlodge from the truck, and with only a few wee problems, had it sited and operational ready for the bookings that have already started coming in.

It's now a new week, and we have started on the next 2 units for delivery to Glencoe, and these are coming along nicely, again, ahead of schedule, so with luck, we should be headed North again in 12 days or so. ...any excuse to get away to the hills....

Microlodge, A new Year blog..eventually

www.microlodge.co.uk

So, it's been one of the quietest Xmas periods I've had in a long time, albeit not boring.

Christmas was peaceful, new years night, I was bedded before the bells, and next day, I did the karoke at the local pub, which was a resounding success.

Also, at last, the chance to break my skiing cherry arose, so arising uber-early, I set of for Glencoe for a day on the mountain.  The weather could never have been better, blue skies, and fresh powder from the previous night.

I headed up to Lochearnhead to meet up with Cathy at her post office, then we set off for the short drive to the slopes.  What could possibly go wrong??

Well, if you are one of those rare breeds that actually read my blog, you will be well aware that the potential for 'wrong-going' and 'me' seems to be intertwined rather tightly.

Sure enough, 7 miles from the slopes, the road was closed due to a head-on collision.  We joined the line of traffic at the side of the road, and I went off to see what the damage was. Not good as it happens.

The fire services had arrived by this time, and it was going to be a time consuming and very careful 'cut-out' of the casualty required.  Luckily, an air ambulance was on its way from Glasgow, at which point I offered my services, as ex aircrew to bring it in.  So far, so good, until we realised that the ambulance service radios cannot communicate with the air radios..... What the f...

Therefore, with about 30ft of road cleared, I attempted to hand marshall the chopper in, and all was going splendidly... until 20 ft above the ground, the snow was whipped up into zero vis, and a swift cancellation of that idea was deemed sensible.

Then came an amazing piece of flying (or daft).     The pilot hovered 40 ft above the road, then dropped the chopper like a stone, bang on target.  Considering that the rotor blades were missing the roadside snowpole indicators by just a few feet, this was commendable bravery.

After 3 hours, the casualty was on her way to Glasgow, and we were heading back south, to collect Digger the dog, and went for a walk in the Lawers Range instead of the planned skiing.  T'was still a good afternoon though.

The latest news, is I now have myself a new puppy, Blaze, to accompany me on my hill jaunts, and with luck, to start training in SAR when he's about 6 months old.

Just been blow-dried.

Let's hope I manage to train myself well enough to allow him to fullfill his potential.

Buachaille Etive Beag

www.microlodge.net

So...T'was Saturday afternoon, and the weather forecast said "Go West" young man. The outlook is sunny.

Now, followers of my blog know of my undying, yet sadly misplaced trust in the met forecast.  The next day was to be no exception.

Therefore, the rucksack was duly packed and I headed off to Lochearnhead, with only a slight detour on the way, stopping at ASDA to purchase a flask that was smaller than the welders gas cylinder that normally accompanies me up the hill.    I also had a new bit of gear to try out.  I had been to LIDLs and bought a 2 piece trouser and top creation for wearing below ones ski suit.  I can now testify that this bit of kit works really well and keeps you nice and toasty.  The only downside is that it comes in black with blue deco on it.   Had it been black and red, it would pass admirably for a 'Spiderman' costume and saved me a good deal of cash come fancy dress parties.

Then, Saturday evening, it seems the highlight of the week was to be a disco in the village hall.  Now, having watched "Little Britain" on tv, I had a fair idea of the sort of evening this would turn out to be, so feigning extreme exhaustion, I decided to pass on the winter social event of 2011.

Sunday morning, with Digger the dog in tow, I set off for Glencoe, so sure of the weather that I never took heavy waterproofs, despite the early mornings lashing rain and knowing that the nice girl on BBC would not cheat on me yet again. (would she)...

So, after a quick coffee stop at Glencoe Mountain Ski Resort for coffee, and checking on the progress being made in digging out the banking to site their Microlodges, we arrived at the parking area.  OH JOY...

The 1st view of Stob Coire Raineach

It's funny how the dog seemed delighted just to be out on the hills again, regardless of the lack of visibility, so off we set in the clag, map in hand as it seemed as if it was going to be another of those typical Scottish days.

Then at around the 1,500 feet region...bliss.

Like the parting of the seas...

We quickly made the bealach, and decided to go for the summit of Stob Dubh, the higher of the 2 tops.  Luckily as the weather had cleared, we never made the mistake of assuming the 1st cairn we arrived at was the intended Munro, as the real summit is in fact another 20 minutes haul further along. (and a good climb higher).  

Looking behind us, a braw sight. The Aonach ridge (also known as the 'brown trouser ridge' was in fine sight.

The Ridge

After a quick snack at the top, we descended back to the bealach and set off to the summit of Stob Coire Raineach.  There, I suffered a doubly whammy of unhappiness.  The first was that the top itself was rather uninspiring...and even worse, I opened my tupperware box and my eggy rolls lived up to their name, and promptly rolled off down the hillside, rapidly followed by a big black lump of Labrador.  Him having 4 wheel drive, reached the lunch well before I did...

Is it just me, or is that bu**er grinning??

So, hungry and deflated, it was time to head back down, stopping only for a wee while to watch the SAR chopper across on the 'brown trouser' ridge, either carrying out a rescue or dropping off a family-size pack of Andrex.

We then stopped of at Tyndrum to have a chat with a site owner there before heading back to Lochearnhead and a cuppa with fresh scones. Digger got neither of these.

As it was now dark, I decided to head back down to Fife, and the pub, leaving Cathy to weed her garden.  Yep, you read this right.  She was going to pull weeds whilst wearing her head torch. (and I thought I was stupid).

It's now Monday night and all the varnishing has been completed on the 2 Microlodges in the shop, so just the doors and roof shingles to do, then they will be heading out to the mountains.

Creag Mac Raineach

www.microlodge.net

What a glorious Sunday it was.  The start of the day was a tad hectic as I was running late to catch the coach due to the car being iced up, but eventually made it just in time.

On the basis of the icy weather, I was so well prepared with my kit consisting of battery heated gloves, hand warming gel pads, extra thick socks, 2 woolly hats, a double thick fleeced jacket and copious helpings of piping hot tomato soup.

The reality was, that by 10.30, it was t-shirt weather so a great deal of energy was expended humping severe weather gear and a flask the weight of a welders gas bottle up the mountain.

I managed to arrange for my part-time companion, Digger the dog, to be picked up at Lochearnhead to accompany me for the day. Kathy herself couldn't manage as she's wangled a job that consists of her driving around in Ferraris, Lambos, Porches etc....and gets paid for it.  Luxury.   Still, she missed out on a wonderful day.

We had a group of 30 set off together, but 6 of us picked up the pace a tad and gained a considerable lead and got to the foot of the hill in record time. Then the decision was made that rather than head onto the bealach, we would go a more vertical route to the summit.

Very blue sky and stripping off the extra layers of clothing.

On hindsight, we should possibly have stuck to the intended route as the rocks that had not been exposed to sunlight were a slippery as eels, but we managed just fine as it happens with only a few 'oops moments', and gained the summit so early, we had an extended lunch at the cairn.

Looking behind us to Ben Vorlich and Stuc a'Croin

Digger awaiting more sandwiches from the others. (he'd finished mine by this time).

The views were stunning with the best visibilty I've encountered so far this year, and it felt as if you could reach out and touch the Lawers range and the Tarmachan ridge.  Then it was downhill on the shaded side to head for the coach pick-up point at Glenogle cottages, and this was a bit scary with the ice, although Digger delighted himself by breaking through sheets of it to dive into bracken filled puddles.

Then off for High Tea in Comrie and home.  A damn good day.

Meanwhile, it's now Monday and the next pair of Microlodges are coming on well and we had another press photographer in today, so with luck, some proper pics for the site later this week.