Raptors and The Bin

I know I keep moaning about the rain and more fell again last night. Does it ever stop in Scotland? First thing on getting up was to check the river. Still on the rise, the depth gauge was now well and truly underwater. In fact, we couldn't see it at all!

This level showed it to be above four feet so another foot had risen overnight.

 Talking about water, it seems the Beast had sprung a leak. We had noticed the water pump taking a while to stop after turning off the tap. Then last night it wouldn't stop running. Resorting to switching the thing off, each time we used the loo we forgot to switch it back on. Consequently, we couldn't flush until we left the bathroom and flicked the switch. Ian had a chance to check the pump after we parked up for the night and discovered the floor under the seat was running with water. Luckily only non-perishables were stored there. Water pee'd out of the top housing of the pump every time the pump ran but 'my man that can' got out his trusty screwdriver, tightened the screw and hey presto, no leak. It didn't stop the pump from cutting in when no water was required though and his conclusion is the non-return air valve needs replacing. So until we return to FS we must remember to flick the switch.

Headed off to the Falconry Centre at Huntly to watch the raptors in flight. Both of us was a little disappointed. Everyone watching had the opportunity for one to land on their arm but as to the flying demonstration, going from one outstretched arm to another wasn't exactly what I had envisioned. The only raptor to fly to the lure was the Gyrfalcon. I declined the offer to have the Harris land on me but Ian gave it a go.

Harris Hawk

I can't remember which owl this was.

 Chucked it down again as we left but we wanted to do a walk and was determined to do so rain or no rain. We pulled into 'The Bin' woodlands with its many trails. We took the Farry Knowe trail a 1.7-mile circular walk.

The occasional call of a bird was heard and if it hadn't been for the incessant squeak of Ian's trainers it would have been ever so quiet. Not much in the way of wildlife but plenty of different varieties of fungi to photograph

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 Tonight it was go into a campsite. Loo's (both) at a critical level, water was needed and washing to be done. No plans for the 'morrow yet which is not the way of the Jameisons at all!