Blooming 'eck..how loud!

Monday 24th 

I made a decision this morning to do something I have never done before. Take a chairlift (one the skiers use) to the top of one of the mountains to 'Bag a Munro'. In Scotland, a Munro is a Scottish mountain with an elevation of more than 914m. To 'Bag' the Munro simply means to reach its summit. With not even a quarter of a mile to get to the Ski center, the question was asked do we walk? I had reservations about going up on the chairlift. Not that height worried me but those lifts do not stop to get the skiers on or off. I felt some agility was needed and that was most definately not me! So to drive there in case I chickened out seemed reasonable. But with assurance from the lady in the café that they would stop the lift so I could get on and off, we paid our 10 quid each and took the plunge.

 Well, all I can say I worried needlessly, managed to get on even with the chair moving forward although the chap had slowed it right down

Selfie after we got off the chairlift.

Getting off was also a doddle and the view...wow...amazing. To do the Munro, a steep gravel, stones, and dust path had to be negotiated. It looked steep and I did wonder if I would make it. No qualms from Ian, his knees were beginning to heal and he even forgot to wear the brace today. One thing we both forgot, and could have kicked ourselves, was our sticks. It would have made life so much easier for me to descend. As it was I never made the Munro. Got three quarters up and decided the climb was getting too steep. It was the coming down I dreaded, going up was okay. Anyway, Ian made it, took my camera, and captured the amazing vista stretched out before him.

 

The coming down was nerve-racking. I managed to find all the loose shingle and stones, thank goodness for Ian's steading hand. Never more relieved then, when I stepped back onto firmer ground but wow, so glad I made it..almost. Just proves there is life in the old girl yet!

We are half way down. Still have the steepest bit to go.

The descent

Leaving Glenshee and before we got to Braemar, a stone caught our attention with what looked to be a highlander at arms. 1715 had been etched in next to it. I can only assume it has something to do with the Jacobite Rising. 

And not far from the stone we came across Braemer castle looking splendid all in cream. Apparently during the 2022/23 restoration it was  given a new look.  We had done this castle many years before in 2019. Then it was the usual grey stonework colour. If you fancy a look at the interior, click HERE

Today we went to a CC site near Blackbull Byre called Blelack Farm. It is a working farm with sheep, goats and cows with their calves. 

Just got ourselves nicely set up and suddenly a VERY loud bang, like a canon going off, I ducked down in terror, had just stood upright again when another boom shook MB. OMG, it was deafening and we both nearly had a heart attacks! Then another went of followed by two more. We both looked at each other, knew what it was, a bird scarer but usually this contraption is set out in fields to scare the birds,not right next to a barn within 20 feet of us! With no crops nearby it was baffling. Suddenly the farmer appeared. Apologised and turned the thing off. Turns out he has real trouble with the crows, not in the fields, but in his barns. They gorge themselves on the cow's feed and their droppings contaminate it too. He had forgotten it was set to go off, thankfully as soon as it was removed, peace was once again restored.

That peace was short-lived though, because as mentioned this was a working farm. Next thing the cows and calves were being brought in. Now that was a sight to behold. Only the farmer and daughter to herd them towards the barn, they used buggies to round them up. Not an easy job with wayward cows and calves. Took a while but eventually, they had them into the paddock. Next, the calves had to be separated, well you can imagine the cows did not want to leave the calves. Anyway, turns out the cows were brought in to give a Leptospira Hardjo vaccination, (no idea what it is for other than stopping the spread of Leptospirosis infection in dairy and beef herds causing infertility abortion and poor milk yield) and spray fly repellent on their backs. Two hours of loud bellowing as calves called to mums and mums called back but a thouroughly enjoyable experience to watch. Ian on the other hand missed most of it. He could have watched but his intentions were to get MB looking respectable for the journey across to Shetland tomorrow, and with bucket, sponge and leather, his aim was to make MB sparkle again.

 

After all Ian's hard work, a welcome Cider enjoying the early evening sun.

And wildlife today