I do like it here but am walking miles to get pictures of dragonflies and not even seeing them. I suspect I go out too early but they should still be parked for the night on reeds. Not a sign. This morning I went to see if I could find some Great Crested Newts as this is supposed to be their northerly limit. Not a sign of them; there is a sign about them but no sign of the creatures themselves. I circumnavigated Glassarts Glen which takes about three hours, much of the walk is in pine forest so a bit depressing but every now and then I get a view. It is supposed to be eight miles and the beauty of it is that I rarely see anyone. This morning was the exception as I met a lady on a horse but the horse was naughty and tried to kick the dogs. Fortunately the dogs know horses can be bad so Moll gave it a good barking to. The horsewoman was not best pleased but as I pointed out it was her horse started it. I then met a gillie with three dogs but his dogs are properly trained and didn’t want to speak to Moll and Alf. It was busy this morning.
Here are a few views from our walk.
The little red line is where the camper is. It always looks a long way home from here. This is about halfway as I have to follow the track round the head of the glen. I don’t like being old, twenty years ago I could have run round here in an hour.
I am getting fitter again, I got back and hardly felt as if I’d had a walk whereas last winter a couple of miles was my limit.
Alf sleeping off his wander and dreaming of the deer he failed to catch. A filthy but contented dog.
Have a great weekend. The pictures are a bit gloomy but it was a dull morning at least the rain held off.
You have been there so long I think it is time to sell the camper van and build yourself a cabin - putting down roots - somewhere you can live out your remaining years. A rocking chair on the cabin's porch would be a nice touch. You will also need to get yourself a Ward tartan kilt - see http://www.scotweb.co.uk/tartandesign/details/28231
ReplyDeleteYP, I'm staying until the harvest is done. I have thought about stopping. It suits me here.
DeleteHI Adrian Good advise frrom Yorkshire Pudding although I am sure you will not take it! Lovely countryside.I do hope you restrained the dogs fromgoing into the ponds!! have a lovely weekend and hope the weather improves.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, they can't get in they are fenced off.
DeleteI so agree with the aging remark. But don't get how being in a forest is depressing. Rather be in any forest than in front of the computer *grin*. Beautiful vistas today. Glad you could be out there. Woof, growl, bah bah to Alf and Mol.
ReplyDeleteR.Mac, it's very dark and dismal in commercial forest.
DeleteThat was quite the hike and good to know you are feeling fitter from the exercise. Looking for likely subjects to photograph is a terrific reason for getting out and about. That pond does look like a perfect spot for seeing dragonflies, newts and numerous other creatures. It's lovely that you can see for miles :) Alf is tuckered!
ReplyDeleteGlo, it's just too cold for insects at the moment. Alf always sleeps like that we have just been out for our last walk of the day in the rain.
DeleteWe're feeling a bit of cabin fever with temperatures passing the 100 degree (f) mark. Ick. A mile seems to be a good outing for me these days--- when it's not quite so hot.
ReplyDeleteBill, I seem to be ploddig along quite well at the moment.
DeleteNice views but that does look like a long way from "home"... I have no idea what dragonflies do when the weather it's rainy and dull, I've never seen any except in full sunshine :) Any mention of newts always makes me think of Gussie Fink-Nottle (PG Wodehouse character in the Bertie Wooster novels).
ReplyDeleteMonica, neither do I.
DeleteIt's about five miles depending which way I go. The last mile is the worst as it is on the road and uphill.
I love newts. I used to,catch them with a worm on the end of a string. Happy days...
ReplyDeleteFrances, I think you have to be certified to handle newts these days. Quite possibly worms also.
ReplyDeleteShame Alf isn't feeling as healthy as yourself he looks knackered:-). Hardly scientific but I reckon the cold'ish weather might've had an impact on the newts. I can't even find the more common Smooth Newts over at my local park this year. Still you have some amazing views and countryside to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteDouglas it isn't cold freezing cold but it rarely gets above 14C and keeps raining. Alf was rareing to go after a quick power nap.
DeleteThat's one tired dog! Lovely landscape photos.
ReplyDeleteLinda, he always sleeps like this. They cover a lot more ground than I do as everything has to be investigated and paddled in.
DeleteThe countryside is so beautiful for your daily walks. I'm sorry they haven't been more fruitful in your searches for elusive birds and bugs.
ReplyDeleteLynda, it is a pleasant place to wander. I see plenty of birds but didn't take a long lens with me. I'll keep looking for Dragonflies.
DeleteYou are in a very beautiful area. Pine and spruce forests tend to be very dead places as far as life is concerned although I see the pine is very sparse.
ReplyDeleteRed, it varies the newer plantings are very sterile but I do my best to ignore those.
DeleteLooks to be a lovely area to be semi-settled. And not a lot of people which is always a bonus in my book.
ReplyDeletePauline, it is amazing how few people I see here.
DeleteFor some inexplicable reason (I've never even had scary experience in a forest) I can not walk alone in a coniferous forest. A deciduous or mixed one is no problem, I've been like than since I was a child in the Clocaenog Forest of North Wales. However if I were to accompany you on such a journey I'd be as happy as Larry (whoever Larry is).
ReplyDeleteGraham, they are spooky places, so dark and with little but trees growing.
DeleteCould be that the newts are out and about away from the water. Much the same with dragons. This time of year I see more away from water than near it, usually hunting around hedges.
ReplyDeletePenny wishes she could sleep upside down but her long legs make her overbalance.
John. I had a good rake through the undergrowth but never found any. It may be worth going up at night.
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