..and puts the heels back in the box.

So I'm back from my weekend in the city and it's been back to my more usual footwear

although on sunny days I've worn these.

This means that Dogstarke has been very happy because it's meant lots of "walkies" for her. And coupled with some lovely sunny weather it's brought smiles all round.

As well as one of our regular walks, taking in not one but two of Dogstarke's favourite beaches we also explored another one from the excellent walk highlands site.  It was in many ways a perfect walk; circular, close to a coffee stop, excellent views, historic interest and for Dogstarke a friendly dog to play with (because she's not so big on views)

looking north

Dounie castle

across to Jura

We ended the week with  a lovely lunch at The Hawthorn Restaurant at Benderloch and then (partially) walked it off at Tralee beach. It has to be said, DogStarke did most of the calorie burning, and she hadn't eaten lunch. But I did have a paddle.

Today the weather has turned a little cooler but we still had a lovely walk and enjoyed the Spring flowers.

We have visitors next week so I  hope the sun doesn't go too far away. And after that I might just be dusting down the heels for  another city outing.

Until next time

Marina x

and meets herself coming back.....

Well, sort of.....Actually I'm stealing Dogstarke's subject matter with this post. Yes it's a post about walkies! On Easter Monday we drove to Glen Etive, which you may have seen in a certain movie  a few years ago, and walked westwards along the north shore of Loch Etive.

looking north to Glen Etive, Easter Monday

 Yesterday we drove up from the Connel Bridge, where the Falls of Lora were in full flow, past Ardchattan Priory to Bonawe where the public road ends. We parked up and set off east ,towards the head of the loch.

looking north from slightly further south, yesterday

In the best tradition of Winnie the Pooh we fortified ourselves with ".....pro, pro, things we take with us..." and stopped for a picnic lunch along the way.

everyone got a picnic

Now Loch Etive is nearly 20 miles long and even though we'd started our walk nearly half way along we had  no plans to walk all the way to the head of the loch, we were aiming for the spot we'd turned around on our eastward trek. But tempted by signs for this bridge

quite a bouncy bridge....

.......over this

we took a detour, passed by this offgrid hideaway and then after finding ourselves in quite a boggy spot had  a final cup of coffee and  decided it was probably time to head back home.

If you like the sound of this walk you can find another description here. 

Today I was pleasantly surprised that  I wasn't too stiff but my toes were sooooo happy sunshine let them  get some respite from boots.

putting my feet up, today

Soon we're off on a mini break back to Edinburgh so I'm hoping to report on some nice clean sheets. Last time we stayed at the Novotel on Lauriston Place but this time we'll be trying out somewhere new. I'll be sure to let you know.

Marina x

and enjoys some Autumn sunshine

I've been on the other side of the holiday divide recently, we've been busy at home. So I'm glad that we've had a bit of an Indian summer because I feel guilty if the weather is bad. I know that's silly, because there are some things beyond control and it's  Glamour Puss who claims the magical powers, but it's true.

one of the glorious sunsets we've enjoyed this month

I think Autumn could be my favourite season, the colours are gorgeous and the low sun casts fabulous shadows.  Autumn still feels like the start of the year too,  even though it's years since it actually was.  And it's a time for celebration;  three Starke birthdays, our wedding anniversary and that of  DogStarke joining the family.

Autumn flowers

It's the season for walking, and that's what we've been doing on our days off.  When we moved here I bought a great little  book of walks which we're working our way through.

We're still on the easier ones, graded C or B,  and wouldn't be thinking about moving up a grade until the summer comes;  A and A+ are serious hill walks. One walk has become a regular outing, it's close by and has a beach at each end so heaps of fun for DogS;  others call for a bit more organisation.

get it right or it's a long walk back

Of course all this wholesome outdoor activity does tend to work up an appetite....sometimes we take a picnic.....

but mostly  we call in  for "a little something".  Fast becoming a favourite is  the Ben Lora cafe and bookshop at Benderloch, we've also enjoyed the Bridge of Orchy hotel and the Atlantic Islands Centre on Luing.

Because every good walk deserves cake.....

at the Ben Lora cafe

And anniversaries deserve a celebration, so I've  booked a little stay somewhere. But that's a secret for now.

october 2005

Marina x