Loch Garten

We took a chance on the weather as the forecast was good for the Aviemore area and I really wanted to see some more snow incase it all disappeared suddenly.
We drove through Carrbridge and stopped to take photos of the famous packhorse bridge. I could nt get down the steps as they were covered in thick ice. The village was still covered in thick, glistening snow.
We drove to Loch Garten had had a walk by the frozen loch. Beautiful and although a chilly breeze it felt warm in the sun.
A group of photographers were set up, focused on a tree that was a mass with Chaffinches, great and blue tits and plenty of coal tits. I saw my first crested tit, right next to me in the tree but too quick for a photo. A gorgeous little bird with beautiful markings and a tufty hair style. So pleased to see one as it's been on my 'To see' list for a while.
We stopped at Boat of Garten and had lunch in the very nice  1896 Gallery and café . I think it's only been open a short while but we had a tasty Broccoli and cheddar soup with a good cheese scone, a coffee and a pink sugar coated shortbread biscuit. Would definitely recommend a visit if you are in the area. There is also some great artwork and photos by James Gordon a photographer based in the Cairngorms. There was also a fabulous large,carved Sycamore seed  engraved with the words ' catch your breeze an a sycamore leaf.http://www.speysidesculpture.co.uk/catch-breeze/