Finally, the Trossachs!

We had spent Wednesday night with blipper Helpix, after spending Tuesday night near Crieff with friend Alison. I was at school with both of them, and hadn't seen either for well over thirty years. The time was as nothing. Our school was somewhat like a prison, so the memories have bound us for ever.


Fantastic to catch up with both of them! And to see how we are all living now. Both of them offered excellent hospitality, and we met their families, too, the ones that were around.

After leaving Helpix we drove through Aberfoyle and and up the twisty road to Loch Katrine. I am fifty two and this was my first trip to the Trossachs! Unfortunately the light was flat, but I liked the boats, and Katrine seems to offer great potential for walking and cycling. I would love to see the autumn colours there, too.

We twisted on to Kilmahog, and stopped for lunch at a great wee cafe in Strathyre. I had a Rossini Panini. The sun came out and we sat on benches at the edge of the forest. Argyll was pulling me closer.

Finally we re entered the highlands, and arrived at my sister's house around tea time. We found Harris the naughty dog, and Twiglet the kitten, but no people at home. Eventually they returned, and we sat in the sunshine until the calor gas bottle, which Kate had been using for making stock, ran out, and we decided to drive into Oban and watch the sun set, while eating fish and chips for tea.

A piper came along, leading some tourists to the ceilidh house, so I taught Jezreel a dance. Jezzie is my niece, 9 years old. We were a bit of a nuisance on the pavement, because it's still tourist season in Oban, so we danced on the slipway after a while, but managed not to slip into the harbour. I'm not sure I'm ready to go public with the lessons yet, as I think I taught her a mixture of two known dances, and we skipped the polka bit because I still can't do it right!

What a totally wonderful way to spend a West Highlands evening.