Nether Largie South Standing Stones

(... with an unexpected bonus Blipmeet at Crinan)

7.4C and mostly cloudy with a few light showers. Wind NNW/NW increasing from a moderate breeze early on to become 22 mph with gusts to 33 mph.

Apothecary7's day off (and bank holiday). We decided to have a drive up the coast road and go on to Kilmartin. On the way the temperature was as low as -1.5C and at Kilmartin it was just 1C. Chillier than at home in CampbeItown. We parked at the car park near the Nether Largie South standing stones and took Maeve the Deerhound for a walk across by the stones to Temple Wood, then up the glen path to the Glebe cairn at the North end. The we came back again via Lady Glassary Wood. We had realised that the Cafe at Kilmartin museum would be closed so we had taken a picnic which we had in the car where we could look over to the standing stones.

Then we took the quieter single track road down through the Moine Mhor to Bellanoch where we parked by the bridge. It was breezier there so we though we would let Maeve stay in the car and have a snooze so we could have a brisk walk along the Crinan Canal towpath to Crinan. As usual the views were lovely across the loch to Crinan ferry, and of course we passed the print wagon on the way before we had views out to the islands. The light varied as the clouds came over but it was mostly dry.

When we got to Crinan we spotted a group of blippers on an outing of their own. Some blethering and Happy New Yearing ensued. Always great to catch up with our blip friends MotherShipton and Snapper and at last we got to meet Wee Flecky and FerrariaC. Snapper has immortalised the event !

We had time to grab a few shots before setting off back along the towpath with a lovely rainbow thrown in for good measure across the loch and near Duntrune castle. Just as we were about to rejoin the towpath a lady popped out of one of the cottages for a brief chat and to ask if we would like to see an old photo she had of Crinan. We said we would very much and a splendid picture it was too in a good frame. From quite some time ago and in mono it showed one of the steamers in the canal above the basin near Linnet cottage and the lady's cottage next door which was at that time the pub. Most noticeable was the lack of buildings and houses, no hotel, and hardly any trees.

We walked back along the towpath to the car. Maeve was, as usual, a forlorn face at the window. A short walk was required, then we drove back South for home. We got back before 5pm.

DMC-LX7 f/2.3 1/125 sec. ISO-100 18mm (35mm focal length 129mm)

Extra: The rainbow.