Ardverikie

Didn't set off at crack of dawn but got some useful desk work done first thing before joining J and M for a brisk walk to Lochan na h-Earba this morning. On a day like this I can't think of a better place to be and of similar accessibility. Just three miles in from the lay by and you feel like you are in perfect unspoiled wilderness. There was little time to mess about or take blips and it felt (to me) like a very quick turn around.

The sun continues to dazzle and recent high water on the loch has frozen before receding leaving the beach with a sparkling crunchy layer of corrugated ice.

Despite the pace held my desk stuff has pushed in to evening hours and I'm away to Sutherland in the morning.