As the weather was not suitable for doing our planned walk we took the bus to Inverness where the forecast was more favourable.  We passed through rain and thick mist until shortly before Inverness when we were rewarded by sunshine and extensive views across the Beauly Firth towards the Black Isle and distant mountains still with patches of snow.  Then we walked along the River Ness and across several natural islands connected with bridges and dodged the water which had overflowed onto a few of the foot paths almost covering some of the seats and picnic benches. On the journey back the visibility was good enough to see the snowy Cairngorms and many miles of floods in the Spey valley south of Aviemore.  On one of the islands we passed a friendly looking monster emerging from the river!