Christmas Day

A beautiful, mild day - 8c mid morning, sun breaking through the cloud giving clear views of the mountains, which had just traces of snow near the tops.
Parked at Poolewe & set off alongside the river Ewe, past Inveran House where we saw Santa taking his dog for a walk. He must have given the reindeer the rest of the day off as he alighted from a 4X4!
After passing through the Letterewe estate gate -where the dogs went into the stream for a drink, we left the path taking a shortcut across the moorland, so avoiding Kernsarry farm, & found a good place for our picnic lunch (actually, it was our b'fast as we got up later than we planned) with a pleasant view.
Onward & back on the stalkers path we soon had good views of Loch Maree & the Torridons. We passed by several small groups of deer, who watched us without fear. Chatted to a couple with a lovely, curly coated retriever which Jamilla acknowledged aloofly & Hamish snarled and was generally, very rude to.
On as far as Ardlair House just above the loch shore, where we stopped again for a coffee on the jetty. No-one resident in the new (1979) house at present - apparently, the estate rent it out. The old house, as far as know, burnt down, will try to find out more for a future blog. We walked a little further then decided it was prudent to make our way back as the best of the daylight was over.
Home about 18-40 to feed the hungry dogs & chill with a couple of drinks & our tea -curry for Andy & fried rice for Margot. A few family phone calls, shower & off to bed with a bottle of wine & box of choccies c/o the Keverans, Thank you, scrummy & decadent!!! Watched the Royle Family, HoHoHo.
Merry xmas everyone.