New snow on the hills

There was a scattering of snow on the hill tops overnight, pretty chilly down at this level too. Some rain this morning followed by sunshine this afternoon and about 15c.

Bluebells

Ben Alligan in the evening sunshine last night.

Superwoman

I have to say that Michelle (in the pictures below), not only ran the Edinburgh marathon with us on Sunday-but also competed in a 10 mile, 3000ft of ascent, fell race in Wales ....the day before!

Edinburgh Marathon

Clive, Ian & Carole who ran the Hairy Haggis Relay, along with Sheila who we were too late to photograph. Well done all of them, completing the distance in (I think) 4 hours & 2 minutes.

We earned our medals, ran the whole thing together & finished in 4h 40m. Terrific event, started cold & misty but almost as soon as we set off, the sun burned off the mist & we were frazzled. Someone described the last 6 miles as, akin to being in a blast furnace! We're counting the cost today with sunburn-but Hey! who cares? We did it!

Before the start. Andy & Michelle should have been at a different start to Margot, but they managed to bunk in so we could run together! Carole was on the same start for the first leg of the team relay, handing over to Ian for the next section. Clive took the third leg & Sheila finished the final stage at Musselborough race course.

Edinburgh Marathon

Carole, Michelle & Margot waiting at the start

Andy, loitering on the way

Happy that it's over! Andy, Clive, Carole, Ian,Michelle & Margot at the front. 4 hours & 40 minutes in the blistering heat. A thousand thank yous to the people of Edinburgh who cooled us with their hosepipes!

Sunny Sunday

The face in the rock near Carr Point

Sea thrift

May/Coockoo flower

Jimjams taking the shortest route down

Chilli taking a mud bath.

Slow worm

Thankfully, spotted this little fella whilst strimming the bank. Unfortunately, they tend to freeze with fear, rather than dashing off & many are inadvertantly killed. A couple of gentle prods encouraged this one to slither down a hole to safety. It was about 10inches long.

Thanks for your sponsorship

Many thanks to all of you who have sponsored me through the blog, most heartwarming. I imagine everyone has known someone with cancer & the damage it can wreak. A lot of people think that MacMillan nurses only support the dying- far from it. They are there for anyone touched by cancer, to help in any way they can. Their website is packed with information, available to everyone. www.macmillan.org.uk Next time you hear that someone you know has cancer, do them a favour and point them to MacMillan.
As we'll be in Edinburgh until monday 24th, I'll update the blog with pics & result on Monday night.

Emergency helicopter

Someone's in trouble. Emergency helicopter airlifts someone tonight from the field in front of McColls.

Away they go..............best of luck whoever you are.

Adventure day

Margot & chef Paul went on a "Taster" day at Torridon Activity Centre today, along with other hotel staff from the Gairloch area. We had a great time trying out some of the activities on offer. http://www.thetorridon.com/activities/activities.asp



Paul going for it on the climbing tree. (left click for a better view.)

At the end of the zip wire.

Setting off on Upper Loch Torridon.

Looking for wildlife.

Margot trying her hand at archery. We also did clay shooting & enjoyed a rather good bowl of soup at lunch. An excellent day for us & we'll be able to describe the activities to Millcroft guests.

Filmimg at the Millcroft

A film is being made, following the exploits of a group of guys who take their friend-who's got cancer-for a trip around the Highlands. They spent some time today on a nearby beach & this afternoon in the Fish Box bar at The Millcroft.

http://www.millcroft-hotel.co.uk/

Moxy & goldfinch

Moxy tired after a run up Flowerdale

One of a pair of goldfinches, enjoying the black seeds.

Busy Saturday

The work on the shed is progressing, Andy had put down a flagged path to it and is now starting the ramp to the front doors, really looks good, we thought it might spoil the views.

Last Saturday Andy when to Inverness and came back with another motorbike, his last one was lovely (a Triumph Bonneville), but it had a big engine- 800cc and hardly ever got used unless it was for a big trip.

The new one is only a baby, a Honda CG125, its been used daily this week for all the local school runs (post office, bank, DIY shop) and it will do 100mpg, a great little bike.