A bit of an expedition

 Ian and I awoke to the magnificent view across the loch. Difficult to beat anywhere I think. I tried to spot a few birds and animals but ian tells me they were all seagulls. 

The cosy sitting come dining room

Ready for star gazing

Our wake up view

We All got up and lazed about a bit In the Walters Way, before deciding to walk into town along the loch. Alex was going for a run the other way so we waved him off before leaving ourselves. It was another glorious day, but we all decided on thick coats, hats, gloves, etc. You never know! Down by the loch we turned left by our personal jetty,  and tried to follow the loch side. It turns out there is no way into town along the loch. We scrambled over a few cliffs rocks, worrying all the time about Misty, forged through a wood and an old quarry thing, and came upon a field of squishy plants. There we were thwarted by an electric looking fence. Nothing for it but to strip off all our coats, hats, gloves, etc and go back. On reaching our jetty we spotted a seal, and Misty had a lovely swim before a swan chased her off.

Down by our jetty

Misty ready to go

The spongy field

Misty Forges a way through the squish 

The dark wood

Back on the shore

A mirrored loch

Misty swims again

The expedition returns

A little later Alex too returned. He had been thwarted himself by JCBs building a new hydroelectric power station. He managed to get himself some good views though. 

The day was only half gone so we decided on a trip into Oban for vittles and a look round. We ended up climbing up to McCaigs folly

We had left Chris and Misty behind, where they were bat watching

Due to car sickness, kathy decided to drive Ian’s car back from Oban. She did very well. Half way home a Tawny owl came out of the bushes and flew straight for us. We could see it really clearly. Even me! 

Then it was time for tea, bake off, bed. I was so tired. It was quite clear and we could see plenty of stars but no Northern lights. The little ones were under strict instructions to wake us if they appeared, but they never did.  No expeditions are planned for tomorrow as the rain is gonna come!

Lots of lakes and lochs

 Sadly, our time at The Low Farm had come to an end. We were ordered to be away by 9am, and miraculously it was almost to the minute that we left. We drove over the Wrynose pass, spectacular scenery, and up past Rydal Water, Thirlmere, Grassmere, and on to Keswick, spectacular scenery, before stopping for a toilet and dog walk break at the head of Derwent water. (SC!)

Misty with room to spread out

The luggage!

Derwent water

After a stop at Cairn Lodge services just south of Glasgow, a new one to tick off, we arrived at our next wee/walk stop, Firkin point on Loch Lomond. (SC) Misty had another swim.

Loch Lomond

About 5.30 we followed the instructions (‘Left here not right!!!’) and rolled up to Tigh Na Ba. We all got out of the car and stood on the deck. Wow! (SSC)

Loch Etive

Tigh Na Ba

Within 10 mins Ian had seen a Greater Spotted Woodpecker, a red deer frolicking on the hillside, and a frog/toad. Inside each bedroom has its own bathroom, and the lounge has the same spectacular views over the lake. We set too devouring simple pizzas before relaxing in front of the log fire. It turns out Ian was missing his hot tub duties after all.

The Three Peaks Challenge

 Sunday was another lovely day. I did a big fry up and we ate it in the hot tub garden then Ian and I went round to have a coffee in the other garden.

Our plan was to tackle the three peaks, little Stickle, Great Stickle, and finally the big daddy of Stickle Pike. We followed the Wainwright route which started on the other side of Ulpha, so we jumped in the car and drove to the starting point. I had persuaded everyone to take full winter togs, but it was a glorious day and we ended up carrying them all! The views from start to finish were spectacular. I have to say I froze on the final ascent to Stickle Pike, and Ian had to talk me round, but I am so glad I made it.

On the way up little Stickle

Resting

Lunch

Top of Great Stickle

Planning the attack on Stickle Pike

Chris on top of the world

One Pike of Stickle Pike to the other

I made it!

Misty made it

Once back down to the car we paddled our weary feet

Back at the ranch, Ian set too sorting out his hot tub. He managed to get it so hot that we couldn’t take it and had to wait for it to cool. 

We all really enjoyed The Low Farm,  it tomorrow we move on.

The Sun and the Moon and the Stars

 The second day of our jaunt was a bright, if chilly, one. Sitting in the garden with a bowl of porridge and a jumper was lovely. I decide whilst waiting for the rest of the sickly six to rise that Misty and I would explore the stepping stones over the river. We found the path, and the local hippy encampment, and Misty had a lovely swim. Unfortunately I forgot my camera! 

We decided on a trip to Birks Bridge, a local wild swimming spot. Alex was too nesh to give it a go, although a family was swimming in there. 

Porridge view

Ian try’s his hand at stirring

Proper porridge

All ready to go

A big rock

Ice cold for Alex (get it?)

Kathy climbs to the bridge

More views of a big rock

The wild swimming bridge

Vicky takes a gander

From the other side

Ian and kathy get a closer view just in case

A handsome man

Kathy gets to the top to find she has been beaten to it

Never mind, she made it

Chris surveys his domain

Misty takes a swim

The top of the bridge

Here we all are

And again 

?

Back at the ranch Alex and Chris ran up Stickle Pike, the hill you can see from the porridge garden, as you do. They waved frantically from the top to us, but Rotherham were playing on iPlayer (1-1) so no one saw.

Soon it was time to get that hot tub sorted, so I had to get involved, being the best stirrer. It was perfect this time, red hot! Five of us squeezed in although one of the many, many, rules and regs said only four. We saw an incredibly bright space station pass, west to east,  before I left the little ones and Ian to their illegal hot tub drinks.

The best stirrer

Stargazing 

If you are wondering about the five in the hot tub, it was Petes birthday so Kathy was at a socially distanced laptop party