A super day today. We started by leaving home at 6.30 am and driving to Braemar in order to snow-shoe to the top of An Socach, a nearby Munro. We almost didn't go up the hill as the weather started looking iffy and we were parked between the snow gates (so if the weather closed in, we weren't in great shape), yet it was too dark for us to know how the weather would progress. We did NOT want to get stuck there. So, after much humming and hawing, we set offf, on the basis that we'd turn back if the forecast proved to be wrong. I left my camera in the car, as I felt it wouldn't be of much use. Mistake, but never mind. We had a great snow-shoe outing to the top of An-Socach. Very hard but very rewarding to reach the top. We had an early lunch on the way down and coffee at the bottom. Plenty of time to get to dad's to spend a couple of hours with him, to find him in pretty good form which is always really positive. I made him a late lunch of haggis, neeps and tatties for Burns' Day and he even recited the first verse of Tam O' Shanter for us ... very impressive given that his short term memory is completely gone. His mind is still sharp. :-) A good day, all in all. But tiring, so more commenting tomorrow.
We met these ponies at the beginning of our walk. I-phone to the rescue again.
The ponies look in very good condition. Sounds a wonderful day to be up in the mountains....you are experienced walkers but it would be a bit daunting & foolish I reckon for the ordinary walker. I was quite fascinated when I heard they closed the gates, I think Barry has a key.... Good to hear dad was in Burns Night mode! I love haggis.
Wow you are so adventurous - hopefully not foolhardy? Sounds a bit dodgy to me - but then I am not an experienced Walker like the two of you. Take care and stay safe! Sounds like you had a lovely catch up with your dad! Haggis, neeps and tattles sounds wonderful!
I think they would have appreciated a carrot! What a day! Glad you did not get caught and enjoyed the hike. The phone is such a wonderful thing to have, isn't it?
Such a full (rewarding) day, such a climb & those ponies are a delight as is the blue tones of this shot. So pleased you had a great time with Dad...not so sure about the dinner though (for me.) Big Fav
@pamknowler Don't worry Pam, we are very careful in the mountains, especially in winter. We know too well what can befall a poorly planned expedition, regardless of the distance involved. It's all in the weather. We had checked the weather carefully, but there's always an element of doubt until you can see the sky properly for yourself. Once we had walked about half an hour, we knew everything was going to be all right! No risks taken.
@happypat I do often wonder what happens if there are cars parked in lay-bys along the roadside when they close the road. However, we certainly don't plan on ever having that happen to us! We are ultra cautious where the weather is concerned. The forecast was good for yesterday, but we doubted it because we couldn't see the sky at the outset. All was good though!
Beautifully captured - I love how it shows the snowy bleakness. Good to hear that your father enjoyed a traditional Scottish meal and reciting of some poetry.
Wow this is great! What a day you had. Glad you found your dad in his spirits. I'll have to look up what you made for him to eat though, don't know any of the items you mentioned.
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Congrats on TT! I love the horses lined up looking at you as if you have food you are waving at them. (that's what I do for my squirrel shots. If they know any human words, it's 'look!')
Fav for this beautiful image
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