Colin went for a MTB ride visiting Lochs an Eilan, Eanaich and Morlich. Very nice route in good weather. The ride out to Eanaich wasn't has hard as feared. Around 3.5 hours ride time for just over 30 miles. Stopped for lunch at Glenmore visitor centre.
An easy cycle with Hannah from Aviemore to Boat of Garten via the off-road cycle path and then back via the road to Coylumbridge where we stopped for coffee. Hannah did pretty well especially in the long section of headwinds.
Cherry headed back to Edinburgh for a few days to look after Les on the evening train.
Colin, Cherry and Hannah visited the beach at Loch Morlich and had a walk around the Loch. Another very nice day.
Colin headed off on Thursday morning for a fast paced munro trip. Took the mountain for roughly an hour from our Aviemore house past Glenmore and got just beyond the bridge at Bynack stable where the trail became difficult for biking. From there a fast paced ascent although mainly walking given the gradient. About an hour to the top and then a very enjoyable 40 minute run back down and then an hour bike home. Weather and views excellent and path all the way which made for a very pleasant journey.
Colin & Cherry took a short drive to Loch Garten to visit the RSPB reserve. Saw the two Osprey chicks and their mother in the next and lots of smaller birds at the feeders near the reserve centre. After that went on the two lochs walk and enjoyed the magnificent pine forest.
In the afternoon we were joined by Hannah for a short but expensive 10 minute go kart session. Cherry will never go karting again, I was starting to feel and bit queasy and Hannah enjoyed it.
In the evening we went for dinner at the Scottish Steakhouse, part of the Dalfaber resort. The steaks were OK and the fish pie was pretty poor.
Colin, Cherry and Hannah went for the day at the RZSS Highland Wildlife Park. Very enjoyable. Most of the animals seemed to be out and visible today. Saw the baby polar bear playing in the pond, the baby snow leopards and parents and many others.
Third day in Aviemore was a bit damp. We headed into town for a wander and coffee at Costa. Collected Cherry at the station in the early evening. Went into town for dinner but everywhere was fully booked so we ended up having fish and chips.
A wee bike around Aviemore with Hannah getting the feel of the place. Run along the River Spey in the evening.
Colin and Hannah drove through to Aviemore after lunch and spent the afternoon settling into the house and doing some shopping. Cherry needs to stay behind and look after Les on Sunday but will join us on Monday.
Colin set off on Monday afternoon with a snuffly nose that turned out to be CoVid. An Extra Large Van from Arnold Clark was a bit of an ugly monster of a truck without any AirCon.
Stopped overnight at Norton Cane days in for a very hot and sticky evening at the Days Inn.
Finished the drive on Tuesday morning and met up with Hannah around mid-day for several hours of removals from top from flat to van. Hot work.
Colin slept overnight at the Cotswold Lodge. No luck with the room this time which was up in the rafters and exceptionally hot.
On Wednesday Colin did a long Zoom meeting at Hannah's flat and then we finished the packing in time for a professional cleaner to give the flat a good doing over. We spent the afternoon in the Up in Arms and headed off in the van around 6 pm in the evening with an overnight journey stop at Norton Canes.
We got home on Thursday around 2 pm - unpacked - and returned the van to Arnold Clark the next morning.
Final day of Ian's short visit and we lent him a bike and we went for an easy paced cycle loop along Water of Leith and Union Canal with a stop for a very nice second breakfast at the Rose Garden Cafe.
Took the train with Ian to North Queensferry for a look at the Bridges from both sides and a walk across the old road bridge.
Light lunch at Oroco Pier and a pint at Hawes Inn.
In the evening Cherry joined us for dinner at Los Argentinos where the steaks were pretty good.
Ian arrived in Edinburgh a bit late off the Easyjet flight from Stansted. We headed out to Dunbar for a nice walk on a windy afternoon around John Muir Country Park.
In the evening we met up with Frank for a few drinks at the Pear Tree and then a good curry at Solti on Drummond Street. Nice to see Frank again after a very long gap.
