Set off from Nigg Bay RSPB reserve and was absolutley thrilled to see a small family waving to me as I approached Tain. Back in July I'd met Colin and Sophie with their two fabulously delightful children, Dougal and Rowan, at Gelnmuir. Here were the children with Dad waving at me! Brilliant and so lovely to see them again. How did they know I'd be passing?
Britain's best toilet? Well this one at Tain was amazingly comfortable and the attendant was very helpful. Flowers in the men's - whatever next?
Next stop was at a Pictish cross in a churchyard at Edderton, just after the RSPB reserve at Edderton Bay. Excellent 700AD slab depicting crosses and horsemen.
To Lairg and another lip-swelling moment. This time caused by a friendly wasp who stung my top lip.
Found a superb hide on the shoreline of Loch Shin, Dalchork Hide, and stayed there for a few hours. Excellent raptor list seen during that time: 1 osprey, 1 goshawk, 1 female hen harrier, at least 12 buzzards, a very close female peregrine chasing 3 dunlin, female kestrel and a sparrowhawk. Also here were curlew, redshank, 12 greylags, 5 teal, a family of Great black backed gulls and 25 common gulls. 2 black-throated divers came quite close too.
Hi Gary It was so nice to meet you again, what a coincidence, thanks for the kind comments about our kids, again, they loved seeing you. Sophie also saw you as she was driving to work and was frantically texting me to ask you for a meal or to spend the night, if you needed somewhere nicer than a bus stop for a sleep. Unfortunately I didn't get it. So we are sorry we didn't bump into you the day before when you were at Nigg.Maybe if your passing this way again you could look us up, alyhough if your route plan is right you bypass us after the Northern Isles. So best of luck until our paths cross again. Cheers Colin, Sophie, Rowan and Dougal.
ReplyDeleteAs I may have said preveiosly, Colin. Meeting you all has been one of the highlights of the year. I won't unfortunately be passing this year but thank you for the very kind offer.
ReplyDeletekeep paddling, Gary