Overflow

This morning it was yet another wet, windy and grey day but it didn't matter as I was off to my yoga class. One and a half hours of gentle stretching and relaxation - just perfect.

This afternoon I decided to go up to the local reservoir to see what it looked like after all the recent rain. Driving up to the top it was astonishing to see how full the river below was as it hurled itself down the valley from the reservoir, frothing and churning round small trees and hillocks and anything which was now in its way. We passed rough grazing land on either side of the narrow road and noticed the poor bedraggled looking sheep already marked with red or black blotches confirming that they had been visited by the tup. As the car climbed up the steep road it was noticeable that the higher hills had a fair dusting of recent snow on them which hadn't been there yesterday. A friend had joined me today and we both looked a rare sight as we tumbled out of the car in the parking place up at the reservoir, engulfed in fleeces with waterproofs on top, hats, gloves and sturdy waterproof walking shoes. But we needed it all!

Both Cara and Bruce were thrilled to be let loose and charged off in search of new territory and smells. As we expected the loch was overflowing and water was streaming over its lip and down a long channel eventually crashing into a stone wall which forced it to turn 90' and then drop down into the source of the river to start its turbulent journey down the valley. The blip today shows the water flowing steadily over the lip of the reservoir into the channel and Cara is walking along a wee bridge which takes you over the weir to the start of a walk along the west side of the loch. Above the loch and in the distance you can just make out the snowy hills which don't really stand out well against the grey sky and low cloud base. For a better view of the loch itself and the hills beyond check out the journal of my friend. She may be a bit later than me in posting her blip. Apparently yesterday the surface of the loch was very rough and choppy and the water was splashing over the edge.

We continued our walk along the east side of the loch until we came to a water hazard. Water was cascading down the hill towards the loch and forming a wide river across our pathway before it continued through the undergrowth to its destination. The cloud base had sunk considerably lower by this time and the light was going so we decided that it was best to turn around and head for the warmth of the car. A brilliant walk and I now have two very happy, tired dogs.