Icy fingers

The weather forecast had promised a good dry, but cold day. So my friend and I decided that would be the perfect opportunity to go to the Birks of Aberfeldy. It is a favourite haunt of mine but she hadn't been there for some time, and was very keen to go.
Typically, the day was very overcast! That didn't really matter so once we'd mastered the new Tom Tom route planner we set off. Of course we know the way but the Tom Tom is a new toy and it was a chance to try it out!
The dogs, Bruce and Cara, were good as gold, not a murmur until we stopped to take photos of huge logs all piled up at Griffin wind farm, waiting to be loaded on to wood lorries. Bruce thought this was the walk about to start, but no.
Then a little further on, we stopped again. This time to take some lovely photos of Loch na Craige. There was the flimsiest of ice cover on the loch, which had started to break up and float free. It is a small loch, very pretty and used by the local anglers. Bruce had to contain his excitement as this was not the start of the walk.
500m further on, we stopped again, The distant hills looking northeast, had the palest light catching them - it was the first sign that it might well turn into a bright afternoon. There was a hint of duck egg blue sky and it was certainly a photo opportunity. Bruce had front paws and head looking over the rear seat and a pleading look. This was not the start of the walk.
Rounding the next couple of bends and also heading downhill, we were intrigued to see cloud lying in a fat strip over the town of Aberfeldy. However, it turned out to be smoke from a large garden bonfire. It was hanging free hardly moving at all and of course we had to take a photo. Bruce was almost over the back seat by this time.
A little further downhill and round a few more bends, we arrived at the entrance to The Birks. Only a few cars in the car park which is well away from the road, so once we were togged up, we opened the boot of the car and yes, at last, Bruce was out like a shot - and Cara too of course!
We had a lovely walk. There were so many beautiful views of the River Moness and the mossy trees and tumbling waterfalls. It had been cold enough the night before to allow icicles to form on this twiggy branch of a silver birch. The birks of course the Scottish word for birch trees which gives the name to this very lovely walk.