Big walk!

An even more leisurely start to the day than yesterday, considering that the night had been rather disrupted, first by having the bedroom window open with the light on (townies!) thereby inviting in a million midges and assorted flying things. Then Big Archie decided to sleep on the bed. And wherever he decides to sleep, he's very hard to move, but was eventually was persuaded to go back downstairs. So it was a late night...

However, the day dawned with heavy rain, which suited us fine - no need to rush off anywhere. The House of Bruar visit was abandoned. Plan B. Walk to Fortingall, (birthplace, legend has it, of Pontious Pilate) a favourite place to visit for us, and is just along the road (I thought).

We walked and walked and walked. I couldn't winge too much, because I had suggested it. At one point we looked on the map, and were slightly more than half way, so we didn't need to toss up whether to go back or not - we kept going. It was about three miles, which doesn't sound much, but we made it in two hours, ie twice as long as normal folk. Archie amazed us by not stopping to piddle and sniff even once! In the city he can't walk ten paces without sniffing and/or piddling! I was stuffed! We were all stuffed! I was never so glad to sit down and sip a half pint!

But then was the slight problem of walking home again. I knew it was just toooo far. I voiced my intention of hitching back along the road, but JR flatly refused to participate. So we phoned Christine, who was relaxing by the riverside in the sunshine. And, bless her, she came to pick us up. In a matter of minutes! I was so excited and delighted when she arrived, that I rushed out of the pub to leap into the car, leaving my walking stick behind. Duh! But I do have another one at home, and won't need it again till then.

It turned into a splendidly warm, sunny afternoon. In fact, the river had risen dramatically, the rocks had disappeared and it was very fast flowing. But the two Archies were very careful, they didn't go in the water like yesterday, but pottered about the edge, picking up sticks.

Nibbles and prosecco were enjoyed on the lawn, watching the daft dogs collecting sticks from the the now shallower river. Archie is just loving being here. We all are.

Two hours, 4.7km, 8609 steps!!