A Grand Day Out

No gym today for JR, but actually, there was plenty of exercise (both over 10,000 steps!). While Archie stayed with friends (and had a three hour walk with his pal Maggie), we jumped in the car and headed north over the Forth Bridge.

We would do this far more often if a certain somebody no - he’s a dog… didn’t get carsick!

First we stopped at the Hermitage at Dunkeld, which is a wonderful (shortish) walk, ending at spectacular falls. The Douglas firs we walked through/under are among the tallest trees in the UK.

On up the road, enjoying the sunshine and the scenery, we arrived at Aberfeldy. Lunch! The cafe we remembered hadn’t opened yet (it was just before midday). The cafe in the wee independent cinema had very scrumptious looking scones, but loud pop muzak. The next place was a wee sunny cafe in the square. We were tempted to sit outside in the sun, but went inside. Unfortunately, there was fairly unpleasantly loud pop muzak on. I was not settled, and I was agitating to move outside again. However, we shared a very nice toasted sandwich, and both had excellent coffee. JR’s double shot espresso (with hot water on the side) cost £1.75 - nearly £3 in the city. My flat white was very good and just what I needed.

THEN… a most pleasant acoustic guitar track came on. What a difference that made. Then another one! JR went to the toilet, but came rushing back to say that it was actually a live musician! He was sitting round the corner, so we hadn’t seen him, and he was great. We could have sat there for longer, and had another excellent coffee, but another walk was in the offing: The Birks o’ Aberfeldy, where Rabbie Burns was so taken with the scenery that he sat and wrote a poem (for a pre-existing melody) by the Falls of Moness (Extra 1). But it was hard going! 

We realised that our planned day tour would have to be cut short - the days are now not long enough! So we had to head home. Just in time to get caught in the Friday evening traffic jams round Perth, and then were greeted with a ‘Congestion for SEVEN miles’ sign as we neared the Forth Bridge!! It was a nightmare! So we decided the best way to avoid this is to stay overnight in a nice country house hotel… Next time!

PS The drama with my eye yesterday has not returned! Thank you for all your concern.