High Water at Net Bay

The new main photo gives an idea of how much higher the loch is since the recent storms and heavy rainfall. Today however has been bright and clear with the temperature barely rising above freezing all day. Winter at last and nobody minds on days like today when everything is fresh and sharp.

There was a rosy tinge to the mountains this morning - those without the topping of snow that is - with dark reflections in the water.

The storms also brought a new sight in the bay. A mooring had obviously come adrift from one of the marinas and drifted into the shallows. It can just be seen in this photo with a bit of a list!

Welly and waterproof weather!

I know, I know, we haven't seen much blue sky over the past month - just lots and lots of rain. The loch is really high again - up to the seat at the viewpoint - and looking across from the high point on Ross Loan to where the Endrick flows into the loch, Ring Point (the thin strip of land between the river and the loch) is completely submerged. There is water in the fields all round Wards and the garden is sodden.

Roads have been flooded in all directions and a few nights ago I just missed running over a frog who was in his element as he hopped across a road that was running like a stream. Most days however, it has been possible to dodge the showers although on occasions Rosie and I have both come back from the daily walk absolutely drenched. With the skies so overcast it is also the lack of light that is noticeable. It was dark by half past three one day this week. However, the walk through Shore Wood is more open and airy in winter than in summer as the bare branches allow much more light through.

Although it feels as though the full force of winter has yet to strike, with fairly mild temperatures and very little frost so far, ironically the first signs of Spring are appearing. On the walk to the loch, the pale green spikes of the snowdrops are beginning to burst through and some of the daffodils are also beginning to show. They must be encouraged by the mild weather but no doubt growth will slow again once the really cold weather comes.

First Frost

It was a bright crisp morning and the fields all around were sparkling white when I drew back the curtains this morning. Definitely no time to lose to make sure we were down to the loch before the sun had melted the ice and dissipated the magic.

Wrapped up warmly with hat and gloves for the first time this winter and set off briskly. We were rewarded with a sight of the the first sprinkling of snow on Ben Lomond and the Arrochar Alps. The loch was calm and clear with geese honking, swans on the far side of Net Bay and a solitary heron fishing patiently over on Ring Point.

We decided to make our way to the Endrick Viewpoint further up the hill which is where this first picture was taken. The frost had not been hard enough to freeze the ground and it was pretty heavy going after all the rain and the trampling from the cattle. But by stepping carefully from tussock to tussock we managed not to lose a shoe. It would have been easier if we were in wellingtons. I managed with much less difficulty when I did the same walk last week more suitably clad. The gate was still glistening with ice crystals on the way up which had started to melt by the time we had squelched our way back down again.

The afternoon was spent collecting leaves for the compost. Even piled up wet and soggy in the wheelbarrow the colours were glowing. It really has been a wonderfully colourful Autumn this year.

A fantastic autumn day

Up early this morning and down to the loch at first light. There was a mist rising from the loch and the fields and wisps of cloud lingering in some of the glens. It was a truly magical morning and the light has been wonderful all day.

The woods are full of spiders that I've never seen but their presence can be felt by the fine filaments that brush against your face as you walk along the path. I imagine them as minute trapeze artists swinging from tree to tree only have their safety harnesses swept away as I walk through. The cold night had produced a touch of frost and heavy dew so there was clearer evidence of the spiders' activities this morning in the delicate webs,

What a difference a day makes

From this -----------------------------------------------------------to this

in less than twenty four hours.

Friday night saw the wind getting up - so much so that one huge gust hit the gable end with such force that it woke us up. Unusually, this wind did not blow itself out in twelve hours but continued throughout Saturday. It was exhilirating walking through the woods and by the loch. Squalls of rain kept blowing over from the West with rainbows arching over the islands. I've seen the loch choppy before but never seen such spectacular waves rolling in. In the distance a fuzzy grey line between the water line and the shore indicated where the spray was being whipped from the tops of the waves. And the roaring of the wind in the treetops meant that it was almost impossible to carry out a conversation.

All along the path there were leaves, twigs and branches that had been blown down. As far as I could see there had been no major casualties but plenty of branches for Rosie to get her teeth into.

Today was much calmer although there were still a few ripples on the water and the occasional white horse. The sky was blue and the birds were singing again - the turmoil of yesterday already forgotten.

Fly Agaric

Here is every child's image of a toadstool - the classic red with white spots. We have had lots of fly agaric on the garden this year and they reminded me of a poem my Mum used to recite to us as children - The Elf and the Dormouse by Oliver Herford, an American poet of the early twentieth century.

Under a toadstool crept a wee Elf,
Out of the rain to shelter himself.

Under the toadstool, sound asleep,
Sat a big Dormouse all in a heap.

Trembled the wee Elf, frightened and yet
Fearing to fly away lest he get wet.

To the next shelter—maybe a mile!
Sudden the wee Elf smiled a wee smile.

Tugged till the toadstool toppled in two.
Holding it over him, gaily he flew.

Soon he was safe home, dry as could be.
Soon woke the Dormouse—"Good gracious me!

"Where is my toadstool?" loud he lamented.
—And that's how umbrellas first were invented.

I am reminded of this little rhyme every time I see the large toadstools that have sprung up all over the garden this year.

An early Autumn

Just a quick post - there's a lot happening and not much time for blogging.

The walk in the woods is getting wetter with the loch level really high for this time of year. The beaches have practically disappeared - much to Rosie's displeasure - and some of the trees already have their feet in water.

After weeks of seemingly unremitting rain there are occasional glimmers. I caught this pool of light on a walk last week. I love the spicy

smells of Autumn and the changing colours. The bracken is turning brown now and will soon be flattened by the winds and storms.

There are also signs of the swallows preparing to leave - lining up on the wires and taking part in spectacular feeding frenzies as they swoop and dive for insects. It's either that or they are in training for the marathon flight ahead.

What a week!

This has probably been one of the wettest weeks of the summer. There have been several absolutely torrential downpours - one of the which sent the cows in the neighbouring field stampeding down to shelter under the trees at the furthest corner. It has been impossible to miss the showers when out walking Rosie and we have observed that the loch level has risen several feet and the beaches have now disappeared.

The woods are beginning to change with far fewer wild flowers in evidence and bracken and grasses turning brown. Even though it is still August there is a faint tinge of Autumn about, as colours change and berries begin to ripen. The storm-struck oak has now been felled and lies full length on the ground. It was considered too much of a risk to leave it to age and fall naturally, possibly across the path or destroying the nearby fence. The size of the split shows how much damage was done by the lightening. It will now be left to decay naturally and provide a micro-habitat for wildlife and fungi. From the number of rings on the trunk this oak had already lived to a good age - at least 60 years if not longer.

A sure sign that Autumn is coming is the number of mushrooms and other fungi springing up throughout the reserve - and in the garden. Here are a couple from the garden - a giant puffball measuring at least 10 inches in diameter and some that I think are common earth balls.

Summer sights

It's been a rather hectic month with some time away and also a steady stream of visitors. This has meant lots of walks to share the beauty of the loch but not much time to write up the blog.

The fields up to the village have remained a delight throughout the summer with amazing numbers of butterflies. Here are pictures of a few that I have managed to get close enough to photograph.

Small copper on a hawkweed

Small white.

Painted Lady.

These were all taken on the same morning in the fields below the Millennium Hall. There are clouds of small whites and on one patch of rosebay willowherb I counted over 30 of them moving restlessly amongst the bright purple flowers.

It may not have been a great summer but it hasn't been a bad one either. I've enjoyed the mixture of sunshine and showers and the flowers and hedgerows have certainly flourished. I picked my first few blackberries today and there are lots more to come. There are the first hints of autumn now with the rowan berries ripening and some plump rosehips beginning to ripen near the bench at net bay.

A Unique Opportunity.

If you get the chance, take the first part of the Aber path from the Hall down to the Dam of Aber bridge in the next few days. These fields are like no other this year. Since the farmer died earlier this year there have been no cattle grazing; nor have the fields been mown for hay or silage, apart from a track about a metre wide that forms the path. This means that there is an opportunity to see the field in its natural state and it is beautiful!

The grasses are almost waist high and as you walk through them clouds of butterflies rise up ahead of you. It is so unusual to find such an untouched meadow and it has been a real haven for butterflies and other insects. As well as butterflies there was the hum of bees in the clover which was welcome to hear as there are so many reports of bees being under threat.

We did get caught in a very heavy shower yesterday but it didn't spoil the sheer delight of being there. The farm has now been sold and the new owner may well wish to cut these fields and get some income from the land. That's why these meadows provide such a unique opportunity to experience an untouched landscape - for this summer at least.

Treats and terrors

Today's walk was back to Ross Priory and the walk past the old Buchanan family graveyard and on through to the loch behind the golf course. It was a real jungle today. Lots of meadowsweet, burdock, brambles, columbine and the willow herb just beginning to appear above everything else. There are also lots of wild raspberries that were sweet and delicious - a real treat. In one place they formed an arch of raspberry canes which we needed to go under.

There was one terror we noticed as well - a specimen of giant hogweed. This is a spectacular plant but one that is very nasty and can cause severe burns to the skin - to be avoided at all costs. It spreads along rivers and watercourses and can be clearly seen spreading along burns in the Carse on the road to Stirling. Although attempts are being made to get rid of it, it is very strong and persistent. Ecoscope have produced a very useful leaflet describing Giant Hogweed and eradication methods.

By the time we reached the shore in front of Ross Priory it had started to rain quite heavily but we were not deterred as one of the reasons for the walk was to see the orchids in the meadow nearest to the Portnellan boundary. We were not disappointed. There were one or two along the path but the field was covered with them. There appeared to be several varieties but I haven't been able to identify them all. See today's picture for the one I can identify. We were pretty wet by now but spent several minutes admiring and photographing the profusion of orchids there.

Lightning strike

If you've been on the shore path walk this weekend you might have noticed the tree that was hit by lightning in the storm last Thursday. It really is quite dramatic. Sheets of bark have been stripped from the lower trunk of this relatively young oak tree but it appears to be untouched in the higher branches. The exposed trunk is a rich orange tan colour and the force of the strike can be seen in the splits that were made.

The height of this tree made it a natural lightning conductor. The charge follows the sap (phloem) between the bark and the trunk and its rapid vapourisation blasts the bark from the trunk. It must have been quite powerful as some of the strips of bark are several feet away from the tree.

It will be interesting to see if it can recover or whether the damage will ultimately kill the tree. Without its protective bark it is vulnerable to insect and fungal damage.

A proper summer

After some time away I'm back home and am amazed by the changes that have taken place in the few days I have been away.  It really is a proper summer this year.  Warm weather, some rain to keep everything green and growing and the school holidays have begun.  There have been a number of changes on the walk.  The grasses have grown above waist height in the fields below the hall as there have been no cattle grazing there all summer. 

 Just along the hedge in the top field the ragged robin is prolific and the purple vetch climbs through the hedge occasionally interspersed with the yellow variety.  Everything is abundant this year; the sweetness of the honeysuckle scent is almost overpowering in places.  Sometimes the plant itself is not always obvious and you have to look up and scan the trees to see how high it has clambered.  The brambles are also doing very well and if the flowers set then there will be a bumper crop of blackberries this year.  Great as I love bramble jelly!

On the nature reserve it is almost impossible to see the loch now that the bracken is almost 5 foot high in places.  Walking through on a hot day there is the unmistakeable smell that reminds me of holidays abroad rather than a Scottish summer.  Here the purple vetch and bramble flowers are flowing over the fence at the viewpoint.

The hot weather has brought a number of swimmers to the shore and it is ideal for a quick dip as the waters are shallow and warm up quickly.  Lookout for orchids under the bracken and along the lane, the creamy froth of the meadowsweet.

Home and Away

The gap in blogs is because I have been away for a couple of weeks exchanging one national park for another as I spent some time in Snowdonia. It was noticeable how much further on the flora was in Wales although on coming home it was clear that June was busting out all over. First task was to get the grass cut. We are enjoying spending time in the new summer house come barbecue. It was put up during Christmas week last year and we have spent the Spring painting it and getting it ready for use. There have been lots of comments from passers by. We bought it from a firm called Logspan based at Inverkip who were able to adapt an existing design to suit our particular site. It is now coming into its own as it is situated in the warmest and most sheltered part of the garden. Yesterday evening after having our tea in it we listened to the birdsong. A robin was singing its heart out loud and clear and very tunefully.

The walk had also changed considerably. The bluebells have finished flowering and are now hidden beneath the lush bright green bracken. There are still lots of wild flowers though and the pink campions are doing very well. It was good to be home and to feel that summer really has come at last - even if we do still light a fire on chilly evenings.

Some of you may have come to this blog from the article in the Dumpling Times - even if an incomplete url was given. I hope you wont be disappointed and share with me some of the sights and sounds you see when out and about in the area.

This is just a quick catch up as I will be away again all next week - this time to the south of France.

A hidden history and rhododendron Walk

Yesterday we turned right instead of left on leaving the house and walked through to Ross Priory.  Rosie was kept under a fairly tight rein down the long drive as she does like to chase the golf balls if she has an opportunity.  Just by the turn to the Water Board there is also a path off to the right.  It wasn't too muddy although it has been unpassable without wellies earlier in the year.  Before long we reached the small enclosed burial ground of the Macdonald-Buchanans.  This is a very special place now largely overgrown.  Through the gates are the graves of Jean Buchanan and Hector Archibald Buchanan, her husband, and six of their nine children.  The plaque at the end gives details of their names and it can be seen that the three missing children are buried where they died - in Bombay, Gibralter and Malta.  It was Hector and Jean who extended and embellished Ross Priory creating the fine building we still admire today.  Their burial place also has a certain grandeur.

We walked along the loch side looking up at the house and returned through the gardens.  We had missed the official Open Day a couple of weeks ago but the rhododendrons and azaleas are still magnificent - rich reds, bright purples, pale pinks, delicate whites and sunny yellows.

What you don't get from the photos is the wonderful sweet honey scent that engulfs you as you walk near some of bushes.

Bluebells at their best

This really is the time to go down to the woods.  The bluebells are amazing.  They seem to get bluer and bluer as far as the eye can see.  The photo doesn't do justice to the intensity of the colour and the contrast with the emerging bracken.  I've managed two walks to the viewpoint today and this evening's was so peaceful.  It amazes me that I can spend an hour walking on a beautiful evening and not see another soul.  Rosie and I have it all to ourselves. 

Where afar my steps have been,

Blue skies charm the eyes,

And the earth is ever green.

Yet dwelt my heart 'mid Scotland's glens,

Where aye in thought was seen,

The Bluebell, the Bluebell,

Amid the bracken green.

Food for free

You can't miss the wild garlic or ransom.  Even if you don't recognise the flowers you will be able to smell them.  They are growing along many of the verges in the road to the loch as well as running rampant at the bottom of the garden.  Where they have been cut back the smell is particularly pungent.  The leaves are considered quite a delicacy. Chefs use them in salads and there are even recipes for wild garlic bread.

I have to say that I haven't been brave enough to try any of these recipes yet.  There are more interesting recipes for foraged food on the Salaric Cooking blog.

There are others who have been getting food for free. On the walk to the village this morning just as I was approaching the hall I found a couple of empty, broken egg shells.  There were still traces of yellow yolk indicating that these had been fairly newly laid and plundered.  In the trees by the gate there were a couple of blackbirds getting very agitated and I spotted a jackdaw feeding in some long grass nearby.  I'm pretty sure he must be the culprit and was systematically raiding the poor blackbird's nest.  They will have to find somewhere a bit more secure if they are to raise a brood this year.  I put the remains of a shell on the post to get a picture.

Better weather ahead?

Another grey day with clouds interspersed with showers and an occasional glimpse of sunshine on the Campsie hills.  The only encouragement I take in this wet May is that the oak trees are coming into leaf while the ash trees in the garden have still to bud.  If the old adage "Oak before the ash - we shall have a splash: Ash before oak  - we shall have a soak" is right the weather should improve later in the summer.

                                                                                                

 This year's may blossom is also magnificent and just coming into its own.

A few changes

A new headline picture today - the one I took from the air last week - which may well be the last taken with the iPhone.  Up until now all pictures on An Aber Diary have been taken using the camera in my phone which, although adequate, are not the best quality.  From today however, photographs will be taken with a small Panasonic Lumix digital camera which is small enough to slip into my pocket every time I go out.

The picture for today was taken with the new camera as we turned the corner into Ross Loan yesterday morning at about 11.15 and had to pause to allow a parade of vintage Austin 7's go past.  There must have been at least 15 - 20 and another two further down the road that seemed to be having some problems.  Where they came from or were going to I have no idea.

Just to see how other pictures taken with the new camera look here is a close up of some bluebells taken yesterday.

The bluebells in Shore Wood really are magnificent.  The further you go into the wood the deep purple/blue color and the scent become more and more intense.

The cows are back

After seven months spent in their winter quarters out of the worst of the winter and spring weather the cows, their calves and the bull are back in the fields around Aber.  It is great to see them back.  A couple of months ago the fields were all top dressed with a thick coat of manure but now the effects of all those nutrients is evident in the lush green grass.  The cows obviously appreciate the space and have been trotting around with their calves in tow. For most of the calves the big wide world is new to them and they are exploring their new environment while keeping a close eye on Mum at the same time.  The bull is obviously master of all he surveys.

This is the longest period that the cattle have been inside and they were due out last week but the weather was so cold and wet it would have been too risky for the young calves that are not acclimatized yet.  Yesterday's sunny weather seemed to suit them fine. 

Although it was quite windy yesterday I was able to take up my first (and probably last) flying lesson from Leading Edge Flying School in Cumbernauld.  It was given me as a birthday present last year and I thought I had better make the most of the fine weather before the Experience Ecosse voucher expired.  Given that it was still very windy and it was a very, very small two seater Cessna plane we were flying, I was a bit nervous.  Once airborne, however all my fears vanished as I took in the amazing sights below.  By special request we flew over Gartocharn, the Dumpling and Aber and I was able to take some photos.  Not the best but it was good to 

see these local landmarks from a different angle and look down on my house from above. 

 

I was able to point out to the young pilot/instructor the Highland fault line which divides the Highlands from the Lowlands and which is clearly visible running through Conic Hill and out to Inchcailloch.  It really was a fantastic experience.

Loch Rescue in the news

Following the deaths of four men on Loch Awe recently there is considerable publicity today about the need for a more organised approach to providing support to people who get into trouble in Scotland's many inland waters.  This reminded me again of how fortunate we are to have the Loch Lomond Rescue Boat

                            (Lochside Photography)

After my May 2nd blog I was able to obtain a photo of the fine group of volunteers who are on call should anyone get into difficulties on the loch.  If you visit their website you can read some of the statistics relating to their call outs.  Quite sobering reading, particularly when you see the number of deaths that occur on the loch.  I admire what they do and hope I never need to call on their services.

A good day.

A day spent outside, walking to the village this morning and spotting an orange tip butterfly on the lady's smock on the way back.  Several new flowers as well - some I still need to identify.

Then an afternoon in the garden just sitting on the mower cutting the grass and enjoying being outside in the sunshine. A great drying day too - there's something very satisfying about seeing a line of washing flapping in the breeze (or in our case a near gale).  Then a beautiful sunset.  Maybe summer isn't that far away now.

Up with the lark

This morning was the Dawn Chorus walk through Shore wood organised by the National Park and SNH. After trying to book a place by phone without success I decided to go along anyway to appreciate the wildlife.  The alarm was set for just before 5.00 but after yesterday's rain I was quite prepared to stay in bed if the weather hadn't been good.  However, the sun was just rising and tinting the hills in the west pink and I could hear the birds already starting to sing - particularly some rather loud collar doves  - which encouraged me to get up and get going.

I did not regret it.  It was fresh but bright and the sun was just coming over the trees.  There were birds singing all around especially in the hedgerows.  The rooks in the rookery at the top of the pines were especially raucous drowning out the more melodious notes of smaller birds.   Several metres further on a thrush was singing its heart out high in an ash tree which has yet to come into leaf.

Carrying on through the woods I caught site of a roe deer buck by the water's edge.  He turned towards we me and we looked at each other for some time before I moved on .  I had only gone a couple of steps before I looked back but he had disappeared into the woods without a sound.  

The beauty of the loch took my breath away when I reached the view point.  There was a mist lingering over the surface of the water and a faint mist in the distance. But the air was so clear an cold and the light so delicate on the hills.

 

It really was quite chilly for a May morning although there hadn't been a frost.  The grasses however were covered with minute droplets of dew that gave a silvery sheen and sparkle in the sunlight.

On the return journey there was another deer drinking at the lochside.  This time it was a doe that looked as though she was heavily pregnant.  She moved forward in front of me, crossed the path and leapt the fence to join her partner in the field above the wood.

I was nearly back at the entrance to the walk before I met the official dawn chorus party - although by this time it was well after dawn.  I paused by the small beach where the water was crystal clear.  Earlier in the week the wind had stirred up the water and it had been quite mucky at the edge of the beach.  The loch level had subsided by today and deposited all the debris at high water level.  After this week's rain I was surprised the loch level had fallen at all.

The birds were still singing although we have noticed before that there is more birdsong in the hedgerows of the lane leading to the wood than in the wood itself.  The iPhone that I use to take these photos can also record and I was able to capture much of the sounds of the walk.  However, as yet I have not worked out how to get them from the computer onto the blog.  A technological challenge that will have to wait for another day.

What a week

It has been a week of dodging the downpours on our walks this week.  Not the most auspicious start to May which is usually a glorious month.  We have trudged along an increasingly muddy and squelchy path up to the village with Rosie getting soaked even before she went into the burn and me well wrapped up in waterproofs.

One of the real joys of the walk this week has been the lady's smock (also known as shepherd's purse because of the shape and nature of its seed pods) in the field which borders on to Aber burn, by the Aber Dam bridge. 

 They formed a foam  of pink flowers interspersed with the spiky reed grass.  This flower has a variety of names and was mentioned by Shakespeare in Love's Labours Lost

When daisies pied and violets blue
And lady-smock all silver white
And Cuckoo-buds of yellow hue
Do paint the meadows with delight. 

There have been no cattle in the fields up to the village for the past few months which has allowed the wild flowers to flourish without being trampled into the mud. This has also made walking easier as the path is becoming more compacted.  However, this week's rain has made the path quite boggy again so you'll need boots if you try it this weekend.

Apparently I was rather slow in spotting the swallows this year as a neighbour has reported seeing one a full week before I did.  As we know, one swallow doesn't make a summer and although there are now dozens swooping and swirling around - there is still no sign of summer.

Late night loch rescue

Aber may seem like a quiet backwater where nothing much happens - but we have our moments.  Backwaters can be treacherous if you don't know the waters as a group on the loch discovered last night.

It was another late walk for Rosie to the end of the shore path to enjoy the last light on the loch.  All was calm and peaceful at Net Bay until a speedboat came past obviously unaware of how shallow the loch is at this point.  The boat quickly became grounded and the more they tried to drive off the sandbank the more firmly they became stuck.  There was a shouted exchange and the three people aboard were clearly going to need help.  They could not swim, and were unwilling, understandably to just get out and wade to the shore as they were some way out and the area was unfamiliar to them.  

Net Bay looking towards Conic Hill and Balmaha

They were going to use their mobile to try to contact the police and back at the house we did the same to make sure that a message had got through.  Still concerned we gathered together torches, blankets and a length of rope to go back to Net Bay to see if there was anything to be done to help.  To speed things up we took the car along the road as far as we could.  Rosie was very bemused by this second outing in the dark.  Once on the shore path the torches were needed as the faint moonlight was unable to penetrate the trees.

Now with a mobile we were able to ring the police again who said that a rescue boat was on its way and should be there in about ten minutes.  On reaching the viewpoint we shouted across to the boat and were assured that its occupants were all OK.  We let them know that help was on its way and tried to keep their spirits up.  It was getting pretty chilly waiting by the fence and must have been even colder for them out on the open water.

At last we saw a boat with a search beam and flashing blue light but it was way over by Inchcailloch and seemed to be searching in the wrong area.  Fortunately we had a very powerful torch that we were able to signal with and attract their attention, directing the beam to the stranded speedboat.  The people on the rescue boat clearly knew how difficult these waters could be and approached cautiously and as soon as they found they were hitting shallow water, stopped.  They were still some way away from the stranded boat and the next thing we saw was a small light emerge from the rescue craft and move towards the speedboat.  The water was shallow enough to wade through and a couple of rescuers soon reached the unfortunate crew.  One of them started to push the speedboat back towards the rescue boat while another turned at right angles and waded towards us as we leant on the fence on the shore and emerged for a chat.  After confirming that we had made the call to the police, this burly rubber clad figure then turned and walked back into the water and across to the rescue boat like some strange creature of the loch.

He also told us that he wasn't from the police but the Loch Lomond Rescue Boat which I later discovered is run by volunteers in the same way as the Mountain Rescue Teams. You can find out more on their website.

We watched as the rescue boat moved off.  With the weight of its extra passengers it struggled to begin with and we could see it being helped along by one of the crew in the water pushing it.  Eventually it began to gather speed and pull away with the speedboat being towed behind on a long line. They did not have far to go as we saw them pulling in to Balmaha.  

We turned to walk home through the dark woods and this in itself felt like an adventure.  We  hadn't need the blankets or the length of rope but were certainly glad of the torches on the way home.  We wish we'd remembered to take some tablet with us - if not for those who were stranded it would at least have sustained us on the walk back.  However, we were glad of a cup of tea and a tale to tell at the end of the evening.

Wet, wet, wet

I decided it would be too wet to walk back from the Village Hall coffee morning across the fields as it rained heavily from about 9.15 a.m. and this would certainly have turned parts of the walk into a slippery quagmire. There had been enough rain to really get the gutters and gullies running. 

So instead Rosie and I walked along the track past Middle Gartocharn Farm.  This is up for sale after the death of the farmer a couple of months ago and although the track is a right of way there have been 'Private Property' notices posted at each end.  These are really pretty meaningless and have no basis in law.  The Outdoor Access code gives further information on this.  It places a responsibility on all users of the country side to behave responsibly and with respect for the property and privacy of others but does also give rights of access.  Follow the link for more information.  

So I felt quite within my rights to ignore the private property notice and carry on.  At the far end where the track meets Mill Loan some garden debris has been placed in an attempt to restrict access and this was not easy to negotiate through the mud and a large pool that had gathered behind the barrier.  However, we couldn't get much wetter so carried on regardless.

There were a couple of ducks in one of the fields as we walked home - and even they looked pretty miserable.

Light night

Back from a last walk with Rosie (see right) and amazed at the change in the weather.  Earlier there were downpours and thick grey cloud all around.  Now not a cloud in the sky, a bright crescent moon, and still enough light at 10.30 p.m. to take a walk without a torch. The colours in the sky went from deep navy through turquoise to pink against the sharp edges of the dark hills.  Only the brightest stars visible with more appearing as we arrived back home.

Wanderers return

Last week (22nd April) I saw the first swallows of the year in Aber.  This is a week later than last year which may be a reflection of the colder winter we have had this year.  I spotted two sitting on the telephone wires - no doubt resting after their long flight - and also one swooping and turning in the field opposite.  So far there has been no interest in the nest under the back porch.  After a very successful year in 2007 when two broods were raised there, there was only one brood last year.  Maybe there just wasn't enough food for them.  The midges were not too troublesome last year but the signs are better (at least as far as the swallows are concerned) for this year as the number of flying insects around is increasing rapidly.  And I've had a couple of bites to prove it.

"Then welcome, little swallow, by our morning lattice heard, 
   Because thou com’st when Nature bids bright days be thy reward!"

Thomas Aird 1802 - 1876

For more information on swallows and their habits visit the RSPB site on the swallow and migration

They also need rain and mud to provide the building materials for their nests.  No shortage of that today as there was light rain when I walked the Aber path to the village for the paper this morning which has been followed by a lunchtime downpour. 

The walk to the village is part of the Aber Path and leaflets are available at the beginning of the walk by the Kilmaronock Millennium Hall.  It goes past the house and on to the Nature Reserve by the loch, managed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

About this blog

It is April and Spring has come to Scotland - at last.  As I walk the dog most days through the woods and by the loch I marvel at the small changes that take place day by day.  In this blog I hope to record these and to share my love of this area with others.  Aber is a small collection of houses by Loch Lomond.  It is not far from a slightly larger village, Gartocharn, which is reached by a short walk through the fields in the mornings to pick up the paper from the Post Office.  

This photo was taken on our walk by the loch last night at about 8.30 pm.  It 

had been a pretty dreech day but there was a soft light on the hills and a glow on the water.  On the way back I saw the first ducklings of the year.  A little flotilla of about 7 or 8 keeping close to Mum by the waters edge.  It was too dark to identify the species but I will be on the lookout for them again.

                                                                

                                                                   There is now an abundance of Spring flowers everywhere; primroses, violets, wood anemones, wood sorrel, celandine and the blue bells are just beginning to show through.  The blackthorn is prolific this year too although in this photo it is hard to distinguish the blossom from the lichen on this old tree.  It bodes well for sloes later in the year.

We are out and about most days and there is always something new and different to see.  These are what I will be sharing and I hope that my love of this place and the joy I get from living here is communicated to you.