Settling in and exploring the area around our new home.

Three weeks in the new job and getting used to the early get ups. Enjoying the short drive to work (5 minutes), have even walked in once (30 minutes). The bike may be out soon! (anticipated to be 12 minutes)
We have had the benefit of two weekends of absolutely glorious weather so took advantage and got out and about. 
There is a reservoir / woodland walk within easy reach of our door. So did that one last Saturday. Good views of the Ochils and reflections in the water.

Then decided to try our first real mountain. Researched and read up on options and went for Ben Venue which is close to Callendar and around 45 minutes drive away. Although less than 2,500ft in height, it is steep and craggy and not a walk in the park. Wary of the reduced light, we were up and off at an early hour on Sunday morning. Drove through the fog which kept clearing and re-forming to give us glimpses of the surrounding hills. Past Loch Vorlich with its early fishermen fishing then parked up in the car park, boots on and we were off.

Ben Vorlich floats above the early morning mists. Looking much higher than 2,500ft.

Warning - for those who might be considering walking in the Scottish hills - beware the bogs. We were ankle deep within 10 minutes and it didn't improve all day. At times it was more like a swamp. I have an irrational fear of disappearing into a bog up to my head - time to meet the fear head on so to speak - and plough on. We tramped our wet feet up ever-steepening slopes and took the direct route up. There were times when I honestly thought we would never see the top but we connected with the main path eventually.

Our reward was the far reaching views, blue skies and a cloud inversion in the valleys. We could see for miles to the west, all of the peaks standing clear against the sky. 

Views west beyond Ben Lomond to the hills of Arran. Cloud inversion over the lochs.

However, the climb had taken its toll on us and after a quick lunch in the sun it was time to descend. A good path although very muddy and slippy with the occasional tricky, rocky bit to keep you alert. We followed a trio down the hill that included a lady with a sight impairment - she put us to shame with the speed of her descent and clearly trusted the guidance and instructions of her companions. Inspiring and amazing.  Eventually the path dropped into the trees, where we encountered vastly reduced light levels and an easy trek back to the car. A quick change into clean, dry clothes (we are learning and always take a change of clothing now) and a slow drive home due to the large number of people on the hills and cars on the A84. Home to a roast dinner and reward of a nice bottle of vino.

Both of us were shattered and very hungry the next day!

I am now back in work mode and getting to know the people and places. Working reasonable hours, plenty to do but no major pressures (yet)

The house is looking more like home; just the garage to sort out and the final few boxes to unpack. We are back in a routine. The house is warm and comfortable and the oven door has been fixed by a man with a hammer.

Our Scottish is coming on nicely - Gary automatically responded to a casual question with an "Aye" today and I find myself saying "aha" quite a lot.  Both mean yes.

Today we walked from Dunblane to Bridge of Allen and back. A nice, if muddy, 6 mile walk alongside the Water of Allen. We like the small town of Bridge of Allen and will return to explore the cafes and shops when we are more respectable in appearance.

Tomorrow an exploration of the Ochil hills is on the cards, weather permitting. (Was told that if I insist on waiting for the weather to permit our walking jaunts, it might never happen) The plan is to walk up one glen, a climb to the highest point then back down through another glen to make a circular walk. If the cloud is on the tops then we will head east to Dollar and walk through the Dollar Glen to another reservior.

Meanwhile we understand that all is progressing well (if slowly) with the purchase of the plot and we wait to hear that planning has been renewed. I believe it is known as "Skye pace" 
Gary is now chasing with weekly phone calls.