It's been a busy old week:
Monday - 15,000 + steps
Jo and I took a run out to Newburgh and did a couple of walks, the first of which was out to see the large seal colony there. They're normally basking on the beach on the opposite (north) side of the Ythan estuary from where we were walking, but on this occasion it must have been feeding time because they were all in the water. Heads would constantly pop up out of the water like some bizarre arcade game.
We walked along the beach for a bit then headed back to the car via the dunes:
We drove through Newburgh crossing the estuary to the Forvie Nature Reserve and completed a circular walk there. At the end, we came through a wooded section which Jo thought had a bit of a spooky air:
Time for lunch so we headed over to Ellon and had a sandwich in the square there, after which we drove home - this time not via the way we had come (AWPR) but cross country - a journey which took us through Inverurie, so we popped in to Rae Circle. We just missed Carole, but we caught up briefly with Luca as he returned from school:
Tuesday
A day of rest. I had my usual virtual coffee morning with pals Dan, Archie, Ken and Ahmed.
Wednesday - 15,000 + steps
Golf in the afternoon - that was enough exercise, but I did at least finally get an appointment to have my bloods taken - next Wednesday.
Thursday - 18,000 + steps
Golf again - this time at Drumoig in Fife - a big course, but such a beautiful day we didn't mind the long walk. In the evening it was our regular Zoom call with Barry, Helen and Dawn.
Friday - 14,000 + steps
The first time I'd used my bus pass since before we went to Australia in February. Taking advantage of the continuing sunshine, Colin and I headed to Ballater and took the circular walk up Craigendarroch, the plum pudding-like hill that overlooks the town. There wasn't a breath of wind at the top and even up there, the temperature was 20 C +:
A quick couple of beers then the bus home in good time for tea, followed by my usual Friday night Zoom call with our ex-footballers' group.
Saturday
Had to be a rest day. The only time I left the house was to go and get fish and chips for tea.
Sunday (today)
Another restful day but we took advantage of the continuing good weather and had our lunch out in the back garden.
The week ahead
Golf tomorrow at Aboyne and at Banchory on Wednesday but no other activities fixed at this time, although need to get back on the bike soon. Got the regular Tuesday morning and Wednesday evening (CAMRA) Zoom calls, followed by an interesting one on Thursday, when we'll be joined by cousins George & Susan and spouses for the first time - I think the last time I spoke to them was at Dad's funeral.
