It's all gone now.

The thaw/freeze cycle has been won by the thaw. Yesterday the tarmaced paths in our local neck of the woods (10m above sealevel) were as icy as Striding Edge in winter. Some Microspikes would have been handy (footy?) yesterday.

More snow

A warmfront is closing in tomorrow. That means more snow today.
The walking wasn't difficult. The Spanderswoud is a mixed wood with broadleafs and conifers. Here you see a typical beechlane in this 213 hectares sized naturereserve. Originally created during the 19th century by a 'nouveau riche' landowner a lot of the wood was (illegally) used for heating by the locals during the Second World War. After WWII a lot of trees have been replanted and in the 1980's local authorities decided to let it grow back to it's 'natural' status. In reality that means creating or preserving what the owners think is natural. A lot of American Oak have been cut down rigorously because 'they don't belong here'.
Not my definition of natural.

Winter arrived last week

Last week winter arrived early in Holland and today I had the first opportunity for a little stroll. It's -5 C. today but the strong wind makes a windchill of -15 C.. My Paramo Alta jacket was very good in keeping out the wind and the cold. Only my fingers were freezing.

As you can see there are still autumnleaves hanging on. They make a colourfull contrast with the snow.

Our dog Atilla doesn't mind the cold. He's a crossbreed between Alsatian and Mastino Espagnol so his genes are used to it.

Autumn

A picture taken earlier this autumn. We've seen brilliant colours for two weeks but only a couple of days were blessed with sunshine. I didn't have the opportunity to get out with my camera during the best period and the rain and first storm of the season has flushed it all away by now.   

Funghii

vliegenzwam



koraalzwam



I'm bad in remembering names and I'm certainly no funghii expert so if someone can help me with the names just let me know (dutch/english/latin). We've had a warm spring and a wet summer and the amount and variety of funghii is enormous. Species that are seldom seen are found. All the pictured funghii are found in mixed woods with oak, birch, beech, chestnut, rowan trees, larch, pine and other broadleafs and conifers. 



porceleinzwam



Wednesday May 12 : Loch Lomond & Sealife

We stayed at the Loch Lomond Youth Hostel, a lovely castle on the westbank of bonny Loch Lomond. A place where a lot of Scottish children had their first YH experience. At the 'border' between Highland and Lowland the hillwalking was now over. In the morning we visited the eastshore of Loch Lomond, a popular spot for summerparties, barbeques, swimming and watersports.

We didn't have a bbq but what's more fun than starting a fire ? We're no exception. Good weather, a nice fire. A perfect morning for a father and his son.

In the afternoon we went to the SeaLife aquarium in Balloch, at the southern end of Loch Lomond. It's a modern aquarium with lots of glas that gives you a feeling of 'being in touch' with the fish.

 It's a good thing the water of Loch Lomond is too cold for this Blacktip (?) shark....

....or is there more beneath the surface of Britains largest sweetwater lake than we know ?

Tomorrow we'll be visiting Jimmy and drive back to Newcastle to catch the ferry to IJmuiden. 

Tuesday May 11 : to the foot of The Cobbler

Another mixed day with a lot of sunshine and wintry showers. We drove south to Arrochar and parked the car at the start of the concrete staircase. I had been to the Cobbler about ten years ago with my Scottish friend Jimmy from Paisley. He was supposed to join us today but he had to stay back home to collect next of kin from Manchester airport. Their flight was delayed for many days because of the eruption of an Icelandic volcano and the ashcloud that came with it.

Ten years ago we started our walk alongside the Buttermilk Burn and on our return used the concrete staircase. Today I thought it was the best option to start at the concrete staircase. How wrong I was. There's no such thing as a 'staircase' anymore and the climb turned out to be very tiring for Gillean. Had I known beforehand that an easygoing forestpath had been made I would have chosen that option.

After reaching the path that leads to the Narnain boulders and subsequently the foot of The Cobbler walking was much easier but the effort to climb the concrete staircase had taken its toll on Gillean.

We eventually reached the foot of The Cobbler and even ascended onethird but Gillean's battery was empty. I tried to convince him he could overcome his tiredness mentally but agreed with his decision to turn around. We were close but there will allways be another time.

The hot shower and soft beds in the YH were very welcome.