Day Two - Loch Morlich

After looking at pictures of beautiful Loch Morlich on the internet, I had decided I wanted to visit. It was within walking distance from Aviemore and back, so on Tuesday morning I packed some sandwiches and Sybil's tennis ball and we set off at around half past eight. The walk there was beautiful, along a forest path which unfortunately ran too close to the road to let Sybil off the lead.

Rothiemurchus

Between the trees you could see the mountains, and when there were no cars going past all you could hear was birdsong. Chaffinches in particular were everywhere. The weather had changed since the day before, and a refreshing fine drizzle was coming down. The rain had caught in thousands of spider webs all along the path, in gorse, heather and even in the trees, making them sparkle and even for an arachnophobe like me, really quite beautiful.

Just some of the thousands of webs in the forest

After about an hour and a half, we finally arrived at Loch Morlich where I was promptly attacked by midges. The day was overcast and the loch probably didn't look as outstanding as it did under clear skies; however I didn't mind as this meant that fewer people were visiting the loch. I played ball with Sybil until she destroyed it, which took all of five minutes. She keeps the ball in her mouth and chews on it until it splits in the middle; quite why she does this I don't know as the ball is not half as much fun to play with.

Loch Morlich

Watersports at Loch Morlich

I heard a cuckoo calling from the trees somewhere around the loch - only the second cuckoo I have ever heard. On the way back I was also in for a treat as I looked up to see a red squirrel peering at me from a tree at the side of the road. Unfortunately I'd put my camera back in my rucksack, and before I could reach for it the squirrel ran off, chased by another one through the trees.

After a rest back at the cabin, Sybil and I set off for our evening walk to Craigellachie. Halfway around the path, she suddenly bolted off into the undergrowth. I shouted her back as I didn't want her disturbing any wildlife but wasn't too worried as she normally disappears for a couple of minutes only to come and check I'm still there. However, after about ten minutes had passed I started shouting her name louder, and climbed up a little hill to see green everywhere - but no Sybil. I really started to panic now as about fifteen minutes had passed and I still could not hear the jingle of her collar or the pounding of her feet. Eventually though she reappeared, slinking up behind me with her ears down expecting to be told off. Instead I gave her a massive cuddle with tears in my eyes, as with the reserve being so big and having a busy road at the side of it, I was scared that something terrible could have happened. I clipped her lead back on and needless to say, she didn't get much off-lead time the next day as I found the large amounts of rabbits around were just too tempting for her to chase.  

Sybil