11 May - Mountaineers

We had a big disappointment on Saturday as we headed north for the first camp trip of the season. 5 miles short of Blair Atholl, our destination, the car came to a very abrupt halt and refused to go any further. We were sat at the side of the road when we should have been exploring, biking and walking. The only good thing was it wasn't raining.
The mechanic arrived and the casr was going no-where soon. Full marks to green flag who had us loaded up and back home within 2 hrs. Has that ever happened to you? There seems to be something really embarressing about arriving back in the village on the back of a tow truck. The disappointment was soon forgotten as we set off for bowling and a McDonalds (that sorted it for the kids anyway)

Back to the outdoors bit. Sunday, we headed up to Dollar, one of our favourite local spots. We walked from the town to the west side of the Glen. we reached Castle Campbell after a bit over an hour. We planned to do a small loop above the castle but it was one of those days that the girls had spotted a hill and decided they were going to get to the top. I shouldn't be surprised but to be fair there is often a fair bit of complaining. Today they practically ran up and made it to the top of Bank Hill, fantastic. The trip down was great; icecream and a look round the castle, rolling down the hill and counting bugs.

28 April - More Ochils Adventures

I dragged my dad out on a very wet day to head into our local hills and practise some navigation, timing, pacing (all that stuff they are going to throw at you on the ML assessment). He is the only person I thought wouldn't complain with wondering around the hills with no specific purpose other than finding streams, cairns and trig points. Bill if you are reading this I remember you writing recently how much you had enjoyed getting back out into your local area and rediscovering it. I have really enjoyed a few trips into the Ochils recently (again today with the girls that will appear in a blog soon). They are not the highest or grandest hills but there is something about them being on your doorstep and often with access through picturesque areas like Dollar Glen.

25 April - Training Day

I have been lucky enough to get out on 2 training days that the Outdoor Ed team ran for the Ranger service. The aim is 2 wildlife paddle trips later in the summer, open to the public, and combining the technical skills of the instructors with the specific knowledge about the area and the wildlife that the rangers have. It is a great example of the 2 services combining their skills and making available a really fun and informative trip. I hope it proves popular.

23 April - Evening paddle

I've got a bit of catching up to do on the blog so not to much chat and on with the action. Work has been busy and there have been plenty of other things to do and weddings to go to etc. The wednesday evening paddle with the Forth Sea Kayak club is always a great way to wind down after a day at work. There is usually a really good group out and planty to chat about while out on the water. This was a really pleasant evening a few weeks ago with the Abbey on Inchcolm as a backdrop.

20 April - Sunday Afternoon Stroll

The activity recently has definitely be on the leisurely side of "active" but as this blog is just about getting out and enjoying Scotlands fresh air and wide open spaces everythin counts even a sunday afternoon stroll in the woods (followed by a cup of tea and sticky bun)
Watch this space for more adventure coming soon!

19 April - Bike around the Loch

Todays big challenge was biking round Loch Ore. This was a first for all of us. Eilidh hitched a lift with me as her bike was connected to mine, she seems to enjoy that and loves it when I stop pedaling and she powers us both along. Beth pedalled like crazy to get her single speed, small wheeled bike the 4 miles around the Loch. It was a great morning and the carrot at the end was the playpark which is conveniently placed right at the end of the bike track.

15 April - Team Development

This is one of the bonuses of working in the Outdoors. Development time can include fun times like jumping on mountain bikes and heading out for the afternoon. Ok there was a purpose - we were heading out to one of our regular trails to check out some new routes and the general condition of the runs. We also shared some ideas on best tracks to use and how best to manage groups of various ability. All useful stuff but really good fun. This development afternoon was like a tranquil haven in the midst of an otherwise hectic and difficult week.