There is a magical place about a 30 minute drive from Dundee in a town called Edzell. It is along the Blue Door walk along the North Esk River. Fabulous, particularly because I had brilliant sunshine and blue sky the whole time. Another incredibly lucky weather day. :)
So the joys of this walk begin at the blue door (it is aptly named as you literally walk through this small blue door in a red stone wall to begin). It truly feels like the door transports you to this magical place - it's so tranquil on the other side of the door :). You're immersed in sounds of birds chirping, water cascading over small falls and autumn leaves russling in the wind. Glorious! The fall colors were starting to make a strong appearance and the river was carrying along a bunch of yellow leaves both at and below the surface. The water was so clear you could see a good distance into the water and it was mesmerizing to watch. I spent 45 minutes journaling by the river after exploring along the path. Such a peaceful, lovely day. And although the sun was shining, the air was actually the coldest it's been yet so I warmed myself up after with a tea, butter bean and red pepper soup and baked potato with veggie chili. Marvelous!!
Yesterday I went to Glenclova for a hike and ended up hiking two munros!! So exciting!! A munro is the term for a mountain in Scotland that is greater than 3000 feet. There are 282 of them. How cool would it be to do all of them?? They have a special term for hiking munros: "bagging" munros. HA! I'd love to "bag" them all but will have to settle for 3 for now. :) My only one so far had been Ben Nevis last January and yesterday I was super excited to do TWO!!! Everything just lined up perfectly to make it a magnificent day.
In the parking lot before starting I met a lovely gentleman who informed me that there were two munros very close to each other on this hike. I was only aware of one and didn't have a map so resigned myself to the fact that although there was a second one nearby, I'd just have to live without it. BUT at the summit of the first one (Driesh), for which a park ranger had given me great directions, I met a couple with a map who described a loop trail possibility and pointed out the second munro (Mayar), riiiiiight nearby. :) It was a race against impending, malicious-looking clouds, because at the top of Driesh I had brilliant views but could also see some darkly ominous clouds approaching quickly with the heavy winds. Unfortunately I did not make it to the summit of Mayar before the clouds, but I did make it to the summit (the essential) and met a couple, who turned out to be fellow WWOOFers in the process!! Fabulous! So fun and random! We chatted for about 20 minutes and they also had a map and helped me make sure I was heading the right direction for my loop trail. It was wonderful!! I got to hike down through Corrie Fee National Nature Reserve and along a waterfall for a lovely picnic. Another magnificent day! Oh how I love Scotland!
Tomorrow, though, off to Dublin!! Seeing my favorite family I WWOOFed with last year and to explore Cork and the southeast of Ireland. Tonight, one last hoorah in Edinburgh with dinner at my favorite vegetarian restaurant, David Bann, and live traditional folk music at my favorite pub, the Sandy Bells. SOOOOOO EXCITED!!!
Wow!! Sounds like you are making the most of this trip :)
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