Walks Blog – Dec 2018 – The Mack Walks

Happy Hogmanay 2018 …!
Happy Hogmanay to our facebook friends and family, and very best wishes for good health and happiness in 2019 …😊😘
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/jCFBSJ , 31st December, 2018

One Leopard Leaping …!
Checking out the city centre, old and new, with our visitor … 😊💙
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/ifzZH3 , 30th December, 2018

Sunny Stanehive …!
Showing Aberdeenshire off to Barrie on his annual road trip up north from deepest Yorkshire. A beautiful day in Stonehaven … as always it seems … 😁💙
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/LbSXmz , 28th December, 2018

Fog in the Park …
Hello freezing fog. It’s been a while. Brrrr … 😊
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/YkrRex , 27th December, 2018

Walk (046) Newtonhill-Burn of Muchalls Ramble (Aberdeenshire)
This invigorating coastal walk provides some spectacular views of cliffs, headlands, and outstanding stone sea stacks, standing tall amongst the swirling waves. A good walk to blow away any festive cobwebs … 😃
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/3Ssh52 , 26th December, 2018

Happy Christmas 2018 …!
To all our Facebook friends and family, wherever you are, we wish you a very happy Xmas … 😊 xx
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/MX3y2w , 24th December, 2018

A Bridge is Reported Missing …!
A few more of Alison’s photos from today’s walk … including where the OS map shows a footbridge over the Burn of Muchalls … but there is no longer one there … which … unsurprisingly … marked the point where we turned back on our route …! 😃
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/n18rxh , 22nd December, 2018

Disappearing Paths and Bridges …!
Route-finding between Newtonhill and Bridge of Muchalls earlier today, the “finding” didn’t come easy….! But, my, what a coastline … 😊💙
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/WE7iac , 22nd December, 2018

Stonehaven War Memorial Walk …
Scenes on a winter’s day … 😊
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/vcVbRX , 22nd December, 2018

A Special Night at the Marine Hotel, Stonehaven …
A room with a view for the birthday girl. Thank you John Mackenzie 😁✨
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/Y81uV9 , 21st December, 2018

Walk (045) Stonehaven-Cowie Chapel Ramble (Aberdeenshire)
This is a very varied walk around and about the coastal town of Stonehaven, sampling its distinctive character and charm. A particular focal point on the route is the evocative cliff-top ruin of a 13th Century chapel known as St Mary of the Storms. The subsequent tour of the town culminates with a memorable view from the Bervie Braes of the pretty harbour, quirky Auld Toon, and sweeping, crescent-shaped bay … 😃
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/VUmqRR , 19th December, 2018

Summer and Winter Scenes in Stonehaven …
No prizes for guessing which of these photos were taken at Stonehaven in mid-summer – and which were taken on yesterday’s walk …! 😎❄️😉
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/7ARxEe , 16th December, 2018

A Day for the Thermals …!
We walked a good 9 kms near and around Stonehaven today. Up on the Cowie cliffs we were treated to gale-force winds and windchill of -3 degrees C, so when I say “good” … 😂
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/fXTNxe , 15th December, 2018

Washed Out Winterland …
It’s a wintry and almost colourless park these mornings. How different to only a few weeks ago. The changing of the seasons for sure … 😁💙
Alison’s Facebook post: , 14th December, 2018

An Evening Out …
A winter’s evening in Old Aberdeen. And a quick stop off at the pub … 😊
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/zLcSA2 , 12th December, 2018

Bovines and Bennachie …
Highland coos and the Mither Tap … 😁💙 #coosday
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/U28Yh9 , 11th December, 2018

Walk (044) Kirkton of Bourtie-Hill of Barra Return (Aberdeenshire)
This is a short but satisfying walk to the summit of the Hill of Barra. Barra is a low hill but has a marvellous view from the top towards the Bennachie range, and sweeping open views of the fertile Garioch farmland all around. The summit area is impressive, comprising of three levels of earth and stone ramparts from an Iron Age fort … 😀
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/7DYBq6 ,10th December, 2018

Time Flies …!
So our time with Lady Lou is coming to an end. Her own folks are winging their way over the Atlantic and, in a few short hours, it’ll be like they’ve never been away … 😊💙
#LadyLou #rescuedogsrock — in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire.
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/gzPN6K , 9th December, 2018

Not Without Trying …!
Day 19. Mr Fox is still in one piece …! 😳😂
#trulyindestructible #LadyLou
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/h8qdyw , 8th December, 2018

(043) Monymusk-River Don-Clyan’s Dam Circular (Aberdeenshire)
This is a short but scenic walk from the interesting little village of Monymusk through mature woodlands, along the banks of the River Don, and by the pretty loch at Clyan’s Dam. There are good views of the Bennachie and Mennaway Hills, especially from the riverside …

A Walk with Jack Frost …
Clear blue skies and a nip in the air yesterday, walking along the River Don, and by Clyan’s Dam, near Monymusk …😀
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/6BsNCm , 5th December, 2018

Lost And Found …!
J and the speediest dog in Inverurie spent a good part of our walk yesterday looking for a lost ball. Great views, though … 😂
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/nVsnTY , 4th December, 2018

A Widdie is a Wood – Ye Ken …!
Yesterday from Dr Danny Gordon’s Widdie [by Inverurie] … 💙
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/SrfF7a , 4th December, 2018

Frozen Fingers …
At -2 C, the gloves were on for this morning’s walk. For us, the first proper frost of the winter … 😊
Alison’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/6LX9A1 , 2nd December, 2018

Lady Lou in Pictures …
We’ve just passed the half-way mark in our dog-sitting “holiday” in Inverurie. Although the weather hasn’t always been the best, it’s been great fun each and every day – and Lady has been … well … the perfect lady (most of the time!). It’s Lady’s birthday today, so here’s a little slideshow with some selected photos of her from the last couple of weeks … 😀
John’s Facebook post: https://goo.gl/JQmkEs , 1st December, 2018
Click here: http://bit.do/eCNoT [Updated to last day, 9th Dec, 2018]