Late summer/early autumn outings

We're told that it's now officially Autumn but the weather is holding fair for cycling trips. The Monday trip to Finzean via Hill of Goauch this week was described by Mountain Mike as "tortuous":

Jack Simpson, Iain Wright, Mike Reilly, John McWhinnie, Hugh Riches, Dick Taylor, John Perry, John Morton & Les Gray

The distance covered was 35 kms with 531 m of climbing.

Thursday morning's planned early morning start for the "cultural" trip in to Aberdeen was sparsely attended - partly due to some over-celebrations at the golf club the evening before. John P provided the match report:

"This report is a bit ‘late to the ball’, but Dick, Ian Sh and myself had a really good explore in Aberdeen from the beach and along the Don, then back via Old Aberdeen. I think we all found places we didn’t know about, the sun was out and a very pleasant cycle evolved as we nosed our way around.

We headed-off by 'cruising the prom’ joining all the beautiful people along the beach front! First ‘surprise’ was discovering the Brig o’Balgownie over the Don. Cobblestones, a picturesque bit of river and an antique (toll) bridge. We then headed back towards Seaton Park and wound our way up river; including crossing the new bridge and using plenty of dedicated cycle routes. Ian knew of Grandholm, the mill and the bridges, I think primarily through his Bancon connection. By the time we reached the Bridge of Don, past Tesco we turned and headed back towards Seaton Park.

On a stretch of boardwalk by the Don before we returned to the park, a photographer was pointing his zoom lens at the river and it transpired that he had been taking shots of the otter in the river for most of the morning. He also had a fine shot of a kingfisher and assured us that sometimes seals make there way up river. Autumnwatch eat your heart out!

The idea was to explore Old Aberdeen a bit and we went into St Machar’s Cathedral and then via the old cobble streets to the High Street. By this time Dick’s tongue was hanging out for a cup of coffee and on the High Street is a creditable coffee shop, Kilau’s. There is a small courtyard at the back and by the time we had imbibed their rocket fuel, it was time to have a look inside the University Library. Again, although familiar to me, it was a surprise to Dick and Ian just what the inside looks like; a green glass box on the outside, but a multi-leveled, curved in form, atrium on the inside.

Passing King’s College chapel we headed back via Pittodrie to the southern end of the beach. There was still time to take-in Footdee, which is itself a delightful area of fisherman’s cottages.

Not a mega-ride, but definitely different and plenty of interest with still some to do, like the Botanic Garden, King’s College Chapel and the Council Chamber at the university."

John also supplied the route map and Dick the photos:

Dick Taylor, Ian Sharp & John Perry

The total distance was 22 kms with just 126 m of climbing.

A more sensible "10 o'clock Trundle" to Drum was better attended:

Ian Stewart, Ken Page, John McWhinnie (rear), Jack Simpson & Scott Hunter

A journey of 36 kms with 206 m of climbing.

Elsewhere, Mike and John M have been back over the Cairn again. The distances and heights this pair are travelling are incredible. Good work, guys, but I certainly won't be joining you on any of these monster trips!