Today is my 64th birthday, and I am not only celebrating that, but also 5 years of retirement from my teaching career. It doesn’t seem like five years ago that I left the university and set off on this path, not really knowing where I would end up, but I am so grateful and happy to be here.

To be able to explore places like Glen Etive, a walk a did a few weeks ago now, is truly wonderful. The walk up the valley is beautiful,  and the the Buachallie Etive Mór mountain is just so awe inspiring to see.

It is raining today, with a lot more forecast for the rest of the week, so I am going to spend a very happy day in, knitting another couple of reindeer for a fundraiser, and counting my blessings.

We are having a team social tomorrow, a games night and a Chinese, and tonight will be some tapas from the local Co op and a nice bottle of wine!

When I started this blog coming up for 19 years ago, I had no idea that I would end up here, living and working in Scotland, and having such an amazing life. My plans took an unexpected diversion six months in to blogging, and at that time the future looked very uncertain. 

However it has truly been wonderful last 18 years, if a little wobbly at times, and I am so blessed to be able to be here and enjoy all this wonder.

Last week, like most of the country, we were quite warm, and I went on two great walks.  I have wanted to do both of these for quite a while, they are only just five minutes from the campsite, but I was saving them for a great day.

The first was the footpath from Loch Achtriochtan to the Three Sisters mountains. This is one of the most iconic views of Glencoe, and as such it is virtually impossible to park anywhere near.

However,  there is a little car park, hidden from view, just off the main road, and from there you can walk to the mountains.

On my list is to park the other side and walk back towards them, another amazing set of views that I will show you later in the summer.

Not far from there is An Tor and Signal Rock, another National Trust for Scotland places. I had briefly visited with my friend on a walk along the Greenway, but wanted to go back and do the other trails.

There are three here, so I did the blue one to the rock, and the black one round the whole hill. The rock was apparently a clan meeting place and used to light warning beacons in the 1600s.

The walk starts with a river crossing and stunning views up the valley.

It was beautiful, although quite challenging and steep at times, especially in 25 degrees, but I made it to the rock, pictured below.

I truly love forest walks, there is something so magical about them, that sense of calm with the sun shining through, and mountains just visible through the trees. 

I still can’t believe I have been lucky enough to not only get this brilliant job, and to have had two such amazing sites to work at. Speyside last year was just so lovely, and Glencoe is beyond amazing. To see this every morning,  even on the wet ones, is truly magical.

Even the fact that it rains most of the time, I am often damp all day, doesn’t alter the fact that I am having a wonderful life.

I hope you are enjoying yourselves too, whatever you are doing. Take care and thanks for visiting.