Gillian's Big Day Out

Weather early on Wednesday - rain and wind rattling the windows - was enough to make you huddle back under the duvet, but surprisingly 5 Cosmics + 1 + a dog met up as planned at Invercauld.  After Gillian had distributed the patent GC* rose-tinted glasses it   was fine and we set off up the track on mountain bikes, then on foot up the narrower path.   A  steep climb onto the plateau - here it really was a bit anti-social with wind, rain and hail - a final plod, then the summit Tor of Ben Avon loomed out of the mist.   The top is impressive even without visibility, but we didn't stay long.  A sudden clearance as we regained the main track gave a great view and with a real sense of achievement we sped down the hill - even faster once reunited with the bikes.  There was significantly more water on the descent than there had been going up.  It was still raining as we drove away.  We topped off the day with a swim, sauna, jacuzzi etc and dinner at the Craigendarroch so we were warm and clean, but it was STILL raining even as we arrived back in Aberdeen.  Thank you very much to Gillian for organising a great day, despite the weather!   Anita

New Saturday run - Shooting Greens to Forest of Birse (and back)

The maestro himself - Gary Gutteridge - was, after all, there in person to lead us on the route.  This was probably just as well, it might have taken a while to navigate some parts even with good maps.    It was a beautiful day with lovely views of the hills as 10 Cosmics and two dogs set off.  The route went over Glack's hill then some lovely grassy tracks over Tom's Cairn then down to the road and the Finzean Memorial (also a standing stone), over the road found us in thicker forest, some very boggy bits and here we really needed our leader, then track down to the Birse road (we made a detour up another small hill) - then back again.    Gary saw the back end of a Capercaille, we all enjoyed a fine sociable run in the sunshine, followed by tea and cakes back at the cars.    Depending on whose GPS you believed we'd done about 12.5 miles, and although it had taken 2 and a half hours or so, Bob at least had only been moving for 2 hrs 5min.   Thank you Gary for a great morning. Anita

Moonlit Run - The Giant of Clach na Ben

Monday 5th October Moonlit run - The Giant of Clach na Ben   This was the first of Matt's intriguing programme of Moonlit runs for this season.  Fortunately the rain that spattered the windscreen on the way out went off, and the 14 who converged at the quarry car park set off in dry if cloudy conditions.  It was still light enough for some to manage the ascent without the aid of a torch.  Tom was doing a good job of being a lighthouse on top of the Tor, though as I neared the top a large rock loomed very like a giant and I was tempted to employ some illumination.   The wind seemed chill at the top and one quickly cooled off, so Matt related the story of the Giant of Clach na Ben to a Cosmic huddle among the rocks.  The descent was uneventful - most took it carefully.  Gary gets the prize for the biggest  torch - of course in the dark someone approaching with a torch in hand among the head mounted ones looked like a midget!   It was a very sociable run with plenty of stops to regroup, then it was off to the Derbar in Banchory for a well earned curry.  On the way there the moon came out in all her glory!  Thanks to Matt for a very good evening. Anita