A' o' a sudden earrach haes arrived!

We wake – the entire world has been tipped on its axis – it is SPRING – spring has sprung – yesterday it was winter – today it is spring – gone the thermal underwear – gone the thermal over-jackets! – people have changed overnight – gone the sullen visages – faces smile – voices cheery – trees laugh as they sprout their new leaves – paddocks that were green become greener – sheep that were white become whiter - the bluebells say hello - the daffodils the only ones with sad faces – their time to shine is coming to an end!

Time to renew the medications – an expletive fills the hotel room – the additional medications missing from the case – off in search of pharmacist – easy – easy – show the packet of the missing medication – a troubled look on her face – “we will have to charge you a little extra since you do not have a prescription” says she – 6 pounds later I walk out beaming - the replacements in my hand! – oh how I wish for the same service in Australia.

We photograph a tiny sample of the walkers setting out to conquer the West Highland Way to Fort William - perhaps they will be the next tired and footsore guests that occupy our room at the Ben Nevis Guesthouse in Fort William.

We photograph the shop – the hotel - the town - everyone enjoying spring.

Towards the Queen Elizabeth Nature Park.

A delightful walk to the waterfalls – past the imitation bumbles bees!

Past signs announcing the deeds of Earrach (look that up on Google!).

Past Bernie feeding the rather tame deer

Arrive at the waterfalls – get photobombed by the flying aerialist –

Past Bernie photographing the arrival of her beloved bluebells – no longer does she need to ask her hosts where she can she bluebells

Past Bernie lying down to photograph the trees

Wander back towards the Lodge

Coffee in the Lodge – a pleasant – pleasant – pleasant morning.

Back to the hotel – photograph the Lancias – the Fluvias – the Stratos – Scottish car fanatics the same as car fanatics anywhere in the world - Bernie shows her preference for Ferrari over Lancia.

Into the bar – sit and listen and listen and listen to a group of young Scots just returned for a walk for charity – so intrigued with their conversation that we cannot resist making a contribution to their collection.

This is certainly spring – we return to our hotel room – we look at the patio that yesterday we deemed as a joke – today we use it to bask I the sun – to photograph the holly and the ivy!