Well the season is nearly over for us. The time has flown by and I can’t believe we will soon be leaving this stunning area.

But we will be back next year. It’s going to be an exciting six months off. We plan to visit friends and family along the way. We will do a lot of miles and before we know it we will be back up in Scotland.

A couple of weeks ago Killin hosted the Highland Games on a Wednesday which was nice of them to have it on our day off. All the small towns and villages seem to have their own Highland Games. A lot of planning goes into it and then it’s such a shame when on the day the rain appears.

The morning of the games was raining so we held off going until lunchtime when it brightened up. It was just showers then in between the rain. Even the weather did not put people off and it was well supported which was great.

The sound of bagpipes was in the air, the smell of different food stalls, and the shouts of joy as the big men in kilts were flinging a 22lb hammer as far as they could. There was Scottish dancing and a race up the mountain behind the park.

To walk up the mountain would take about an hour to an hour and half but the winner of the race on the day was up and down in about twenty minutes.

The guys doing the hammer throwing have big spikes on the front of their boots which they dig into the ground to stop them falling over when they swirl the hammer around their heads and then launch it.

We met some friends there and had to check out the beer tent with them. All was ok. I was really pleased it was well supported and look forward to going again next year.

I was without my bike for a week as it was in for a service and needed some new parts which had to be ordered but all was good. I just don’t understand how a mountain bike can cost as much as a car to service, but then it’s a very good bike and does get a good hammering when I ride it. I had to take it out on a test ride the day after getting it back just to make sure it was working ok. And yes it was.

So let’s talk about the weather. This year has been a very wet one as confirmed by the locals and the Scottish folk who have stayed on site this season. We have only had three BBQ’s and not really sat outside much. While other parts of the country are basking in hot weather we are putting an extra layer on as the temperatures have also been down. Last Sunday we had a BBQ with a view and the whole day was glorious. Then on the following morning we had thunder and lighting and rain which was just like a tropical storm. Let’s hope we have a good September.

On part of the site there is a very wet wooded bit, and while walking around there the other morning I spotted some very colourful mushrooms. Doing a bit of research and talking to someone on site I discovered they were Chanterelle mushrooms and very sought after by foragers. So next year I will be looking out for them again and having some in a meal now I know how to tell the good from the bad.

On the rainy days at work I have been hiding in my workshop and building some nest boxes. I have made six out of any old bits of wood I could find. The birds don’t care if it’s odd wood and different sizes, they are just happy for somewhere to bring up a family in the dry. I will be putting these out next week so they are ready for inspection and hopefully will be used next year. Will keep you posted.

We also have a pair of swallows nesting in my tractor shed which is nice. They make a lot of mess but worth it to see them flying in and out with mouthfuls of food. It amazes me how the young will leave the nest and then fly off to South Africa for the winter and then come back to the same area. How do they know the way. Nature is fantastic.

This morning after a very wet few days I went out early to the other end of the village where the falls of Dochart are knowing that the river is going to be flowing well. The river Dochart goes under the bridge that you drive over as you come into Killin.

At this time of year being August you would think that it’s summer and not much water about so there would just be a small flow of water from the river so not much for the tourists to see.

Well the tourists are certainly getting their moneys worth this summer with the river in full flow and the falls looking very impressive. Even when we arrived in March there was not as much water flowing as there is now.

The sound was also amazing as there was no traffic about because it was just after 7am. The things I do to bring you photos like this. Also spotted a Heron checking out a calmer spot for his breakfast. Hope he got what he wanted.

I expect there will be a lot of photos of the falls taken today and as I type this the rain has started again and is forecast for tomorrow also. So I could be going up to the falls again and see if it’s got any higher.

So that’s us up to date. We are back to work tomorrow and as the leaves start to change colour and the bracken starts to change colour and we go into our last three weeks of work the rain still keeps coming. Anyone got an umbrella.

Bike rides. As you know I love my mountain biking but due to my injury last year I have not been as active as I would like. My fitness levels are nowhere near to what they normally are. The pain is still there and although I think about going to the bike parks I just know my shoulders would not take it.

So every time I go out on my bike it’s for short rides on the back roads and forest tracks so nothing too serious. But still enjoyable just being out on my bike.

One ride a couple of weeks ago which I had checked out on google involved over 2500ft of elevation, that made the legs scream and burn I can tell you. But the stunning views as you climb higher and higher and the silence and the fact I didn’t see anyone makes it all worth while.

On the way back from this ride I spotted a Haggis, honest it was a real one. Not very often seen but regularly eaten by the Scot’s. I pedalled a bit faster to get by but I am sure I heard it growl at me.

Further on I passed a farm and in the field next to the farm house was one of the biggest bulls I have ever seen. He was just chilling out and relaxing and by the amount of cows in the field with him I could see why he needed a rest.

I get up early in the morning and sit looking on my iPad and looking out the window at the birds on the feeders having their breakfast and along comes the squirrel to have his.

As I opened the blinds on this morning the sun was coming up and it was misty and the light coming through the trees just looked so nice. Never one to miss a photo opportunity I went out as these situations disappear as quick as they appear.

After that beautiful start to the day it was time to take the camper out for a drive. Not the sort of drive I like because it meant driving to Stirling, nothing wrong with that it’s a nice drive but our destination was ATS tyre depot. After getting there and handing over the camper to them. An hour and half later the camper had six new tyres and I was £1400 poorer.

So after getting back to base and parking up I decided we needed a pick you up and we wandered off across the fields to get to Killin and sat in the garden of the Killin hotel in the sun with a drink or two and then ordered some food which we also ate outside in the sun. What a great way to end the day.

Last week we ticked another to do off our list and on our day off went and walked the Ben Lawers nature trail. Again it was another nice day and we parked up and hiked up the trail. It’s only a short walk but it goes up and up. Nikki’s little legs will vouch for this but the views are stunning as you walk up through the bracken and different flowers and the streams are cascading down along the way.

After getting back to the car we decided to drive up by the dam and have our picnic. We knew of a really nice spot. It was windy but worth the short drive and down a very bumpy dirt track to sit there with a view like that and eat our lunch. We carry some cheap basic chairs in the car for moments like this.

The next day I went out on my bike again, heading for Breaclaich reservoir about 5 miles away and along a single track road that went up and up and then up some more. Again the legs were burning but I got there.

But I could see the track went on further and the tarmac stopped so I just had to go up some more. Legs pumping and burning, lungs gasping for air I got to the point I wanted to get to and just sat there looking at the view and thinking I am on top of the world.

From there it was all down hill back to the reservoir and then a sharp left turn into the forest, some more up hills and more downhill then the last mile up hill back to base.

It was only a 16 mile ride but again with 2274ft of elevation. The rest of the day was spent chilling with a BBQ and beer. I slept well that night.