Loch Loop is not an actual Loch but a cycle loop I did and named it that. Loch Tay is 15 miles long and you can drive all the way around it. We are on the north side which is the main road and the south side is a single track road with passing places.

Last year I wanted to bike all the way around it but didn’t get round to it so this year I was determined to do it. It’s not really my kind of biking being on the road, I don’t mind the single lane quiet back roads but main roads are not my cup of tea.

So I left early one morning when the traffic is less to do the full loop. I only saw about a dozen cars while doing the north side so I knew the south side would be quiet. You see the Loch from all different points and I realised how big it is and how far you have to go.

At the east end of the Loch I stopped for a photo and then carried on around to the south side. The road goes up and down so one minute you are at water level the next you are way above looking down with great views.

The whole bike ride was 34 miles with the last mile being up hill back to base. Maybe I should have done that bit first by going the other way round.

Tufty and Scrufty are the two red squirrels who are eating the food I put out for them like it’s going out of fashion. But it’s great to see them both out on the feeders just metres away from the camper. There is even a third one about sometimes.

I put peanuts in the feeders for them and also treat them to hazel nuts in their shells. They are clever because they take the hazelnuts and run off and bury them because they have shells on them they know they are safe buried. Then they go back for the peanuts and just eat them at the feeder. I did manage to get a photo of two of them but not got all three yet.

The other day Tufty was sharing with the woodpecker and luckily there is enough food for them both to enjoy.

On the Ben Lawers road they have built some walking paths and put in picnic benches so we decided to go and have a look. It’s not complete yet but there are still plenty of walks to do. We started to walk one ( red route) and It was too much for Nikki so she turned back while I went further on. I will go back another day and do a bigger walk.

I could see a bench in the distance so decided that was my return point and then I could meet back up with Nikki. I got to the bench, sat down taking in the view and then went back down to the car and phoned Nikki to see where she was. She was sat at another bench after her flat walk and took up the offer of me picking her up in the car as I passed by.

After picking Nikki up I suggested we carry on down the valley which was where I had been on my bike before and seen a herd of Highland coo’s. The valley drive is stunning and as we rounded a bend I could see the coo’s up ahead. I love these coo’s. There were some calves and also a bloody great big bull. As they were causing a road block, it was approach gently but I wanted to get some photos.

I put the car window down and had my camera ready as I drove past very close and got a photo, the coo just staring at me. I really wanted a photo of the Big bad bull so as we drove past he was wandering up the road with one of his wives so I stopped a short distance from him and her and got out the car, but left the door open in case I had to jump back in quickly and drive off. And got the photo I wanted. I was so happy with the photo and to me it was one of the best photos I have ever taken. And the big bad bull was not bothered with me at all.

We have had a hot spell, not as hot as down south but very nice and as we are under trees it’s been a really nice temperature so the bbq has been on overtime and a cold beer has been taken.

And on the subject of food I had a lovely pie for my tea the other day. A couple who are seasonals on site were telling me about this butchers shop where they live that does pound pies. I did them a favour the other day over and above my duty. I was just being helpful but they were really grateful and said they would get me one of these pound pies from their butcher’s.

Now excuse my ignorance but I started thinking about this pound pie. I was thinking it’s not going to be very big and what’s going to be in it for a pound. Maybe all the bits that fall on the floor and are swept up at the end of the day etc.

So I did some research and found out a pound pie is actually a Scottish pie that weighs a pound not costs a pound. I did laugh and yes it was big and yes I ate it all for my tea and yes it was a very nice steak and gravy pound pie.

After my Loch loop bike ride my bike speedo was on 1993 miles which is how many miles I have done on this bike since owning it. I wanted to get a photo of it saying 2000 so had to go out and do a short ride just so I could get that photo. And to make it extra nice I got the photo outside the Killin hotel which is a great place to eat and drink but it was too early this morning.

Another walk was called for followed by lunch. So we drove to Tay forest park and started our walk up hill. Nikki was having second thoughts but I persuaded her to carry on and I would buy her lunch. The walk was a loop and only about three and half miles but did include some uphills. But she was glad she did it.

The lunch stop was a knitting and craft shop with a cafe which Nikki wanted to have a look at. I just wanted the food part of it. We sat out side with a great view of fields and mountains which made the walk seem so much nicer. After lunch Nikki had a look around the shop while I waited outside.

The wild flowers on site are still popping up all over the site and in a tub by our compound are wild strawberries which Nikki keeps eating before the birds get them. We also have raspberry bushes which again Nikki goes and picks.

As I sit here typing this blog it is raining again heavily and is set for the next couple of days. I checked the weather this morning and it said yellow rain warning. Now I have been warned about eating yellow snow but never heard about yellow rain. I just imagine it means it will be pissing down.

Tomorrow marks the 7 weeks until we shut the site. We are starting to plan our winter trip and a big change is on the cards for us. Will tell you more as the weeks go by.