Autumn Trip to Gran Canaria (aka Helmsdale, Sutherland)

[kateincornwall]

Happy Chilling Day , love those wood carvings x

 

[Sophiedoodle]

Some more pics x

 

[HAH]

Fantastic photos, looks like you’re having a super time. Those colours are incredible x

 

[chrisc831]

Enjoying this trip so much Thankyou.

 

[Granca]

Looks a really interesting place for an autumn walk. I love the sculptures, although the spider montage is a bit creepy!

 

[Sophiedoodle]

I think we need one of these chairs at home Oreo was drawn to it immediately!

 

[Stacia]

Thank you both for the super photos, I feel as if I have been away on holiday. The carvings are interesting and fun.

 

[Oberon]

Enjoying this a lot! Thank you!

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Wow, what a great walk in the forest - I loved all the little things to discover. I'd even brave the scary trees to go explore in there. Thank you for taking us along on your walks.

 

[Naya]

Looks like an amazing place to chill and spend time with family and dogs. A much deserved break for you all x

 

[Jacqui-S]

Today's route took in Bettyhill up on the North Coast as well as Melvich Beach and Forsinard blanket bog.


We did a bit of geocaching on the way. The morning was beautiful, and going up the River Helmsdale we had the company of a very fast jet from RAF Lossiemouth - too fast to catch on camera.


The River Helmsdale is one of the most important breeding grounds for North Atlantic Salmon.

At one of our Geocaching spots there was this structure.


These are apparently dotted all over the UK about 15miles apart. It is a Royal Observer Corps bunker from the Cold War and apparently houses up to 3 people who would monitor radioactive fallout from an atomic bomb and along with weather data would help predict radioactive risk over the UK. Who knew.....?

The scenery is quite bleak but really beautiful. We didn't see much apart from deer and sheep.

A large herd of deer! @Sophiedoodle Had the big camera and a fab close up.

 

[Sophiedoodle]

Here are a couple of photos I took on dads camera of the deer..... absolutely stunning creatures and all the better for seeing them in the wild!

Then another photo from my phone...

 

[Jacqui-S]

The Girls got a good run at Melvich Beach. It was quite windy, a good surf day. Lots of spume!
It was quieter around the corner where the river met the beach.


I love pebbles on the beach



We stopped here on the way back down south at this beautiful little river. Looked perfect. (Another geocache)



Another stop at Forsinard Flows which is a large "blanket bog" and of natural importance for plant and bird life.
We walked out on the boardwalk to a viewpoint, then back on the older slabbed pathway. We kept our feet dry (not so much Lilly).



From the top of the viewpoint. Weather closing in a little.



Now back in front of the wood burner, wondering how to keep it alight

 

[Candy]

The Girls got a good run at Melvich Beach. It was quite windy, a good surf day. Lots of spume!
It was quieter around the corner where the river met the beach.
View attachment 19476View attachment 19477View attachment 19478

I love pebbles on the beach

View attachment 19479

We stopped here on the way back down south at this beautiful little river. Looked perfect. (Another geocache)

View attachment 19480

Another stop at Forsinard Flows which is a large "blanket bog" and of natural importance for plant and bird life.
We walked out on the boardwalk to a viewpoint, then back on the older slabbed pathway. We kept our feet dry (not so much Lilly).

View attachment 19481

From the top of the viewpoint. Weather closing in a little.
View attachment 19482
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Now back in front of the wood burner, wondering how to keep it alight

Don't overload it to start with, let a good red glow build up and add little and often. If you put too much on too soon it takes the heat away from the core of the fire and it goes out. Keep the draught at the bottom fully open to start with as well. Once you have built up to a really steady reliable red glow you can chuck loads of logs on, leave the draught open until they're burning well, then gradually close the draught down but not quite completely. This will reduce the speed at which you get through fuel at the same time kicking out some good heat.
Here endeth the lesson. Good luck!

 

[Jacqui-S]

Don't overload it to start with, let a good red glow build up and add little and often. If you put too much on too soon it takes the heat away from the core of the fire and it goes out. Keep the draught at the bottom fully open to start with as well. Once you have built up to a really steady reliable red glow you can chuck loads of logs on, leave the draught open until they're burning well, then gradually close the draught down but not quite completely. This will reduce the speed at which you get through fuel at the same time kicking out some good heat.
Here endeth the lesson. Good luck!

Lol thanks, will see how we get on, clearly not got the knack of this one!

 

[Lisa]

Fantastic! Love the pics. How wonderful that someone went to the trouble to put all those fun surprises in the woods! Love the deer pics, magnificent! Sometimes bleak scenery is just the thing...I love the thought of just deer and sheep for company on an open moor...

 

[Granca]

It looks as if you avoided most of the relentless rain that we’ve had down here today. Yet more lovely photos - and great to see the deer too!
I hope you’ve got the wood burner sorted now!

 

[Jacqui-S]

We have been SO lucky with the weather, less so with the woodburner.
The cottage is really cosy, it's just nice to have it on.

 

[kateincornwall]

Just love these photos , especially the deer which I adore , looks very wild and windswept but beautiful too , keep warm xx

 

[Candy]

The photos are beautiful. I forgot to say that, I was so keen for you to keep your stove alight!