Return To The Highlands....Day 2

 We left Kinross and headed North up the M90 to Perth and then onwards to the scenic town of Pitlochry. After a 2 year hiatus we were finally back in the Highlands.

 A quick return to Motorway Raptorwatch produced 2 Buzzards on the M90 and 6 Buzzards on the A9.

  Pitlochry is a place we have visited frequently, for browsing the charity shops, the woodland walk up to the Falls and of course the fish dam. As we were driving all the way up to Elgin we only had time for the high street. We parked up and on attempting to buy a parking ticket I noticed the time it gave us. The ticket lasted for only 30 minutes, a bit less than expected for the £2 fee. I then noticed that 30 minutes was free parking and then that the machine had taken the money but not registered it as payment :( After a loud argument with the ticket machine and several presses of the cancellation button, coins started to spill out like a slot machine. It had obviously kept numerous people's coins and gave them a free 30 minute ticket. We went back to the car £8.20 richer and had a quick look at a closely parked car and noticed they too had a 30 minute ticket which was already past it's time. Hopefully a warden didn't arrive and give them all a fine.

 We had a browse at the charity shops which are becoming more like antique shops by the day and too costly to get any bargains anymore so left to continue our journey, but did notice this great Stephen Moss book in The John Muir Trust shop.

   As we travelled up the A9 the snow got ever closer to the roadside. A scenic lay-by gave me the chance to jump out of the car for a photo. The wind nearly blew the door from it's hinges and the icy blast gave me the look of someone who had just returned from getting a botox injection.

 

 An hour later we were parked in Aviemore and tucking into some Smiffy's chips 👌

  After feeding ourselves we thought it would be a good idea to go feed the birds so we drove the short distance to Loch Garten Osprey centre. Still too early for the ospreys but always great to see the woodland birds close up and the chance of seeing a stunning Crested Tit.

 Majella was in her element interacting with the Coal Tits and Great Tits whose trust we always cherish.

 I couldn't let her have all the fun so I took my turn connecting with Nature.

 The woodland was alive with Great Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Chaffinches, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and Siskins, but no sighting this time of a Crested Tit.

                                                             Siskin

Relaxing on the shore of Loch Garten before leaving.

 We took another quick detour to Nethy Bridge in hope of finding the recently sighted Hawfinch but as every other time searching for this bird, no luck.

  Another day, another Travelodge, this time on the outskirts of Elgin. This would be our base to explore the Moray coast and further inland during the next 2-3 days where our real adventure begins.

Thank you again for viewing the blog. Hope it is enjoyable.

More to come.....