A Walk up the Glen

To some extent we choose our daily walk to suit the ever-changeable weather. Today, with a keen northwester blowing and the still-air temperature at 3C, wasn't a day for the exposed coastline so, with so many alternatives available - we've never before lived in a place with so much choice from our front gate - we walked up Golspie Glen to Backies and then home with the wind behind us and bright sunshine in our faces.

Spring is struggling to assert itself. As well as the first shoots of the daffodil bulbs the catkins are forming on the hazel ready for a rise in temperature and the first insects.

This continues to be a disappointing year for fungi, although it may be that last winter was exceptionally good. We found only five species on a seven kilometre walk, of which this was the most photogenic. It may be, but probably isn't, hairy curtain crust, a common fungus on hardwoods at this time of year.

The walk wasn't without incident. Because it didn't seem too cold we walked without due care and both nearly fell when we encountered black ice. It was a timely reminder: with the wind going round into the north, the weather is forecast to be much colder over the next few days.