We just got back from Big Husky Lodge, a lodge we'd been to 4 years ago outside Boat of Garten near Aviemore. We had a great time.
The weather forecast for the week had been gloomy, but we had great weather on the journey up. We stopped in Killiekrankie to visit the Soldier's Leap and Visitors Centre. We had a great time down at the river throwing and skimming stones. We did our best not to disturb the stacked stone towers that some people had built.
We arrived bang on time on Friday about 4 pm. There were a couple of teething issues with the place but the owner and manager were keen to put them right. There was an issue with one of the ovens, one of the dishwashers, and apparently a lightning strike the prior week had caused more than a few locals (including our lodge) to have no internet.
On Saturday we visited nearby Loch Morlich. It was the only day where it was predicted to be sunny so we made the most of it and apparently everyone else thought the same as it was hoachin'. It had a big sandy beach, though, and Alan and Alyson had brought with them an inflatable kayak which was a lot sturdier than it sounds and everyone had a go on it.
We made raclette for our meal on Sunday (no surprises there).
On Monday we revisited Craggan Outdoors near Grantown-on-Spey for some putting. For some reason many of us misremembered the putting as being Pitch and Putt. I won't say who got the best score, as it would be rude to boast. At one point two Tornado jets flew almost directly overhead. Again, the weather was kind.
On Tuesday we went on a Treasure Hunt around Aviemore. We had done a similar one with Dorothy a couple of months previous in Stirling, and had enjoyed it. Again the weather was mostly kind to us, and we were able to successfully submit our entry. Only time will tell if we win the £100. I am not holding out much hope. We had ice cream from Miele's Gelateria in Aviemore afterwards. It was delicious. So much so that two days later on the flimsiest of excuses (popping by Tesco in Aviemore on the way back from a walk) I took Michael and Emma there again.
Wednesday saw us visit Culloden. It was really interesting. The visitors centre and exhibition was excellent, and walking around the actual battle site gave us all a better picture as to what the battle would have been like. The Highland Cows outside the centre seemed to be a big hit with the tourists.
On Thursday we had a walk around nearby Loch an Eilean. It was a good 90 to 120 min walk. Bonnie really seemed to enjoy jumping into the Loch. We saw what we think was a Slow Worm on the way around.
Later on Thursday, Michael and Sarah went on a bit of a bike ride into Boat of Garten. It turns out that the railway station features in a Danny MacAskill video we've watched several times.
Jamie had put together a Japanese Kit Kat taste test. He brought back some crazy flavours from his visit with Roz to Japan in the summer. From what I remember they were Discerning Raspberry, Peach and Mint, Sweet Potato, Red Bean Dumpling and Premium Mint. Not sure about the Red Bean Dumpling ones at all!
Alyson had put together some great games, including several treasure hunts for the kids and a clingfilm ball full of sweets. She had also put a lot of time into a family quiz which turned out to be a lot of fun. It was based upon Jeopardy, and I could not for the life of me get the hang of answering with a question. Emma had a particularly bad poker face when it came to any questions being about her.
Emma enjoyed setting up her own version of a Sweetie Bar using the leftover sweets from the treasure hunts and games. She also set up her own treasure hunt one day, and together with Alyson made some delcious Pina Coladas one night.
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