Half a Mill

So our SAS* today was a special one since it was Easter: special because we went out in the car, which is not something we've done as a family since our Bennachie climb the day before lock-down began three weeks ago.  But I figured we were about due a trip out of town...

We headed to Millstone Hill, a neighbouring peak to Bennachie, which offers superb 360-degree views of the main bulk of Bennachie to the north and the River Don to the south.  Or at least that's what I promised the kids.

Looking SW towards the River Don and My Lord's Throat

It's a very steep, very rough and very rocky climb, with pretty continuous and tiring large steps all the way to the top.  But the views at the top are glorious and look something like this:

Or should have looked something like this.  Instead, about 100 steps away from the top, the wind started, then the rain, and then the hail, which meant the top looked more like this:

No Bennachie in sight!

We were not expecting rain at all, and certainly not hail.  Only two were wearing waterproof jackets, one was wearing gloves, and two had had their jackets off on the climb up the hill.  But after 3 minutes standing at the top and 2 minutes walking down as fast as we could we were already sodden through to our pants.  Albeit only on one side of our bodies thanks to the driving wind and hail.

Still, there's always time to stop in the lea of a tree for a happy family Easter photo! Though shortly after that my phone packed in - seems this iPhone doesn't like the cold any more than my last one!

Nothing for it but to head home for a hot shower, hot cup of cocoa and second slice of our Easter cake.

Happy Easter everyone!

*Sunday Afternoon Stroll