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A Walk In The Ochils Recalling Memories of Glen.

A Walk In The Ochils Recalling Memories of Glen.


Postby Hillbeback » Sun Aug 16, 2020 9:52 pm

Route description: Glen Sherup horseshoe, Glen Devon

Donalds included on this walk: Innerdownie, Tarmangie Hill

Date walked: 08/08/2020

Time taken: 4 hours

Distance: 15 km

Ascent: 750m

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Our handsome boy
.
Before I continue with the walk report I would like if l may share a few short words about Glen. He was a very loving black labrador who is very sadly no longer with us. We had to make the heartbreaking, gut wrenching decision to have him put to sleep on July 1st. As all dog owners/lovers know it's just the worst thing we have to do.

Glen had a fantastic life. He had turned 14years in March so did have a good innings. Like many dog owners on here e.g. Dogplodder and Graham D, he had many trips into the countryside. He climbed a few hills however his main love in life was water (and ofcouse eating...we know what labradors are like :roll: ). He was a true gentleman and the lady doggies loved him. He had lost his left eye a few years ago. Unfortunately Shane, the other labrador in the household, wagged his tail so hard that it injured Glen in the eye. He had a melting eye ulcer that never healed. The vet tried everything to save it including a human contact lens but to no avail. This didn't hinder him and he carried on as normal. In the few weeks leading up to that fateful day, the other health issues he had, started to cause him more serious problems. We didn't want to see him suffer and l think if we had held on to him for any longer this is what would have happened. He left us that day a very peaceful, content dog full of happy memories in his life. He has certainly left a very large hole in our lives but also full of these memories that we will treasure.

He did venture up The Ochils on several occasions over the years so within this report I will add a few photos of Glen and Shane from previous walks.

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The start of the walk


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A stream crossing before the walk uphill


This was one of Glen's favourite hotspots

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Now for some fun!!

I was equipped with my new camera and lens. I had previously been using a DSLR but it was rather bulky to carry over and above a rucksack so managed to sell it and the lens and got myself a Fuji mirrorless camera. There is so much to learn that it will take quite some time to master it, however l will enjoy doing this.

Some pretty flowers as l started to climb.

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Wild pansies


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And bluebells

As l gained some height a view to the lower reservoir appeared.

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Through the rowans

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Glen and Shane having fun near this spot

After a short climb the first sight of Ben Shee appeared.

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The little dome of Ben Shee


And the sign to the start of the hill.

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Not far at all


One of my favourite photos of "the boys"

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Posers

At this point l decided to do the walk anti-clockwise. It's pretty easy going and you can get a good stretch of the legs. I did notice since the few weeks earlier l had been up in the area walking, the paths were now rather squelchy with the recent rain.

The first top l was heading for in the centre with Tarmangie on the left.

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Here we go


Looking back to Ben Shee.

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Not a sole to be seen


I could now see the Loch Earn duo with the clouds just above the tops.

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Ben Vorlich and Stuc a' Chroin


And the view north east

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Such luscious green

Two ladies jogged past me. My days of jogging are over and have been for many years. I do wish when l used to jog l had came across here and did it in the beautiful scenery rather on the roads and busy built up areas.

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The joggers and Innerdownie on the right.

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Innerdownie and The Lomond Hills to the right.

I stopped at Scad Hill for a few minutes to have a drink. It was rather warm now but with hardly any breeze the flies and midgies were ofcourse a problem. I continued on and was soon starting the ascent of Tarmangie. Nearing the summit l met a guy from Paisley. We had a good chat and remarked how peaceful it was with hardly any walkers. On the summit l met another two ladies and spoke to them for a short time. Because l was chatting l completely forgot to take any photos from Tarmangie.

One of Glen at the summit.

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"This is the life"

I wasn't ready for lunch yet, my tummy normally lets me know it's time for food, so l enjoyed another good drink and continued to Whitewisp Hill. The summit is just on a flat plateau so apart from stopping to look at the views for a few moments, l continued to Innerdownie.

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Summit of Whitewisp Hill


Looking back while on my way to Innerdownie

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Back to Whitewisp Hill


As I approached the summit of Innerdownie the clouds had appeared and it was a slightly chilly east wind.There was quite a few more walkers starting to appear from the other side.

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Summit of Innerdownie

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Glen at the summit on 1st January 2016

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The view north east


After having a quick bite to eat l started making my way down. As l approached the forest on the left l went over a stile and walked down through the overgrown pine trees till l reached the track. From there l walked down till l eventually reached the sign for the Glen Sherup reservoir. I crossed the reservoir giving the fishermen out in their boats a wave.

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Lovely views while fishing with Tarmangie top left


Once through the gate at the other side of the reservoir l turned right onto the single track road. I walked a short distance till l reached a field on the left. There was a path just at the start of the fenceline. It was a bit of a hike up in the heat and l was starting to wilt in the heat. There was an option to walk up Ben Shee but l decided this time to give it a miss (in other words l was too knackered :lol: ).

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Glen on Ben Shee 28th February 2016


I was finally on the last leg of the walk and knowing this started to perk up again.

A couple of photos on the way down.

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The lower Frandy reservoir with Vorlich and Stuc A' Chroin clear behind

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The Lawers range clear now too

I finally reached the stream crossing where it was one mighty jump for mankind (my short legs can cause problems at times). I was the only car that had been parked here all day so a much quieter place to start the walk.

It wasn't easy initially to look at these photos of Glen after he was gone, but now l am so glad l have them and will keep them safe and smile when l look at them. It was a special day for me in The Ochils today and the weather was just perfect.

Glen at his happiest....beside water.

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Hopefully l will be fit and ready to tackle a few Munros in the not too distant future :D


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Hillbeback
 
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Re: A Walk In The Ochils Recalling Memories of Glen.

Postby KatTai » Mon Aug 17, 2020 10:46 am

So sorry for your loss, Rest In Peace handsome Glen. It's over 2 years since Millie passed away and she is still in my thoughts when we return to places I went hiking with her.
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Re: A Walk In The Ochils Recalling Memories of Glen.

Postby Hillbeback » Mon Aug 17, 2020 2:39 pm

KatTai wrote:So sorry for your loss, Rest In Peace handsome Glen. It's over 2 years since Millie passed away and she is still in my thoughts when we return to places I went hiking with her.


Thanks Kat Tai.
You certainly make sure your dogs have fulfilled lives which is fantastic, and as we know they give us something much better......unconditional love. Millie will always be in your thoughts.

Moira.
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Re: A Walk In The Ochils Recalling Memories of Glen.

Postby dogplodder » Mon Mar 29, 2021 8:09 am

Only just seen this and what a handsome boy Glen was! Seeing your photos reminds me of my black and yellow lab duo, now departed but never forgotten. Also love the wild flower photos too. Your new camera is giving good results! :D
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Re: A Walk In The Ochils Recalling Memories of Glen.

Postby Hillbeback » Mon Mar 29, 2021 7:53 pm

dogplodder wrote:Only just seen this and what a handsome boy Glen was! Seeing your photos reminds me of my black and yellow lab duo, now departed but never forgotten. Also love the wild flower photos too. Your new camera is giving good results! :D



Thank you. Yes Glen and Shane will remind you of Jack and Tess. They had a fantastic life too filled with many adventures and lots of love. What they give back is so much more and unconditional.

Here's to getting back out in the hills again soon.
(Falkirk doesn't have much to offer)
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Re: A Walk In The Ochils Recalling Memories of Glen.

Postby Graeme D » Thu Apr 01, 2021 9:39 am

I somehow managed to miss this at the time of original posting. Glad I've caught it now though. Glen was indeed a handsome boy and a fine looking specimen in the finest tradition of the great Labrador breed. It sure looks like he lived a fulsome fourteen years and like you say, if they go peacefully and in no pain at the end, taking great memories with them, we can let them go happy that they lived their lives and it helps us to heal. I am absolutely straining at the leash to get into some proper hill days with Luna now that restrictions are set to be eased just as she is getting to the age where she is good to go. Hopefully her first Munro outing will be over the coming Easter fortnight and a wee jaunt up Vorlich to visit and pay respects to Lucy. :)
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Re: A Walk In The Ochils Recalling Memories of Glen.

Postby Hillbeback » Thu Apr 01, 2021 12:51 pm

Graeme D wrote:I somehow managed to miss this at the time of original posting. Glad I've caught it now though. Glen was indeed a handsome boy and a fine looking specimen in the finest tradition of the great Labrador breed. It sure looks like he lived a fulsome fourteen years and like you say, if they go peacefully and in no pain at the end, taking great memories with them, we can let them go happy that they lived their lives and it helps us to heal. I am absolutely straining at the leash to get into some proper hill days with Luna now that restrictions are set to be eased just as she is getting to the age where she is good to go. Hopefully her first Munro outing will be over the coming Easter fortnight and a wee jaunt up Vorlich to visit and pay respects to Lucy. :)



Hi Graeme,
Thanks for your kind comments. Shane, our other Labrador is coming up for 12years. He has quite a bad joint issue in his elbow on his front right leg. He can really only go short walks now and is on painkillers and Metacam every day. He is still a very happy boy and like Glen, he too has climbed some hills.

I bet you are itching to get up in the hills with Luna. I look forward to hearing how you get on if you are putting a walk report in. Lucy was a fantastic girl too and has given you many beautiful memories to treasure :)

Thanks again.
Moira
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