n ' i c e

Having little in the way of a plan for today, the general feeling was the Pentlands might be nice. Apologies for not meeting Richard's group or taking along any passengers, we were having a busy enough morning just charging the spare battery (the Berlingo used to require a jump start in cold weather) and getting out the door. Turns out the Pentlands were a VERY good call as a heavy frosting overnight left them with an impressive dusting of sparkles on the higher shelves.

This is art. I'm calling it Joys of Christmas. Possibly this year's card.
And yes it really was left near our front door by a local.

had to scrape the Berlingo wingos

Obvs too many crumbs in the Flotterstone car park,
this is not a tree decoration.

After a scone and coffee at the excellent Cafe we headed off up Turnhouse.
With moon attendant.

We had to make adjustments to clothing as we had both slightly overdressed although it was very cold in the shadows. I wore gloves and hat the whole way. M had hers on and off.

there was a not-quite-cloud-inversion south-east of the ridge

big frost crystals

I have enlarged a close up of the frost crystals on heather from the above photo (central upper section) in the photo below and you can just about see the crystaline structures. There were lots of amazing and weird things going on, mostly of the frozen water variety.

standing water

solid water going downhill

mount fuji-kip

Some people, stricken by poverty of imagination, are forced to skate on a dreadful little pond at the end of George Street to ghastly music. We found this private rink up Black Hill and although I was a little cautious to start with, the ice seemed to be frozen about 6 feet deep or until it melted near the earth's core. Cue quite a lot of monkey business. 

photos Mary (obvs)

everything in sunlight was frost free, everything in shadow, frozen

A very special day. 3.5 hrs, 3 running. 12 hilly miles.