The Ski tourers have been in the local hills, here is a great view of Deeside from Morven.  The lights of Tarland, Aboyne, Aberdeen and and Durres Mast.

Don’t believe the big on-line traders – it is still possible to deliver from and to Scotland by Christmas. The big on-line guys use couriers -we use Royal Mail. The couriers use huge central depots which are a still trying to cope with the backlog caused by the weather chaos last week in central Scotland.. Royal Mail are delivering on-time from and to our area in the North East of Scotland.

The big on-line traders also do not know their Scottish geography – we are located in the North East of Scotland – far away chaos in theCentral belt. During last week we were delivering sucessfully to UK customers using Royal Mail and we had more snow!

If I was a cynical chap I might also think that some of those large online traders are either using the weather related problems last week in Central Scotland to ‘encourage’ customers to buy now rather than delay their purchase or, if they have large stores, ‘encourage’ shoppers to purchase in their stores rather than on-line.

We can still accept orders up 22nd to get delivery by the 24th – provided we have the item in stock.

We are sponsoring the Aboyne Academy and Primary School cross country series which is part of the Active Schools program. 

The series consists of 4 races held on 15th November, 6th December, 17th January and 28th February for primary 4 to 7 and seconday 1 to 6.

Active Schools is a key element in the Scottish Government’s drive to get more Scots more active.

The fundamental aim of the Active Schools Network is to offer school-aged children the motivation and opportunities to adopt active and healthy lifestyles. These opportunities are available before, during and after school, as well as in the wider community. But Active Schools is more than just getting school-aged children to take part in formal sport and exercise. Active Schools also aims to introduce more physical activity into their daily lives through active travel, play and dance. As such, the physical activity and sport element of Active Schools links closely with a number of other key government initiatives- Health Promoting Schools and Safer Routes to Schools, to name just two- and is supported by a broad range of partners.

Active Schools also impacts on a number of other key policies and initiatives, such as the Curriculum for Excellence, which has an important role to play in promoting the health and well being of children and young people and all of those in the educational communities to which they belong.

For more information see the Active Schools website.

For a start you have too be super fit.  If you don’t find the walk comfortable to achieve in summer conditions then do not attempt it in snowy conditions, especially when drifting snow can give snow depths of over 1 metre.

Preparation is key, know the weather forecast in detail, apply your local knowledge, tell some one where you are going and when you will be back.  Clothing in many layers, compass, map and all the common sense basics.   If you are not first out in the hills then you will gain the advantage of following in the footsteps of others but there will come a time when you need to cut a virgin trail through the snow, this is when things will get extremely tough going.  Take the space steady and work on a technique of walking that gives the best cutting motion through the snow,  I like to lead with my knee to shin and lean my weight slightly forward.  Walk on paths you know well,  it will surprise you how different they look when covered in deep snow, all the trees look the same, there is no path to guide your eye.  So, you need to work harder on examining the terrain and not just the terrain but the patterns on the snow.  Paths often are cut into the hill thus with any wind they get blown full of snow, often the deepest now will be on the path.  Examine the wind direction and see where the snow is being stripped down from, often a ridge line of a hill.  The snow will be more wind packed there and the pattern of the snow will resembles sand waves in a dessert.  But a word of warning, these are not golden rules, pocket of really deep snow will catch you out, the snow will give under you feed on snow condition that look identical so the only rule to follow is to concentrate on each step and be prepared to break through the snow with out warning.  This dictates a slow steady walking rhythm.  Listen to your body, it is easy to over heat, take on board liquids on a regular basis and food.  And start the return to home when you still feel energised as it will be just as hard getting back as hiking up as tiredness takes it toll.  Why, put yourself through this?  It can be fun making the first tracks, views to be had and just for the joy of walking in powder snow,  also the joints get a nice soft landing cushion.  There is much pleasure to be had but take care and be prepared.