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We all knew there would be a chilly north wind so the sheltered
Sunart Woods seemed a good idea. In spite of a couple of alternative
attractions, we still had eleven explorers: Abbie, Alexander,
Alexandria, Benjamin, Charlie, Chloe, James S., Melissa, Robin
D., Sarah and Thomas; with Becky, John Dove, Joanne, Pamela,
and Philippa ; plus Brucie and Lady.
We started off, as we did with our earlier visits, with an
inspection of the two trees opposite the Camus Torsa Picnic
Site: the Cryptomeria japonica with the criss-cross bark and
the Douglas Fir with the lumpy, hard bark.
Then we set off through the woods, the boys immediately finding
an interest in knocking over the small rotten trees on the
way. When we reached the stream we turned to follow the east
bank and followed it right to the top of the wood. This bank
had been planted with larch and was easy to walk through.
About halfway up, Alexander MacGregor (Zander) noticed a strange
structure on the opposite bank and the explorers climbed across
the stream to investigate. It turned out to be a magnificent
corn kiln, complete with a well-built tunnel for the fire.
Several of the explorers climbed through the tunnel and they
spent some time looking at the structure.
Then it was back to the climb, crossing three old walls built
long before the forestry was planted. Finally we emerged at
the top of the hill to find a biting wind and an unexpected
view of the TV mast, only a short distance away. We stopped
only for a quick photograph before going back into the woods
for a 'Tunnock's' stop (Lady got one when nobody was watching
the bag).
The return was straight down through the woods following one
of the old walls and visiting the old Tarbert Fank on the
way. There was a short walk on the beach before we ran back
to the cars just as a shower started.John Dye
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