Now that travel restrictions have eased and we can travel further from home than 5 miles, we took a wee trip to one of our favourite areas, the Trossachs.  

Drove to Callander, stopping at Dobbies Garden Centre where we spent a bit of money and had a coffee ..... they have outside tables and the sun was shining.

Then headed over the Duke's Pass and stopped at the summit to eat our 'pieces'......(The Venachar Cafe opened today for al fresco eating, but we didn't stop)...... and read the newspaper, also to take in the fantastic view.  Then over the Pass to Aberfoyle, where we had another break, a walk around and of course, an ice cream, before heading home.

We were amazed that the parking lots at Ben A'an and Ben Venue were packed, with cars outside on the road verges, must have been at least 30 on the verges at Ben A'an.  Lots of people tired of staying home and wanting to climb a hill!  Have climbed both of them many times, but we commented we were glad we climbed them when it was quieter on the hills.  So many people would spoil it just a bit.  But the views, particularly from Ben A'an, are just stunning, you can see six different lochs from the summit.  My blip is a collage showing Loch Venachar and Ben Venue, and also the ice cream kiosk at Aberfoyle.

The weather was very kind to us too, with temperature of 17C and sunny all day, although a bit of cloud around too.