Went away in winter, came back in summer!!

Went off to New Zealand a month ago leaving 6" of wet snow on the ground, and came back to 22 degrees and green grass! Watch out, this may be the summer - enjoy it while you can!

Into a new financial year now, and a further year of interim arrangements for the operation of the Speyside Way - come to think of it, we seem to have been running on 'interim arrangements' for as long as I can remember! Unlike New Zealand, where all the great tramping tracks are seen as a national asset and fully funded by the Department of Conservation, the trails here in Scotland have always had to make do with whatever funding could be 'cobbled together' at the time. Are they a valuable asset or not? And now, of course, we are in the crazy situation where new trails are being developed all over the place with capital money from goodness knows where, at a time when we do not have two cents of revenue funding to look after the long established ones! Sorry, I'm ranting again!

The good news for all of you out there, however, is that we WILL be able to operate the Visitor Centre in Aberlour for one more season, but probably ONLY ONE more season. The same applies to the Accommodation Leaflet (now published for 2011) and the website - the likelihood is, though, that 12 months from now we will be looking to the private sector to provide some of these information services. This, of course, almost certainly means that instead of us, the public sector, providing free listings to accommodation providers, for example, some 'readies' may have to be exchanged for future inclusion on websites and leaflets. Ah well, I guess others will have to share our pain!

The first major event of the year kicks off in less than two weeks' time - the Speyside Whisky Festival. Those seeking accommodation in the Aberlour/Craigellachie areas that weekend should look out - it will be at a premium.

Look out too for the Ranger Events that weekend, and hurry up and book, they are always sold out.

See you there!