LETS GO FOR A SUNDAY WALK

Yesterday afternoon was dry and bright, just right for a walk from my cottage and down to the beach. I hope you enjoy coming along with me and the dogs.
The picture above is of Covesea beach with Covesea lighthouse far right taken from the cliff path.
Click on pictures to enlarge them



bryan is high up on the cliff side hunting for bank voles, one of his favourite hobbies.

This is a small pebble and rock strewn beach which we visit  at least twice weekly
Mink are often seen hunting in the rock pools.

Once again Bryan is in hunting mode, this time heading towards the rocks to look for mink.
Jarvis follows behind but he prefers rabbits.



Looking  west with an oil rig in the distance as it is towed into the Moray Firth



A flock of curlews take off as we cross my neighbours field

Looking back towards the blue waters of the Moray Firth

Covesea village

Treasures from the sea that I spotted on the beach.

AVIELOCHAN IN NOVEMBER PART TWO

The weather on this day was crisp and cold, just right for a walk along the banks of the Alt Mhor burn.
I love the white frost on the grass and the sparkles on the water.
It's worth clicking on the pictures to enlarge them.



The dogs are enjoying exploring the walk along the burn, one of their favourite places.

The water droplets left after the frost melted on the trees and shrubs sparkle like diamonds.

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The water beneath this little bridge is shall, usually a place that Bryan likes to paddle, but it was to cold

for him today. 

These little Christmas trees don't need any fairy lights, look how they shine in the winter sun.

This rotting tree stump has become a tiny garden.

IN THE DEEP MIDWINTER.

Thankfully, for now, the snow has gone and we are able to get the car down the hill from our home. Snow is very pretty, but becomes a lot of trouble when it interferes with everyday life.I must admit it did look lovely in the garden.

Click on pictures to enlarge.

I like the sun shining on the trees at the bottom of my garden.


Greg is making a valiant attempt to clear the snow so that we could get out with the car, he has only another quarter of a mile to go. Not bad for a 75 year old. I must continue to feed him spinach.

Only joking, this ws the result of a mechanical digger that came to our rescue during the first lot of snow. He dealt with the depth of snow only to turn the road int a mini version of a ski run"

GOODBYE TO THE GREMLINS ( I HOPE)

I cannot explain why, but my computer decided to play up and I couldn't get it to do what I wanted. I had weeks of frustration and gave up in the end. Today I thought I'd try again and would you believe it, it's behaving (so far). Fingers crossed I'm hoping to share some of the photos I took at Avielochan in the middle of November. This is one of our favourite places to stay at any time of the year. I apologize to you all for not visiting for ages I've missed you all.

You might want to click on the pictures to enlarge them. This is a shot from the cottage on a still frosty morning at around nine o'clock.Looking across the lochan to the Cairngorm mountains.

Typically in Scotland the weather is never the same two days running, this shot was taken the next day in the late afternoon with the low sun reflecting on the mountains.


Birch trees and bracken in glorious russet shades The dogs love this bank which contains a rabbit warren, they have both disappeared over the top after a rabbit with no hope of catching it.

FLOWERS, TREES AND ROCKS

We visited the beautiful Leckmelm Gardens near Ullapool during our holiday in June. The gardens are restored Victorian gardens set on the sloping shore of Loch Broom. Winding pathways meander through glades of Azalea and Rhododendrons. Many specimens of rare trees flourish and the ground supports an abundance of ferns, primula and wild flowers. The scent in spring is amazing.

Greg is enjoying his walk round the gardens.

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Sunshine on a tree.
Most of the trees and plants are labeled, but I couldn't find a name for this beauty .

Primulas and ferns compliment each other

One of the many little paths that invites exploration.

Death of a giant. I almost wept when I saw this great Weeping Beech that had become a victim of last winters terrible weather. Below is a photo of it in all it's glory when we visited two years ago. The gardeners have planted climbing plants around the old tree and planted ferns and other plants in nooks and crannies on the tree so that in a few years it will be a beautiful feature in the garden in a different way

The Weeping Birch in all it's former glory.

Azaleas above bluebells

These dead trees have been planted around with ivy and carved into the shape of chairs and still play a decorative and useful role in the garden

The "chair trees" seen from behind.

The day after visiting the gardens we headed north of Ullapool to visit Knockan Crag. This place is unusual because contrary to what is usual, the rocks here are older at the surface and younger further down. This was caused when continents collided and the rocks were crumpled and lifted. On and around Knockan Crag or numerous sculptures one of which Greg is going to roll down the mountain side. (I managed to stop him Phew!)

The, not very good, view from on the Crag, due to mist and drizzle.

A WILDLIFE BOAT TRIP

Whilst on holiday near Ullapool on the west coast of Scotland a few weeks ago, we enjoyed a boat trip out towards the Summer Isles.

Click on pictures to enlarge them

Below is a shot of Ullapool taken just as we were leaving the harbour.

Who's watching who? The seal seems to be enjoying our visit
Grey Seals and Common Seals (smaller)

Rocks, water and mountains make me happy.

A view down Loch Broom as we sail back int harbour.

ON THE BEACH

If Scotland enjoyed endless hot sunny days all summer long you can be sure our beaches would be nothing like this. There would be high rise hotels all along the shore and rows of sunbeds and sun shades, and of course lots of people. So OK, we get chilly winds and often grey skies, but we also enjoy peace and quiet. These pictures were taken at the end of June. How many people can you see on our beach.

Click on photos to enlarge.

Bryan and Jarvis enjoying a paddle.

Covesea lighthouse in the distance.

Bryan doing a bit of rock hopping

Jarvis having a bad hair day

Crystal clear water in a rock pool

Looking back to Covesea village on top of the cliff.

Bryan reaches the top of the path back up the cliff path heading for home.