Granny is here, a wave from the King, and a knitting trail

My mother is visiting from Australia which is extra special because it has been more than four years since we last saw her. Today we drove out to Braemar in celebration for lunch and a walk. As we drove past Crathie we saw lots of people gathered and realised the King was about to leave his Sunday morning church service at Crathie Kirk so we decided to stop. This is the bridge over to Balmoral Castle.

Here’s the church with the guard lined up for the King. Despite their thick, woollen kilts they all looked very cold.

King Charles drove himself away. We weren’t allowed to take photos but you couldn’t see that much anyway and it was only fleeting. Mum stayed down on the main road where you could take photos and she took this photo as he drove past while waving at her. He must have known it was her visit visit to Scotland in more than four years. You can just make out the waving hand in this next pic.

Then we drove onto our favourite little village in Aberdeenshire for lunch.

They had a knitting trail on in the village to the theme of balloons.

Daniel and I raced around the games park and he was ahead for most of the way until I made a dash at the end and overtook him. Although he thinks he still won so it’ll have to go to a photo finish.

Ben with a knitted blimp.

And tossing the caber.

I took mum for a look around the Fife Arms.