It's a winter wonderland in Aberdeen today. School was cancelled so the kids made excellent use of their free time and created a snowman.
Tag: photos
Duthie Park in the snow
Glamis Castle
Glamis Castle is famous for being the ancestral home of the former Queen Mother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. It has been in the Lyon family since 1372. Princess Margaret was also born in the castle. Perhaps an even bigger claim to fame is as the setting for Shakespeare's Macbeth and also as a film location for some… Continue reading Glamis Castle
Photos from our weekend
Friends of ours who we haven't seen since 2014 visited us from New Zealand this weekend. It's wonderful to catch up with old friends again. Daniel in particular really bonded with the son who is a similar age to him. Here's a photo in our backyard, complete with finger in front of the lens. On… Continue reading Photos from our weekend
Linn of Quoich
We had a delightful walk at the Linn of Quoich today. We walked upstream along the Quoich River further than we've gone before and I found myself having to stop over and over again for photos because it was just so pretty. It was very quiet too. Practically no-one else there. Daniel pooed on the… Continue reading Linn of Quoich
Birsemore Loch
There's a lovely loch in Aboyne that I didn't know existed until recently. It's only small so good if you just want a quick walk through forest. It's called Birsemore Loch and it's special not just for the beautiful scenery but because you can walk past the Queen's Hut which is a log cabin built… Continue reading Birsemore Loch
Loch Callater
It's always nice to find a new walk we haven't done before and that happened today with a walk up to Loch Callater. The walk starts about 3 miles south of Braemar at Auchallater Farm. There's a small carpark there which costs £3. It's about 7 miles to the loch and back from the carpark… Continue reading Loch Callater
Knock Castle in the snow
It snowed in Ballater today so we decided Knock Castle in snow was the place to be and we weren't disappointed. You can't beat a castle ruin in Scotland in winter snow. I got Ben doing a jumping shot this time. My jumping shot is fab. Look ma, no legs! You can go inside Knock… Continue reading Knock Castle in the snow
Craigendarroch, Ballater
We went for another fantastic walk today, this time up Craigendarroch in Ballater. I got lots of great photos. We've climbed up Craigendarroch many times now and in all seasons and weathers. Today was mostly sunny and a very easy climb except for the beginning bit where we ended up off the path. We usually… Continue reading Craigendarroch, Ballater
Snow and lunch in Braemar
Happy 15th birthday to Daniel
It's Daniel's 15th birthday today. It's hard to believe I've now been a mother for 15 years. It seems like such a long time but then it has also been the best years of my life and seems to get better and better with each year. Daniel was a very cute baby; born 3 days… Continue reading Happy 15th birthday to Daniel
Hogmanay and Elizabeth’s 12th birthday
It's Hogmanay and Elizabeth's birthday today. The years tick by and although there are big global events - like the pandemic - we still go through all the same motions each year. Elizabeth is 12 and had a lovely celebration at home with two of her school friends. Elizabeth was such a cute little baby.… Continue reading Hogmanay and Elizabeth’s 12th birthday
Creag Bheag, Kingussie
We did a hill walk up Creag Bheag today. We were lucky to have views in all directions from the top and it was so calm with not even the whisper of wind at the top. The landscape has been gloriously silvery all day again today and it really felt like we'd stepped into the… Continue reading Creag Bheag, Kingussie
Gynack Burn, Kingussie
We made it to the highlands! I've got holiday cancellation PTSD and before each holiday now I get paranoid that it'll be canceled too. The night before we left I woke up at 2am thinking I'd lost my sense of taste and smell. I went downstairs and tasted some salt, felt reassured that it tasted… Continue reading Gynack Burn, Kingussie
Provost Skene’s House and the Christmas markets
We walked into town to check out the Christmas markets today. It's nice to see them up and running again after the very quiet Christmas we had last year. Marischal College (the building in this next photo) was as stunning as always in the afternoon sun. The ice-skating rink is there again but we didn't… Continue reading Provost Skene’s House and the Christmas markets
Snow and storm Arwen
The first snow of the season arrived last Friday. We didn't get a huge amount in Aberdeen but enough for me to get excited and for it to look Christmassy. I went for a bike ride on Sunday and this was the scene. On Friday night we got hit by Storm Arwen which was fierce… Continue reading Snow and storm Arwen
Our animal friends
Several months ago I bought a lemongrass plant which I thought would be nice in curry. However, Victoria has taken a liking to the plant and has absolutely shredded it. It's the first thing she goes to in the morning when she wakes up, even before her food bowl. Last weekend we made some birdfeeders… Continue reading Our animal friends
Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries
We've come to Dunblane for the weekend, a picturesque Scottish village in Perthshire, about 110 miles southwest of Aberdeen. The village is beautiful with lots of quirky shops and an attractive river running through the middle called Allan Water. There's also a cathedral that dates from the 12th century. There's a fake Banksy outside one… Continue reading Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries
Hamster pics
Victoria thinks the hamsters are getting too much attention. "What about me?" I took this video of Bella taking a walnut into her house. Bella is a bit on the chubby side. I'm hoping that with a bigger cage she'll get more exercise and slim down bit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puFCk8SZIZU
Sunday walk at Crathes Castle
We haven't been for walk in the country for a while. Saturdays are busy again with Highland Dance and Sundays is allotment day. Late this afternoon we decided to head to Crathes Castle for a walk. How many people who live in cities can decide late on a Sunday afternoon for country walk and then… Continue reading Sunday walk at Crathes Castle