Winter, recycled cashmere, and soup

Rachel smiling while wearing her second-hand red cashmere hand-knitted jumper.

We woke to our first frost this morning. It's very late in the season to only be getting a frost now. It has been the mildest autumn since we moved here with most daytime temperatures in double digits still. For the first time I was a little sad when summer ended as I've so enjoyed… Continue reading Winter, recycled cashmere, and soup

Cross-country skiing on Deeside Way

It snowed a bit more overnight last night and Aberdeen put on a brilliantly crisp and sunny day for us. Rather than going for my usual run around the park I decided to try some cross-country skiing on Deeside Way. A few years ago we all got some cross-country skiing gear from the second-hand sale… Continue reading Cross-country skiing on Deeside Way

New tourist attraction at Duthie Park: carnivorous snowmen

It has been snowing all day today and there's more to come tonight. I feel like I'm living in an alpine ski resort. Elizabeth and I went sledging again during a break today. It's good having kids because that gives me an excuse to sledge. I don't think I could go as an adult alone,… Continue reading New tourist attraction at Duthie Park: carnivorous snowmen

The Oxford vaccine, lockdown in Aberdeen, and online games

We woke to some good news today: the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has been approved for use in the UK. I had been hoping and expecting this news for a couple of weeks now and was wondering why they were taking so long given the trial results were released at the end of November. They took much… Continue reading The Oxford vaccine, lockdown in Aberdeen, and online games

Winter wonderland, Braemar

After last Sunday's disappointing walk in Tullos Wood we went further afield today for a walk in Braemar. The recent snowfall in the highlands has created a winter wonderland and we were gifted a beautifully sunny day. The last part of the drive from Crathie to Braemar is always lovely but today the mist over… Continue reading Winter wonderland, Braemar

Chunky crochet hat

I got given some very chunky yarn for my birthday. I've always struggled to convert a chunky yarn into a hat but I keep trying because I love a chunky yarn and it's so quick to work with. One of my previous attempts gave me a Marge Simpson hairdo. (https://rachel.blog/2017/02/13/when-crochet-goes-wrong/) This time I think it… Continue reading Chunky crochet hat

Winter swimming

We went to St Cyrus beach for a swim today. My sister-in-law is visiting and she has a penchant for icy showers and swims in freezing lakes in Switzerland. The photos make it look like a warm summer's day but it's actually winter here and the water temperature was 7°C. I'm preparing myself psychologically before… Continue reading Winter swimming

Strong, fit, and healthy

I love Saturdays. I feel so strong and energetic right now and the weekend is my time to get outside for some physical activity. Today I have been particularly active having spent my morning hefting huge bags of grit salt up the hill to the church. Several months ago the city council invited people to… Continue reading Strong, fit, and healthy

It’s 4C and I’m hot

I love our Saturday bike rides to Highland Dance for Elizabeth followed by lunch at Newton Dee. My bike told me it was 4C: But I got hot from the exercise. I feel so happy after a bike ride. We're so lucky to live somewhere we can cycle all year round. I love feeling the… Continue reading It’s 4C and I’m hot

The Beast from the East

We haven't been as badly affected as other parts of the country by the extreme weather. We're close to the sea which always helps to moderate the temperature but we also haven't had the huge snow drifts they've had elsewhere. No one is panic buying food and it hasn't been particularly cold. That said, we've… Continue reading The Beast from the East