Thursday 19 July 2018

Thursday 19.07.2018

Left work more or less on time for once, determined to make the most of another magical summer evening. Sun still high and warm this early evening, swallows and martins busy in the sky and zooming low across the fields that turn a little more golden every day.

The woods a delight of light and shadow, butterflies and moths everywhere and deer emerging cautiously to graze,disappearing back amongst the trees much more quickly as they sense us approaching.

And so the evening turned into what is now a chilly but perfectly still and silent night with a half moon hanging overhead. The deer are no doubt munching away quite happily, undisturbed.

Monday 16 July 2018

Sunday 15.7.2018


A spot of shinrin-yoku with friends on an estate renowned amongst other things for being the home of Byron`s mother. The Gight Estate is now a wildlife reserve under the aegis of the Scottish Wildlife Trust. A very warm, muggy afternoon meant a slow stroll was the order of the day, in amongst venerable trees,








and interesting plants (the youngest member of the party being particularly interested in the numerous bugs).






Ruined buildings spoke of former pomp






while more pragmatic modern solutions had been found for what, in the winter, tends to be boggy ground

and for crossing the River Ythan which runs through the estate and beside which a picnic was taken. We even had a picnic blanket! (Thank you M)

Altogether a most relaxing few hours.




Sunday 8 July 2018

Sunday 8.7.2018

Overcast and cooler later this afternoon with spits and spots of...what`s that stuff called again...oh yes, rain.
It makes for better walking conditions though. Paths in and out of the trees were being mowed as we walked round the woods so the scent of new cut grass was heady, the crops in the fields are coming on apace
and it really feels like high summer.......









....which also means seaside, ice cream and Festivals. So last weekend it was a first visit to Largs, the perfect place to be on a blazing hot day with fabulous views across the Firth of Clyde



not to mention the famous Nardini ice-cream.






But then onwards and upwards to Kelburn Castle,just up the road, for the last day of the Kelburn Garden Party. All the usual fun and frolics of a Festival in the sunshine: stunning setting looking over towards the Isle of Arran,







beautiful grounds,






a new band discovered - new to us that is - Trongate Rum Riots - brilliant fun,






and last but not least a boat at the top of a hill. Naturally.