02 August 2009 - Aberdeen

Woke up sharp on Sunday with a full day planned before we made the trip back south and home. This is the view from our room, across the rooftops of Aberdeen.

When Andrew was a young lad he often went to Albury Outdoor Sports Centre for a game of putting with his dad. He wanted to see if he still had that winning Tiger Woods touch! Here he is lining up for another terrific shot as Amber casually poses watching his technique.

I have to mention in the blog that Andrew won the game of putting. He's only mentioned it about a dozen times since we've been back home. (Won? I absolutely smooshed them. I am the King of Putting).

Then on to Duthie Park where there is a commemorative chair for Andrew's dad in the winter gardens. As we parked up there was a surprise ... kayaking in the park!! Andrew remembered years ago they had rowing boats but they stopped it, no doubt due to health and safety concerns. It didn't take much to persuade Andrew and Amber that a quick jaunt in a kayak would be a good idea. That's them in the red boat.

Andrew became the first casualty of the day. No he didn't fall out the boat! He got stung by a wasp on his finger. It was only a wasp sting but Andrew would have you believe it was the largest bee he'd ever seen in Scotland! Have a look at the sting and judge for yourself.....

Amber's favourite pond inside the greenhouses is the pool where the big plastic frog surfaces at regular intervals.

And I see they have added a new Loch Ness monster lookalike in another pond. oooooooo feel scared.............!!!!!!!

Time was marching on and we had a long drive back home. But we had time to take a few photos of Stonehaven. Ahhh..... memories of our first family caravan holiday there!!

St Cyrus is always worth stopping for. Again, miles and miles of sandy beach to stroll along.

Absolutely stunning eh? The only negative is to get to the beach you have to walk through the Nature Reserve area. Now that sounds pleasant enough...... but wow the smell of dog poo is horrendous. Obviously a popular area for dog walkers. Once you hit the beach the sea air takes over though, thankfully.

Amber is a keen collector of branches. She excelled this time though after spotting half a tree on the beach.

Back to the car to complete our journey home but not before we say hello to the highland cows!

01 August 2009 - Aberdeen

There are many National Trust properties around Aberdeen and it was tricky chosing one but we settled for Fyvie Castle and Gardens. We were heading north to Banff and it was on our way.

As you'd expect the gardens were beautifully manicured offering some delicious looking fruit and veggies.



No idea what the significance was of the stone statue of the lady slap bang in the middle. Perhaps it was to provide some amusement for the gardeners as they worked away.

As with many gardens we visit, you are never far away from a sign reminding you of those little furry creatures that would gladly help you devour all the fruit and vegetables you have grown.

And what is it about weddings? Lo and behold another one was taking place at Fyvie Castle. Well the National Trust has to look for many ways to put extra pennies in the bank. Seeemed like quite a grand affair too.

Gardeners tip coming up now. If you want your carrots to be free from carrot fly then plant a row of marigolds in between. I think that was what my late father in law told me!!!

Then we drove north and soon arrived at the beach in Banff. What a great stretch of sand ideal for a long, lazy stroll. Seemed like we walked for miles.

No matter which way you turned just miles and miles of sandy beach.

And yes, another possible coastal development opportunity!!! However, this one had a bit of the public toilet look about it!!

Back down the road to Aberdeen, for a nice meal in the Olive Tree Brasserie. I went for the rabbit on the menu whereas Andrew opted for liver and Amber went for her favourite sea bass. The restaurant is on the Queens Road, Aberdeen beside some fabulous and enormous granite houses.

The evening wouldn't be complete without another stroll along the seafront.

31 July 2009 - Aberdeen

Friday night we headed up north for a weekend in Aberdeen. After checking into our apartment at Craibstone Suites and munching our way through a delicious curry at Nazma we headed down to the beach for a stroll just as night was descending on the granite city.



Two graffitied stones on a pathway down to the coast.

We've always fancied a coastal retreat and this old Water Treatment Plant looked like the ideal development opportunity. It comes complete with a sturdy flood defence wall! Bonus!!



And for those severe stormy nights when the water may just get too close the the house for comfort we could always wander up to the lighthouse and ask for a room for the night!!!

27 July 2009 - Rainbow

A rainbow.

25 July 2009 - Aberdour

Many years ago my parents used to take me and my brother out for the day to the beach. Aberdour was always a favourite. I'd been back since but it is always nice to return.

Amber didn't waste any time in heading down to the water's edge. I have no idea what exactly she is looking for in the water.



A lighthouse in the distance.

25 July 2009 - Dunfermline Abbey

We headed out today in search of some more National Trust places which were close to the sea since the weather was going to be hot today. Dunfermline Abbey was on the way to the beach at Aberdour so that was where we headed. After wandering up the cobbles towards the Abbey we were turned away since a wedding was about to start. Judging by the ruinous state of the outside of the Abbey I just hoped it would stay upright long enough for the ceremony!!



A lot of effort was put into the pathway up to the Abbey. Nice granite monoblocking made for a nice stroll.

The wedding party was well underway. We were nosey and stood for a short time watching proceedings.

We got fed up with waiting so headed down for some lunch before taking a casual stroll back through the park. I thought it was a shortcut but as usual my shortcuts take longer!

So it was through the shrubbery.........

...... down through a little tunnel and over a bridgeway..........

...... and 30 minutes later back at the entrance of the Abbey!

We had to be quick inside since lo and behold ANOTHER wedding was due to start. But not before we managed to sneak inside and look at the lovely stained glass windows.

Stonework inside could have done with a scrub down.

The light shining through the stained glass made for a colourful floor.

View down from the gardens of the Abbey. You can just see the Forth Road Bridge.

Andrew zoomed in to see it more clearly.

King Robert the Bruce ruled the roost at the Abbey and obviously had to personalise it in some way......... subtle or what?

Few more photos then the beach was calling us.