Champion of the North

Friday 1st October 2010

Well, we took it easy today, so whilst Kate went out to the Hairdressers, Wayne was completing his last day before promotion…I was left to wash Wally and later, Kate’s car..life’s tough.

Once Kate returned we went out to Lossiemouth for lunch..at Kate’s favoured lunch place… http://www.theharbour-lights.co.uk/  where we indulged in seafood, smoked salmon, followed by cakes…luvverly.

We returned home ,finding Wayne sprawled on the couch..! ready for the evening …

Which started by a game of Dingbats !.. and who was the winner ?

Some things never change ! Champ again…

We also sampled Wayne’s ‘barman’ skills as he mixed our Mojito’s before heading out (after ‘sprucing up) to    Lossiemouth,again, and the 1629 Restaurant http://www.the1629.co.uk/ a great Fish restauarnt, where we all had differing fish dishes..and scrumptious desserts…and after ‘sampling’ the pubs of Lossiemouth we returned home for a good night’s snooze..

Earning my Supper

Thursday 30th September 2010

The sun was shining in the Elgin sky, and so me and Kate went for a bike ride, on a nice gentle cycle lane from Elgin into Lossiemouth,passing the RAF base, so beloved to both her and Wayne !http://www.raf.mod.uk/raflossiemouth/ as the Tornado jets welcomed us with several fly pasts (well, they may just have been practising their manouvres !), we headed down towards the harbour and beach area… undeterred we swiftly bypassed those area, and swept into Lossie forest, cruising along the sandy/pebble strewn tracks.. http://www.iknow-scotland.co.uk/tourist_information/north_  

Until, we decided we gone far enough… and the trail petered out. We then returned  to Lossiemouth for our  much rewarded ice creams, choosing between the likes of Bubblegum,spearmint,Butterscotch, gold top etc, and sat in watching the surfers trying to do the waves (without much success)

It was then off on our bikes again from Lossiemouth up to Duffus Castle, http://www.scotland-inverness.co.uk/Chatelaine/DUFFUS.HTM 

Our original intention had been to sit on the castle ramparts to watch the jets flying around, however, as you may guess they had stopped flying by the time we got there, and so we continued along country lanes, and back towards the house, skilfully finding our way on an unknown route..lovely.

  So,what was my Reward when we got back to the house ? Kate made (!) me mow the lawn, so it would be manicured for Wayne’s return home..what a life!

However I was further rewarded later as we had a decadent evening meal,with fish suppers from a famous nearby chippy http://www.aboutaberdeen.com/ashvalefishandchips.php washed down with a bottle of Chapagne, followed by mint Vienetta ! Memories of different times at the Palace…

and then watching a DVD of Jason Manford, a local Mancunian’ish ,now done good ! http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/images/B001RTU2TC/ref=dp_image_z_0?ie=UTF8&n=283926&s=dvd with the appearrance at the Manchester Apollo, reminding me of the great performance I had seen there years ago of Gladys Knight and the Pips !

The Ghost Dolphins of the Moray Firth

Wednesday 29th September 2010

Wet,windy and dismal looking day in the East of Scotland.

Kate and I had decided to go to Inverness for some ‘Dolphin watching’..and set off around 10-30 a.m., firstly collecting tickets for a Saturday night ‘Ceilidh’ which we are going to…Wayne promises some mean Dance steps, not sure whether he’ll be wearing his kilt?!

Anyway off we set towards Inverness, hoping the rain would relax a little.. exactly as you can guess…it got worse.

We arrived near the bridge over the River Ness, at North Kessock, Dolphin watch point.. http://www.highland.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/498AD4C1-9609-4C98-8ED5-EF939CD7082A/0/TheDolphinandSealcentre.pdf a young lady gave a very interesting introduction, and assured us we were going to see Dolphins from this point….you may guess – we didn’t !

We had something to eat in a nearby Cafe, and then stood on a jetty watching,and waiting,and waiting, and getting wetter, and …watching !

Eventually after a couple of hours, we decided to move from there to Chandrey Point, some 30 minutes away,

http://www.stylendesign.co.uk/dolphin/where.html

where after not a great deal of time we managed to spy 3 dolphins swimming in the bay – some distance away ,none the less confirmed ! They quickly dissapearred, and so we traipsed back home,wet, but satisfied…. ready for wayne’s famous fish pie…and Manchester United on the TV later…

Rockin’along the Coast

Tuesday 28th September 2010

Well, today I visited some Very (!) interesting and differing places, on the East Coast of Scotland.

Wayne had gone out to work earlier, leaving me and Kate to sort ourselves out, and head off to the Village of Cullen..which I had fleetingly visited last Saturday en route to Elgin.

http://www.morayholidays.co.uk/cullen/tourist-information.htmlWe parked at the East side of the Harbour, and set off along the coastal path, to be immediately faced with,what Kate called a load of Rubbish…only to find that she was in the middle of Cullen Pet Cemetry..http://www.discovercullen.com/localfacilities-pet.php

and that’s a supposed Pet Lover !

Anyway we then continued along the coast, exploring the Rocks, and pools, towards the distant Findlatter Castle..having fun as we walked..

with Kate testing the Shellfish !

We eventually arrived at Findlatter Castle, or, should I say the remains..

http://www.findlater.org.uk/Castle.htm, and as we looked around I found…

What is it ??

We then returned along the coast, which had ,by now become quite pleasant, with a calm sea, and glimpses of Sunshine.

As we returned to the Harbour, we then sought out a local Restaurant to sample some of the famous’ Cullen Skink’http://uktv.co.uk/food/recipe/aid/514807, beautiful !!, and back to Elgin for showers…and stir fry, followed by Apple pie and custard…luvverly

Shopping ? What me ?!

Monday 27th September 2010

A day to take things easy...as we sent Wayne off to work, supporting Britain's defence !, or chatting to his mates, Kate and I snoozed for a while, then I got up and read the Sunday papers....eventually Kate put in an appearrance ! ( I won't say what time, but at least it was still morning)

After a leisurely Breakfast, we set off into the sunshine of Elgin, and had a perusal around Elgin town centre http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/elgin/elgin/index.html and going to Kate's favoured shops Bijou, where we had a really nice lunch, and got a surprise gift for Wayne...and another 'tat' shop as Wayne calls them, before returning home for an afternoon of photo viewing (phew !), and relaxing evening..

And managing to again, catch up with my blog,

Oh and planning Tuesday's expedition !

Scared ? Who Me ?!

Sunday 26th September 2010

Early morning, me and Wayne were ready,in biking gear, ready for Pete to pick us up, and off we set for http://www.forestry.gov.uk/wolftrax a 'gentle' day of Mountain biking, in the forests of Scotland !

Well. what can I say, having arrived there around 10 a.m., bacon and egg butties all round, and looking at the frost which was all around, I could sense that the day could be different !

We set off up the trail towards the top of the 'higher' Red run, and launched ourselves down a very Rocky, and tortuous descent, in and out of trees and mud...scary, but 'fun' ? , as I paused for breath, at the conclusion of this first run I was then ready for the second Red run, down towards salvation ( and lunch) at the bottom... and away we went, swooping down the gritty, muddy trails, more like what I was used to...

A quick lunch, and we were ready to go again, back up the hill for a second go on the 'lower' Red Run, and a final burst along the skills area ,swooping into the rest area...and back to Elgin... a long but fun day, Thanks boys !

Of course, not forgetting Kate, who had cooked a Beef Wellinton, for the returning hero's... after a hot bath !

Resting in the East

Saturday 25th September 2010

As I awoke the sun was shining, and the day seemed far calmer, than the days previous...so I packed Wally for the Road, and off we set, towards Kate and Wayne's, and a week of luxury.

I continued along the Coast, through Cullen, Buckie, and on to Spey Bay, where I visited the Dolphin watch centre, http://www.wdcs.org/connect/wildlife_centre/story_details.php?select=63 , and then on towards Elgin.

Early afternoon I landed at Kate and Wayne's home in Elgin... for a week of relaxation...and looking after. I presented her with a large bag of washing ! and settled down to relax !

Sadly, I later learned of the Death of my cousin Maureen, pictured below with us in London, along with my Dad,his sister Bridgie,her husband Mike and Susan (RIP),in 2008.

The eldest of my cousin's on Dad's side of the family.

She died Friday in a London Hospital,may she Rest In Peace

Wild and Windy in the East

Friday 24th September 2010

As I awoke, the wind was still blustering around, but the Rain had eased , and the sun was trying to get out..and warm the countryside..

the sea was boiling outside, and forming great swathes of foam on the surface, at the beaches and cliffs, with the foam being blown over the cliffs and wharfs.

I wrapped up against the wind, and ventured out for a wander round the ancient, old village of Portsoy, http://www.scotshistoryonline.co.uk/portsoy.html walking along the cliffs towards Sandsend bay..

a very wild, and windy walk, but fresh ! to say the least..

On my return I went to the old Salmon Bothy http://www.salmonbothy.org.uk/ , the base for the Annual Traditional Boat festival..http://www.scottishtraditionalboatfestival.org.uk/, and spent a pleasant hour looking at old bits of history.

I then returned to Wally, wrapped up well, and read a book for the rest of the day...and so to sleep

Paradise Lost !

Thursday 23rd September 2010 As the night wore on ...New Aberdour beach became the centre of torrential rain, crashing waves, and gale force winds....perfect I thought, I'm glad I stayed out in the wilds for the night.

I gamely decided to stay where I was ( and put the heater on ) expecting the torrential rain to ease... and things go back to what they were !

However, as the day wore on, I decided that things weren't going to get better, and that I should move on, whilst I still could, and find myself a site, where I could connect in the electric !

Off I set, up the hills from the beach, as a torrent of water was coming down the road, and as I got to level roads, anywhere there was a dip in the road, had flooded, and I had to crash straight through the water...

I continued along the coast to find that several roads were blocked by flooding, and the rain was continuing.Everywhere I travelled was flooded, and the roads were surounded by great Lakes of water..and as I travelled I heard on the radio, that many Roads in the area were blocked by flooding, and getting worse...

I travelled through Macduff, and arriving at the campsite at Banff,http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/caravanparks/locations/banff.asp I attempted to 'check in' and found the warden rather flustered, telling me they were under a 'flood watch' and possibly about to evacuate the site !

Not a good idea to stay I thought !... and moved on, further up the coast..

Arriving at the next bay, Portsoy, http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/portsoy/portsoy/index.html, I decided I would chance it, at the campsite there , although next to the beach, seemed to be slightly protected ,and a good place to 'ride out the storm' !

So having sorted out a protected part of the site, I settled down for the night !

with the heater on... and some magazines to read.

Where the Rainbows Shine and the Waves Roar !

Wednesday 22nd September 2010

I left the Campsite at Tarland fairly early, as ,once again the rain pattered on the roof of Wally..

and headed back to the coast towards Aberdeen, the 'granite city'.http://www.aberdeen-grampian.com/ It was a dark,damp and dismal journey as I cruised the city's streets, looking for a decent Supermarket, to fill up the food locker, before my onward journey.

However, amd much to my consternation I could only find an 'Aldi' to shop in..would Wally forgive me I wondered, as with trepidation,I crossed the threshold, and gathered much needed supplies ( at an excellent price I must add!)and then it was onward along the Eastern coast of Scotland,following the Coastal trail through balmadie, Newburgh, Cruden Bay, and into Peterhead.. the site of a dismal Prison, with an unusual history of an event.. http://www.sasspecialairservice.com/sas-peterhead-prison-scotland.html

the rain eased as I headed North, and with the sun finally breaking through i stopped in Fraserburgh, at the point where the Coastline changed from Northerly heading, to an East/West heading, so before I headed East, I decided to have a look around the Lighthouse Museum http://www.lighthousemuseum.org.uk/ on Kinnairds Head, or strictly speaking I should say the area outside of it..as being a pensioner I couldn't afford all the admision charges ! Without going inside it was a very interesting interlude, as by now the sun was shining, and the day was improving by the minute.

I then headed eastwards along the coast, through Sandhaven and Rosehearty and I then saw a sign 'Aberdour Beach' 3 1/2 miles, along what appearred to be a quiet Road towards the coast.. I found myself at a great, secluded bay - New Aberdour Beach', http://www.world66.com/europe/unitedkingdom/scotland/new_aberdourwhich was almost deserted, the sun was shining, there was a Rainbow over the bay from a quick shower, so what could I do ? - I decided to stay the night (or longer) - enjoying the 'free facilities' of Sun,Sea,Sand...and Seclusion !

I explored the sea caves along the beach, and differing Rock formations, and had a great evening meal, as the few people who were around left me to it, and as the sun set I settled down for a night, of I hoped, star gazing..from bed inside Wally.

Not quite to be, as, during the night the wind picked up, the rain started belting down, and I found myself in a Raging storm with the Sea roaring in front of me, and the gentle stream running down to the sea behind me, had chaged into a rampant torrent ! Still I was cosy, and enjoyed the spectacle !