That’s More Like it !

Friday 17th September 2010 The wind was still blowing strong, as the sea was being whipped up in big sea horses, as I packed up and left Stonehaven… For travels inland into Deeside, home of the Royals. I went to Banchory, Aboyne, and lots of places in between visiting more of the NEOS exhibits. Mid afternoon I arrived in my campsite for the next three days - Tarland, on Royal Deeside, a camping and caravanning site…costing the princely sum of £24-59 for 3 nights - Great ! Although a bit damp, seems like a pleasant enough site, and as it’s CCC should be quite clean !

Blown Away !

Thursday 16th September 2010.

Although a poor forecast for the day, I awoke to again brilliant sunshine, although as I was getting used to, lots of gusts of wind ! I set off early morning to another exhibition, this time being a glass maker http://www.lindsaydesigns.co.uk/ who’s work was quite different, although tempted, I again didn’t part with any more money ! I returned to town, and after being interrogated for my identity, was able to use the t’internet at the Library ! After lunch , I set off North of the town along the coast, to Carron point, the exact location of the highland fault, where in the area lots of fossils had been found, although none by me ! And lot’s of great rock/cliff features, ignoring all the warning signs, I climbed everything I could, examining rocks that I had no idea how they came to be there -- must find a ‘geologist’ to tell me ! Then a return to the campsite, via ‘The bay’ chippy, best in town, and a Scottish Fish supper for £5-50, and well worth it. As I returned to ‘Wally’ a brilliant ‘red sunset’ was developing…along with very windy conditions… All night the wind blew harder and harder, but I managed to ignore it…and sleep! On the day the Pope decided to start his visit in the Country where I was - Scotland - Welcome !

A Night with a Bird !?

Wednesday 15th September 2010

Having set off from the camp site fairly early, I retraced my steps to the south of St Cyrus, to the Nature reserve, and had a wander around the trail around the reserve, and also out onto glorious sandy beaches, stretching for miles, on a lovely sunny morning, although again quite ‘breezy’, but my recent investment in a lightweight ‘wind shirt’ was paying dividends, keeping out the wind…. There were several unusual features on the reserve, including the Lifeboat house, which was about ½ mile form the sea, with no access to it ( answers on a postcard!)…and the ice house, now turned into a dwelling. I then travelled up the coast to Stonehaven, where I booked onto the only site in town, again next to the beach. £16 a night, and 2% extra to pay by credit card ( I used switch!) - although its only £9-50 for over 60’s, age discrimination ! The site although well placed, was slightly bare, and frankly, dirty!, but needs must!. I had a wander round the town, helped by a very nice lady at the Tourist Information, again taking in a couple of Art exhibitions (but buying nowt!)…and retired for an early night. Around 4 a.m. I was awoken to what I thought was a bird on the roof of ‘Wally’, which seemed to be taking off and landing, and I couldn’t decide whether to get up and frighten it away - however, thankfully I didn’t wander outside like a madman - I realised it was the marker board on my bikes, banging in the wind !…ah well, back to sleep.

Jotown the Art Collector

Tuesday 14th September 2010

Up bright and early, and although ‘breezy’ I decided to walk along the coastline, to the nearby village of Johnshaven. It was a pleasant enough walk, and as I wandered around Johnshaven, I discovered that there were a number of artists, either permanent, or temporary, who had set up exhibitions, under the ambit of ‘NEOS’ North East Open Studios. This was set up all over the North East of Scotland,with a comprehensive brochure, and map detailing all the Studios, and exhibitions. Thank you Kate McKenzie at http://www.starfishstudio.co.uk/ for the information and guide. So, as a real ‘art conneiseur’ I wandered around impressing them with my knowledge of what makes good art - ‘I’ll know it when I see it !’, and a purchase of an impressive ‘egg cup’ for £5, should send them all running to the bank !. I then walked back to the campsite, where I invested in an expensive £1 shower -although I got my full 8 minutes worth!

On the Road along the Sea

Monday 13th September 2010

Travelled from St Andrews, after first stopping at Morrisons, for a ‘big shop’ - all £64 worth !, Up the coast, passing Leuchars, through Dundee, Montrose, Arbroath, and eventually settling at a site called Milton Haven, just North of St Cyrus, where there is a large Bird Sanctuary (the feathered kind!). I must say costs have risen dramatically - although I was parked right next to the pebbly/stony ‘beach’ with a view out onto the sea, £17 a night (and extra £1 for a shower) was, too me a boit extravagant ! Anyway that was where I stopped …had a wander along the coast towards St Cyrus, but the path was blocked by the sea ! And settled down to watch the sunset over the sea, although it wasn’t very dramatic, or red .

Lazy Sundays...in the Sun

Sunday 12th September 2010

Well, it was a leisurely start, after a busy Saturday... 8- 30 a.m. rising, chukky eggs, solidiers and coffee... followed by the sunday paper... and the sun was shinng !

Kate and Wayne arrived at 12- 30 p.m., and after brief chats we all went into St Andrews for lunch.

We went to Littlejohns cafe bar http://www.littlejohns.co.uk/St%20Andrews.html where Kate had the largest 'Prawn cocktail' I've ever seen in my life, almost a goldfish bowl full

Then it was off to a great Gelateria for ice creams ...in a cone this time !

before 4 p.m. mass at St James churchhttp://www.saint-andrews.co.uk/Tour/scores.htm

before a walk back to the campsite, Wally ....

and updating my blog....took hours !!

I'm moving tomorrow off further up the coast around Montrose...

I'll be in touch !!

The Day they don't forget...but, don't always Remember !?

Saturday 11th September 2010

Well, up really early this morning ! I had piles of presents and cards to open, before I set off for the 06 50 a.m. bus ! So, at 5-45 a.m. I was opening the piles of things that people had either given me before I set off, or sent to Kate's for her to give me - Thank You, a great start to my 56th Birthday !

Unfortunatley the 'good weather' forecast didn't seem very accurate...the rain was bouncing down outside ! Undeterred I got ready, had breakfast, found a small brolly, and set off, catching the bus, just before 7 a.m. into St Andrews, from where I walked to the Park and ride area, causing some amusement as I told them I had a park and ride ticket..but no car !

Anyway I set off, on the first bus of the day, shortly after 7 -40 a.m....wow, I'm going to be early ...don't count your chickens ! The bus got near to the airbase at Leuchars before getting stuck in a traffic jam, not moving for 25 minutes, but it didn't matter it was raining really hard outside, and warm and dry on the bus ! We all stopped where we were.

Eventually they sent us another way, arriving on a waterlogged air base, just as the rain eased, and almost stopped.

As I went through security, I caused a bit of a stir...

toilet roll,sun tan lotion,brolly and shorts ! I'm surprised they let me in..

Kate was already hard at work, and the texts were flashing into my phone with good wishes.. Wayne met me, and we celebrated after the Spitfire, with a good Bacon buttie !

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-11271391

We viewed all the static displays, and made our way towards the tower, where Kate had our 'chairs for the day' - well done Kate ! Interspersed with calls from Grandsons Tristan and Lincoln singing 'Happy Birthday' almost drowning out the airplanes !

It was then an improving weather pattern, whilst me and Wayne sat on our chairs watching the displays, which came thick and fast...far too many to mention....but the Vulcan arrived,displayed and landed- brilliant !

The base had filled with people, the sun shone hot and windy, a long but thrilling day...

until 5-30 p.m. when the flying had finished, and we made our way to Kate's room..and a welcome beer !, and hot bath, luvverly... and out of the bath just in time for my other grandsons Ethan and Elijah to also ring and sing 'Happy Birthday' - far more melodious than their Dad ! - thanks boys.

Kate had finished work, and we all got changed quickly ( well, apart from Kate !) and we managed to get the 'last' Park and Ride bus of the day, back to St Andrews, and to a great meal at http://www.nahm-jim.co.uk/ followed by a drink at a rather loud bar...and home to Wally, just before midnight, just like Cinderella...quickly nodding off.

Thanks everyone for a great Birthday, presents,cards,calls, messages

all very much appreciated !