Perthshire Open Studios - Heartwood

Perthshire Open Studios has been on for the past two weeks and today was the last day for this years event. Today I managed to get along to a local 'studio' in Blairgowrie, where the majority of the art was displayed in a fantastic woodland setting - the group of artists call the event 'Heartwood' - hope you enjoy the photos.

 The photos above and below are just random trees, but are art in themselves.

I think my favourite piece of art was the cut fallen tree trunks that had been covered in gold leaf, from a distance it looked like they were lit up, very simple but very effective.

Tay Forest Park - Craigvinean

 I usually park at the Hermitage when I go over to Craigvinean Forest, have a look back to September 2010 blogs for two walks I wrote about.  If you go onto the A9 from Dunkeld and head north then take the left for Dalguise you will see the Douglas Fir Wood Sign on your left where you can park.  Further along the road there are other Forestry Commission entrances and there is a super avenue of copper beech trees and some great looking fir trees.

 So I parked up in the Douglas Fir Wood car park and followed the path up as if I was going on the Inver Path.  I then headed north into the forest, there are tracks here there and everywhere, great mountain bike territory.

 When I came to this clearing I should have carried on, but I doubled back up onto another path,

  and totally by surprise the path brought me right out beside the Pine Cone Viewpoint.  From this fabulous vantage point I could easily see where I had to get back to.

There are so many walks and mountain bike trails in and around Craigvinean you are spoilt for choice.

World Jam Awards

This year was the launch of the world jam awards, 'Jampionships', looking for the best raspberry jam in the world.  The overall champion was a lady from Canada, but I am rather pleased, if not a bit shocked, to say I won the best raspberry jam in the B&B/Restaurant/Hotel Category.  The final judging and winner was announced on Friday at the Dundee Food and Flower Festival.  All the winners and judges can be found if you click here.  So, if you like to make raspberry jam make sure you enter the competition next year.

Dundee Food and Flower Festival

A few scenes, husband took the children,  from the Dundee Food and Flower Festival today.  The festival is on over three days every year at this time and is a very popular event with the odd 'celebrity' popping up.  Next year you could make a great weekend of all the events on.  Friday you could go to the Dundee Food and Flower Festival, on the Saturday either the Braemar Gathering or Scotland's Countryside Fair at Glamis and finish up on Sunday at the Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Games.

A sweet gift

Guests from Australia who departed this morning presented me with a lovely homemade pouch with a lovely note and for the children two kangaroos and a koala.  Thank you x