Langedge Wood/Muirward Wood

I haven't been to this super woodland walk for ages, I used to go quite a lot with our last dog, so really don't know why I haven't been recently.  It is by the side of the main A93 on the way to Perth just past Scones of Lethendy.  You can park at the entrance to the wood (limited parking) or you could go up via New Scone and access the wood from the side or start the walk from St Martins or from Perth Aerodrome, all sorts of ways really!!, I'd have to show you on a map.  There are hundreds of beech trees which then leads into a fir tree plantation and there are tracks here there and everywhere.

 It's not really surprising so many trees toppled in the December storms as you can see how shallow rooted they are.

There was a bit of tree harvesting going on deep in the woods, amazing machines.

St. David's Church, Stormontfield

Another country church but this time in pristine order. This church is along the same back road as the ferry building in my previous post.  I particularly like the simplicity of this building and the exquisite detail in the sundial by the entrance door.

Waulkmill Ferry

Along a side road north of Perth Racecourse is this little gem of a building at Waulkmill where a ferry used to sail across the River Tay.  Love the fact that the Table of Fares has been preserved.  Click here for more information about the ferry service.

All very quiet on the River Tay today, thought I might see a few people out fishing, but no.

Kirkton of Lethendy

Another church theme to my blog today.  At Kirkton of Lethendy is the most charming derelict country church complete with old wrought gate and walls entwined with ivy.  The graveyard  has some enchanting old headstones with beautiful carving and a brief insight into someones life, now long gone.

Kirkton of Lethendy is along the B947 between Blairgowrie and Spittalfield.

Bendochy Church

In between Blairgowrie and Coupar Angus there is a lovely back road that gives you a pleasant little detour away from the main road.  Stopped off this morning to take pictures of the delightful parish church.

Visit from the ladies from the Visitor Centre

This morning two of the ladies from our excellent Blairgowrie Visitor Centre called round on a familiarisation visit, so they were duly showed around the b&b.  Nice to see them and they brought a bag of goodies with them.  The Visitor Centre is located in the Wellmeadow and is your one stop shop for information for the area and they have a nice selection of gifts and books for sale as well.

Marmalade Cake

Carrying on the theme of marmalade I have a recipe for a gorgeous marmalade cake and despite my confession in the last post, I love this cake, very moist and delicious and easy to make.

Ingredients:
6oz margarine
4oz caster sugar
2 eggs
zest of 1 'normal' orange
6oz self-raising flour
2 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons marmalade

Cream the sugar and margarine together then beat in the eggs.  Add the orange zest and the marmalade then the flour and finally fold in the milk.  Pour into a greased and lined loaf tin and back at 180C for 50-60 minutes.

Marmalade Making

This blog should have been written up in January, but it wasn't!  January is peak time for Seville oranges which are used in making marmalade.  This year I had a couple of major disasters.  The first recipe I used which was a relatives recipe which refused to set and then I boiled it again and it turned to toffee.  The next recipe is one I used last year and I let it boil before the sugar had dissolved properly so it was grainy and horrible and was like glue.  So on my next attempt I took parts from three different recipes and am delighted to say I got a fantastic result, great texture etc.  There are loads of marmalade recipes out there, so I'm sure you all have a favourite.  I purchased my oranges from our local Blairgowrie Farm Shop.

Marmalade originated just along the road in Dundee  and was made originally by a company called Keiller.  I have a wee confession to make - I'm not very keen on marmalade - don't know why, but I had to taste test my own and have to say it's not bad.

Blairgowrie Riverside Improvements

As reported in my blog in November  about the tree felling along the Riverbank, I went along today for a look at what has being going on.  At the moment the car park is out of use for re-surfacing work.  Great signs of work going on from tree re-planting, new hardcore on paths, new signage, walls being re-built and there were some vehicles doing drainage work down near the collapsed weir.  There will also be sculptures placed in the area in the near future, look forward to seeing them.

Money has also been secured from a town regeneration fund which will see more improvements around the town, so come and enjoy Blairgowrie.