Historic Scotland

With the day's getting longer and March just around the corner I was having a look at places that are open or are opening soon for the season. Having a look at the Historic Scotland website I was shocked to see all the places they care for that I had never heard about, it is quite fascinating looking around the different regions on their site. If you purchase an Explorer Pass it can save you a substantial amount of money, something to think about if you are coming to Scotland for a holiday.

The Weather

This time last week we had up to 10cm of snow and then this week I am out in the garden in reasonably warm sunshine. I have become slightly obsessed with the weather forecast and keep checking up on the Glenshee ski reports and I have yet to find one online or tv forecast that agrees with another!

Winter Wonderland

Sunnyside

Lots of grouse in the snow

Woke up this morning to a totally unexpected fall of heavy snow, but as we had arranged to go up to Glenshee again, off we went. That was a journey and a half, took us double the time, because of ice and snow, cars were getting stuck going up the hills and sliding about as they had no grip at all, but they and we got to the slopes. I think they closed the road briefly to clear it after we had got up. What a contrast in the weather to yesterday, but it was still superb fun. It is going to be so absolutely packed up there over the weekend and next week, school mid-term holidays, and I have a busy weekend in the B&B, so no ski-ing for me.

Glorious Glenshee

The pictures say it all, today was the most perfect day at Glenshee. Enjoy, if you are going up. I shall upload some more photos on my Flickr album.

Time to Ponder

I am sitting here waiting patiently for some guests to arrive, and thinking back on the amount of phone calls I had today for people wanting to stay this weekend, well tomorrow night in particular, the ski slopes are calling. It's so disappointing to have to turn people away, but with only 3 bedrooms it happens, especially in the summer. Typically I had people wanting to stay tonight and I was full and then some people cancelled late on, so there you go, what do you do.
I have decided to open my blog for comments as I was unaware that you could check them all first, but now I know you can, helps if you read things properly! The reason I blocked them before was because I was slightly wary of getting bizarre comments!

Royal Navy Rescue

Not long after 1pm when I took the dog out I heard a helicopter flying very low and sounding as if it was trying to land, because of the heavy snow I couldn't see anything, so being curious followed the sound to the field opposite the cemetery just along the road and low and behold a Royal Navy Rescue Helicopter had landed!! Typically I didn't have my camera so I just had to rush home and get it as it is not something you see every day. I was not alone in taking photos! (Note of the day, always go out with my camera as the most unexpected things can happen) Apparently they were waiting for an ambulance to come down the Glen as they could not land because of the adverse weather conditions.

It has been snowing all day here, yesterday the snow from Monday had all melted and it rained all day long. The forecast is dry for tomorrow, so the forecast says.

Grrrrrr..eat Fun

Fun and frolics in the snow, bright and sunny one minute total whiteout the next.

Is this what they call a Ploughman's lunch!!

Ploughing has started in the field at the end of the lane and it is amazing all the seagulls that suddenly appear for a good feed, hence the title of this post. Unfortunately it also means I can't use the field as a walk for some time. There is a small fir hillock across the field (great view of it from upstairs) with some Scot's pine and Oak trees, someone told me it was an ancient burial ground, don't know if that is true or not, something to research.

My guests last night left me a lovely box of chocolates, so thank you!. They were going on to Glasgow to the Royal Concert Hall to the Celtic Connections Homecoming Celebrations. Tonight is the 'Transatlantic Sessions-Bringing it all Back Home' which highlights the music and songs of Scotland that travelled across the Atlantic with the emigrants.

Views from Newton Terrace

The Church next to Hill Primary School.

As it was such a glorious day took a couple of photos for you. The school will be moving to a new site after the summer holidays, so I am intrigued as to what will happen to the current school, as it is a beautiful old listed building(will take a photo of the school when the schools are on holiday). There are many superb buildings in Blairgowrie, it is worth wandering around and looking upwards as the architectural detailing is fabulous.

The house in the centre is called 'Old Bank House' it is now offices, but way back in 1996 we got particulars about it when it was for sale as it was being run as a guest house, it is a beautiful building from the front.

Happy Birthday Robert Burns & Charlotte!

Today marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns and the launch of Homecoming Scotland with events being held throughout the year ending on St Andrews Day. It is hoped many expats will be encouraged to return 'home' for a holiday. If you are having a Burn's supper, enjoy.

My Native Land Sae Far Awa

O sad and heavy, should I part,

But for her sake, sae far awa;

Unknowing what my way may thwart,

My native land sae far awa.

Thou that of a things Maker art,

That formed this Fair sae far awa,

Gie body strenghth, then I'll ne'er start

At this my way sae far awa.

How true is love to pure desert!

Like mine for her sae far awa;

And nocht can heal my bosom's smart,

While, oh, she is sae far awa!

Nane other love, nane other dart,

I feel but her's sae far awa;

But fairer never touch'd a heart

Than her's, the Fair, sae far awa.

I am suffering slightly today after the sledging, sore muscles and a crick in my neck, must have been when I slammed my head into a hard lump of snow after flying through the air on the sledge!!

Fun at Glenshee

Spot the black grouse!

Snow groomer in action

As it was a nice day and the ski report for Glenshee was good with a number of runs open, which would indicate there is snow!!, I thought we should head up the road for a bit of fun on the sledges. Lovely drive up the road seeing several deer crossing the road and a red squirrel. There was quite a large turnout at the slopes and with more snow forecast this week the skiing should be excellent, fingers crossed. We had a real laugh on the sledges though and picnicing in the car. On another note I can't quite believe I have managed to keep this blog going for a year, never thought I'd manage a week.

Finally....

Finally I have got around to posting some pictures of the 2 bedrooms we redecorated in November/December, hope you like them!

Perth Theatre

Had our annual outing today to the panto at Perth theatre. This year it was 'The Snow Queen' a Christmas adventure, not necessarily a traditional panto, but as always it was fantastic and as always very busy. The actors/actresses are always superb.