Fungi Walk at Dunkeld

This afternoon I had the opportunity to nip across to Dunkeld to go on a fungi walk arranged by the Atholl Estates Ranger Service. Anyone wanting to go was to meet at Cally car park, which is just before Dunkeld, and this is a good place to go if you were wanting to go out walking. Quite a few people turned up and the walk was led by two knowledgeable ladies. Unfortunately with the dry spell we have been having the fungi were a bit scarce. I had an enjoyable time and picked up some hints and tips. There are quite a few fungi walks/forays coming up take a look at this link for all the events.

A Postcard from Cannes

My second postcard this year!! from some lovely guests from France, thank you very much.

The River Ericht

These photos were taken late morning, today, after a day and night of torrential rain. The top three are taken from the bridge in the town centre looking downstream, and the bottom two photos are from the riverside path. Unfortunately with all the rain Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Games, which were to be held on Sunday have been cancelled. The Braemar Day Celebrations on Saturday are still going ahead, with fancy dress parades, dancing, pipe bands, a climbing wall, etc and at 9.00pm there will be a firework display set to music. There will be a Victorian theme to Braemar Day, so dress up if you wish.

By the River Tay

A derelict Victorian Greenhouse
Grapes growing in old greenhouse

The River Tay

Fisherman's Boat on River Tay

Old Kinclaven Railway Bridge

Yesterday I had a wander down by the River Tay at a spot called Kinclaven. Many years ago a railway used to pass this spot, unfortunately you can't get onto the bridge, not that I didn't try though! Shame they don't open it up as it would make a superb walk. Also came across a beautiful old Victorian Greenhouse, now sadly past it's best, but I was surprised to see the grapes still growing away in it. I can imagine what it must have been like when it was being used. I really love old Victorian architecture.

Harvest Time

It's been a lovely day today, if a bit windy, my hat blew into a field of cows, but luckily I managed to retrieve it. The combines are hard at work getting the harvest in after having to stop for 2 days due to the weather and the wheat having to dry off again. All my guests are away to Scone Palace to the Runrig concert, I'm sure they will have a great time and tell me about it tomorrow.

Clouds in the Sky

There were some lovely cloud formations in the sky this morning, note how blue the sky is, not being having much of that this August!! I actually feel embarrassed by the amount of rain we have had this month, I feel sorry for my guests touring around. But I must remember what fantastic weather we had in May and June. With September just around the corner you can feel the change in the air and the colours on the leaves slowly starting to change. The Rowan tree berries are a very vivid red and apparently that means we will get lots of snow in the winter, just have to wait and see if it is true.

Blairgowrie Community Campus

Tomorrow is the start back to school after the summer holidays for primary and nursery pupils into their brand new school. Yesterday we had an official visit/tour around the facilities. All I can really say is that it is amazing. Unfortunately I could not get any photos inside as there were too many people in the way! I couldn't believe how huge the school is inside, it will take the pupils a few days to get their bearings. All the classrooms are quite open plan with no doors, all the equipment is state of the art, a beautiful library, gym, media centre etc, etc. My children are excited about school lunches as they will be given a top up card to pay for meals and they have to scan their fingerprint when they go into lunch. The teachers have a huge balcony running off from their staff room, from where they can monitor the gates and playground and perhaps catch a few rays of sunshine!! It really is a school for the 21st century. The local community and clubs will also have access to many of the facilities after school hours.

Woodlands Road & Golf Course Road

After I had been at the playing fields I continued along Piggy Lane to join up with Woodlands Road. There are some beautiful houses along in this area and I came across a field with some 'wild' boar along with lovely little piglets. I then turned right along Golf Course Road and back to Perth Road and home.

New Playing Fields

Yesterday I took a walk along up the side of the cemetery and across a field to join up with a lane called 'Piggy Lane'. The new Primary School has been built on some playing fields so they were relocated nearby. There is a lovely wild area with a wildlife pond. I hope the Sports Fields will be well used.

Geocaching

Have you ever heard of Geocaching?, well I hadn't until today through the power of Twitter. I have been finding out all about it and in a nutshell you use a GPS tracker to locate a 'cache' hidden somewhere, like a high tech treasure hunt. It seems to be worldwide and there are over 8oo locations in Perthshire. In July next year in Perth there is a major event called Mega Scotland and to get more information on Geocaching click here. I'd love to give it a try, but I don't have a GPS tracker, yet!!

Trikes, Bikes and Automobiles

On Saturday night I had a lovely group of guests from Germany arrive in a cavalcade of different vehicles, it was fantastic. They stayed with me for 2 nights and headed further North today on the start of an exciting trip around the Scottish mainland and Islands.

Blairgowrie Bowling Club

Whilst out for a walk today I passed by the bowling club so I took a photo for you. Whoever looks after the grounds does a fantastic job. Click here for a link to their website.

Massed pipes and drums

This evening there was a massed pipes and drums display from Canada in the town centre. I took some photos of them marching down to the Wellmeadow, as there are not so many people in the way!! I walked down to the Wellmeadow and was delighted to see such a large turnout of spectators.