Fairy Tale Wedding at Drumtochty Castle (Part 1)

It is difficult to imagine a more magical setting for a wedding than a stunning 19th Century Scottish castle, hidden away in a wild woodland glen, so when we received an invitation from our friends to attend a Drumtochty Castle wedding we were thrilled to accept. 

(The entrance to Drumtochty Castle...erected in the year 1812)

...but first let me set the scene...

A crumbling Gothic pile in Scotland has been restored to its former glory, thanks to the efforts of a local lad of humble origins. Charles Anderson's life story is worthy of a 19th century romance. Born on a small croft in Aberdeen, he was one of six children. He became an apprentice engineer working on oil rigs in the North Sea, but it was inventing a machine that helps to extract crude oil from the ocean floor that made his personal fortune. Having gone from rags to riches, Charles Anderson then went from croft to castle, with the purchase of Drumtochty Castle in 1997. For while the story of Charles is a rise and rise, the exact opposite was true of the 200 year old neo-Gothic castle 30 miles south of Aberdeen. In the course of its decline, it had ruined its four previous owners. When Charles Anderson bought Drumtochty the roof had all but collapsed, the stonework was black with neglect and apparently rats jumped in and out of holes in the walls. Overgrown trees tightly huge the castle. There was no plumbing, central heating or kitchen to speak of. It was hardly the ideal home for Charles' wife and four children.
The first job was almost literally to dig the castle out of the trees, then to give it a good clean. Charles was quoted £100,000 to sandblast the castle but he thought that was too expensive so he hired someone to abseil up and down the castle with a steam cleaner. It took six months but only worked out at about £5,000.
Having cut down the trees Charles planted 50,000 new ones on the 350 acre estate. He also set about removing the miles of rhododendron bushes planted by the original aristocratic owners of the castle.
They had grown out of control and were starving the local wildlife of its natural habitat.  

He then turned over two of his acres to a trout loch, and started to rear red deer. 

Having been first and foremost a family home, the overall feel is quite unlike anything you would find in a National Trust property. 

The property was built for entertaining and therefore Charles decided to rent out the castle for private functions, in particular weddings. Scottish castles have become ultra-chic locations for weddings but it is also a perfect venue for a corporate get-away, team building event or conference as it is both secure and secluded. Drumtochty Castle is a truly unique setting to wow the corporate clients. 
In the tranquil surroundings of the castle, its the perfect place to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle...or as in our case the 120 packing boxes that we have been swamped with since we arrived back in our new (old) home.   

(some of the above details were obtained from Catherine Moye...The Telegraph)

(Note the Piper playing as we entered the castle)

The undeniable romance of Drumtochty is heightened by the prospect of short liveried carriage ride out of the castle gates to the Episopalian church of St. Palladius where the wedding ceremony can be performed. 

But if you prefer the marriage can be held in the reception rooms, in the castle grounds or by the loch. 

Spring, summer, autumn or winter, the castle is captivating at any time of the year. 

This is the rear of the castle...now how stunning is that? 

For obvious reasons I wasn't snapping photos constantly during the day as I want to protect the happy couples privacy, plus I was so busy enjoying myself that I basically forgot! 

So lets head inside shall we and I'll show you around...

After the beautiful wedding ceremony at St. Palladius Church, we returned to the castle to enjoy champagne in the regal reception rooms (or outside on the lawn) whilst the quartet played...and the bride and groom where whisked away to have their photographs taken.

The restoration of the castle is truly amazing... 

The reception room on the morning after the wedding. 
During the wedding reception this room was full of family, friends and guests who had traveled from the four corners of the world. 
It was a very international affair.

After champagne and canapés we entered the magnificent ballroom where tables sparkled with the finest crystal, china and cutlery. We enjoyed a sumptuous banquet, fine wines and the best service all under the expert watchful eye of Ewan Kirkpatrick (General Manager). Nothing went under his radar and he truly is an asset to the smooth running of any event that is held at the castle.

The ballroom can comfortably cater for one hundred and twenty dinner guests. 
I do have photographs of the hall but as you know I don't like to post any photos of people without their permission so you'll have to take my word for it...everyone looked stunning. 

Smaller and more intimate weddings can be held in the elegant dining room. 
Our supper was served in here later in the evening (buffet style) 
Stovies were a huge hit but then they are a very popular Scottish dish. 
(More about them possibly in a future post)

After a beautiful wedding banquet came the wedding speeches and toasts. 

There wasn't a dry eye in the house...

Here's another quick peek around the castle, but I don't think my photos do it justice. 

It is a stunning castle that has been lovingly renovated to a high quality. 
The regal staircase...

The magnificent window on the staircase...

There's a games room for guests to unwind and relax...

There are two sitting rooms...so plenty of room for guests to chat, chill and generally mingle from the main ballroom. 

Now I've set the scene, I feel this post has taken up so much time that I'll split it into two parts...plus it will give me time to edit and collate the rest of the photos. I hope you don't mind ;D

Hey...the suns shining again so my garden calls...
Enjoy your weekend everyone...I hope to see you again soon. 

My view on 1st August 2013

Hello everyone...today I'm going to let the photo below speak for itself...

I promised I'd take a photo each month to show the changes of the view from the rear of the house.

It could be like watching paint dry, but I'm hoping that the weather, seasons plus the farmland crops will show just how changeable the landscape can be. 

So here's the 1st August entry...after most of the day being wrapped in a cloud which was so low we couldn't even see the other side of the field...it has finally lifted to reveal the blue sky above. 
It's been warm, wet and sunny over the last month so the grass has grown quite lush. 
The farmer has also been busy.

Currently I'm busy editing my castle wedding, so hopefully I'll be able to post that tomorrow. I was so near to posting it this afternoon, but suddenly it went whoosh...and disappeared. 

I can tell you the air was blue never mind the sky!!!

So what do you have for your view today?

I hope you have enjoyed both the view and the day. 

Chat again soon hopefully over a cuppa, kilts and a ceilidh 

(pronounced kay-lee,,,scottish country dancing) 

Melbourne to the UK...no problem for Muffty

Many of you have kindly been asking how Muffin got on with travelling from one side of the world to the other. Well let me tell you she did extremely well...thanks to Jet Pets.

The fact that it cost more to transport her than it has for us to ship our car across, has nothing to do with it! 

She's worth every penny and that's all there is to it! 

On the day of her departure from Melbourne, we had people all over the house...

...the air freight was being packed in one room and the furniture rental company where in another, so Muffin was having the time of her life meeting and mingling with everyone. 

Being the centre of attention is what she loves best! 

So when the Jet Pet man came through the door to collect her, she greeted him in her usual enthusiastic way. 

I ensured that I had all the paperwork organised and ready to hand over, explaining that if there was anything that needed to be done or said we'd best do it now, because I knew I'd be a complete mess when it came to handing her over. (AND I WAS)

I know some people will laugh at me saying she's just a dog...but believe me she's much more than just a dog to us. 

And so the time had come when she had to start her journey (deep breath)

She was completely oblivious as to what was about to happen...

Before she knew it...she was placed very kindly into her crate...but oh boy as you can see she wasn't happy! 

To say I was worried is an understatement...but having Jet Pets taking care of all the details, I needn't ...but then that would have been like asking me not to breathe!!! 

Their International network of offices and operation centres monitor every step of your pets journey, to and from anywhere on the planet!

Here's some of the features that their International service include: 

-  A dedicated International Pet Travel Consultant

-  Flight booking on the most direct flight to your destination

-  Comprehensive itinerary

-  Detailed information about your destinations quarantine and customs requirements

-  Boarding (if required)

-  Arranging an airline approved travel crate – including free Jetpets Stay Dry Fleece

-  Expert pet travel advice about any vaccinations your pet may require

-  Jetpets Veterinary home visit to provide necessary vaccinations (Melbourne & Sydney)

-  Collection in a Jetpets Animal Transport Vehicle (if required)

-  Access to Jetpets Transit Lounge (pre flight)

-  Health check by Jetpets Veterinarian pre flight (Melbourne & Sydney)

-  Pet priority check-in at airport

-  Delivery of your pet(s) in a Jetpets Animal Transport Vehicle (if required)

-  Convenient payment over the phone

-  24 hour, 7 days a week, 365 days a year customer service

We actually arrived in the UK the day before Muffin, but that was all part of the plan...I wanted to be there when she was delivered. 

I won't tell you how many times I checked the driveway for her arrival. 

You probably wouldn't believe me anyway! 

Finally the van chauffeur driven limo arrived...and I was like a whippet out of the traps ^..^

Oh it was so brilliant to see and hear her! 

She heard my voice and wanted OUT!!!

We were actually staying at my sister's house for that first week of our return home and she has a fantastic garden which Muffin immediately enjoyed...stretching her legs.

Here's Muffin taking it all in...her first few hours in the UK. 

She landed at 5.30am and was with us by 3pm after going through all the checks and procedures. 

You would never know that she had done that journey...and possibly had a little holiday romance along the way. Apparently I believe there had been a little Jack Russell who had accompanied her on the same flight! 

I'm saying nothing just in case Zac reads this post...he'd be terribly upset. 

Thankfully I'd also organised to pack some of the Aussie sunshine into our freight which made the transition that much easier. 

We had an overnight stay in Edinburgh at my daughters on the way up...which reinforced our suspicion that Muffin and cats wouldn't get on. My daughter has two (one being a rag-doll which is twice the size of Muffy) but thankfully we were able to keep them separate by the glass lounge door! 

There was spitting, arched backs and yelping but all safely from a distance. 

And so finally one week and 12,000 miles later we finally arrived home.

Here's Mufftypup on her new look out post! 

The trouble is we are on a country lane so there's not a lot happening for most of the time.

Shh...let's not disillusion her.

But look at the off leash park! :D
Can you spot her? 

I'm rather nervous about foxes, buzzards and all the other beasties, but it's great to see her enjoying the freedom. 

She was very adventurous to begin with...especially once she was on a scent! 

It's amazing just how deaf she can be if she's on a trail...forget all the training...she's oblivious.

It didn't help to alleviate my concerns when we first arrived that there were three dead rabbits dotted around the garden. Something appears to like furry little things! 

Ahh...life's good :D

Ahh...my own tree...now that's special! 

Not sure about so many things...the latest is the busy bees visiting the clover flowers 

(yes I know we need to cut the grass, but we've been knee deep in packing boxes...we'll get there)

We've now started training in 'how NOT to eat a bee'

This could take some time...

So we'll leave Muffy here enjoying the sun going down...

Finally I thought I'd post this view of a bee visiting the Delphinium in the garden. 

I actually planted them before we left the house all those years ago. 

It seems strange to see them all grown up! 

Just before I go...I'd just like to thank everyone who nipped across to see 'Little Wandering Wren's' Blog.   

I hope you have a great week.

Enjoy!

Little Wandering Wren....to the rescue

Good Morning to you all...

(or whatever time of day or night that it happens to be with you right now)

As you can imagine life has been pretty hectic over the last three weeks...so much so that I've actually lost nearly 3 kilos! 

Not misplaced like an overnight bag (containing crucial anti-wrinkle cream) or my favourite wok, which hasn't turned up yet, but really lost! 

To move half way across the planet isn't the best weight loss programme I have to say, because in fact it can work out pretty expensive per kilo but it does work! 

So before I carry on with my current adventures and get you up to speed on everything that's going on here...

I have something very important that I want to share with you. 

I realise that quite a few of my visitors enjoyed keeping up to date with what was happening in and around Melbourne...or just Australia in general and so guess what? 

I've got my stand-in or should I say my replacement ready and waiting for you.

It's Little Wandering Wren

(photo thanks to Google Earth)

Jenny Wren has been a keen follower of my blog for quite some time and so when she decided she'd like to join our merry band out here in blog-land, I couldn't resist helping her get started. 
We shared some quality time together over copious amounts of tea and snackets (it's compulsory when creating as you know) whilst I blindly led her through what I'd managed to pick up along the way.
It was a sheer delight to see her excitement when slowly each piece of her blog came to life.
Remember those days? 

Little Wandering Wren (as her name describes) has traveled extensively and would love for you to join her on her travels and adventures. She's a Brit too so what more can I say...we could be from the same egg! 

She wrote an amazingly clever post upon my departure and even managed to capture some of your blogs within the tribute...so go on make her day and pop across to see what's happening in her neck of the woods. 
I know you're going to love visiting plus she's promised to pop the kettle on for anyone who stops by... 
I'm sure she'd be even more thrilled if you just let her know that you've been there by leaving a quick message. Thank you for your support...I knew I could rely on you lovely lot :D

I'm going to be back up and running here from Monday...thank goodness we'll have full internet access from then.
Muffy has lots she'd like to tell you about and I've been clicking my camera like a mad woman!
Plus we had a fabulous day at the fairy tale wedding in the castle. 

The weather's been fantastic even though it was expensive to freight across...everyone has been very appreciative so it was well worth it!  
I can't wait to share it all with you...so come back soon

Enjoy your day and make the most of every minute...its a gift! 
xoxo

Is there anybody out there....?

Hellooooo....remember me?

How you doing? It's great to see you again....

It's been so long since we chatted but as you may or may not know I've been living in another dimension. 

Hopefully after this weekend I'll be back on some sort of even keel. 

Well that's the plan anyway.

So basically just a quick update today...

We packed up and left Melbourne...arrived to the wonderful meet and greet from our family for a week...then on to our daughter for an overnight stay before finally arriving home (wow that sounds very surreal) 

Literally upon our arrival the 40ft container of furniture arrived on the driveway...although that's not strictly true. It couldn't make it onto the driveway so had to park up further down the lane and unload to a smaller van for that final leg of the journey. What a drama but that's for another day.

We are currently living in a sea of packing boxes which by some strange phenomenon hasn't diminished in anyway...or that's how it seems even though we've been working from dawn to dusk. 

260 boxes in total...argh...where and when did I get all this stuff. 

And to think I thought I'd downsized too!

But like most things in life there's always something to make you stop and be thankful for admist all the chaos and here's a peek at what I saw from my back window on our first day...

Yes...that is blue sky and I promise I haven't used photo shop. In fact everyday since we've arrived back in 'Good Old Blightly' the weather has been fantastic. 

I hope you're sitting down when I tell you that it even reached 30 degrees celsius one day! 

And so our first day back reacquainting ourselves with our home comes to a close...it's been an exhausting day but a good one.

I think this view might be a regular feature on my posts as the weather and seasons change...

Anyway this is a quick post this morning because today we are off to a fairy tale wedding in a Scottish castle. 

I would just like to say thank you to everyone for all our kind wishes and comments. It's been lovely to know that you are there, but I just couldn't manage to reply. 

But I hope to rectify that soon. 

In the meantime take care and I hope to see you again soon...I've got so much to show and chat about.

Toodleloo for now 

Farewell Melbourne...its been great knowing you...

I couldn't nip off without putting a quick post out to you first, but I have to emphasis that it really is a quickie!

I'm just waiting for the car to take us off to the airport! 

I wrote a great post last night and whilst I was finishing it off....it went whoosh somewhere and disappeared so I'll have to redo that one once I arrive back in the UK. It was 1.30am so I had to stop. 

It was SO annoying!

Anyway we've had our last night in Melbourne and there's no more sleeps to go (sob sob) 

so it's talleyho and away we go!

I've been sent photographic evidence by my daughter that the weather over there in the UK has taken a turn for the better. 

The sun is out! Yay! 

That's unless my daughter has used photoshop for her pics ;D

But I'm really so sad to be leaving Melbourne...we've had a fantastic five years! 

Thank you everyone for everything!

(Flinders Street Station)

I'll be revisiting Melbourne again because I've still got gazillions of photos to share with you.

Thanks again Melbourne...it's been great knowing you and who knows we may be back!

Never say never eh?

Au revoir for now

I'll catch up with you when I've clicked my glitzy red heels and arrive home!

In the meantime take care everyone 

xoxo

Whisked away for the Weekend...

It wasn't on my list to go away for a weekend so near to our departure from Melbourne, but apparently my hubby had other ideas....so with very little warning and before I thought up all the reasons why we shouldn't go...we hit the road!

We headed towards Alexandra...which is located near the Goulburn River between Yea and Eildon and surrounded by rich pastoral land, mountains and forests.
The trees en-route were spectacular and reminded me of a cathedral which is fitting as we were heading towards the Cathedral Ranges.

We arrived at Stonelea Country Estate...see here for details.

We certainly felt the difference in the temperature and woke on our first morning to frost!
It's been many years since I've seen frost twinkling in sunlight on the plants, so I had to stop off on our way to breakfast to capture this shot. 

I began to think that this weekend was a gently nudge towards our imminent arrival in the UK and although I know it's not that cold thankfully there at the moment, it just gave us a gentle reminder as to what we might expect. Hopefully once we've experienced the summer first!

Maybe with the Aussie winter temperatures that's why we discovered a new friend...
Mr Wood Burner and we became rather attached to him! 

Gorgeous red gum wood roasting away to keep any chills at bay...a glass of red and cosy toes are just a great way to have the day come to a close. In fact it was just perfect to load up the stove and then let it carry on burning as we drifted off to snoozeyland. Its glow lighting the room with dancing shadows all around. A fantastic way to finish off after a brilliant day out exploring, in the crisp, fresh, winter sun filled countryside!  

Talking of which...look what we found....

Can you guess what made these footprints?

Here's the culprit below....or maybe one of its mob.

I think the one that left this mark must have been a big dude because I measured 17 of my footsteps (toe to heel) from one print to the next. You try that and see what distances these critters can hop in one go. 

I never realised....it's quite a shock!

Yes...they spotted me from quite away off...but still let me approach to take their photo.

But unfortunately I wasn't always quick enough with my camera. 

We did see some brilliant things and on one of our cycle rides we came across this hideaway!

Let's go in a little nearer shall we?
Hellooooooooo is there anybody there?

Looking at all the evidence around we came to the conclusion that it wasn't where Alice in Wonderland had her adventure...but probably a wombats abode. Now if you're like me you wouldn't have appreciated that wombat's can reach quite a size. This hole could well have hidden a small child. I suppose I should have stood nearby so that you could appreciate just how big it was...there is also a lot of evidence that this creature doesn't like to stray far from the nest in this weather even for the call of nature!
We had to watch our step very carefully! 

This photo was thalen of the lake that was virtually 20 steps from our country cottage....as the sun began to say farewell for the day. There are masses of birds here and I have even seen tiny finches which really were a treat along with huge flocks of cockatoos, kookaburras, galah parrots, sparrowhawks, water fowl, wrens, blackbirds....you name it ...the list goes on and on....

It's such a peaceful place here...it's a real break from all the madness.

The only trouble is that I don't want to leave because I know that this last week is going to be really tough!

But there's nothing for it...it's got to be done...

I'll just have to keep that kettle boiling...a good cuppa always helps don't you think?

When we are off exploring we like nothing better than a pit stop for a cuppa and sugar boost...

Ahhh.....

Now where was I....oh yes walking around the lake...

This is the view right outside of our cottage and there are lots of birds even in this photo, but they are well disguised...and very camera shy. 

I thought the tree below was fascinating...it looks like it has tattoo's don't you think?

Or could it be a zentangle? 

It certainly caught my attention but then you know how much I love trees!

We had a fabulous meal in a place called  Tea Rooms of Yarck. 

I'm not sure of the origin of the name, but really this is a very good restaurant and not just a tea room as the name suggests! It's more an Italian restaurant. Their cuisine is based on provincial Italian food with a focus on seasonal local and home-grown produce.

I had the most divine beef cheeks (apologies to any vegetarians reading this...but what can I say...I'm a meatetarian!) and my hubby had the trout. 

Of course we also had entrees, starters, and desserts plus tea and coffee. 

(Oops and a glass of wine) 
Oh there goes my waistband again!  :(

We couldn't fault the meal so if you're ever in the area give them a call and try it for yourself. 
Here's the details...click here

They also sell products and apparently their homemade bread is something rather special. 

Unfortunately for us the bread basket was empty!

That's just a snippet of the weekend's activities but I thought I'd just have a quick natter as once I arrive back home I've no idea what this next week will bring...

But before I sign off I thought I'd let you see what the car was reading on the drive back from the restaurant. 

If you look right at the centre of the dials...it shows the reading of 0⁰ celcius!

I didn't even know that this car could register that low...as it's never been out of Australia! 

So it's toodleloo from me...until next time.

I hope you had a fabulous weekend too and are ready for a fun pack week ahead. 

Bye for now and thanks for stopping by...I'm always thrilled to see you.

p.s. I know I haven't visited anyone since I said I would, but then I wasn't aware I was going away for the weekend. 

Will you forgive me?
I don't have a Doctor's note, but it was our wedding anniversary after all!