Wordless Wednesday...Minnie

It's possibly appropriate that it is actually Wordless Wednesday, because words fail me today.

I should be attending a family funeral, but due to unforeseen circumstances I've had to miss saying a final farewell to a absolute legend, a beautiful, caring, inspirational matriarch who had a fabulous infectious smile that she would share with everyone around her.

In fact I can't remember a single occasion that I didn't see that smile. 

She would always make such a fuss of everyone who came within her radar... making them feel so special...but she was the special one.

She was quite a party animal too and would never (EVER) refuse an invitation for a get-together, celebration or party.

Such a beautiful person inside and out... but do not underestimate her... she was a incredibly strong woman too. 

(as her photo of  'The Don' above shows... do not mess with me) 

The photo below is firmly embedded into everyone's memory of her... she was so full of life.

This photo was taken when she was in her 80's!

What a giggle we had that night.

My ambition is to try to be like her and embrace life... enjoying every moment.

She celebrated her 94th birthday and plans were in order for a great 95th party.

Oh how she'd have loved that!

Today, there will be many people sad, emotional and tearful, but Minnie wouldn't have wanted that... she'd want to be the centre of attention providing everyone with her infectious smile and humour. 

You will be greatly missed

RIP Minnie 

Wordless Wednesday... Muffin The Trail Blazer

Muffin had been decidedly off over the weekend... so much so that I was a little worried.

I decided to weigh her and instead of her usual 4.6 kilos, she only weighed 3.9.

Thankfully she's improved and is now eating once again.

I'm hoping that she starts to add on some weight now.

It was wonderful to see her traps off on her woodland walk.

She definitely looks like she's on a mission doesn't she?

(I recommend that you watch this clip on full screen) 

I hope you are having a good week.

Catch you later... I've got to keep up with this wriggle bottom!

I'm linking up with Wordless (on Tuesday at image-in-ing),

A Misty Morn

During this last week, we have had some incredible weather up here in the North East of Scotland, in fact some of the best weather in the whole of the UK, which is pretty special and doesn't happen very often.

The photo's below are from a few moments snapping away at the view across the back field.

It reinforced the practice of grabbing my camera and seizing the moment whenever I see something that captures my attention... because within about half an hour the mist had lifted and the weather changed. 

I'm always saying 'seize the day', but maybe I should change that now to 'seize the moment'.

I'm still becoming familiar with my new camera lens... I think I've still got quite a lot to learn, but I'm having fun along the way.

As usual I am linking up with Photalife.com 
Image-in-ing.blogspot.co.uk

and Mersad's Through My Lens
If you'd like to see more great photography, then just hit the link above.

Each week I hope to visit everyone, but with all the best will in the world, I don't always make it.

But what I can promise is that if you have visited me, then I will return the compliment.

So thanks for popping by my place and I hope to see you again soon.

Have a wonderful week.

Seeing Double... A Rainbow

There is one word that is guaranteed to get me running and everyone in my household knows it.

No, it's not fire or help (although obviously I wouldn't ignore either one of those) but 'rainbow' gets my immediate attention !!!

I run whilst grabbing my phone and camera and dash outside to capture their magic. 

Heaven help anyone that is standing in my way... I'm like an American Football Wing Back with intent!

Everyone knows that if the word goes out... 'rainbow'... then get out of my way!

Here's one such rainbow that I managed to capture on Sunday morning.

It seems to be the season for rainbows... they're giving me quite a work out with their numerous appearances.

I'm hoping that one of these days I will actually find the pot of gold, but it seems to be very illusive at the moment!

I'm going to link up with 

Mersad's Through My Lens Blog

Wednesday (On Tuesday at image-in-ing)

Monday Morning Blog Club

There are some fabulous Autumnal photographs over there if you'd like to take a look.

Have a wonderful week.

Muffin Chronicles

Something a little different for you today.

My son created this video with our own star Mufflepuff (Muffin).

She's quite the Diva and is now insisting on her own trailer!

I hope it makes you smile 

I'm going to link up with a few blogs for this post... I'd love you to take a peek at them. 

I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Mersad's Through My Lens

Wordless (on Tuesday at image-in-ing)

Monday Morning Blog Club

Autumn... Through my lens.

September has been an exceptional month so far. 

It's reaffirmed to me that it is one of my favourite months.

Here are some autumnal photographs...

This was my view this morning... not all Mondays mornings are bad.

It's certainly crisp and fresh first thing, with temperatures dropping to 0 degrees overnight, but at least the day's are bright and full of sunlight.

Here's Muffy checking out one particular patch in our garden that's been intriguing her all week. 

I suspect that the fox (which we saw in the back field yesterday) has visited us.

You can just see Madame Muffy's back end sticking out of the shrubs, as she tentatively takes up the trail. 

Each year I love to see the Virginia Creeper change colour... I'm never disappointed.

It certainly brightens up the garage wall.

I was going to put out a warning on this next photo, but there's no spider in sight so I thought it would be okay... which makes me wonder where it might be?

This was the sight that greeted me as I opened the back door this morning, but thankfully I'm vertically challenged and wasn't tall enough for it to swipe across my face. Ugh!

(Funny I've never been thankful for being short before) 

Someone's certainly been busy overnight.

I believe September really is the spider month, because it's amazing how many cobwebs can appear even when you've swept through with the hoover nozzle, or feather duster.

(Honest I do make a gesture now and then)

Because the weather has been so brilliant it's obviously affected the plants and wildlife in the garden.

Here's a sample of some of the plants and grasses that I picked for an autumn display.

Anyone that knows me knows that I love to pick flowers from outside and bring them in to fully appreciate their loveliness.

Although having hubby send off for an offer for some spring bulbs took me to the limit this week.

I use the term 'some' bulbs loosely because when the boxes arrived there were a variety amounting to 800 in total. 

I'm still not through planting them all yet. 

I think I've got four more packets still to plant and I'm telling you now that if they don't all appear in spring... you'll hear about it! 

I normally take down my summer hanging baskets by now, but I just can't when they are still flowering so well. 

The winter display will have to wait.

The photo below shows Aberdeen once again, but this time from a different location.

It's still not clear, but I liked it.

If you'd like to see the other photo which was linked to My Sunday Photo... then click here

...and finally because I'm aware that this post is getting rather long and I could go on with autumn photos... 

One sight and sound that confirms that Autumn has definitely arrived, is the departure of the geese flying south for the winter.

Hearing and seeing them makes me slightly melancholy, but I know that they'll be back and what a sight that will be.

I'm going to link up with a few blogs for this post... I'd love you to take a peek at them. 

I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Mersad's Through My Lens

Wordless (on Tuesday at image-in-ing)

Monday Morning Blog Club

I hope you have a brilliant week ahead and I look forward to seeing you again soon

 

Rainbow... My Sunday Photo

The first day of October brought an ideal start to the day... a beautiful Autumnal scene.

A rainbow stretching right across the farmland.

I've always said that this house was my lottery win and here's the proof. 

If you look closely you can see that the end of the rainbow actually does land in the field right next to our house. It still hasn't stopped me thinking that maybe hubby should go and investigate... just in case there is a pot of gold there!

I hope you have sunshine and rainbows too this weekend.

I'm going to link up with 
My Sunday Photo, 
Mersad's Through My Lens 
Wordless (on Tuesday at image-in-ing) 
Monday Morning Blog Club
Why not join me?

Thanks for stopping by at my place. 

 

A Trip To Pitmedden Gardens (Part 1)

Last week we had another trip out to enjoy the beautiful weather before summer finally disappears. 

We travelled just 14 miles North of Aberdeen to the stunning Pitmedden Gardens. 

The magnificent walled garden was originally laid out in 1675 by Sir Alexander Seton.

(I really am falling in love with walled gardens).

The granite wall has sheltered the garden for more than 300 years... imagine that!

Little is known about the early history of the garden, but from at least the 1840's it was a productive kitchen garden, famed for it's apples and pears.

The wall has provided the garden protection from the worst of the weather, wind and predators over the years.

The property was gifted to the National Trust in 1952. 

The Trust set about re-creating the gardens following designs dating from the 17 century.

Today, Pitmedden features over 5 miles of box hedging arranged in intricate patters to form six parterres. 

(A parterre is a formal garden constructed on a level surface, consisting of planting beds, typically in symmetrical patterns, separated and connected by gravel pathways)
The gardener was busy with the hedge cutters, whist we wondered around the grounds.
I can imagine that it's a never ending job.
These parterres are filled with 40,000 plants bursting with colour, which makes quite a spectacle.
Unfortunately, some of the box hedging is suffering from the dreaded box blight that is plaguing the
UK at the moment, but it is currently being treated, so hopefully it will recover.

This is the centre of the walled garden looking out to the rear.

I've put in a request for my lawn to look like this next year. 

(A wall garden and a pristine lawn... not much to ask for really) 

This is the reverse of the photo above, looking back at the house.

A good part of being able to visit during the week is that there are very few visitors, so I am able to capture the images without people wandering into the shot.

The wall is hard to see on this photo below because it is covered it is fully laden with apples and pears. If you look closely you might be able to see the step ladders of one of the gardeners.

They were busy pruning the fruit.

The gardener was telling us about the September festival here at Pitmedden Gardens, when all the apples and pears are sold off.

Apple Sunday 'Applea and Cornkisters' will be held on Sunday 25th September.

The garden was positively buzzing with the sound of busy bees.

There is plenty more to show you but I'm aware of that I've probably taken up too much of your time, so I'll carry on with Part 2 another day. 

As well as the beautiful garden there's an orchard, small gallery, a museum of farming life with a fantastic collection of machinery and photographs of time gone by, plus a woodland walks.

Phew... I think it's time we should head to the cafe for afternoon tea. 

It's hard to imagine that today a garden would be planted on such an extravagant scale.

I hope you'll join me next time to carry on with our visit in Part 2.

I am linking today to
Wordless Wednesday... create with joy
Our World Tuesday
Wordless (on Tuesday at image-in-ing)
Although I'm hardly wordless, so I hope I'll be forgiven.

A day trip to Fyvie Castle

It's been quite some time since we had a trip out, so I'm hoping you are free and up for it!

How about a trip to another Castle?

A 800 year old castle in fact... Fyvie Castle.

Shall we go in?

(The castle lies off the A947 just 8 miles SE of Turriff and 25 miles north west of Aberdeen).

It's a stunning historical treasure that has been beautifully looked after and now is a Scottish National Trust property. 

It really is an amazing place.

So much so in fact, that it has just achieved a five star rating from VisitScotland. 

This year the castle is celebrating it's 30th year of a visitors attraction, so it's a great time to visit.

As you can see the weather was spectacular (at last).

There wasn't a cloud in the sky and there was actual warmth in the sunlight.

How stunning is that? 

Tradition claims that the castle’s five successive families – Preston, Meldrum, Seton, Gordon and Forbes-Leith – each added a tower to this magnificent Scottish Baronial fortress.

I love the saltire (Scottish flag) flying against the glorious clear blue sky.

Shall we go inside...?

Unfortunately, as is the norm for a National Trust property, I was unable to take photo's inside, but let me tell you there is so much to see, that if you ever have the chance to visit I highly recommend that you do. 

You can also follow on their Instagram account #fyviecastle 

They post lots of interesting photo's and facts for your delight. 

Also if you want to know more about the castle, history and it's contents then click here

I couldn't possibly do it justice from my little knowledge.

As is our wont on such occasions, we 'had' to sample their afternoon tea... accompanied with millionaire shortbread. 

All enjoyed alfresco of course!

The 18th-century walled garden has recently been redeveloped as a garden of Scottish fruits and vegetables. This veggie garden is something I aspire to for my own plot... well I can wish!

We came across this incredible tree that must be so old.

Imagine what changes it has seen over the centuries. 

To finish our visit we wandered around Fyvie Loch, which was created by the 18th- century owners. Previously there had been marshland protecting the castle.

. This picturesque landscape feature now covers a large part of the estate’s 49 hectares and supports large numbers of wildfowl.

These cuties came waddling up to us obviously thinking we might have a few crumbs for them. 

I have lots more photo's, but I feel that this is probably enough for today. 

There's 

Once again here's a link if you'd like to know more about Fyvie Castle.

I'm linking up with the following...

Mersad over at Through My Lens
Wordless (on Tuesday at image-in-ing)
and Our World Tuesday

Have a great day and thanks for visiting my place.