Snow fun at Backwater Dam

It always surprises me the amount of folk who have never been for a jont round Backwater Dam. Geographically, it is very interesting and visually it brings something new everytime you visit. James and I have not been up in the snow for a long time, in fact last time I was only a few weeks pregnant with Esmé - so yes, a good long time ago.

We knew that Esmé wouldn't be up for a big walk, given that she has been off colour, so we packed the car with a picnic and the sledge and headed up Glen Isla, stopping to take pictures of some friendly sheep and Highland Moo Coos.

The snow did not disappoint, it was deep(ish) crisp and reasonably even, hardly anyone else had been up. The reservoir was like glass and mirrored the landscape, including Driesh and Mayar beautifully. It was absolutely freezing, too cold for James to take many photos, much to Esmé's delight. We took turns dragging Esmé in her sledge, no-one wanted to drag me :( I can't think why???) [Maybe because after a great deal of effort to move the sledge with you on it the only result was that the sledge suddenly moved forward and you were left on your bottom!]

Happy Birthday Gwen!

It's that special time of year again where we decorate the house, give cards and gifts and do our best to cook and eat a fantastic meal. Yes you guessed it it's Gwen's birthday. Gwen has opened all of her presents now and we had a great time at the Rep. Esmé enjoyed her first theatre performance and despite some scary moments in the seasonal Dicken's favourite there was nothing more frightening than the blue rinsers in the audience. So, how does it feel Gwen?

Sledging

Esmé started the day off being pulled around Carnoustie while we did the shopping and enjoyed Stuart Henderson's hospitality while we dropped off a preasent from Esmé for Zenta.

After lunch we headed for the hills and the further we got from Carnoustie the thinner the snow got :(

Eventually at Esmé's favourite sledging spot, which has a long gentle run, there was around half the cover that we had at home. Initially she was insisting on going with Gwen or I, however that didn't last long. She had a great time.

Hopefully tomorrow will bring fresh snow. It didn't look like it would happen yesterday but at about 2am I looked out of the window and it was falling fast. Of course since it is late and into Christmas Eve my days are all confused now. You know what I mean, hopefully.

Christmas Holidays day1

Esmé is off and the snow is still here! In all the excitement the pictures are in the wrong order.

After weeks of enforced captivity the suns low position in the sky was all the more prominent. Despite it being the first day after the solstice there was no appreciable rise in the suns arc as it travelled from east to west. It gave only watery light during the morning at Barry Mill and the pictures there look very grey, while the brighter afternoon was filled with a drawn out and relaxed lunch at Banana Splits café. After a brief visit to the shops. Esmé and I were left to go adventure.

Esmé thought that the snow on the beach was fantastic and was desperate to see the sea frozen over. No luck yet. Craigmill Den is blocked off at both ends for no apparent reason. What's more climbing over the barriers was very hazardous! I hope Angus Council aren't planning to do anything daft as at the Fairy Steps where there is still no bridge several years on. Again climbing over the barrier and crossing on the remaining girders raises the heart beat a little.

Despite being blocked off, or maybe because of it Craigmill Den was serene just after the sun had dipped below the horizon. Esmé did admit to being a little afraid as the dark crept in and she gripped tightly to my hand.

Tomorrow if the weather remains good will hopefully bring an opportunity to sledge. I would like to be in Glen Isla or Prosen early to take some pictures, however experience tells me getting all three of us out early is unlikely. I need to get some pictures for Peel Farm. A couple of snowy ones would be nice. Hopefully the light will be better than today. Some thin cirrus clouds please.

New photos of Westhaven

I have added a set of pictures from Westhaven to my website, from back in October.

They are under the new additions section and the Carnoustie & Westhaven shore section.

There are also an impressive sun rise from Monifieth and a sunset from Grange of Barry.

Message from Santa for Esmé

Message for Esmé!

Snow on the Tay at Kingoodie and Carnoustie

Snow! It really feels like Christmas and I am off on holiday as well double exclamation marks!! My drive back from Inchture where I work for part of the week passes several areas where the reed beds alongside the Tay are accessible. The frosty conditions make it easier to make your way amongst them. Sitting there still, watching, listening, alongside bales of cut reeds, while the birds and fish go about their business as they have since the ice retreated ten thousand years ago, brings with it a sense of the world as it should be. However, the light has remained a fairly constant grey every time I have had an opportunity to sit there. Hopefully early one morning or one evening the sky will light up and reflect from the river.

Far removed from the reed beds, but at the mouth of the same river, the Carnoustie Golf Hotel and our very own gaudy christmas lights

Sunset at Grange of Barry

A gorgeous sunset yesterday. Both Gwen and I exclaimed "wow!" independently after climbing the bank of the large irrigation pond above the lade. Up until then we had only been able to see the pink tinged tree tops that only gave a slight clue to the drama unfolding between the thin clouds and the fading sun. The newly trimmed hedges add a very strange rectangular silhouette between the tangled oak trees.

Bothy Gollach Photography

Check out the new website

Monifieth one morning last week. It really was a struggle to get back in the car and go to work.

Lunan Bay and Red Castle

Esmé and Dad had a lovely time exploring Red Castle and Lunan Bay on Sunday. Poor Mum was stuck at home doing reading for university :( Esmé especially missed her.

Carnoustie fireworks

Torch light, fireworks and a bonfire.

Esmé's Birthday. Happy 5th Birthday!

Pumpkin

Esmé did all the design work, then Gwen cut the pumpkin to her exacting standards.

Halloween preparations

Halloween preparations are in full flow and our autumn mobile is finally finished.

Dog, ducks, a shy cat and two billy goats not so gruff!

We all had a wonderful afternoon visiting Jackie and Graham in their rural idyll. Esmé was particularly taken by the friendly menagerie who keep Jackie and Graham company. The ducklings were undoubtedly her favourites ( they are very cute) and she was thoroughly excited about getting to help feed them all. Many thanks for a lovely afternoon Jackie and Graham.

Westhaven Sunrise

Decidedly grey, but with its own subtle interests.

Storms

Anstruther at high tide

We had a bad experience last time we went to the Anstruther Chippy, so, looking through the door and remembering the 1 hour it took last time and the poor service we opted for The Water Front Chip Shop, recently mentioned in the observer. Quick service and the best fish and chips (prawns in Gwen's case) we have had for ages. We will definitely go back.

We didn't get down on the beach as the tide was right in. So we left early, we were missing Esmé, but she was having too much fun at Templeton woods with Granda Jim and Granny Phyllis. For once it wasn't us who were late back. Esmé had a great time and saw a red squirel and lots of fungi, and mini beasts. She is also now the proud owner of a huge monkey puzzle branch.

Fossils at Kingsbarns

Our first visit to Kingsbarns and we were very impressed by the beach. Lovely sand and stones. Even the ruined harbour is made with blocks of stone containing a large amount of compacted shells. There are also lots of bark impressions and stems in the bedrock.