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.

Fantastic lunch at the Birnam Art Centre followed by retail therapy and a walk around the Birks of Aberfeldy.

Sunset - Carnoustie beach details

Rubbish on the beach

This is a picture of the fishing line that we picked up on a short section of the beach at Auchmithie. We started with a small piece and quickly started picking every bit we could see. Including swivels, muppets and multiple hooks.

So we have done our bit for the environment, strange that angling should produce so much litter. I wonder if the long shore drift acts to deposit line from a large area on this bit of beach?

Kinnordy Loch and Reekie Linn

The weather was very overcast with virtually no colour, even at sunset today. We made it to Kirriemuir so that Gwen could pop in to work. We then called off any objectives to go further afield. So we had a picnic at Kinnordy Loch and watched the ducks and swans. Autumn colour was in evidence, some sun would have illuminated the leaves with spectacular effect, however, no sun made it through, although the temperature was more like August than October. We then went on to Peel farm, where we enjoyed a coffee, while Esmé coloured in. The shop at Peel Farm also has some great wool, and Gwen could not resist. With dusk fast approaching we made it as far as Reekie Linn before it got dark. Despite checking every picture they all have blown highlights somewhere in the shot, grrrrrr. Better luck next time.

Fossil Hnting in Crail part 2

Fossilised plant stems exposed in an undercut section of sandstone, a large section of plant stem in a boulder, and Stigmaria in sandstone strata.

The section of Stigmaria we found last year is no longer in situ, whether removed by erosion or collection is unclear. We found a number of short plant stems in amongst shale deposits, with very horsetail like markings on the stem. In the sandstone at beach level on Roome rocks there are a large number of 'nodules' , when removed the ovular dark brown nuggets look very fossil like however what they are we haven't worked out yet.

Fossil hunting in Crail

Gwen holding Stigmaria impression, Arthropleura tracks and Esmé on the fossilised tree trunk. Although we didn't take Esmé beside the tracks the Arthropleura work out at about the same size as her.

The Big DJ Doodle

Lots of fun! Thanks for the invite Cat. We now have 4 pieces of original and needless to say, original pieces of artwork on our walls. It's hard to say whether Gwen and I, or Esmé had the most fun. Lots of good things on at DCA and we need to remember and look out for them.

Auchmithie

Great coffee and cake from Margo at the But 'n' Ben. We really need to go back for lunch sometime soon. As it was our picnic on the beach was tasty, however thoughts of fish and chips did creep in. We finally got a picture for the top of Esmé's jewellery box. Her name in pebbles will fill the space perfectly.

Tattie Holidays!!!!

At last! It feels like a long time since the summer. The leaves are yellow and the conkers are brown. Esmé now has a huge collection of the brown jewels from our favourite and secret location. The shorter days have put sunrise and sunset in easy reach for her. Hundreds of pictures but few swapped to jpeg so it's the pics. from the conker hunting trip, and inside the Birnam Oak. Also the butterfly that Esmé spotted and sent in to CBeebies.