Unexpected Bonus

We thought we were going to have to head over to the West Coast to Glencoe to get some late season skiing but the last few days of snow brought the Lecht back into condition.  Had a great morning skiing with Ellie, the Buzzard was in great condition , clear blue sky and hardly anyone there!

Blue Lamp Concert (not at the Blue Lamp!)

Had my annual fix of Jazz last night with Isobel playing in the Senior Jazz Band at their annual concert.  Some fantastic talent on show!

Here are some videos of them playing, Isobel is far right tucked in the corner playing the baritone sax. Afraid the quality of the video is pretty poor as it was shot on my phone!  Starts off with that all time great from Glen Millar, "In The Mood"

Spring At Ramstone

Spring is at last starting to appear with the early rhododendrons and spring heathers starting to flower in the garden at Ramstone.  A few pictures captured between showers (of sleat!)

Supper

Julie definitely getting inspired by Masterchef and some wonderful local ingredients.  First course of fresh scallops followed by hake on a bed of celeriac with a red wine source.  Delicious

And a beautiful evening as well!

Cycle to Luing

Cycled over to Luing to the Atlantic Isles Centre for coffee.  Some wonderful baking on offer and it was consuked with a clean conscience having cycled all the way there!  Views across Sound of Luing were fabulous.

Walk to Ardmaddy

Played a little Russian Roulette with the rain showers today...........and almost won, got caught in a downpour just before we got home.

There was lots of water in the river after last nights rain showers.  Nice to see that our sophisticated teenagers and not so sophisticated that they can't resort to a good game of Pooh Sticks still!  Quite competitive it was too as can be seen in the photos!

Evening Kayak

It was a beautiful evening this evening so Isobel and I decided to head out for a kayak after she lost the will to live having been doing maths past papers.

Went for a quick circumnavigation of Eillean Tournal in Balvicar bay.  We met up with the local kayak club as we came back, felt a bit outnumbered!

Walk Round Arduaine Gardens

Woke up to a somewhat wet morning but thankfully the rain soon cleared and we headed out for a walk round Arduaine garden at Lochmelfort.  The magnolia stellata was particularly fine and there were plenty of Rhododendrons in flower, the R Macabeanum was particularly fine as were some of the Arboreum species.

After Arduaine it was off to Ardfern for a spot of lunch at the Crafty Kitchen and then dad got to spend some time in his favorite toy shop....... the Ardfern Yacht Chandlery!

Sunday Skiing at Glencoe

Had a day skiing up at Glencoe with Ellie.  Well I say "with" Ellie but I was meeting up with the Scottish Telemark club and the thought of hanging out with a bunch of Telemarkers was just too much for her so she joined up with the West Coast Race Training Group for a days training.

Conditions on the hill were pretty miserable, pouring rain even at the summit and thick fog that meant you couldn't see 10-15 yards ahead of you at the summit.

Needless to say the weather cleared just as we were on our way down at 3pm.  Typical.  Took a few photos on the way home.

Looking up Glen Etive, Ben Starav in the distance

Looking up to Grey Corries Ski Area Glencoe from the entrance to Glen Etive

Looking up the Lost Valley to Bidean Nam Bian

Looking up to Stob Corrie Nan Lochan

A bunch of Telemarkers! Photo carefully taken just below the cloud base!