Crarae Gardens

Last week saw us on half term holidays and over in Oban.  Weather wise a great week with only one really wet day.

After a chill out day on Saturday, involving a lot of baking followed by an evening in front of "Strictly" we managed to lever Julie and Isobel out of bed at a reasonable hour and headed round to Crarae Gardens near Inveraray.  Weather was beautiful and the gardens autumn colours did not dissappoint.  We walked round just about every path in the place.  One particular highlight was the a patch of Sorbus Vilmorinii that was solid with pink berries.

The views from the top of the garden were breathtaking in their clarity.  The views up the glen were also very beautiful although the autumn colours were probably not quite at their best.

Busy Weekend

It was a  busy weekend.  Started off with an early start on Saturday, Ellie leaving Aberdeen at 7AM  for an away match at Aberlour.  Promoted to playing half a match for the A team so another step forward.  She kept a clean sheet and made 3 good saves in a 1-0 win so a good result and a happy Ellie.

Isobel meantime had a slightly more laid back start to the day.  She was playing for the S3 A Team in a home match against Gordonstoun. A tight first half ended 2-2 but they got their act together in the second half to win 6-2.

Looking South from Derry Cairngorm

Sunday was Isobels turn to have an early morning.  She was heading off to the Cairngorms with the hill walking club, leaving Aberdeen at 7.30AM.  They went into Derry Cairngorm from Lynn of Dee,  They cycled in to Derry Lodge then went up the ridge to Carn Crom and then along to Derry Cairngorm, then dropping down to Loch Etchachan and then out past the Hutchison Memorial hut and out along Glen Derry.

Loch Etchachan

Hutchison Memorial Hut

A rather exhausted girl returned to Aberdeen at 7pm!

Meanwhile the stay at homes had a lovely autumnal walk along the don and then back through the forest.  A good haul of conkers was obtained on the way!!

Oh Dear!!

Well hockey didn't go quite so well this week. The girls came up against George Watsons College Edinburgh.   Isobel was in goal for the S3 A team down in Edinburgh and unfortunately they were missing 2 of their best players in one of the toughest fixtures of the season.  The end result?  9-0 to Watsons! The good news?  Isobel was man of the match as it might have been a lot worse without all her saves!  She certainly got lots of practice.

Ellie meanwhile was keeping goal for the S1 B team, she was playing one half and the other keeper was playing the second half.  They lost 2-0 but Ellie made some good saves so overall happy!  The P7s B team were without a goalkeeper so Ellie volunteered to fill in for them so she got a full game with them as well and again only 2 goals went in which against the opposition was not bad.

Had a lovely autumnal walk along the River Don on Sunday including a short stop to collect some conkers, still a little small at present but the trees were absolutely loaded, as were the hazel trees.

Founders Weekend

The girls had a long weekend off this weekend, starting Thursday lunchtime so we headed off to Oban straight from school, arriving just in time for fish and chips!  Friday started with the obligatory trip to the chocolate factory, Isobel had the chocolate and cheesecake brownie, Ellie was on the blueberry muffin and I had the orange and cinnamon cake.

Friday afternoon was good so we headed out for some blackberry picking which was highly successful, resulting in an excellent blackberry and apple crumble made by Isobel along with a rather fine blackberry and apple cake.

Saturday's weather was pretty grim so it was out to Piazza for some food in the evening.

Hockey

Well its been a busy Saturday for the hockey players.  Isobel was playing in goal for the A team down at Strathallan who provided stiff opposition.  a 1:1 draw was felt to be a fair result.

Ellie meanwhile was having a busy morning in Aberdeen.  She was in goal for the C team against St Margarets A team, they lost 6:0 but Ellie was pleased as punch to be declared "man of the match" for they would surely have lost 26:0 without her!

Just as that acolade was sinking in the B team discovered they did not have a goalkeeper so Ellie was pressed back into action for another match, this time with the B team against Strathallan.  Again a stiff test that ended in a close win for Robert Gordons 4:3 and a happy goalkeeper again!

Lemon Tree Concert

The start of the new school term, and more importantly the starting up of concert band and jazz band got me thinking so I  thought I would do a couple of retrospective postings .  In June Isobel's Jazz Band from the school was performing at the Lemon Tree, an Aberdeen arts venue. Here are a couple of videos of their numbers.  Isobel is sat on the right hand side in the front row playing Tenor sax.

Busy Weekend

Its been a busy weekend.  Isobel was keeping goal for the hockey team away at Aberdeen Grammar, bit of a waist of a morning really, only time she actually touched a ball or made a save was from her own team during the warm up.  The result, 8-0 to Robert Gordon's.

Julie and Ellie meantime were off to Glasgow for the day for the Tartan Gig, a very noisy pop concert laid on by Girl Guiding Scotland, Ellie recognised all the songs, Julie, precisely one of them!

Isobel was off Munro bagging on Sunday with the school hillwalking club.  An 8.30 start from Aberdeen.  They got a head start , setting off from the car park at Glenshee and doing the 2 munroes above the road.  Plans to do the third one further back were shelved due to high winds and rain.

A Walk Up Millstone

Had a walk up Millstone Hill with the girls last Sunday, even persuaded them to carry the rucksack!  Somewhat windy up on top but lovely and warm down in the forest.  Isobel took a particular liking to the bilberries, of which there were many!

Back to School

Sorry its been a bit quiet over the summer hols, no internet on the west coast being the main reason and then trying to catch up after the hols!!

Well after 8 weeks off (I am very jealous!) it was finally time for back to school on Thursday.  Ellie has finally made it into senior school and went off looking very smart on her first morning!

Suitably supported by her big sister!!  Reports were that it was a great day, particularly enjoyed her chemistry lesson with the Bunsen Burner.

Oh well, just another 6 years of school fees to go!!