Arduaine Gardens

Had a walk round Arduaine Gardens on Saturday, managed to avoid the showers and enjoyed lunch sat on the sundeck at the Loch Melfort Hotel with stunning views.

A few late rhododendrons in flower and some fabulous hydrangeas.

West Highland Week 2017

Had a great week sailing West Highland Week last week.  Sailing on Tioram with Isobel, Ian Tom and Rona.  Results definitely improved this year with two third places in our class and were sitting fourth overall.  Unfortunately the boat had been chartered out on the Saturday morning so we missed the last two days racing on the Thursday and Friday.

Isobels "Code Flag" nails help us get the starting order correct!

Gold Duke of Edinburgh Presentation

We had a proud parents moment last week when we accompanied Isobel down to Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh to watch her receive her Gold Duke of Edinburgh award.  Robert Gordon's College had a group to themselves.  Prince Edward was meeting all the groups and in Isobel's group the awards were presented by Colin Prior the photographer.  Luckily the rain held off and we even got to see the Queen fly in in her helicopter after she had been opening the new canal at the Kelpies, it rather stopped Prince Edward in his tracks as the helicopter put a halt to any conversation.

Belle of The Ball

Isobel headed off to her S6 Leavers Prom this evening with boyfriend Dean.  Whatever happened to our little girl?!

Inverurie Concert Band

Saturday saw the Inverurie Concert Band's summer concert, a tour of the home countries with music from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.  All went smoothly with the exception of the fire alarm in the middle of the English Sea Song Suite! (Fire alarm edited out!).  Have to admit whilst I enjoyed playing most of the pieces I will not be sorry to see the back of the Irish Washerwoman and and the Four Scottish Dances by Malcolm Arnold, movements 1,2 &3 were OK but the fourth was a killer to play!  Should have followed Isobel's lead and taken up something like a baritone sax with a nice straightforward base line!

Millstone and Benachie with Isobel

We decided it was probably going to be a bit windy for sailing and didn't fancy driving all the way to Peterhead only to find it was cancelled so went for a walk up and over Millstone Hill and then up the Mither Tap of Benachie.  Managed to escape the worst of the showers with the exception of the one that got to us just as we reached the top of Mither Tap!

18th Birthday

Where did the last 18 years go?  Isobel's 18th birthday yesterday.  We celebrated with a takeaway from the Echt Tandoori followed by some very fine birthday cake (from a choice of two cakes no less!)

Sailing at Peterhead

Have at last got my number one crew back after the exams.  Had a great day racing up at Peterhead, even if the wind did go round in circles in the third race!  Considering how rusty the helmsman was we did OK with a first, third then second leaving us second overall, not bad for our first racing for a year.

Ramstone Bake Off

Hmmmmmmmmm, what to eat, Isobel's show stopping strawberry gateau or Ellie's fantastic cup cakes!  Tough life in the Green household.