Second Weekend of Hols

Back over to the cottage for the weekend.  A very laid back weekend doing not very much other than pottering about.  Furthest we got was over to Ardmaddy to have a look round the garden.  Still one or two late rhododendrons out and mixed borders looking really good.

Talking of mixed borders............well sort of, very pleased with the "Planters" at the cottage which are both looking really good, the roses are looking especially good this year.  The red/pink ones are absolutely covered in buds and should be fabulous in the next week or so, the yellow ones are looking great right now.

The house is looking very smart as well, with its new coat of paint.

Weekend at Cottage

Had a great weekend over at the cottage.  Saturday was a little overcast in the morning and then deteriorated into some solid West Coast drizzle and low cloud in the afternoon.  Luckily we got out early enough in the morning to avoid the rain and had a walk round Arduaine and enjoyed some of the late rhododendrons and summer perennials.

This was followed by lunch in the Chartroom at the Loch Melfort Hotel.

The rain came in in the afternoon so whilst I settled down to watch Chris Froome strut his stuff in the Tour De France, Isobel settled do to doing some baking including some Vanilla and Blueberry muffins and some very fine Almond macaroons.

Sunday dawned with fabulous clear blue sky and stayed that way.  A thoroughly lazy day was enjoyed, including lunch on the platform over looking Seil Sound, just fabulous.  Proved rather hard to tear ourselves away to come home in the evening, especially as Andy Murray was only half way through the third set at that stage!!

Nail Art and Music Exams

Well, it is summer holiday time................. which means you can do your nails and not have to remove it for school the following day!  The results of this artwork, none other than Winnie The Pooh and friends!!

And to add to that, we got the results of the recent music exams, Ellie got Grade 3 Clarinet with Merit and Isobel got Grade 5 Saxophone with Merit so well done to both.  Fear that one might cost me a bit!

End of P7

Last Wednesday saw Ellie's last day at primary school as she finished P7.  Here's a photo of Ellie and friends at the end of their last day, proudly sporting their leavers sweatshirts!

Crathes Castle

Went to Crathes Castle "en famille" today.  Fabulous weather and some of the mixed borders coming into flower.  Here are just a few pictures of girls and flowers!

Ellie's Birthday Party

Last Sunday saw Ellie's birthday party at the indoor bowling at Inverurie.  We were so glad we had chosen an indoor option, the weather was atrocious, cold, windy and wet!  The P7 girls enjoyed some competitive bowling with Julie managing to dream up prizes for every eventuality and more importantly, every participant!

Alford Bistro

Isobel's Birthday part two!  We celebrated Isobel's birthday with a meal out at Alford Bistro.  The food was, as ever, fabulous and still great value for money!

Some photos taken by Ellie and Isobel.

Rhododendrons

The garden has, needless to say, taken a bit of a battering this winter and spring, the azalea bed behind the hous has come off worst in all the snow and frost and large sections are looking very burnt, it remains to be seen how well it recovers.  

Most of the rhododendrons have however done quite well and other than being late, are flowering reasonably well.  A few photos of some of the best are attached.

Birthday Girl

Happy birthday Isobel!  14 years old!!  We had to have two celebrations today, a morning one for Isobel and then an evening one for Ellie to participate in as she has been away in Amsterdam on a school trip and only got back at 6.30pm. As can be seen, Geoffrey Bear got in on the morning celebration!

Isobel had a great selection of presents, highlights being an ipod touch and a Kindle to make her voracious appetite for books a little more affordable! There was also her friend Sarah's party to go to where they had several hours of getting dolled up in their finest followed by a professional photo shoot.  All great fun.