Doon the water

We decided to take a trip ‘doon the water’ after lunch on a sunny Sunday afternoon. After a nice drive along the Clyde and down the coast, with wonderful views across the water, we arrived at our old stomping ground, Skelmorlie and Largs.

After a brief walk to inspect the newly built flats on the shore at Skelmorlie, we continued our drive along the coast to Largs. The walk along the promenade and Largs Beach was brazing, but well worth it for the fresh air and stunning sunset.

Rays of sunlight over Loch Lomond

While having a coffee at Milarrochy Bay, the sun decided to appear from behind the clouds.

Sunset over the isles

On the second evening of our break in Ardnamurchan we were treated to an unexpected and fantastic sunset.

After a mostly cloudy day, the sun appeared below the clouds while dropping down to the horizon, turning the sky from deep blues to fabulous purples, pinks, oranges and reds.

With the view to the isles, what could one want more.

Simply stunning.

Sunset over Rum and Eigg.

Sunset over Muck.

Sunset over Fascadale Bay.

Kilmory Bay

An afternoon wander down to Kilmory Bay. Simply stunning.

View to the isles

What a view to wake up to!

The view to the isles from the bedroom in our cottage in Kilmory.

From left to right: Muck, Canna, Rum, Eigg and Skye.

Loch Tulla

At last, our first break away from home in two years.

We stopped off at the viewpoint on the A81 below the Black Mount for a coffee while en route to a week away in remote Ardnamurchan.

The views back to Loch Tulla and the surrounding mountains of Beinn an Dothaid and Beinn Inverveigh are always breath taking.

Spring flowers

The joys of spring in Jo’s and Martin’s delightful garden.

Late evening sun on our trees

COVID19 has firmly taught us that we don’t have to go far from home to admire nature and stunning views. Tonight was another prime example, with the late evening sun lighting up the trees in our garden followed by a absolute stunning sunset.

It is spring!

Peacock butterflies and magnolia in bloom

Saturday was our first spring day and warm enough to sit outside in the glorious sunshine reading a book with a coffee in the afternoon. In fact it was warm enough to even sit outside and have a couple of glasses of Cava before dinner while enjoying the last rays of sunshine.

The warmth of the spring sun brought out the peacock butterflies with several regularly darting across the lawn. Hope they survive the predicted night frost and cold weather in the days to come.

The warmth of the spring sun has also brought a lot of flowers to bloom in the magnolia shrub (magnolia stellata) that stands in the shelter of the house where the heat of the sun is reflecting of the South facing walls. It is well ahead of the magnolia tree on the lawn that is more exposed and still not showing any signs of buds coming out.

Exploring the Campsie fault line

Campsie Glen has become even more of a hot spot for walkers due to Covid lockdown with parked cars backed up all the way to the main road at Haughead. But on an early morning or a late afternoon, it can still, at times, be reasonably quiet.

Our late Sunday afternoon wander along the Kirk Burn and some scrambling along the rocks along the burn allowed us to explore the Campsie fault line. This is one os several very interesting geological features dating from the Glacial and Post-Glacial period in the area.

The Campsie fault line or scarp is the effect of a normal fault crossing the gorge that displaces lava intersecting with another plane of movement. Landslips and the torrent of the Kirk Burn over time have exposed large sections of the fault line along the burn.

Is it spring yet?

The crocuses are starting to come out early this year.

Fun in the snow

A month after the first snowfall, we got more.

As always Lola goes bonkers as she simply loves being out in the snow.