Mojo Monday

After I completed the weekly challenge I dug out the 4 pages I started at my local crop - which was weeks ago! All 4 of them are from the most recent Quirky Kits - thought I had better break into it as I am sure the next one will be winging it's way to me soon.

The first two pages feature photos taken at Benmore Botanic Gardens taken last Summer - a beautiful place which is well worth the visit.

The last two are from last years trip all the way down to North Devon. Callum on the beach at Croyde and me and my very good friend Lou. We hadn't seen each other for about 10 years when this photo was taken - and we vowed not to leave it so long next time.

Skywatch Friday

A canoeist on Loch Lomond.

See more skies from around the world here.

293/365+1 : Black and White Landscape

Today we have been asked to take a black and white landscape. I'm not going far from the house today as it is a miserable dreich day out there so not good for landscape photography and because I have to wait in for the Citylink delivery driver. Personally I think I am wasting my time as I don't think next day delivery means the same thing this far north - but sods law if I do go out he will pitch up. I do hope he does come today as he has my birthday pressie - and I'm just a little bit excited about it.

So here is a moody shot taken from the jetty at Inverary looking out across Loch Fyne. The photo was OK in colour but far more atmospheric in black and white.

278/365+1 : Asymmetrical

A hard one - and this is the best I could come up with.

We stopped off at Loch Fyne Oyster Bar (surprisingly on the banks of Loch Fyne) in the Summer. I'm afraid I didn't try the oysters but did buy some of the best smoked salmon I have ever tasted and you get to see them preparing the salmon ready for smoking.

Like the asymmetrical lines in this photo.

Photo Scavenger Hunt

Number 3 was a border.

A dry stone wall at The Eden Project.

Keep out sign at a nearby building site.

And a lovely old wooden fence along the path leading down to Croyde beach.

Number 6 was a historic landmark. Here is the commemorative stone for Offa's Dyke. I come from Knighton (Tref-y-clawdd meaning town on the dyke) as there is a well preserved section of the dyke nearby. 

Number 9 was a fountain.

The nearest fountain to where I live is in the middle of Elgin. I did notice the other day it has been emptied off all water and actually looks rather scummy - but on the plus side no chance of getting wet as the wind always blows the water over the pedestrians!

The small fountain in grant park in Forres.

An elaborate fountain at Benmore Botanic Gardens near Loch Lomond.

Number 12 was a maze. Not obvious but Sam is walking through a bamboo maze at The Eden Project.

Number 13 was my second home - my local library.

Number 20 was a swing hanging from a tree. here is the one by the Linky just behind our house - and Callum decided to test it out - all in the name of photography!!

I have one more prompt to blog later in the week - but pop over and see Rinda to see how everyone else has got on over the Summer. 

  1. A pier
2. A clothesline
3. A border
4. A roadside stand selling something
5. A train
6. A historical landmark
7. A person playing a musical instrument
8. A person dressed as an angel or a statue of an angel

9. A fountain

10. A horse

11. A shadow

12. A maze, labyrinth, or trail.

13. A library

14. A person playing with a ball.

15. Someone dancing.

16. A bride.

17. A church, chapel, cathedral, mosque or temple.

18. A movie poster

19. An outdoor stairway

20. A swing hanging from a tree (or a hammock)
21. A picture of you standing with something that symbolizes your nation.

256/365+1 : Arms

One of Callum standing at the bottom of The Rest And Be Thankful (also known as the A83!)

This is a stunning drive not far from where we stayed at Loch Long. The original road was built by soldiers in 1753 - and it got it's name because the climb out of Glen Croe is steep and long that travellers used to stop at the top for a rest - and be thankful for reaching the top. The road had been closed up until a couple of days before we arrived - a 50 mile detour is required otherwise.

 

Family x 12 Blog Hop : August and September

During the Summer we packed our passport and had our vaccinations and headed South of the border on holiday.

July saw us go back down to Devon for a holiday and to meet up with some old friends. We stopped off in Wales on the way down and the way back up and spent some time with my Mum and my mother in law.

Here are the boys with my Mum.

And another one with Ray and myself in.

Taken at the top of Pampunton Hill with Clive and Nanny.

Not quite family but my bestest friend Lou, her husband Ian and their daughters Charlotte and Emily. We hadn't seen each other for almost 9 years but we picked up exactly where we left off - isn't that what best friends are all about?

In August I took the boys down to Loch Lomond for a holiday with my Dad and Wendy. Please excuse my dreadful hair and dishevelled appearance - we had just cycled the 8 miles from Balloch to Luss - not sure why it is only me who looks like a beetroot!!

Callum took this photo of the 3 of us locked up in Inverary jail.

Then just before the boys went back to school Nanny and Clive came to see us during their grand tour of Scotland - this group photo was taken on a gorgeous evening on Lossiemouth Beach.

Please pop by and say hello to the other participants in this months blog hop:

 

Margie 

Jo <- you are here

Ruth 

Monica 

Carol Anne     

Skywatch Friday

Loch Tay in the sunshine - such a beautiful place.

See more skies from around the world here.

My Month In Numbers 2012 : August

This month I have read 7 books including making a start on the over hyped 50 shades trilogy. I am on the final book now and although they aren't well written and I don't care much for either of the main characters - I don't feel they warrant the hype but then again they aren't quite as bad as some people made them out to be.

In August we spent 5 days down in Loch Lomond. It was somewhere I had never been before and we were blessed with the most gorgeous weather. Here is our cabin - number 14 complete with hot tub!!

During this holiday I got on my bike and managed to cycle 16 miles from Balloch to Luss - and didn't my backside know about it!

In The Village Inn in Arrochar I tried a 3 Ponies (which was a new one on me!) which is a 1/3 of a pint of 3 different local ales - very tasty.

My Dad turned 74 this month - here he is inside Inverary Jail with Callum!

I completed Rindas photo scavenger hunt and took all 21 photos (many of which I still need to blog) - I never did find a bride so used one of the substitute options - thoroughly enjoyed this challenge.

I have blown the dust of my knitting needles and so far have knitted 1 scarf - I'm afraid scarves are about my technical limit as far as knitting goes!

Please pop over and say hi to Julie and find out about everyones months in numbers ♥ 

223/365+1 : Higher

Callum underneath a very high Gunnera plant at Benmore Botanic Garden. 

222/365+1 : Determination

We cycled 16 miles along the banks of Loch Lomond - I can tell you that took some determination on my part - with a sore backside at the end of it!!

221/365+1 : Hope

The view from The Village Inn at Arrochar across to the other side of Loch Long - while we hope for another lovely day tomorrow.

220/365+1 : Relief

The look of relief on Callums face when we reached the viewpoint at Benmore Botanic Gardens - it was a hot day to walk to the top of a hill!

Skywatch Friday

A day late in posting but this photo of Loch Tay was taken on Friday on our way home from Loch Lomond. We couldn't have found a more picturesque picnic spot.

See more skies from around the world here.

10 Things : August

I have just spent 5 days in Loch Lomond and we were blessed with the most gorgeous weather everyday - so my 10 things for this month are 10 very blue photos of lochs and sky.