My Month In Numbers : June

Hello from someone whose name begins with J!!

A slow reading month from me with only 4 titles being read - but I should make up for it next month as I will spend 10 days relaxing by the pool or on the beach - with my Kindle.

A milestone was reached in the Burton household when number one son turned 16. Happily for me he consented to a mini photoshoot - complete with chocolate moustaches (which were eaten as soon as the camera was put away!)

We went to a 1940's day at the Keith to Dufftown railway which was fun - I must share some of the photos - we took the train to Drummuir and walked the 6 miles back.

Talking of walking (and including todays walk up the Bin of Cullen) I have walked a total of 45.20 miles, burnt off 6083 calories and walked for a total of 15 hours, 56 minutes and 43 seconds (thanks to Endomondo for the statistics)

My weight loss in June was shockingly poor with only 1lb gone :( I only have 3 1/2 pounds to go to target and it is proving most difficult) On the plus side I will be going on holiday almost 2 lighter.

I am taking part in Rindas 2013 Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt - and I have found 8 of the 21 itmes so far.

Please pop over and say hello to Julie and catch up on everyone elses month in number

Garden visitor

Sadly, despite some early interest, our nest box in the garden has remained empty this year. But this week 2 baby blue tits landed on the roof of our sunroom. We were able to open the bedroom window oh so carefully and this little chap happily obliged us with a photo shoot!! Until his mum arrived and the 2 babies flew off into a nearby tree.

How cute is he - even if he does look a bit grumpy in the middle photo?

Skywatch Friday

A walk on my own for a change as hubby was off down to Edinburgh to take his bike to be serviced as our friends were busy.

Too nice a day to stay in so I parked the car at Burghead Harbour and walked along the beach as far as Roseisle and then walked back to Burghead through the forest.

Beautiful and almost deserted beach:

Taking close ups of my finds in the sand - I think the seaweed looks like a dinosaur!!

Signs in the forest - it certainly makes you think about dropping rubbish - just wish people would take more notice (my main bugbear are the inconsiderate dog walkers who take the trouble to bag their dog waste and then leave it lying on the ground - they might have just left it where it was for nature to take it's course!!)

I knew nothing about this Burma Road so when I got home I had to find out more. It was the name given to a trail through this wooded area and acquired its name during the D Day invasion rehersals which involved thousands of troups in Burghead Bay in 1944. There was no path as we know it today, and because the route was so impenetrable and insect infested  the troops gave it the nickname "The Burma Road", the horrors of which we making wartime headlines.

More close ups:

The view through the trees and back onto the beach:

Pop over to the Skywatch blog to see more skies from around the world.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

Something a bit different this week. The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan I think was one of the Richard and Judy Book Club choices at some point and has been sitting in my to be read pile for quite some time.

It's not quite what I was expecting but I am enjoying it - and I have to keep reading to see what happens and do they survive?

It is the summer of 1914 and Europe is on the brink of war, but Grace Winter’s future finally seems secure as she and her new husband set sail for New York, where she hopes to win over a disapproving and status-conscious mother-in-law. When a mysterious explosion sinks their ship, Grace is thrust into a lifeboat by a quick-witted crew member, who climbs in after her even though the boat is already filled beyond capacity.

As the weather deteriorates and the passengers are forced to choose sides in a brewing power struggle, Grace realizes that her survival could depend on whether she backs the ruthless but experienced John Hardie or the enigmatic but increasingly forceful Ursula Grant. Over the course of three perilous weeks, the lifeboat passengers plot, scheme, gossip and console one another while questioning their deepest assumptions about goodness, humanity and God.

Grace is finally rescued, only to be put on trial for her life. Unsure what to make of their client, Grace’s attorneys suggest she write her story down. The result is a page-turning tale of moral dilemmas, and also a haunting portrait of a woman as unforgettable and complicated as the events she describes.

Pop over to The Book Journey and see what everyone else is reading today.

Skywatch Friday

Our walk on Sunday didn't quite turn out as planned - we ended up letting the train to the strain to our starting point. We were going to do a circular walk around Drummuir but that can wait till another day - instead we walked the 6 miles from Drummuir Station back to Dufftown Station.

The train departing from Platform One:

A wooden carving of a man's head - I have since found out that the carving was done by chainsaw by The Carvery:

We passed the picturesque church at Botrophine:

I love taking photos of the signs and waymarkers on our walks - the first one marks The Isla Way and the second one just indicates the proximity of the railway tracks:

Andy made a friend as we passed the Drummuir Walled Garden and it was so funny to see this small pack of Soay sheep charging across the field to say hello to us:

Some fantastic views to the hills in the distance:

And a wibbly wobbly bridge just before we made it back to Dufftown Station:

I am loving our walks - a majority of them are within 20 miles of where we live but are places that we knew nothing about. It is so much fun finding more about the area you live in.

Pop over to the Skywatch blog to see more skies from around the world.

WOYWW 211

Haven't done much crafting lately. I have signed up for a few online classes - but not started any of them yet. But I have been buying some new papers which is a bit naughty when I have so many old ones to use up.

Had a quick peek at Shimelles blog last night and one of her "sketch to scrapbook page" posts grabbed me. I found the paper and the photos so now all I have to do is put it all together.

Please pop over and say hello to Julia and see what everyone else has been up to this Wednesday.

Birthday Boy

My boy is 16 today - and for once he happily posed for the obligatory birthday photo. It might have been the chocolate moustache props that helped and I love these photos (the chocolate moustaches lasted about 5 seconds after I put the camera down!!) Just goes to show that even a moody, unpredictable, image conscious teenager can have a laugh with his Mum.

Note to self - I really must use my 50mm lens more - I love the results.

This was the photo I put on Facebook this morning in honour of his birthday - how cute were my boys when they were small??

2013 Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt

Rinda has done it again with another photo scavenger hunt for us all to enjoy this Summer. Last year on our family holiday to North Devon the whole family joined in looking for the photo prompts - and I'm hoping for this years trip to the sun will be the same.

Here are my first offerings:

7. A sign that is intentionally or unintentionally funny. I took this at yesterdays 1940's day at the Keith to Dufftown Railway (more on that later.)

10. A bench that is outside. The picnic spot at Drummuir station at the start of our walk yesterday.

11. An animal in a zoo, aquarium or nature reserve. A Soay sheep lamb at the Drummuir Walled Garden which we passed on our walk - as you can see he wasn't camera shy!

16. A windmill. If you want to be technical I suppose these are wind turbines - but the way they suddenly appear out of nowhere remind me of the machines in War of the Worlds.

18. Your local pub, bar, coffee or tea shop. The Kimberley Inn in Findhorn - always a great meal - especially of you get a seat outside overlooking the harbour.

19. A fisherman. A lone chap on Findhorn beach with his rod.

Scouting For Girls

This is the video for the new single from Scouting For Girls called Millionaire filmed at my local beach.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

A light quick read from me today - The Boot Camp by Kate Harrison - I picked it up from the library after reading a friends review on Goodreads. Goodreads is bad for my ever growing pile of books - I just see more things to add!

How far would YOU go to feel good about yourself?

It's New Year and three desperate women begin the toughest week of their lives . . .

No booze, no carbs, no men, no excuses.

Steph invents puddings for a living - now the only part of her body she doesn't hate is her wrists. Will she prove to herself - and her ex - that she can change?

TV presenter Darcy is living the dream - yet haunted by nightmares of a single night where she made the wrong choice. Can she let go of the past?

Mum of three Vicki is under doctor's orders to lose weight - but it's not the only burden she's carrying.

Three women, seven days . . . and one last chance to change their lives for good.

Please pop over to The Book Journey and see what everyone else is reading today.

Happy Father's Day

I would like to wish my Dad a happy Father's Day - I have already spoken to him this morning as he is away off to North Wales for a walking holiday. Not sure where he gets his energy from as he has just walked 192 miles coast to coast from St Bees to Robin Hood Bay!

This photo of me and my Dad was taken last Summer at Luss on the banks of Loch Lomond. I am hoping to take a similar shot this Summer when we head over to Fort William for a week (only next time I won't be having a bad hair day and I won't look quite so fat!!)