Skywatch Friday

A view point has been created on the top of Inverness Castle.

During the first week entry was free.

The weather was typically Scottish with all 4 seasons in one day but luckily the sun came out just before we climbed to the top of the tower.

The view from the top didn't disappoint.

Please pop over to the Skywatch blog for more skies from around the world.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

I have just finished The Millionaire's Wife by Shalini Boland - if you like a page turning psychological thriller then give this one a go. It is out later this week.

Anna Blackwell lives a charmed life with her husband. But things haven't always been this way. When a woman is killed on the other side of the world, Anna knows that her past has caught up with her. That her greatest fear is about to come true. That it's her turn next.


Altogether different I am reading A Secret Garden by Katie Fforde. She is one of my favourite authors and this one looks like a lovely read.

Lorna is a talented gardener and Philly is a plantswoman. Together they work in the grounds of a beautiful manor house in the Cotswolds

They enjoy their jobs and are surrounded by family and friends. 

But for them both the door to true love remains resolutely closed.

So when Lorna is introduced to Jack at a dinner party and Lucien catches Philly’s eye at the local farmers market, it seems that dreams really can come true and happy endings lie just around the corner.

But do they?

Troublesome parents, the unexpected arrival of someone from Lorna's past, and the discovery of an old and secret garden mean their lives are about to become a lot more complicated...

A new author to me is Sheryl Browne. I have got a copy of After She's Gone to read and review.

There’s evil and then there’s Patrick Sullivan. A drug dealer, pimp and murderer, there are no depths to which Patrick would not sink, and Detective Inspector Matthew Adams has found this out in the most devastating way imaginable.
When Patrick’s brother is shot dead in a drug bust gone wrong, the bitter battle between the two men intensifies, and Matthew finds it increasingly difficult to hold the moral high ground. All he wants is to make the pimping scum suffer the way he did … the way Lily did.
But being at war with such a depraved individual means that it’s not just Matthew who’s in danger. Patrick has taken a lot from Matthew, but he hasn’t taken everything – and now he wants everything.

Please pop over to the Book Date to see what everyone else is reading today.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

It's not a bank holiday in Scotland today unlike the rest of the UK - so off to work I go.

I am reading Bridget Jones's Baby by Helen Fielding. I didn't see the film so hoping the book is OK.

8.45 P.M. Realise there have been so many times in my life when have fantasised about going to a scan with Mark or Daniel: just not both at the same time.

Before motherhood, before marriage, Bridget, with biological clock ticking very, very loudly, finds herself unexpectedly pregnant at the eleventh hour: a joyful pregnancy which is dominated, however, by a crucial but terribly awkward question – who is the father? Mark Darcy: honourable, decent, notable human rights lawyer? Or Daniel Cleaver: charming, witty, notable fuckwit?

9.45 P.M. It’s like they’re two halves of the perfect man, who’ll spend the rest of their lives each wanting to outdo the other one. And now it’s all enacting itself in my stomach.

In this gloriously funny, touching story of baby-deadline panic, maternal bliss, and social, professional, technological, culinary and childbirth chaos, Bridget Jones – global phenomenon and the world’s favourite Singleton – is back with a bump.

I have 2 books on the go on my Kindle - both sent to me by authors.The Big Little Wedding in Carlton Square is written by Lilly Bartlett - other wise known as Michelle Gorman. She asked for people to read her book over the Bank Holiday weekend - although I don't think I will get it finished in time due to having to work today - did I mention that!!

When Emma’s boyfriend Daniel pops the question with a ring the size of a small country, she suddenly realises just how different they are. She’s the Eastenders to his Made in Chelsea. She wants a low-key wedding with close friends and family in Uncle Colin’s pub, while Daniel’s mother is expecting a society do that their high-brow guests won’t forget!

How on earth can Emma put together a celebration fit for Lords and Ladies on a shoestring budget? Not to mention the fact her cross-dressing Uncle Barbara wants to be a bridesmaid, her best mate Kelly can’t stand Daniel’s best friend Cressida, and her dad is too proud to accept any help from Daniel’s family towards the costs.

There’s three months to go until the big day. Will Emma’s happy-ever-after end in disaster?

I am also reading The Break by Sue Welfare. Sue is better known for her chick lit but is now venturing into thrillers with the release of Next of Kin which was a great read. The Break is just as good. The author asked for 20 people to proof read the book - who was I to say no?

Please pop over to the Book Date to see what everyone else is reading today.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

I am reading the 4th Erika Foster book  Last Breath by Robert Bryndza. It is just as good as his earlier books and is a proper page turner.

When the tortured body of a young woman is found in a dumpster, her eyes swollen shut and her clothes soaked with blood, Detective Erika Foster is one of the first at the crime scene. The trouble is, this time, it’s not her case. 

While she fights to secure her place on the investigation team, Erika can’t help but get involved and quickly finds a link to the unsolved murder of a woman four months earlier. Dumped in a similar location, both women have identical wounds – a fatal incision to their femoral artery. 

Stalking his victims online, the killer is preying on young pretty women using a fake identity. How will Erika catch a murderer who doesn’t seem to exist? 

Then another girl is abducted while waiting for a date. Erika and her team must get to her before she becomes another dead victim, and, come face to face with a terrifyingly sadistic individual.

I am also reading My Map of You by Isabelle Broom. This is her first book and it is beautifully written - transporting you to the Greek Islands. I am really enjoying it.

Holly Wright has had a difficult few years. After her mother's death, she's become expert at keeping people at a distance - including her boyfriend, Rupert.

But when Holly receives an unexpected letter explaining that an aunt she never met has left her a house on the Greek island of Zakynthos, the walls she has built begin to crumble. Arriving on the island, Holly meets the handsome Aidan and slowly begins to uncover the truth about the secret which tore her family apart.

But is the island where Holly really belongs? Or will her real life catch up with her first?

Please pop over to the Book Date to see what everyone else is reading today.

Glenlivet 10k

Sunday is runday as we headed off into the hills of Glenlivet for a 10k which has been voted "The most beautiful run in Scotland" And there is no doubt that the scenery is stunning but when you are slogging yourself up a seemingly endless hill looking at your surroundings is the last thing you feel like doing"

An action shot - that is me in the white T shirt.

But we made it and the moment had to be captured forever with many finishing line photos! Glad there wasn't one of me on the rickety moving wooden bridge just after the finish line - that was more scary than the race itself - but it was the only way to get my medal. 

My Garmin recorded my time as 59.06 but I think I like my chip time better!

You have to love a goody bag which includes a dram and shortbread.

Skywatch Friday

A lively 7 mile walk along the Speyside Way with a friend. Walked from Craigallachie to the other side of Aberlour and back - stopping off for coffee and warm scones at the halfway point.

Please pop over to the Skywatch for more skies from around the world.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

It has been a beautiful weekend. Got lots of outdoors jobs done and a lovely walk along the Speyside Way with a friend.

Also managed to squeeze in some time for sitting in the garden reading.

So I am starting the week with 2 new reads.

A Boy Made Of Blocks by Keith Stuart has got lots of very good reviews and is a different sort of read for me.

A father who rediscovers love

Alex loves his wife Jody, but has forgotten how to show it. He loves his son Sam, but doesn't understand him. He needs a reason to grab his future with both hands.

A son who shows him how to live

Meet eight-year-old Sam: beautiful, surprising - and different. To him the world is a frightening mystery. But as his imagination comes to life, his family will be changed . . . for good.

The Vets Of Hope Green by Sheila Norton is another serialisation - and I do enjoy those.

Working as a receptionist in a London vets, Sam is living far from her idea of a simple life. She’s always broke, rents a tiny flat, and is constantly arguing with her boyfriend. But the worst part is that her career is going nowhere. She wants to be a vet, but the most contact time with the animals she has is a quick hello when she books in their next appointment.

Something’s got to give, so when her parents suggest visiting her Nana Peggy in a small quiet picturesque village, she agrees, thinking a bit of R&R could do her good. 

But rest and relaxation may not be the order of the day. Poor Nana Peggy’s lovely dog Rufus is unwell, and Sam can’t help but grow fond of him. With the help of Joe the local vet, a charming yet strangely distant man, Sam sets out on looking after him, despite her London life trying to call her back…

Please pop over to the Book Date to see what everyone else is reading today.

Miltonduff 10k

Last Sunday was the warmest day of the year so far in the North East of Scotland.

In March we are more used to wearing woolly hats and gloves.

But it was definately t shirt weather for running 10k starting and finishing at Miltonduff Distillery.

Who knew it was so hilly around Miltonduff??

I got up the hills fine but then struggled to keep going without a short walking break.

Was never so glad to see the water stop at 3.5 miles.

Approaching the finish line.

But I got round in under an hour and slightly bettered my Brodie 10k time in 58.30

Next weekend is the Glenlivet 10k
Bring on the even bigger hills!!@