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Hi, My name is Kate and this blog is all about my adventures of happy living. By that I mean crochet, chickens and cooking. Here's to the good life - and being a good wife! xxx

Saturday 25 August 2012

My perfect holiday

So here are the best photos from my holiday. I've tied it in with my Reason's To Be Cheerful. If you would also like to join in with this then please feel free - you can read all about it here. If you do join in then let me know so I can read yours too :)

Spey Bay

A long expanse of rocky beach and wildlife enriched estuary. We saw Osprey and six dolphins. I felt spoilt. We spent hours and hours here walking, sitting, talking, looking and enjoying.

The drift wood was in abundance as were the amazing textures of rocks and smooth pebbles. I was in my snappy element as you will soon find out.

At tea time we found a suitable spot to make a fire (which the men constructed while I drank wine). We ate beautiful food, told tales and spoke to passers by. My contribution to the meal was vegetable skewers and "smurfs" (four toasted marsh mellows and a couple of blocks of chocolate sandwiched between two digestive biscuits) which were wonderfully messy and wonderfully delicious.

This was the first day to our holiday. And boy what a precious day. Here are the photos.....














 









 




 





 
A long drive and a long walk

The second day we drove well up into the national park. We drove right into the clouds and saw the bleak, wet landscape which was spiritually reassuring. I couldn't honestly gaze for hours - this was what I learnt about myself. I have reached that age when a view becomes stained on your soul and it heals while you look.

Following the "gazing" we pulled up to a lock ( a lake to me and you!) and took a long walk around the fields and countryside surrounding it. I saw beauty every second but recorded only snippets of it ... the rest of it is imprinted in my memory.



















Rainy Days

The rain came down but it was okay - we had a rainy day plan! A Whiskey Distillery Tour followed by an afternoon of crochet and cards and an evening of good wine, chatter and food. Sometimes rain isn't that bad!






Sitting in a Hide

Not far from where we were staying was a Perergrine Falcon Hide. We were so lucky to see a male and female, but not only that ... four red squirrels and lots and lots of different birds. We meant to only stay for 20 minutes but sat there for three hours talking to the bird watches and socking up all their knowledge.

This was another highlight! And the views once we reached the hide were awesome!








 
On the final day we stayed local

Another long and energising walk in the valley. Oh my oh my. We were refreshed by the spring water which ran down from the mountains and filled up our bottles for the long journey ahead of us, to Edinburgh.

I would never take this kind of place for granted.





Edinburgh

So the second part of the holiday was upon us in a flash. This time it was about me, my husband, food, comedy and drink. A good old knees up afair. And we were in need of some quality, laughable time together.

We started off walking up the stairs of the National Scotish Museaum where we could see panoramic views of the lansacpe and historic roof tops of the city. It took my breath away.






The Royal Mile and The Witchery

The second day was spent strolling up the Royal Mile which leads to the castle. At the top before you reach the castle is a famous and very well regarded restaurant. It is pretty and magical inside and was so romantic my heart almost burst. The food wasn't bad either!


 








The Fringe Festival

We saw eight comedians in total and I couldn't possible tell you how many units of alcohol we had. But let me tell you - we had such a fab time. It all seems like months ago, even though it was only last year.
 





So before I link in with my Reason's to be Cheerful I'd just like to say it's been a pleasure sharing my holiday with you and thank you for allowing me to reminisce. Cheers to all my fellow Bloggers! xxxx

I'll leave it to you to guess which bit I'm referring too ...... x mwah! x











6 comments:

  1. Kate, your photos are awesome! What a lovely holiday! I know exactly what you mean about a view staining your soul and healing all sorts of things, not least our perspective on life that among ordinary routines can get a bit out of true. Enjoy your trip all over again through your memories and pics! By the way that camp fire is brilliant! E x

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  2. My reason to be cheerful is the sharing of precious holiday pictures which show the world of nature and the happiness of sharing time with others.
    Love from Mum
    xx

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  3. What absolutely fabulous photographs Kate! The landscape looks amazing, thank you for sharing! Really makes me want to take a trip up there even more!
    Victoria xx

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  4. What a lovely post ... glad you had such a wonderful holiday and what perfect photos to remember it by ... Bee xx

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  5. Well done, Kate! Thanks for taking the time to share your holiday! There is so much beauty around us :) I wondered as I looked at the castle if it is where they have had a concert that ends with a lone bagpiper standing on a wall as he plays. I saw a recording once that looked like it might have been filmed there. [My husband and daughters learned
    to play bagpipes and marched in a NYC parade once.] So glad you found lots of reasons to be cheerful! You have cheered me as well. Thanks, again.
    Gracie xxx

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  6. Hi Kate! Your pictures are beautiful! I have just sat with hubby and the boys, all admiring your lovely holiday! I love Scotland. It's one of my favourite places to visit, and we were fortunate enough to visit it in August too, before the children came along! Thank you for sharing all your lovely photos...makes me want to pack my suitcase and go! Much love, Tania ♥

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Thank you so much for your comments! I always read them and will be sure to check out your blog. Kate x