Alice Whitehead Robertson MBE - one year on

My wonderful Aunt Alice died one year ago on the 27th September 2011 - a very sad day indeed for the family and friends that loved her so very much.

Alice Whitehead Robertson MBE

On Saturday 29th September along with my husband and parents, we visited Foulden Village Hall where she had been Chairperson to see Alice's pub table that we gifted to the hall following her death.  It looks really splendid - they have done a fantastic job of restoration and have placed a photo of Alice here in remembrance of her, which is a lovely gesture.

Restored pub table

After a welcome coffee and scone at the village hall, we then went on to Foulden Parish Church just a short distance along the road to have a look at the newly erected headstone.  We had chosen a headstone that would be fitting for Alice - something to mirror her young at heart attitude to life and her love of teddy bears.  We are very pleased indeed with the choice we made, which I am sure she would have loved - I just wish she could see it!!

Teddy Bear Headstone

The other reclining teddy had sat at her front door for many years and we had used it as a marker for the grave while the headstone was being ordered - we have left it in place as he looks so much at home, still sitting on her doorstep!!

Isle of May - Open Seal Day

As we had been so disappointed not to be able to travel out to the Isle of May on the open lighthouse day, we had re-scheduled to go over for the open seal day on Sunday 23rd September and, as the day approached, we were eagerly watching the weather forecasts as there was a storm heading our way, scheduled to hit on Monday 24th September. 

When Sunday morning arrived, there had been no cancellation phone call so, with back pack packed with essentials like filled rolls and coffee, we headed off to North Berwick for coffee and cake in the Seabird Centre.  The weather was just lovely, so lovely in fact that we sat outside on the cafe deck for our coffee!!  I loved the 'no smoking' signs outside!!

North Berwick beach from the harbour area

 The sea was blue and fairly calm but, when we went to the office to get togged out in our waterproofs, our guide for day Maggie told us that it was almost touch and go as to whether the trip was on or not as the weather front was approaching faster than anticipated!!  However, we were cleared to go and a full boatload took off to the island. 

On arriving at the Isle of May, we were taken round to the part known as Rona as that's where most of the seals were.  It was just fantastic to see them bobbing about in the water and lounging about on the rocks.  This is a map of the Isle of May as supplied for our trip

It was quite difficult getting a photo of the seals in the water what with the movement of the boat and the fact that the seals were popping up out of the water all over the place only for me to just get focused on them before they bobbed under the water again!!  Here are a few photos that I managed to capture from the boat.

We then headed round into Kirkhaven where we all disembarked and were allowed to roam freely on our own.  We had already done the short tour with Maggie on our last visit, so we just wandered about on our own.  It was like a summer's day on the island and really quite warm to start with, although as time passed, there was a distinct change in the weather and the wind started to pick up a little.

As we walked round, I took some photos of this wonderful place.

Not just seals and birds here!!

Then came the highlight of the trip!!  At a superb vantage point, the reserves manager David Pickett was able to give people a wonderful view of a mother seal with her pup which had only been born in the previous 24 hours!!  What a truly wonderful sight.  We had to be careful though because she knew we were there and mothers can abandon their pups if disturbed too much.  I quickly took some photos then had to tear myself away!!

We then headed back to the picnic area, taking some photos along the way, plus we had a look up to the viewpoint at Bishop's Cove.

Bishop's Cove

Bishop's Cove

Looking towards the priory and the foghorn

After a welcome coffee and our rolls, I had another little wander up to the Priory and the foghorn

Priory

Priory steps

Priory

Pilgrim's Haven

Pilgrim's Haven

They were just a bit too far away to take photos, but as I was leaving here it looked like two seals were heading in, probably to give birth to their pups.

All too soon, it was time to leave as the weather was on the change and we were warned to expect a bit of a swell on the way back to North Berwick.  We all got our waterproofs and lifejackets on and headed off - sure enough, the spray was quite bad and some passengers did get pretty wet.  I was very lucky and was in one of the best seats on the boat as I was a bit sheltered  by other passengers!!  One poor girl looked as if she wasn't enjoying the journey back and had found a way of keeping relatively dry, but unfortunately wouldn't have been able to see anything!!

This is the iconic view of the Bass Rock on the way back - the while dots are all gannets!!

So, that was the trip finished, and we were back before the weather got too bad.  The storm hit us quite fiercely the very next day!!

I can't quite believe that I have been on the island twice this year within a matter of weeks, and it was just fantastic.  I sincerely hope that I will also have at least one opportunity to go back again in 2013.  It is really a very special place indeed.

Rocky Robin in Love!!

We had to move the cars to a different position overnight in case of storm damage and, since we done that, a wee robin has taken a great liking to the wing mirror of the car!!  I think he's in love with his reflection and, although it's getting late now, he's still there!!

Here are a few photos with apologies about the quality as I had to use full zoom through the window - a window that is not clean at all after the nasty weather we've just had!!

Hello there!!  My name's Rocky and I think I love you!!

Please be mine!!

Give me a kiss - I love you!!!

East Lothian Sunsets

There were a couple of nice sunsets recently over the past few weeks, so thought I'd just share some photos that I took:

Aberlady

Aberlady

Aberlady

Birds on the rocks - Aberlady

From Longniddry Golf Club

From Longniddry Golf Club

End of Edinburgh Festival Fireworks

If you happen to regularly read my blog, you would have seen that last year we had a night-time picnic down at the local beach to watch the end of the Edinburgh Festival being marked by the usual spectacular firework display.  Well, this year we went the whole hog and booked to attend a gala dinner at the Royal Overseas League at 100 Princes Street, Edinburgh, which is situated directly opposite the Ross Bandstand and Edinburgh Castle!!

We caught the train into Edinburgh and wandered along Princes Street in glorious sunshine, taking one or two photos on the way

Scott Monument

Scott Monument

Scottish Saltire

Houses near Edinburgh Castle

We made our way to the venue where we settled in for a thirst quenching drink then on to the champagne reception.  After a couple of glasses of very nice 'bubbly stuff' we entered the dining room for our five course dinner.  It was a set menu - here is what was on offer:

Strips of confit duck leg and sliced smoked

duck breast with a bacon and hazelnut dressing

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Cream of asparagus soup topped with

coriander creme fraiche

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Lemon sorbet drizzled with Limon Cello

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Slow cooked fillet of beef with celariac and mustard mash,

tarragon infused chantenay carrots and a port jus

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Milk chocolate box with Morello cherry compote and

toasted chopped nuts

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Dunsyre Blue, Connage Clava Brie and Arran Cheddar

with celery, grapes and real ale chutney

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Freshly brewed coffee and Scottish fudge

I can tell you now that everything was just wonderful - the plates were very clean going back to the kitchen!!  This was fine dining at its very best and was served with lovely wine, which was all  included in the price of our tickets.

Once the sweets were finished it was time to climb up to the rooftop to view the fireworks.  We were very lucky and were right at the front of the balcony with a grandstand view of the majestic Edinburgh Castle.

Then the music and fireworks started.  It was all truly awesome!!  Some of the fireworks seemed to be bursting above us and lighting up the night sky with brilliant colours.  As usual, I spent most of the time viewing everything through the lens of the camera with some photos turning out quite well and others not turning out at all!!  Here are what I consider to be some of the better photos of the night:

These ones look a bit like palm trees!!

Although the castle looks like it's on fire, I can confirm that it wasn't!!

The finale

Although the fireworks and music lasted around 45 minutes, the time flew past so quickly and it was soon time to descend the stairs back into the building where our cheese and biscuits and coffee and fudge were waiting for us.  We had hope that we'd be able to get the last train home again, but Scotrail are not very hearty when it comes to putting on late trains - the last train was 10.30 p.m. instead of 9.30 p.m. which wouldn't have given us enough time to enjoy what was on offer, so we decided to take a taxi home instead.

Once we had finished our cheese and biscuits we headed off into the night and hailed a taxi which took us home.  I have to say though that these black cabs are not at all comfortable!!  I think that was the bumpiest journey I've ever had in a cab in my life!!

We really hadn't known what to expect from our evening but it really did surpass all expectations - so much so, that we're talking about the possibility of doing it all over again next year!!