The 39 steps.....

Tomorrow Ray and I celebrate our 39th Wedding Anniversary so we are having an anniversary weekend starting right now.......CHEERS everybody......

Piper at Aspenwood Cottage.

Donna and John, our guests staying in Aspenwood Cottage, celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary yesterday and we were kindly invited to join them in a toast. As we were enjoying drinks and a lovely cake in the lounge the magical sound of the bagpipes drifted down the driveway. We all went outside to watch and listen. As a surprise to Donna John had organised 'Spud the Piper' from Aviemore to come and play especially for her. We were all amazed listening to this talented man who is in great demand at various venues all over Scotland. He declined the champagne as he had another gig to attend and settled for a cuppa in the kitchen where we all had a good chat and laughs. 

After a rendition of 'Flower of Scotland' we all waved him goodbye and watched him walk up the driveway to his car. A very good way to celebrate any special occasion .. so a big thank you Donna and John for letting us share it with you both.   Remember to put the sound on.

Blooming Buddleia

Driving down the lane to Aspenwood on Saturday we spotted a large male pheasant and a red squirrel on the top of the platform fence happily eating together. Unfortunately they soon heard us arriving and scarpered so you will have to imagine the scene. We also noticed that the purple buddleia to the left of the decking was now full of magnificent blooms. I did prune it back last year and worried that I might have done more harm than good but it seems in very good health and perfectly positioned by the decking.

The week of September 18th to 25th is still available.

New owners open Waterfall Cafe in Foyers.

The new  Waterfall Cafe  opposite the Falls of Foyers in the village of Foyers [formally known as The Red Squirrel Cafe] opened again for business on Monday 2nd August.The cafe and adjoining Foyers stores are about three miles from Aspenwood on the road to Fort Augustus Several famous Foyers residents cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony. The new owners - Jan and Simon Hargreaves - live in the apartment above the cafe and stores and hope the cafe venue will once again be used as a community centre for the village. The large outside decking area allows diners to eat and enjoy the views and the inside of the cafe has been completely renovated during the past six months. Locally produced food including soup, cakes and fish will be sold on the premises which has housed a cafe for more than 100 years. The local squirrels have not been overlooked and feeding boxes for the red squirrels, commonly seen in the area, have been placed outside and will be regularly topped up with peanuts so everyone will remain happy now.

Oh deer....

The weather lately has been warm and dry but rather overcast with the odd shower yet somehow the sun usually shines through in the evening about 7pm. As we sit outside in the evening reflecting over the very hectic events of the day we look forward to the deer joining us and watch them munch away at the grass on the front bank.

Sometimes one youngster appears on its long spindly legs soon to be followed by its sibling and then mother comes to check up on them - and us of course.

This family of three deer have been frequent visitors to the grass bank at the front of the house lochside and happily munch away together in the evening sunlight.Guests have said they have seen them up outside Aspenwood...so do keep looking out of the windows.

Juvenile siskins

The new young batch of siskins are very noisy at the moment. This juvenile female and colourful green and yellow male siskin sat on the edge of the bird bath for ages not quite sure what to do next - the first time they had seen a bird bath I guess. They always look very large and fluffed up. A swarm of them will suddenly fly down and sit on the gravel around the house and peck at the ground, maybe for insects or grass or just being curious. The cats surprisingly ignore them now and have even walked up to them on the ground, sniffed them and then walked over them as if they know they are vulnerable. Sometimes the offspring have a few spats but not for long. They found something interesting here on the azalea bush and had a few words with each other and flapped about then settled down to eat happily together.....that's youngsters for you eh!

Woodpecker at Aspenwood

While up at the cottage on Saturday morning one of the juvenile great spotted woodpeckers suddenly flew by the large lounge window and landed on the fence by the nut feeder. Unfortunately the window was not open yet so had to take this photo through the glass therefore it is not as sharp as it could be.These birds are extremely sensitive to any sound and the noise of one camera click is enough to frighten them away so you have to be very still and quiet and very quick...not an easy task.

4.50 am this morning

We woke up to this sky just twelve hours ago - what a glorious sight !