The Amazing Rhododendrons of Arduaine

 

The NT Arduaine gardens had the most spectacular display of rhododendrons we had ever see

 

 

 

 

 

 

They were mostly very fragrant...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not a rhododendron, but a native fern reckoned to be 1000 years old!

 

Celebrating Scotland together - well it was our 32nd wedding anniversary...

 

 

Climbing Ben Crutagain (nicknamed 'George')  on the Ardmaddy mainland 

 

 

 

Tasty picnic on the tip of Torsa

 

 

 

 

 

Trips in 'Cutty' - the Torsa Island speedboat (not)

 

 

Motoring away from Torsa - at Cutty's full 5 horsepower!

 

 

 

Moored up at the Ardmaddy jetty on the mainland (Torsa is part of the Ardmaddy estate.) Sea like a mirror

 

 

On the way to Arduaine - capturing Dad using GG's 1916 binoculars...

 

 

...which worked perfectly!

 

Full throttle!

Heading back to Torsa



Torsa objects and oddities

 

 

Not really odd, this - but very tasty!

 

The conservatory made a wonderful art studio:

 

 

Known as the 'slate isles', the local islands had many old quarries and black beaches but also a few seashells...

 

 

out and about, I spotted this perfect toad

 

 

The famous Scottish thistle was just about to,flower

 

Can't get away from the old sightseeing buses (shades of Gozo!)

The village store/café at Balvicar on Seil Island (near the car ferry to Luing, off which Torso is found) - owned and run by someone from Reading.





Some amazing videos

1. The Ford of Luing (featuring The Hat)

2. The Outdoor Life

 

 

 

3. A View from the Top of Torsa

 

 

 

A few views of Torsa

On the way to Torsa

Photos of our journey to the West Coast of Scotters

This was taken back home - some wool from a Torsa sheep!

Bank holiday weekend

It has been such a sunny time, we have enjoyed the great outdoors as much as possible. Saturday was Bob & Cynthia 's diamond wedding in Aylesbury:

We arrived home in time for a walk around Piper's Wood - lots of hot air balloons flying above us: 

and back through Binders Yard etc:

Yesterday we went to Worlds End Garden Centre in Wendover and bought some plants, including two midget apple trees:

Then today we went for a longer walk to Hughenden, Downley and back, stopping halfway for a refreshing pint at the De Spencer Arms:

Aren't we lucky to live here? Love it!

Just one more thing: Mum has been meeting some people from the 4 Hilltop  villages and gets her license from the bishop tomorrow. 

This is the best looked-after church (St Leonard's village) - may have something to do with the local clientele being not short of a penny or two. They are also very kind people, which is great.