Nodding dog (Days 285 - 295)

Day 285 - Sleepy head

Bowser is sat at my feet, the kitchen is warm as I do some cooking and despite being tired he won't go to bed just is case I drop something tasty, but he keeps nodding off and reminds me of one of those nodding dogs that I used to see on the back shelf of cars - do you remember them?

Day 286 - Conkers

 A bumper year for conkers but I never seem to see any children playing this game anymore.

Day 287 - Workshop in Merkland

Workshops this week have meant waterproofs and wellies form part of the essential kit list but the fabulous colours of Merkland wood make up for it.

Day 288 - Fly Agaric

 The bright red colour of this fungi gives away it's toxic nature - not one for the pot.

Day 289 - RNLI launch

 The RNLI on Arran got a new lifeboat and today was it's official launch and naming day. The ILB Rachel Hedderwick.

Day 290 - Wet and windy

 The views on today's workshops were stormy and windblown scenes with lots of crashing waves.  But I like the serenity of this tree as we found shelter and a grey stillness in Lochranza.

Day 291 - Night at the Castle

As Brodick Castle prepares to close for the season, it has a couple of scary events this week with halloween and a murder mystery night. Some of the students from this night time session managed to capture 'ghosts' on their pictures.

Day 292 - Head in a hole

This series of three pictures shows Watson spotting a hole and then trying to prise himself into it.  It was just where a wooden post had been but there must have been a good smell down there.

Day 293 - Strangely warm

 We seem to be having a very warm spell for the end of October and it all feels a bit peculiar.

Day 294 - Loch Iorsa 

Took the dog for a short run up to the loch.  I nice undulating track with a swim at the end before we turned back.

Day 295 - Halloween

A pumpkin hanging on the gate of the aptly named 'Dyemill' lodges - I wonder if anyone was brave enough to stay overnight.

Balmoral Castle - Home to the Royal Family

Balmoral Castle from the drive

Balmoral Castle is only open from April to July each year, due the the Royal Family being in residence, and a few weeks ago I was staying near by so I thought I'd pop along and have a look.  It's really geared up for tourists, providing a little bus from the ticket office to the main entrance where audio guides can be collected to take around with you.  I meandered around the grounds following the route and exploring the gardens (working on the principle I'd soon be moved on if I strayed somewhere I shouldn't)!

Ornate greenhouse

The larger glass houses couldn't be entered but seemed to be full of flowers and these are used in the Castle when the family are in residence.  Gardeners may be pleased to note that the Queen also has greenfly on her plants!

The Deer Larder

The Balmoral Estate is still a fully working enterprise with deer to be managed, salmon fishing on the river and a few holiday cottages available for rent. Not to forget the huge enterprise of being a visitor attraction as part of the Victorian Heritage Trail in Royal Deeside. 

Bluebells in the wooded areas beyond the arches

Wandering under arches that were yet to bloom and passed a shed with a grass top, the delightful Garden Cottage with ornate chimney pots can be explored.

Garden Cottage

I did like the Garden Cottage which had been used as a hospital in the past, and here I could peer through the windows and admire the furnishings and grandeur of how the other half lives!  Around the back of the cottage are the water gardens - an area that seemed devoid of other visitors!

Chimney pots on Garden Cottage

The Castle is a fairly stunning building and I would have loved to have a look inside but only the ballroom was open to visitors and this is full of displays on the Royals.  No photography is allowed inside for security reasons! But a small sunken square formal garden provided a nice photograph (everyone walked around the top) but no signs said I couldn't go in it.

Part of the formal gardens in front of the Castle

Finally I made my way back to the entrance, not stopping at the shop or cafe (something I regretted later) before heading down to the Old Royal Ballater Station for a peek!