Oct 31st Handsome Cockerel

Out my walk today and spotted this handsome cockerel in a farm field. He seemed friendly enough at first but then bristled up his neck feathers which made him even more attractive, even if he was trying to scare me away from his ladies.

Cockerel

Oct 30th Hot, hot, hot October

I cannot remember heat like this at this time of the year. Went a walk along the beach today and was quickly stripping off and indeed could have worn shorts. It was as hot today as many a summer's day and it is the 30th October. The forecast in 2 days is a total change, an Arctic blast of winter on the doorstep, jumper back on!!

Hot October

Oct 29th Red, red berries

These have come into fruit in our area. I have not yet found out their name, I think it is dog rose, but it is a wild growth and I assume the berries are toxic. Nevertheless the bright red tomato like berries are a strong interesting colour. Nature at its best.

Very red berries

Oct 28th Treelight

A walk in the woods at this time of the year allows us to see a canopy normally hidden when the trees are in full leaf.
If you are out on a bright day the contrasting light is always a pretty picture. Difficult to get a good snap with a phone or pocket camera but I am happy enough with this one.

Treelight

Oct 27th Bleak day on the seafront

I walked back from Ayr today which took in the delights of the industrial seafront of Ayr, well away from the tourist beach might I add. It was blowing a hooley, storm threatening, by Sunday it will be dark by 5.30pm, time to get the positive thinking books out, winter is almost here.

Ayr seafront the industrial bit

Oct 26th Nostalgia Home Sweet Home

I had time to kill in Glasgow today so went to reminisce and visited my first home and area from many years back. So much the same and yet so much has changed. The block is the same sandstone colour but there was no security door. The block, as I remember, was in better condition in the past and no double glazing. The pen was always a motor workshop of some description but I doubt in the same hands. Memories.

Oct 25th Western Gailes selfie

Out for an afternoon walk along the golf course and stopped for a drink at this water font. Took a photo and got a selfie image on the shiny handle to turn the water on, surprised.

Selfie Western Gailes

Oct 24th Think the kids will like this

Out for lunch today at a new venue and what a surprise. Not only was the food very good, the atmosphere very pleasant and the staff top drawer. But we also found this play area beside the carpark. No doubt will be making a return one day with the kids. Boswell coaching cafe/restaurant Auchinleck go for it.

Top kids play area

Oct 23rd A lovely day for a cycle

A crisp blue sky morning, ideal for a good bike ride along the Ayrshire coast so long as well wrapped up, full gloves not fingerless. Very enjoyable.

Prestwick Bay

Oct 22nd Armed Forces Day

I was at Somerset Park for the Ayr game today. To recognise Armed Forces day a small parade walked the ground at half-time, well appreciated by the crowd.

Armed Forces Day Somerset

Oct 21st A favourite beer in a favourite pub

As always when in Edinburgh I take the opportunity to have a beer in the superb Cafe Royale. Today's beer of choice, one of my favourites, Harviestoun's Schiehallion, neither disappointed.

Cafe Royal

Oct 20th Mallard's behind

I took a few shots of this Mallard front on before he had had enough and went away. There is something about this fellow from behind.

Mallard

Oct 19th Canal Housing Ratho

I decided to walk the Forth & Clyde Union canal from Ratho back to its start in Edinburgh. At Ratho there is this modern but quaint block of modern housing and lived in canal boats, a super contrast of lifestyles, one fixed the other can up anchor and move to a new site.

Forth Canal Ratho

Oct 18th Pentlands Walk

I had a cracking Pentlands walk today but the weather was so varied. The BBC app showed blue skies & sun all day. I climbed 4 hills in the Pentlands and luckily my back was to the south at the beginning as it poured, the wind was excessive an unpleasant day. Then at least the rain went off although you cannot appreciate the wind in this snap of Allermuir Hill.

Allermuir Hill

Oct 17th Irvine Bay

This morning I walked all the way along the beach to Irvine where this lovely picture at the estuary shows a crisp blue sky Autumn day. Lowtide snap and Arran standing out in the background.

Irvine Bay

Oct 16th Sunday afternoon beer

Sunday afternoon at home normally means the 4 o'clock match and a beer to go with it. Today's choice is a new one to me but again will not be the last. I had not heard of Fallen Brewing until I read about the Scottish beer awards 2016, check it out. The number of craft breweries in Scotland is stunning, great news for beer lovers.

Blackhouse

Oct 15th Autumn Colours

Out for a walk this afternoon and the trees are slowly starting to go into Autumn colours, not startling yet but good enough and hopefully better snaps soon.

Autumn Colours

Oct 14th War memorial

Went with the girls into Glasgow today and this war memorial was intriguing to us all. The sculptures are superbly crafted and bring a real feeling of the hardness and bleakness of war. A fitting memory of the day.

War memorial Glasgow

Oct 13th Running water relaxation

It is no coincidence that running water or even just water in general is a common therapy for people suffering anxiety or stress issues. Looking after the three kids maybe I need to spend more time here!!

Running water therapy

Oct 12th A white Rowan

Again another of nature's mysteries, at least to us non experts, which we came across when out for our walk. The tree looks like a Rowan, the berries look like Rowan berries, except they are white. Any ideas let me know.

Rowan or not.

Oct 11th Nose kiss

A warm snap of a special moment for a special couple on a special day.

Nose Kiss

Oct 10th Milton of Fonab morning mist

On a break to Milton Of Fonab caravan park staying in one of their static vans. It is not unusual to wake up to this scene. The park lies in a flat with the River Tummel hugging its flanks. Usually burns off quickly but a nice memory.

Fonab misty morning

Oct 9th Lovely plant but what is it?

Out for a walk and came across this lovely specimen but I do not know what it is and neither does my good lady who has the green fingers. Beautiful colours and you cannot see clearly in the picture clusters of dark berries/fruits. Need to get the books out.

Mysterious shrub

Oct 8th Saturday night for new beer

One of the things I like about popping into different branches of the same store is that you are likely to find different food and drink. For example the Coop in Pitlochry had this beer from St Andrews which I had not seen in any other store. So picked up a couple of bottles and it won't be the last, a fine tasty red beer.

St Andrews Brewing Eighty Bob

Oct 7th A perfect Autumn evening

Autumn evenings can often be dull and grey but this one in Pitlochry is definitely not the case.

Pitlochry

Oct 6th A hard days cycle

I bought a new mountain bike and today was its first big outing riding from Dalwhinnie to Pitlochry. The route took me through the Pass of Drumochter, the main mountain pass between the northern and south central Scottish Highlands. A wild remote place. The ride was rather tough mainly as I had constant 20-30mph headwinds, strength sapping. Still made it and it is a day to remember.

New MTB at Drumochter

Oct 5th Salar Smoked Salmon

I love smoked salmon and have tried many different versions, most tasting great. However I came across this beauty in South Uist last year and it is by far my favourite. Made by Salar look out for this it is a beautiful tasting dry smoked salmon, some inferior ones can be a bit greasy. You can get it directly online from Salar or on the mainland in certain outlets. If you see it try it you will not be disappointed. PS I had it for my dinner hence the empty packet, back to the House of Bruar tomorrow for more.

Oct 4th A Deer surprise what a coat.

I climbed Deuchary Hill in Perthshire today which ended up being a lot harder than it seemed from the description. Nevertheless, upon reaching the summit in very strong cold winds, I was looking around a spotted two stags sheltering from the wind just below me. The coat on this individual looked particularly interesting, an odd pattern. After looking it up on the internet it turns out that they are Fallow deer. The views from the top were good considering the low cloud but this made the effort worth it.

Stag patterned coat

Oct 3rd Loch Bhac paradise

No doubt that this is my number one hill loch and today was only my 2nd visit this year, a rare treat. The trek for 3 miles through forestry commission tracks to a car park that makes you ask was this a mistake? A further 5 minute walk down a muddy tree lined path finally opens out to this glorious fishing spot. Magnificent views, a good chance of an Osprey visiting, a good chance of having it to yourself, cracking fishing and not expensive. Who wants to work?

Loch Bhac

Oct 2nd Salmon ladder

Pitlochry is famous for it's hydro dam which controls the flow of water coming from the north into the River Tummel and onto the River Tay. It's construction also blocked the passage of migratory salmon so it included its salmon ladder, part of which is shown here. Today almost 6300 salmon have passed through this year, a good increase on recent figures. So those that go up are laying enough eggs to come back down and return in increasing numbers, fabulous.

Pitlochry Salmon ladder

Oct 1st Ferryman's Cottage

It would be nice to own a property with a historical background. In Pitlochry this cottage once housed the ferryman which was the only way to get across the River Tummel to the town itself. I'm sure there will be many a story attached to this, albeit renovated, cottage.

Ferrymans cottage

Sep 30th Turning to seed

The last day of September and Autumn is well and truely with us. The trees are changing colour and the plant are now going to seed to regenerate next years crop, growing season is over.

Going to seed