Blooming Blossom

The May blossom trees are in full bloom - a little earlier than their name suggests. We went to the small store at Drumblair for some of their fresh free range eggs they get from a farm at Nairn - tasty orange yolk and worth the trip, and actually remembered to take an empty egg box this time. The blossom trees lining the lane were blowing gently in the breeze and the petals of the flowers were flying about like confetti at a wedding.
We have had beautiful weather for the last few days with a cloudless blue sky and reaching about 19C by the afternoon but dropping to a chilly 4c at night.
Beautiful days for long relaxing walks in the Spring sunshine.

The birds and bees.

Wondered why we had not seen many birds feeding at the bird table and nut feeders and then saw that they were too busy building their nests ready for their new clutch of eggs. The coal tits have been very enterprising and collect the cats fur that we throw out of the window after giving them a daily brush. We reckon they must have the best nests in the forest. Meanwhile the robins have been busy collecting any oddments on the ground - bits of twig and moss and even pieces of the plastic membrane from under the pebbles.The bees are now working non stop and are buzzing away in the daffodils and on the young fruit just appearing on the wild blueberry bushes growing everywhere.

Prancers and primroses.

Lambs are appearing in the fields around Loch Ness, prancing about as if on springs. They go about in gangs and look as if they are thoroughly enjoying life with not a care in the world. Their mothers however are very protective and always keep a watchful eye on anybody getting too close to their offspring. The verges are full of clumps of wild primroses and suddenly everywhere seems to be a mass of yellow flowers with wild gorse lining all the lanes and daffodils appearing in gardens everywhere.

The boats are back..

It is so nice to see Loch Ness being used again for the different boating craft and the new season started just before Easter. The colourful 'Fingal' barge above carries enthusiastic passengers of all ages on activity holidays and is loaded with bicycles and canoes for those who enjoy a challenge. We feel worn out just watching it go by !
The cruisers are being hired again from Inverness and Easter Friday was very busy on the water with a few large private cruisers and yachts joining in the fun. Amidst all this pleasure the working trawlers still have to use the loch for business although it must be more enjoyable on a calm, clear day.

Journey to Skye

Making the most of a beautiful Sunday we packed a picnic and set off for the day. Drove through Fort Augustus and headed down to Invergarry. Here we turned off onto the road towards Skye passing some breath-taking scenery and parked up at Loch Cluanie. The reflection of the snow capped mountains in the loch was almost unbelievable with no breeze at all to disturb the calm water.

Continued driving along The Road to the Isles with some enormous snow topped mountains looming up on both sides making us suddenly feel very small. Passed several Munros including The Five Sisters and The Saddle,all well over 1000metres. Empty cars parked along the road meant that the occupants were out Munro-bagging and good luck to them. Drove alongside Loch Duich and stopped to go round Eilean Donan Castle. The name means Island of Donan and was named after the 6th century Bishop Donan who came to Scotland from Ireland in AD 580. Apparantly there has been a castle here since medieval times but the layout has changed several times and then systematically blown up in 1719. The remains of the castle lay neglected for nearly 200 years until it was painstakingly restored by its new owners between 1912 -1932. The causeway bridge connecting the castle to the mainland was only built in 1932 so originally it really was an isolated castle surrounded by water.

All very interesting but lunch beckoned. Continued on our way towards the Isle of Skye and parked within the sight of the famous Skye Bridge for a most enoyable picnic before crossing over onto the island. A good day out was had by all.