Pheasant on the menu !

We have been visited by two rather plump male pheasants lately. They come around the house for a check under the bird table and then waddle up into the forest towards our holiday cottage. The other morning we spotted them both going down the path to the beach, possibly for a paddle in Loch Ness. The thought of a pheasant casserole seemed suddenly appealing - and it was! Skinned like an expert, soaked in red wine and stock and surrounded by lovely root vegetables with baby new potatoes. Cooked low and slow for 2 hours and every mouthful was savoured.
P.S. No animals were harmed in the making of this blog....all thanks to our Inverness Superstore and their lovely game shelf.

Weather update.

Last week when we went to Aviemore to see the Cairngorm Reindeer herd - Britain's only reindeer herd - there was a good layer of snow on the tops of the Cairngorm Mountains and it was very chilly. Nearer to home we have had rain most days which is trying to turn into sleet at the moment but the temperature has not been too low for late November. Being so close to Loch Ness we are in a slightly sheltered glen and often the temperature here will be lower to that higher up. Cannot see the top of the mountains opposite as they are lost in the murky mist. Went into Inverness this morning and now all the shops are suddenly brightly decorated for the festive season. The enormous christmas tree outside Inverness Castle is in position but no fancy decor or lights yet.

Brrrrrr.......

The temperature has really turned chilly lately and it is beginning to feel like winter has arrived. Last Friday we had the first light sprinkling of snow which lay on the top of the mountains opposite but disappointingly melted during the following day. Woke up to a sharp frost this morning and as we drove into Inverness there was still frost remaining in sheltered places. The sky was crisp and clear and the view of Loch Ness from Dores was excellent. The black Aberdeen Angus cattle were enjoying the winter sunshine in the field nearby.

Sunday lunch

Enjoyed a lovely relaxing sunday lunch yesterday at Rocpool Reserve Restaurant in Inverness. We both chose to have the roast partridge but felt quite guilty as the red-legged partridges had been on our driveway that morning [relieved to see no red legs on the plate!]. Weather has been a bit unpredictable lately - with showers one minute then blustery winds causing the few remaining leaves to fly all over the place followed by a period of unusual mildness and bright sunshine - never a dull moment. The red squirrels are still scampering about - and,unlike their grey counterparts, they do not hibernate.

November stroll

Took a stroll up the lane to the post box enjoying the warm souwesterly breeze. The sun was shining on the numerous tall autumn trees covering the high rocky outcrop of Dun Dearduil. On the way back spotted a very acrobatic red squirrel leaping from branch to branch like a monkey - not even stopping to pose for a photo. A rather lonely red-legged partridge ran down the lane and I disturbed a pheasant which flew up noisily from the long grass. Took a walk on to Farigaig pier and heard the deer calling out from the other side of the loch.Noticed that most of the conkers on the horse chestnut tree nearby have been blown to the ground overnight. The last fruits of the year,the sloe berries, are still clinging to the blackthorn bushes at the bottom of our driveway. Last year one of our neighbours gave us a bottle of sloe gin she had made and we really really really enjoyed it. Although it is now November - last year we had our first snow on November 18th - there are still roses flowering in a neighbours garden.