Aberdeen City

Colis in the winter Gardens

Old Aberdeen Town

Provost Skene`s House

Aberdeen City

Aberdeen the Granite City was all that we expected. A good blending of the old and new, wonderful architecture, magnificent buildings, churches and long straight roads. A multitude of shops, restaurants and interested places to visit. Our hotel was excellent situated close to the city centre, we where out early and returned late, they where very full on days. All the places of historical interest were free and we where made very welcome all over the city. We soon found the buses we wanted and for a £3 ticket we could ride the buses all day. The city is so clean and there are roses everywhere it is noted for its floral displays. We visited Duthie Park to see the Winter Gardens, the largest indoor garden in Europe. A huge glass dome housing a fantastic display of flowers, plants and cacti from around the world, the best that I have ever seen, incredible. I took lots of photos, but could not capture the magnificence of the place. Only having the weekend we planned our visit strategically. and managed to see everything. The Old Aberdeen town with its cobbled streets and tiny house, home to Kings College and the St Machar`s 14th Century Cathedral Church where we attended Sunday morning service and enjoyed morning coffee, before setting out to see the rest of the area.. The weekend was rather wet, but we managed to dodge the showers and we did have some sunshine now and then.

There are a number of museums in the city but we chose to visit Provost Skene`s House, a delightful old house in the centre of the city, the Aberdeen Maritime Museum filled with the past and present history of the Seaport. And had a rather weird experience climbing 86 stone steps up a rather steep narrow spiral staircase to the top of the oldest building in Aberdeen. The 17th century Tolbooth. A prison for those awaiting sentencing in the court next door. On the second floor where models and displays of ancient torture and a early version of the guillotine but I gave up half way it was too strenuous a climb.

Sunday afternoon we took a short ride to the beach, a wonderful stretch of coast line as far as the eye could see. Soft clean sand, an Amusement Park, a promenade lined with rather neat individual Cafes and Bistros as well as the usual conglomerate of Fast Food and Arcades. We enjoyed afternoon tea and spent a couple of hours in the sunshine watching families and lovers stroll by before we caught the bus. We really did enjoy our time in Aberdeen it’s a very friendly city and has much to commend it.

Since getting back I have been on a trip to Windermere with the ladies of the WI .Lunch was rather special it was at Lindeth Howe Country House and Hotel that once was the home of Beatrice Potter`s mother. Filled with Potter memorabilia, it had magnificent views across Bowness and a large well appointed gardens. Their reputation was reflected in the excellent lunch we enjoyed. but £5 for a small glass of wine though, was rather much.

Friday saw me attending a Birthday lunch for my friend Diana and Sunday was our monthly WOL poetry night where I was able to recite some new poems. I have been so inspired this month, why I cannot say the muse comes and it goes. Blackpool for the day next Tuesday, I bet its raining, and we have a hose pipe ban even though the ground is totally water logged. !! Bye for now

Go visit these links

www.lindeth-howe.co.uk

Thunder & Lightening

And let there be light

The garden is really suffering with this dry weather and we start a hose pipe ban tomorrow.
When the gardener came to give the lawns their summer dressing his comment was “All we need now is some rain” So I responded with a “Rain Dance” and within 8hours we had a torrential downpour thunder and lightening and it continued all day and night and for the next two days it continued to rain. How’s that for initiative! The gardens loved it., when I am not out and about I am in the garden all day until late, its been so special in the evenings warm and quiet I love it.

Had a nice long telephone conversation with Cathi and kids last week, it was good to hear them and know they are ok. Although B. had just recovered from a nasty Rugby injury to his knee that had him on crutches for a while but he is back in the scrum again and enjoying his game.

Felt very energised these past few weeks, it could be due to the amount of sunshine we are enjoying as I never want to be indoors…so I decided to scrub the patios and the driveway till it gleamed. Had the garage door to the back garden replaced with a UPVC security door, one can never be too careful, there have been burglars in the area and the old door just wasn’t really secure but now it is..
When I took the house over in 2000 I made a long list of jobs to be done around the house and this back door was the last on the list, so I am very pleased with myself.

Took a drive out to Colne with my friend Muriel to Boundary Mill, a popular factory outlet, it was their Sale. We had lunch first in their elegant restaurant, Muriel’s treat, then began to shop in earnest .. We both came home with some brilliant bargains. I really have to stop buying clothes or at least send some to the charity shop. Since Andy came to stay I just do not have the room anymore and I hate parting with anything.

I have been fascinated watching a tree surgeon at work in the next garden. We have so many huge trees at the back its become a problem, they cut out the light to the houses and the gardens suffer too. This is the third tree in the past two years to be removed. I must admit now we have more light in the back bedroom. Also it the amount of leaves that fall in the autumn that are a problem too, and they always seem to land in my garden.

Spent a lovely day with Betty in Erby Youth Hostel, way out in the Yorkshire Dales. She is the volunteer for this week,last month she was looking after Slaidburn YH. I always try and go see her because she has free time in the afternoons and we toddle off and have a great time. We took a ride to Grassing ton a lovely village in the hills and had afternoon tea at Percival Hall, expensive and disappointing.