Day Two Easter Holidays - Lammermuirs

I had not realised that Aldi stock slightly different ranges of food in Berwick from Leicester. Last time I was up in Northumberland I bought some salmon pate and thought I must get some more of this when I am back in Leicester. Sadly I hunted several Aldi stores and could not find any. But now back up north and here they are again.

Having done some weather research I decided that heading north was a better option than going west. I did read yesterday, on facebook, that someone had got some sunburn. Well today there was no chance of that, more likely to get frostbite!  After the coast I decided I would like to see some hills and headed to Whiteadder Reservoir, which is in Scotland.

As you can see a rather grey day with the rain threatening.

More sheep and skylarks. I have decided that Scotland is a mixed blessing. There is the freedom to roam legally, but that means there are no footpaths marked. So I gave up trying to find the start of the walk and did my own thing. Having the reservoir and only one road running through this area is a very helpful marker!

Golly I must have crafts on the brain, because as I looked at these hills I kept seeing them as areas of crazy patchwork!

Even though it was cold, windy and spitting with rain it felt good to be tramping across this ground. Sometimes I just crave the quiet, barrenness of these hills. Guess my job is filled with listening to people everyday. Not that I don't like my job but every now and then I crave this peace.

Don't see many of these in Leicester!!!

I did not take my long lens out today because of the rain. Would have been a good venue to have made the most of it. There was some snow in the distance.

I'm guessing this is some sort of animal trap. Think this area is used to keep and shoot pheasants. Any ideas as to the intended victim?

The next picture made me think of our friends, who are away in Portugal. Noticed this van camping alongside of the `river. Not sure if you are allowed to be there or not, but what a fab place to pull up and camp for a night or two.

Today was a much shorter walk than yesterday, as the weather too dodgy. On my way back I spotted this cute church, kirk.

Looks as if it is still being used.

Another love as well as sheep and boats is bridges!

I bet if Mr P and I had driven this route at Christmas then this ford probably would have been undrivable.

Like catkins too!

Well must start cooking my dinner as I am going out tonight to Holy Island, for their Easter Vigil. Tomorrow I can eat some of my yummy easter eggs!! Nom nom :)

Day One, Easter Holidays - Northumberland

In England today is a bank holiday and I think the whole country was covered in sunshine. Knowing the weather is going to turn to rain in the next few days I decided I needed to make the most of the day and headed out to one of my favourite haunts - St Abbs, Scotland. Golly last time I went with Mr P just after Christmas the place was flooded and really strong winds, so bad that we had to abandon walking along the cliff edge, fearful of being blown off! Well today was thankfully very different. The first thing I become very aware of is the sheep as they are having their lambs. I adore sheep and even more lambs. So the photograph is just one of many that I could have taken.

Sorry if I bore you with similar views but I can never get over how beautiful this stretch of coast is.

Trouble with walking along the coast is the path goes up and down - evil. I like to gradually walk up hill, then walk around a ridge and come back down. Far less energetic. Well I felt as if I had walked up a mountain and I did go and add another stone to this pile.

There was a loch to my left and there were several rowing boats out with people fishing. I could also hear some bagpipes playing in the distant hills. Been trying out my long distance camera lens, that I had for Christmas from Mr P. I love the way that the reeds to the right of the loch look hazy.

Cannot believe how much of this boat I can see as it was a very long distance out to sea.

This was my lunch stop - what a view. Pack lunch and flask is always excellent when you have walked a distance to deserve it.

Just showing off my camera.

Another view of St Abbs, love walking into it and seeing what looks like a Cornish fishing village.

Time for the last tea in my flask and I cannot help but notice a boat getting ready to take another group of divers out. I believe this area is very good for divers. But I love the details I can achieve - being nosey.

Golly I could not take up diving. I watched them as they put on at least two wetsuits. I would want the loo too often! Off they go.

Messing around not just with distance but with the colour settings.

Loved the way that this man was wearing dull coloured clothing but his wellies were sooo vibrant.

Boats - another love of mine.

Then just as I am making my way back to the car I see this sign....

Have to persuade hubby that we need to visit St Abbs in a weeks time!!!

My Fitbit is very happy today -   21,549 steps, 12.48km, 155 floors.

Well time to do some crafting before tiredness catches me up.

Dandelion and Snowdrop Come For The Weekend

Apologies for my lack of creative writing, but when I read my amazing daughter's blog and others mine sounds a but dull.  I am VERY trying and full of some horrid cold for the last week. I won't describe what is coming out of my nose but it is horrible and has left me somewhat exhausted and pathetic. I have continued going to work but have found by the evening time all I can do is collapse. So it was feeling like this that the second lot of grandchildren came for the weekend. It was soooo lovely to see them. Feel guilty about all the bugs I must have passed on and desperately trying to maintain enough energy to keep up with them all.

Above is Snowdrop and below Dandelion. I have stopped using their real names because, well, probably, not sure, because I ought to I think!

It is still hard to tell them apart. It is easier by their actions as one is more adventurous. It was a bitterly cold Saturday and we went to the local park, wishing we had put some warmer clothes on.

They loved the sand pit. It felt very strange to be sitting on cold sand. I guess I have grown up only sitting on sand when it is the summer time. So as I let the sand run through my fingers it feels very bizarre being sooo cold.

Here I am teaching them that sandcastles can only be made when the magic word "abracadabra" have been spoken and the bucket tapped!

Roundabouts are their favourite. This one is rather clever as they can rotate themselves.

Time to head home before we all froze - note no queue at the icecream van! Guess not a good day for business.

Time for dinner. The girls still have this nack of getting both their feet on the table. They are now only allowed to do this once they have finished eating as apparently they have been known to feed their feet!

They had just finished eating meringue with cream and raspberries which they adored. I thought they may find the berries too sharp but no I was wrong.

Story time such a lovely time isn't it. Knowing that the children have had a full on day, been very happy, burnt off lots of energy and then winding down for bed. Now they happily sit still for cuddles and stories.

Sunday and their mummy and daddy go back to bed to catch up on some sleep. Meanwhile we have a go at feeding the chickens with some of the leftovers (which they adore).

I think all the grandchildren like the chickens and love to watch them out of the window. Funny things chickens. They're not particularly pretty when you look at them close up but from a distance they look lovely. I quite often call them "fluffy bums"!

Sunday was a lot warmer - guess helped by the sun coming out. So we go off to a local inner city farm - Gorse Hill Farm. I particularly like seeing the animals - I'm a big kid really. This is one part of being a grandma I especially like - the excuse to go to a local farm. It's difficult to go on your own without looking rather silly. They have had 21 lambs born so far.

Soooo cute! After a very very long play in the park we headed back home for a little music!

Last story before they headed back north for home. Golly I almost forgot to say the main thing that is new re the twins is their talking (like their cousin). It is great to hear them saying things, not always easy to understand what they are saying - such fun.

Well that was another special weekend with grandchildren. I am so blessed. Next blog will be from Northumberland as I am heading back home after work on Thursday. So looking forward to having a week there. Having time to walk, relax in front of the open fire and time to read, do some of my crafts.

Meanwhile reality check dustbin to put out, chicken house to clean and get ready for work. Bye.