Wild water swimming

Over the summer I started wild water swimming (or sometimes called cold water swimming because it really is). So far I have carried it on and hope to continue though I didn't go in the snow so not sure how I will manage that one.

But I did go in the fog. That was interesting.

There is sea there. Somewhere

And I have also been when it was really cold in December. It doesn't look like it as the weather looks lovely but it was super cold. And the water was really rough and mucky so not too pleasant. We were all freezing and filthy when we got out. I don't like it when it is too rough; I like to have some control how quickly I get cold!

I enjoy it though not so much at the time. I have a new dry robe for Christmas (this one was my dads) so I should be ready for the rest of the winter!
 

Hand feeding starlings

The starlings at Portobello are getting very used to being fed. You can now even hand feed some of them and they pose for photos.  

Allean Walk

Just a few pictures from our walk in the Allean forest near Pitlochry back in October.

 

Cluny House Gardens

We were pretty limited with what we could do in Tummel as it had to be outdoors, only a short walk and the weather wasn't great. 

I found a house which had an impressive wild-ish garden. And best of all, it had 2 redwood trees and supposedly red squirrels, which we didn't actually expect to see. But we did!!!! I tried to get a photos but he/she was very quick and I just got a tail.

The redwood was near the start. I think Mom had a religious experience. She has always wanted to see one but never thought she would. I was so happy she got too. Both mom and dad were amazed. And it is huge!

Looking up.

The fuzzy thing int he middle is a red squirrel tail. Honest.

The walk around the garden took about 1 and 1/2 hours and was on a hillside so we took it slow. It was lovely and I would love to see it in the summer.

I tried to get some nice photos of mom and dad but they (in particular mom) was not into it. I got a few nice ones, as well as a few were mom looked like she would happily push me off the hillside. Honestly I only took a couple of minutes.

Mom is not amused

Photo war!

200 yr old fallen pine.