Some elephant photos from Sri Lanka - enjoyed being so close to such large 'traditionally built' animals - like myself...

The Croft, garden party with a difference

Another enjoyable trip to Tuscany with some amazing buildings
and a great 2 hour trip to Capraia ( a former prison colony) with a population of only around 100
all year (much busier in summer). Beautiful small island. Also a longer stay in Lucca that I have managed before and well worth it.








Pisa - not only the tower that leans! - some riverside palaces look like they need some propping up...

Chinese Visitors


Visitors

LochNess - with some Chinese visitors -no sign of the monster this time.

INVERNESS HIGHLAND GAMES

The largest Highland Games with over 10,000 attending -including a marriage proposal in front of the crowd -photo available.

Madeira -in the mountains

RMS Queen Mary from Dad's old scrap book.

Orchid and lily from the house and garden.

India-a couple of photos to remind me of a fine journey to this crazy sub-continent.

China- 2 photos. Warriors taken early when nobody was about. Amazing having the whole place to yourself.
Summer Palace -taken just before Christmas- cold but very clear.

Bucuresti wedding- quite different from yesterdays post but very enjoyable and followed by a trip to the far north of Romania on the border with the Ukraine and home to many wonderful old wooden churchs - more photos later

An Latha Mor - or The Big Day for Shona and Alastair was Saturday 15th at Redburn. The weather was perfect and the setting exquisite.


Those attending were as colourful as you could get.

Romanian Village Hat Makers -Father and Son team who made me a hat similar to the ones they are wearing- great for keeping the head cool - not for Scottish weather.

Back from Norway and will post some photos soon. Reorganising computer.... found this sunflower from Romania which given the weather is really appropriate - hope tomorrow if hot and sunny for the wedding.

Keith - an old friend sadly missed. Thanks to Stuart ( not seen for 20 years - now in USA and must meet again soon) for sending one of these photos showing Keith - ever young. I will look out some old tapes - he had a very distinctive voice and some lovely lyrics. How do you convert tapes to computer?

Chairman Mao

Year of the Dog - Inverness Style

Montepulciano, almost 2 hours by bus from Siena is built along a narrow ridge some 600 m above sea level. The town was designed by Antonio da Sangallo the Elder for Cosimo I. The steep and narrow streets are crammed with Renaissance palazzi and churches. The town is best known for its Vino Nobile wines. The long and winding Corso climbs to the main square a perfect place to sample this tasty wine with some tasty nibbles and good company.

West Borneo, Province of Sabah, Malaysia - some wonderful jungle - home to some wonderful animals.

Sabah, Borneo, by the shores of the South China Sea and in the shadow of Mount Kinabalu - a lovely location improved by vivid sunsets.

HIGHLAND CROSS - a 50 mile duathalon from Kintail on the west to Beauly on the east coast of the Highlands. Some photos of finishers and recoverers in the local Caley Hotel Bar. Click for more info and map.

Rumi - a verse from his poem 'Whoever Brought Me Here'


Who looks out with my eyes? What is the soul?
I cannot stop asking.
If I could taste one sip of an answer,
I could break out of this prison for drunks.
I didn't come here of my own accord, and I can't leave that way.
Whoever brought me here, will have to take me home.

Rhododendrons in the garden and the notorious Nicolae Andruta Ceausescu 'Palace of the People' in Bucuresti - sorry no link but hope you enjoy the visit none-the-less -link to 'More or Less' site for more info on heros and killers.

Dunmoretoday in the garden - with temperatures in the mid-high twenties - just a little work to establish some new plants - tidy a new area for planting - and water some dry shrubs and small plants.

NORDKAPP - further north than the north of Alaska and further east than Istanbul - the most northerly point of Norway and often shrouded in sea mist. Well worth a visit if you find yourself so far north.

This makes really bright and cheery computer wallpaper - let me know if you want the 3mb version for great detail

Abbey - a lovely and friendly dog.

Plodda Falls near Cannich.....lots of wild flowers at this time of year. Still cold but sunnier today.Snow on Ben Wyvis.

Monterosso to Vernazza walk- which we took 3 hours to enjoy.... despite the guide saying much less. Enjoyed the colours both natural and built.

Mongolia- photo taken by my mum, Great photo I think - makes me want to go.

Glenuig- photo taken early one morning looking west - as far as I can remember....


Check the site -click here and go to Whats On for a great selection of musical events over the summer. The picture is of the well loved new hall which has been the home to many memorable events in its first 10 years.