Sunday 18 October 2009

A beautiful autumn day along the Moray and Aberdeenshire coast.

Today was our wedding anniversary. Little did LSH know twenty nine years ago just what lay ahead of him! His medal really is long overdue.

Since he was working today, we had a run out on the motorbike yesterday for a celebratory lunch along the coast at Pennan. The timing was perfect as yesterday's weather was so much better than today's.

Since the dogs had to be left at home (really must get them a side-car!), we took them out en masse to let off a bit of steam. Part of the walk involved a stubble field, Jana's favourite. She did a lot of this........




There was much running and jumping


These photos were actually taken a few days ago.....but you get the idea.



We went off on the bike along the coast to the tiny village of Pennan, which sits at the bottom of cliffs and is perched right on the seafront. It was made famous when it was used as part of the setting for the film Local Hero. Two years ago, after heavy rain, part of the cliff face gave way and a mudslide hit many of the houses at the west end of the village. All is back to normal now but there must still be a bit of worry that it could happen again.

We had lunch in the Pennan Inn, highly recommended if you happen to be passing.

Pennan


Although this isn't the actual telephone box that features in the film, that was just a prop, this one is almost in the same position and is probably the most photographed box in Scotland.


The harbour at Pennan.

On the way back we stopped off to visit the cliffs at Troup Head and maybe see some of the sea birds.

A view west along the Moray Firth coastline


LSH at the top of the cliff which was devoid of birdlife! We'll have to return in early summer when it will be buzzing with them.


We sat on the cliff top for a while, there was hardly a breath of wind and the sun was really warm. You'd never believe it was an October day.


Looking east, the white cottages of Pennan can just be seen in the distance



We stopped at another tiny ex-fishing village a little further up the road. This time it was Crovie, which is pronounced 'Crivvie' for some reason. These cottages are perched in an even more precarious position than Pennan, on stormy days the sea must be washing their windows.

It all looked quite wonderful on a day like this.

The village was established in the eighteenth century when crofters were put off their land during the clearances, they took up fishing, albeit on a small scale, but a great storm in 1953 caused a lot of damage and many families moved. The village is now made up mainly of holiday homes.


There is no road up to the houses, just a footpath along the front. Anything to be delivered to the cottages has to be taken along in a barrow.

You can see just how close to the sea the village really is.



On the way home we could see a sundog, the first I've ever noticed. There were actually two, one each side of the sun, and they were quite bright. I couldn't catch them whilst we were rattling along on the bike and they had faded a little by the time we were able to stop but you can make them out. Clicking on the photos will help a little.





It may be autumn but I'm glad the sun is putting up a fight.

19 comments:

Achieve1dream said...

Wow beautiful pictures. Maybe if I ever get to visit Scotland I'll stop by for a visit. :)

Also regarding your comment on my seven group post, I completely forgot about the Vizsla!! I love them. Hmm . . . might have to have two choices. :)

I'll have to look up the Cirnecco dell'Etna. Never heard of them.

Thanks for stopping by. :)

Achieve1dream said...

Stupid me forgot to say happy anniversary, so . . .

Happy anniversary!!!!!!

Thomgib said...

Thanks for the good wishes I'm at work Gennasus will see your post later. Tom

Unknown said...

Everytime I see your beautiful photos, it brings back our lovely visits to Scotland - and makes me wish we could visit again! We went out on the Moray Firth with one of those tourist boats looking for dolphins...never saw any but still enjoyed it! I know I've said it many times and I'll say it again - Scotland is one of the most beautiful places in the world! If it wasn't for the cold and the weather, I'd live there in an instant! :-) (Well, they do say NZ is a bit like Scotland with sunshine!)

Hsin-Yi

jabblog said...

Thank you for taking us along on your trip - so beautiful! Those villages look very vulnerable but what a lovely day you had.
Happy Anniversary - Pearl next year!
Just off to look up 'sundogs';-)

Golden Samantha said...

What gorgeous villages! And pawesome photographs! Someday we just have to visit these precious towns - I love the idea of hauling one's things by wheelbarrow!!! Just charming! And thanks for all your encouraging comments lately! Jana - you look wonderful in that field!
Hugs xo
Sammie

Chris said...

Great blog Sue, I love Pennan but I think I feel safer living up here above the cliffs than down below where they can fall on me.

Astrid Keel said...

WOW! what great pictures... I am so envious of your wonderful sceneries!

Golden Samantha said...

PS Happy Anniversary! And I thought I'd let you know that I still adore this post - had to show hubby! He's totally jazzed about how beautiful it is there. (got that vid posted as well) Have a great week!
Hugs xo
Sammie

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing a little slice of your heaven with me! I needed a little escape. Gorgeous photos, as always.

Kess & Her Mama said...

Couldn't think of a better way to spend an anniversary! You live in a beautiful country. Must visit Scotland some day. Glad you had a beautiful autumn day to celebrate your anniversary.

Sunny said...

Happy Anniversary!
Your pictures are wonderful, I am really enjoying your blog.
Thanks for stopping by and your kind comments.
Sunny :)

Sierra Rose said...

Happy Anniversary! What a lovely and romantic afternoon you had crusin' on the motorbike. Definitely would love to see that side car!!!! Really fabulous photos.

Hugs and snaggle-tooth kisses,
Sierra Rose and her mom

Suldog said...

Ahhhhhhhh, I'd love to be there right now...

Samantha ~ Holly and Zac ~ said...

Belated Happy Anniversary.

Wonderful pix, those cottages are so close to the sea. How lovely it must be to stay in one for a holiday. Such a beautiful area.

Thanks for sharing them. :-)

Lindy said...

Congratulations on your 29th! What a lovely way to spend your anniversary. So nice the weather cooperated, too! These are fantastic, beautiful shots you've captured. Pennan and Crovie look like interesting places to visit, but I don't think I'd sleep too well there for fear I'd float away during the night!

Thank you for visiting my blog the other day and leaving your nice comments. Hope you'll stop by again sometime.
:D

Martha said...

Hi there, we keep seeing your name on our pals blog comments and thinking we must stop by.
Then we come and find you are from Scotland!!!
How cool - lovely to see the fantastic pics - we are more west coast folk ourselves but you certainly put us in the mood to drive over to the east.
Perhaps not on a motor bike but that should interest our pal Marvin - his folks motorbike too and have still to get a sidecar for him!!!!
Happy anniversary and lovely to meet you finally.
love
Martha & bailey xxxx

Golden Woofs! SUGAR said...

Woof! WOW LOVE your photos. Hi there, I'm Sugar. Just found your blog and would saying HI. Love to make new friends. Looking forward to your visit on my blog. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

Golden Samantha said...

Hi! Had to come back to give you the awful answer to the pumpkin question... it's for kids and dogs, you see...
"I'm vine, thank you." Pawsitively horrible. But grandpeep loved it!
xo Sammie