成人快手

thanks to everyone who gave advice re getting photos onto blog from the new camera - I used HP Photosmart which was free - even better - and that, I hope, has done the job. The following are some pics chosen at random to see if it has worked.



Bit of an arty shot at Loch Frisa - she's showing off now!!



A view down Loch Frisa towards Ben Tallaidh in the distance.



Pepper - aren't I cute? look



Buzzard flying over the house - still need a bigger lens for the wildlife shots!



Jessie - I'm just as cute as that Pepper!



View down Loch na Keal towards Killiechronan



Looking towards Gribun cliffs at Loch Na Keal

Yesterday's weather here just screamed - "get out the house!" so I obliged - also I had an issue that was bothering me and beginning to turn from a molehill to a mountain so had to get things clear in my head - what better than a trip out with my trusted pal, Jessie - Pepper nowhere to be seen in a crisis - probably curled up under the duvet somewhere!

I took the route through Glen Aros up to Dervaig, saw and heard rutting deer - then drove on to Calgary - Calgary is a beautiful bay with white sands and crystal blue water - unfortunately it can be busy but now most of the tourists have gone its not a bad time to go - well Jess and I walked up and down a couple of times and did not see a sole - it was fantastic and just what I needed to sort my head out - you just have to take a good couple of lung fulls of fresh air and look around you to put things into perspective and make you realise what is important in life and what is not.

With my trusty flask of tea (why does tea taste like that from a flask??) and a cheese and pickle sarnie, we sat and watched a pair of golden eagles doing a bit of a flying display - we then drove on round the coast past Torloisk - the views from here are quite spectacular - then onto Ulva Ferry which as the name suggests is where you get the ferry over to Ulva. Again, not a tourist in sight, just peace and the call of unknown birds - I spotted the otter frolicking about but he was just out of range of camera - a conspiracy methinks - From Ulva Ferry the drive alongside Loch Na Keal with Ben More towering above again is a spectacular sight - quite breath taking - I ask myself "will this always have this effect on me or will I take it for granted in time?" I sincerely hope not. Then back home in time to pick daughter up from her first ever shinty lesson. "Have you had a busy day?" asks the man who pays the bills.........

Just a few of the photos - I took so many it was hard to pick them out so just a taster for you - hope you like!



The beach at Calgary - just me, Jess and my thoughts!







Just looking out to sea - not sure what's at the other end?



Just a group of Oystercatchers minding their own business till we came along!



"Now if I creep up slowly ......"



"Come in Mum, the water's lovely!"



"Brrrrrrrrr"



Jess of Arabia!



Out to sea towards Coll



I love watching gannets diving



Looking towards Ben More with Ulva Ferry in the foreground



Standing at Ulva Ferry looking back out to sea towards Coll



Bird & creels at Ulva Ferry



The atmospheric Ben More with the isle of Eorsa in the foreground

In my "about" bit on the front page of my blog, I said about moving to Mull to enjoy this tranquil Island - I think I need to re-write that for this week - just rename it Brands Hatch! In all our visits to Mull, we had never experienced the Rally - well I can say I have now - I have never seen so many cars on the road, johnny racers, exhaust pipes so big you could fit a family of 10 in them - why do they have to rev the engine so much?? On the other hand, my husband has gone strange - he's like a little boy and thinks its great - am I missing something? is it a man thing? yes I do like cars and if Santa delivered a Lotus or Porsche for christmas I wouldn't say no - it just doesn't seem right here - the disruption with the road closures is another matter but have I've filled the larder in case we cant get out or get marooned.
Seems like a bit of a winge but just fill my little bit of paradise is being intruded and trampled on and I can't do anything about it - just wait till it all goes away.

I am paranoid that Pepper is going to end up squished on the road - not a nice way to go! I'm trying to keep her in but of course, that vole is calling to her. Jessie on the other hand is deaf as a post - so she just meanders up the road, deaf to my shouting as a car tries to come hurtling past.

Moaning over, this last week we've had some super weather, real warm sunshine and lovely blue skies, long may it last.

A slice of humble pie with a dollop of double cream please.

I hold my head in shame as I type. I have now experienced the Mull Rally for the first time and have to say, I enjoyed it - there - I said it. I can't believe I had formed such an opinion before experiencing it. As a nurse, a lot of our training focuses on not pre-judging or making assumptions before you know the whole story - certainly as a Children's Nurse this was necessary - we make a decision about someone in the first 6 seconds based on their dress, body language, how they speak - all interpreted by our brain and sub consciously we decide whether we like someone, what there background might be and a whole host of things.
I had pre-judged - I found everyone friendly and courteous - Pepper survived - I was at all the starts, the victory parade and the final fireworks - it was great and I look forward to it next year - and I would love to do a circuit in a rally car!
A valuable lesson learnt and a reminder to me.
Some photos which some of you may enjoy!