Following on from 'Weekend Memories' there's more 'Family Fun'

The day after my twin daughters went home, my eldest daughter and my two eldest grandkids arrived.

I just find it hard to believe that after just a few months they're bigger than when I last saw them.

Tempus Fugit ! 

Our first day out then was Tuesday the 27th of August.

One of Callum and Erin's favourite spots in Galloway is Carrick Shore and that's where we headed.

A stranded jelly fish, I wonder why there's been so many this year.

Although the tide was coming in Callum and myself managed a quick foot on Ardwall Island.

It's a nice dry day, but perhaps not as warm as it has been.

These two are having a great time.

Lynn tells me these are Wall Brown butterflies, after consulting my book I concur. (Not that I ever doubted you sweetheart)

After seeing no red squirrels in Cally Wood, we head into Gatehouse of Fleet where we see this intriguing banner. Is there anyone out there who can explain it. Is this really a 500 year project ?

( I've just discovered that this was a part of the Environmental Art Festival of Scotland and acorns will have been handed out to grow the oak trees for the roof beams, hence the 500 years) 

Refreshments were had at the Mill on the Fleet.

We next took a drive round Laurieston and New Galloway. We did eventually get a quick glimpse of one red kite. Usually you can't fail to see them, but it might have been the time of day when they're at rest.

We were disappointed to find the Clatteringshaws Visitors Centre closed, but I'd forgotten it was closed for refurbishment. I believe it just opened again on Saturday.

There was plenty of fun to be had under the dam however. I don't know how this pair can defy gravity !

There was more water gushing out than there was at the weekend.

A quick look at the Red Deer park before calling it a day.

Wednesday the 28th of August

Today we're heading west and one of my favourite spots.

Here's my post from my last visit to Garheugh Rocks.

I've since learned they're pronounced Garky Rocks.

It's a challenge for Callum and Erin.

They're soon off exploring. Sadly they were unable to explore any of the caves because of heavy summer undergrowth around the entrances. You'll have to come back in the winter kids.

A lone inquisitive seal keeps giving us the eye.

I get the joy of photographing a Golden-Ringed Dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii)

There's lots of colour in the pools.

Since they were very small these two have loved climbing. Maybe they should start thinking about mountain climbing as a sport.

Perfect symmetry among the rocks creates excitement. I zoom in to the light bouy, and a rock man gets built.

The rock top left above has made it's way south. Rubbing your cheek with smooth edge was like feeling satin. Garheugh Rocks have a magical quality.

As it cools a little we head across to the opposite shore and over to Sandhead.

There's some kite buggying happening to the north.

Is this the same wagtail from the weekend?

The tide is on the way in. Lugworm coiled castings will soon be washed away. The Frisbee comes into play.

Time for a swim. I often try out the 'Sport' setting on my camera. I haven't fully mastered it, but depending on the shutter press it'll some times take a rapid sequence of pictures. Top left caught Erin in full flight.

A picture of Callum on Facebook prompted the response that he had a 'Majestic Stride'

After the swim we headed over to Portpatrick. 

Plenty of noisy birds around.

Coastal holiday resort birds rely so much on humans these days. Ever had a chip or a piece of fish stolen ?

Like I said about the climbing !

I've a feeling that he'll get up to the cliff path the next time.

We dined in the Harbour House, very nice grub.

Ailsa Craig stood proud above Loch Ryan as we headed home after a very enjoyable day.

Thursday the 29th of August

A late start today. I'd intended us to go to Kirkcudbright's Scottish Night, but of course it finishes with the Tattoo which was last Saturday. I should remember these things.

We headed down to Galloway House and Gardens.

There's still plenty of colour, but Autumn's just around the corner.

I guess the leaves on the Handkerchief Tree turn a more bland colour as the summer wears on. I couldn't be sure if I had the right one.

Here's a Red Admiral.

Oystercatchers on Rigg Bay.

We do hear Curlews, but nothing like Last November with Sarah and Marie.

An experiment with black and white in a rock pool.

We've covered some coast over three days.

Too late in the day to hire mountain bikes at the Brake Pad at Kirroughtree so we went to take a look at McMoab instead.

There's a few hundred video clips on Youtube 

Climbing is definitely in their blood, never a hesitation.

A stop at the Queen Mary Bridge concludes the day.We all got a wish by some excellent pebble dropping. 

 It won't be long till Erin gets taller than her mum. I think Callum will get well above his dad. I heard on the news this morning that all Europeans are growing taller.

And I've stolen this picture to conclude this post.

Lovely to see you guys. Had a great time with you as always.

Castle, Caves, Ceilidh and Curlews (and other delights)

Friday the 16th of November

My two youngest daughters (Sarah and Marie, affectionately known to their friends as Sez and Maz) are up from Cheltenham for a couple of days, and I'm taking them to visit the grounds of Culzean Castle.

It's a cold but dry day. I take them via Colmonell where we get this view of one of my favourite hills, Knockdolian.

We park at the visitors centre where a double decker load of art students from the Glasgow School of Art have just dismounted.  

We head down the steps to the shore via the old gasworks. A lone swan scavenges for food among the rocks.

The incoming tide means we can only get as far as the first of the caves.

These snails are congregated on one of the pillars shown in the first collage.

After a look at what was the gasworks, we climb the steps to the castle.

I get my photo taken. Which one is father time ?

The castle itself is closed for the winter season, but the girls are quite happy looking round the grounds.

Many of the art students have settled to sketch their subjects.

 The 'Battery' was completed in 1815 coinciding with the end of the Napoleonic wars. Sarah jumped the gun around 1315.

Much of Arran was under cloud, but Holy Island was nicely in view.

We headed over to the Swan Pond for our sandwiches. An alcove next to the refreshments kiosk kept us out of the bitterly cold wind.

We were treated to some nice flying displays from the birds.

This pied wagtail kept running back and forward along the wall. There's probably enough crumbs to keep him happy, swan pond visitors fetch plenty of bread.

I'd intended a run back home via the village of Barr, but the road was closed so instead I took the Knowe road at Barrhill to catch this view of  Loch Maberry

Back home we rested up before heading to Stranraer for a charity ceilidh at the Masonic Hall in Stranraer. There were quite a number of my walking friends from the Wigtownshire Ramblers in attendance, so a very enjoyable night was had by all. 

Saturday the 17th of November

We're heading for Garlieston today.

First stop was in Wigtown at the Martyr's Monument

After parking in Garlieston we take the shore path south. It's a quite cool, but absolutely beautiful day.

A Scallop Dredger, the Siarach III SY85 is tied up on the jetty.

We haven't gone far before we're treated to some of our winged friends. According to Sarah who knows quite a bit about birds today we saw among others Buzzards, Turnstone, Oystercatcher, Common Scoter, Curlew and a female Merlin. Some are photographed below.  

Spooky trees

A friendly robin

It's Molly again from last months walk

A good mix of decaying fungus

The first of quite a few Grey Herons seen today.

Galloway House

A bite to eat on Rigg Bay.

Regular readers of this blog will know I'm not against wind-farms if they are rightly thought out, but a proposal for 90 turbines a short way out in Wigtown Bay will seriously affect what we see here.

I'm supporting the Keep Wigtown Bay Natural campaign.

Here's another Grey Heron. Walking south we'd heard the odd distinctive Curlew call. Now we were hearing it more regularly.

I got lucky with the camera.

We take a walk through Galloway House Gardens.

Here's a nice profile! Name that bird?

This lichen has a long legged spider attached to it, but for some reason I could not get a good macro shot of it.

The photograph below isn't mine.

I am totally green with envy over this picture. Some people have said I have an eye for a picture, but I'm a total amateur besides Marie. I've seen some amazing shots on her Facebook page, and once again she's got the shot of the day. This is an absolutely beautiful picture,

Here's an interesting treetop and a couple of domesticated birds.

We thought that this was a female Merlin and well it might be, but could it be a young Hen Harrier ?

Here's a shy creature.......................

..............recognizable as a 'Sez' from behind.

A turnstone.

Again I was lucky with the camera to catch a Heron in flight.

I'm not sure how many Curlews we did see, but it was quite a few.

The tide has come well in while we walked. As we head back towards Garlieston  we see lots of Oystercatchers.

I take some video

Oyster Catchers and other birds just south of Garlieston in South West Scotland.

Filmed on Saturday the 17th of November 2012.

Background music courtesy of Moby and http://www.mobygratis.com/film-music.html

is 'Division' from the album 'Wait For Me'

Now on the Garlieston Breakwater we spot this arrow and rivet !

Does this particular stone date back to the Mulberry Harbour days ? It certainly looks like a W.D arrow.

I'd love to know it's origins.

After leaving Garlieston we're heading west on the B7052 when Marie asks me to stop so that she can take a picture.

No photo trickery here. Isn't she good !

I'm glad she's going to start a blog. I'll subscribe.

It's Port William we're heading for...................

...............and the sunset.

The sea's a bit choppy and it's blowing a gale. This fishing boat persevered till sundown.

We'll stay till the sun goes down.

The Mull of Galloway is right in line with the setting sun.

I take some more video.

Filmed at Port William on Saturday the 17th of November 2012. I apologize for the poor quality, it was blowing a gale outside, and doesn't really reflect just how beautiful it was. I'm really uploading it for the nice accompanying music by Moby at http://www.mobygratis.com/film-music.html . It's an unreleased piece called 'Open'

Thanks for visiting girls, we had a great time.