Cottage Diary - Aspenwood self catering luxury Holiday Cottage overlooking Loch Ness in the Highlands of Scotland.

Monday, July 30, 2007

Deer deli

Sitting happily at my sewing machine in the lounge this morning lost in creative thoughts when I suddenly felt something watching me. I glanced out of the patio doors and saw the mother deer a few feet away and busily munching on the wild flowers growing by the large pile of birch logs waiting to be chopped up for winter fires. Waited a while and sure enough along trotted the baby which is growing rapidly. They ate very contentedly together, often staring at a passing boat cruising along Loch Ness close to the shore and disturbing their peace. They then wandered off up into the forest for a spot of shade and then possibly up to Aspenwood. Guests staying in the cottage were pleased to see them both appear around the grounds at breakfast time. They also saw and heard the owl nearby. Good sunny weather today.....downhill to summer maybe ....you never know !!

Friday, July 27, 2007

Red outlook !

The adult robin redbreasts have been asserting themselves and are very noisily marking their territory and can be quite aggresive towards each other.Nature is marvellous and has made them ignore the juveniles who are noticably different by their lack of any red colouring and are still a rather dull speckly brown.
The rain this week has accelerated the colouring of the blooms on the hydrangea and it looks very promising this year. Last year no flowers so I didn't prune it at all in early Spring - maybe that helped to produce this year's glorious display...does anybody out there know ? Please comment if you do...would love to know for sure - so I get it right for next year's display.
After a rather damp day the sun shone through in the late evening and gave us a glorious red sky and a sunset reflection on Loch Ness. I think a glass of red wine is called for !





Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Breakfast in the garden

Woke up to a fine bright dry day so took advantage and took the morning cup of tea outside to sit on the bench overlooking Loch Ness for a quiet few minutes. The peace was soon shattered by the cracking of bracken and suddenly two well known heads-mother and baby deer-appeared to see who else was in 'their' garden. They seemed to enjoy their breakfast and munched happily for a long while. Luckily they haven't taken a liking to the large hydrangea in the tub near the house which is just beginning to flower in all its glory. Last year it produced no blooms at all so we are nurturing it carefully this year and put Maisie in charge of guarding the plant for us. The bird table and feeders were busy for the breakfast rush and it was pleasing to see the Great spotted woodpecker enjoying his feed. Breakfast was enjoyed by everyone in the garden today.

Monday, July 16, 2007

Celebrations

Yesterday was a special day. We arrived here exactly 11 years ago after very careful planning and a long drive north with just a couple of duvets,basic kitchenware and our cat. When we finally reached our new house on the shores of Loch Ness late in the evening we watched the sun go down over the mountain opposite and felt really happy. We slept that night on the lounge floor wrapped up in duvets with the cat inbetween us.The rest of our 'home' was to follow in the removal van and hopefully find us the next afternoon. All went very smoothly and we have never regretted our move and change of lifestyle. Yesterday was a smashing day weatherwise and we celebrated by having a meal out with friends and then watched the sun setting again over the mountains opposite.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Stag party


Our guests last week saw this large herd of stags close to Loch Tarff just near the road which links Inverness and Fort Augustus. It is quite unusual to see so many stags together although the hinds are now elsewhere looking after their offspring. Thanks to our guests Steve and Barbara for sharing these photos with us.

Sunday, July 08, 2007

Baby bird life

Had more juvenile robins about than any other year. Their speckled coats will soon begin to gradually turn red in to an adult male or female robin - both are the same colour. Robins are often said to be quite aggresive but it is possibly because they can't tell if it is a male or female approaching them. Soon we'll have alot more bright robin redbreasts to light up Farigaig Forest.The bird bath at Aspenwood is great fun to watch as the young start splashing about in the water. This young blue tit appears to be looking curiously at the coin at the bottom of the bath - we have read that a copper coin in a bird bath keeps the green algae away and it seems to be working.

Thursday, July 05, 2007

Sunset

Late yesterday evening we had a spectacular sunset. The water of Loch Ness turned pink, then red with the reflection of the clouds and it was awesome just to sit and watch as the colours deepened. On a fair day here in the Highlands it does not get dark until 11 o'clock at night and the sun rises at about 3 a.m. Today has been a mixture of sunshine and showers and we look forward to the next sunset lighting up Loch Ness.

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Dornoch Firth

Took advantage of the fair weather and drove north from Inverness over the Beauly Firth and onto the Black Isle which is actually a peninsular of land and not an island at all. Crossed over to the other side of the isle and then travelled along the long road bridge which traverses the Cromarty Firth. Stopped at the viewpoint overlooking the Dornoch Firth for a stroll and photo shoots. Enjoyed a picnic in the sunshine and made our way slowly back home.

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Baby deer at Aspenwood

The baby deer and mum are regular visitors to the grounds around Aspenwood Cottage.This photo was taken by our guests last week so thanks Neil for allowing us to share this special picture. They often follow the same route and wander down to check on us and 'mow' the grass in front of our house.

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