the running wave

Wednesday morning in Applecross was rainy, but not cold.  We set off along the road (narrow tarmac strip with passing places), towards Applecross, stopping along the way for various reasons!   "What are you looking at?" These handsome beasts were hanging around, along the roadside.  We had to stop and wait for them to move - I am not sure how much damage those impressive horns can do to car bodywork, so we had to be patient!  The three, below, look as though they might just break into a well-rehearsed dance routine! There is a viewpoint along the road, and on a fine day you can see the Cuillins on Skye to the south, and across the Inner Sound to the small islands of Raasay and Rona.  It was raining and grey, but no wind and the sea was very calm.  The view below is looking south, and the first white cottage in the photograph is where we have stayed several times.  It's remote, and beautiful, and we will always love it!  It's a...

We are up in Wester Ross again.  We haven't been here for a couple of years, and that's easily one year too many.  We are staying about half way between Applecross and Shieldaig, in a little place called Arrina.  We drove up here yesterday, via Inverness, arriving just as darkness fell. This part of the world is so beautiful, these photos don't need any chat from me.  They are just here to be enjoyed - I hope! As we sat and had a cup of tea with our B&B hostess, this was the view from the deck!  

Tilly has a new lead to test, and I am still wearing in my new boots, so it was important to have a walk this afternoon.  Mr Gaucho dropped us off, just south of North Berwick, and we walked home.   But first, I must mention this  http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06k8x4g .  Saturday Classics was being broadcast on Radio 3, with  Radio 4's investigative journalist, Shari Vahl, choosing music inspired by her fascination with birds.  It's a glorious programme, so try and find it on iPlayer and enjoy her delicious selection of music, with the additional bonus of the sound of birdsong.  As I got out of the car, Ralph Vaughan Williams' Lark Ascending was just finishing.  As we walked along the open farm track, the lark was indeed ascending!  I was quite surprised to hear them because there was a strong, cold wind blowing across the landscape, and it wasn't really the kind of conditions they like.  They didn't ascend very far, but their a...