Lunan (and the Ancient Sphynx of Angus)

A few weeks back I posted some pics of Lunan Bay. A lovely sweep of beach between Arbroath and Montrose. About a mile or so inland from there is the village of Lunan. I love this little spot where the bridge runs over the Lunan Burn (or Lunan Water to be more accurate) and the road sweeps round and up to the little church.

This is the view from the bridge looking west, a tranquil spot which I clearly remember visiting with a fishing rod many, many years ago. In fact, I don't think I've actually been here since that day. I was about 15 I think. My pal from school and I must have got the bus from Arbroath and walked out here. One of those halcyon days which sticks in your memory!

Looking over the other side of the bridge, I certainly don't remember these guys being there......nice spot for them though. They seem as happy as pigs in s***.

Looking north from the bridge, you can catch a glimpse of the wee church in the trees.

Regular visitors to this blog will know by now that I'm a sucker for little country churchyards.

This one was so peaceful. Not a soul around and only the birdsong broke the silence.

What is it about lichen covered stonework that so fascinates?

I loved this cross lying in it's bed of unkempt weeds.

I tried the door, but it was locked....... sorry!

About a mile or so up the road from the church stands this ruined castley thing. It probably has a name.....

..... but don't ask me what it is!

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Reekie Linn

It was a fine sunny day yesterday, so I headed off to Reekie Linn, a waterfall on the River Isla situated about halfway between Kirriemuir and Alyth. I hadn't been here in many years. Last time I was there I had my now deceased dog with me, the sign is pertinent as she nearly deceased before her time when she slipped at the edge of the path!

I loved this part of the path where you have to squeeze between the two trees, there's something cosy and comforting about it.

The bright sunshine piercing the trees and the leaves left some lovely dappled effects and the temperature was just about right for a picnic. Back at the car park there was a family going the whole hog with a barbecue (well ok not a whole hog, burgers maybe), and the smell was drifting through the woods.

Unfortunately, I had to make do with sammiches and near beer, but they did the trick in staving off hunger.

I took this just as I jumped in.......

Kidding.......

As you can see, jumping in is probably not a sensible option.

The pool at the bottom of the falls is around 36 metres deep, so I believe. I didn't check it out personally.....

Reekie Linn gets it's name from the spume (what a great word!) which rises from the falls and resembles smoke. Hence Reekie as in Auld Reekie (Edinburgh). It's literal translation is 'Smoky Pool or Falls'.

I came over all peculiar when I saw this old tree, can't think why........

The pictures themselves don't really do justice to the real thing. The thunderous roar of the falls is a major part of the experience. There are other vids on You Tube which give a better idea of the noise, but I liked this one as it has The Skids playing Into The Valley, a Scottish classic!

Enjoy....

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Scottish Bluebells

I run the risk of making a complete dick of myself titling this post as I have. Given my lack of colour awareness and horticultural skills, these may well not be bluebells, but they look like it to me and it's my blog so there. Whatever they are, they're wild and pretty. These were taken up GlenIsla at the weekend.

The abundance of wildflowers wasn't really apparent until you got down close, seems to me there are quite a few species in this lot. Saddo of The Week prize goes to who can count the most.

Not even going to guess what these are........ but they made a nice backdrop to my lunch.

The sun was kissing the mountain in the distance but my camera couldn't quite pull off the full effect.

Mushrooms, Burns and Leafy Glades

I think lots of folks are a bit pissed off in this country because the forecasters told us we were in for a good summer and we clearly aint getting one.

However in the true spirit of Light and Dark I've decided to emphasize the positive side of shit summers.

1. It's fantastic for the mushrooms. Just check out the size of those monsters.

2. It keeps the rivers and burns running in all their peaty glory.

3. Everythings Gone Green (with apologies to New Order).

What's not to like?

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