Sleep Easy Arbroath

Spent a pleasant couple of hours at Arbroath harbour last Saturday. I was particularly taken by the sign at the top. On going about my business on the mean streets of Arbroath, I've always been struck by the absence of rabid kangaroos. Clearly, this sign is the reason why. So a big shout out to the men and women of the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department for keeping our streets clear of dangerous rabid animals. We can sleep easily in our beds thanks to you.

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Sunny Balgavies

For once I was actually early driving to work this morning. Doesn't happen very often. It was such a beautiful day that I stopped at Balgavies Loch for a moment of tranquility. I could have happily spent all morning just looking out at the loch and watching the wildlife go about its business.
I posted pics of the same view during February, titled Snowy Balgavies. The contrast is interesting.
I think it must have been the hottest day of the year so far. 29 degrees on the way home this evening. Might wear my shorts to work tomorrow!

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Twisty chimneys

Driving between Carnoustie (that hotbed of dubious paddling activity) and Forfar last week I stopped at this fantastic pair of gate houses. Again it's one of those places I've driven by often, but it's only when you stop and have a good nose around that you can really appreciate it.
The houses are identically opposite, if you know what I mean. And I can only assume that they were the gateway to something more spectacular, but I've no idea what.
The wrought ironwork was pretty special, but the thing that really caught my eye was the twisty chimneys.... and I'm pretty sure I know at least one other person who will love them too....Cool or what?

Blue

My apologies for my enforced absence from bloggerland, as they say on the BBC, it was due to circumstances beyond my control. I hate BT.
I don't know, you turn your back for five minutes and what happens? The King of Pop pops his clogs. Sheesh!
But not being one to hold a grudge, (well not much) and to reflect the sunny disposition with which I make my return to bloggerland and to demonstrate how little I give a shit that Jacko has snuffed it, here are a couple of summerlike pics which I took during my absence.
The middle one was taken on Saturday at Arbroath harbour beside the visitor centre, I loved the combination of blue green and yellow. So summery.
The top and bottom ones were taken at Carnoustie beach last week. I resisted the urge to go for a paddle!

Rubh Re Lighthouse

I think I posted a pic of this lighthouse previously. It's Rubh Re lighthouse near Gairloch. It was engineered by David Alan Stevenson and built in 1912.
The Stevensons were the original Lighthouse Family, not to be confused with the crap band from the nineties.
A more in depth post about them will follow, because they're a pretty fascinating bunch. In the meantime these pics should whet the appetite.
PC is going to the hospital for sick PCs tomorrow. So there may be a shortage of posts next week. Don't miss me too much.

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Eilean Donan

Everybody likes a good castle, right? So here's one of Scotland's finest, Eilean Donan.
The castle is named after the 6th century Irish saint, Bishop Donan who came to Scotland with his Irish brood in 580 AD. The first fortified structure was built in the early 13th century to protect the lands of Kintail against the raping and pillaging Vikings ( note how I got the rape and pillage in early).
Over the centuries, the castle has expanded and contracted in size to suit its various needs. It was at its largest in medieval times with towers and a curtain wall which encompassed the entire island. During the 17th and 18th centuries it played a role in the Jacobite risings which ultimately ended in the castles destruction. It was garrisoned by 46 Spanish soldiers in 1719 (Spain supported the cause of the Jacobites) and it was during this period that it was attacked by three heavily armed English (wouldn't you know it) frigates.
Unable to break down the castles defences by bombardment ( the walls of the castle were 14 feet thick, not sure what that is in ells)the English landed and overwhelmed the Spanish troops. Upon the discovery of 343 barrels of gunpowder in the castle, they used it to blow the place up. The English had no respect for a nice castle.
The ruins lay for nearly 200 years until It was rescued by Lt. Colonel John Macrae-Gilstrap (no relation to Jim Gilstrap of Swing Your Daddy fame). He dedicated 20 years of his life to restoring the castle to its former glory.
I tried and tried to find a suitably gory story about Eilean Donan, but in vain. I toyed with the idea of making something really horrible up, but had to think of my street cred as a serious historian.....

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Cat Vomit

I'm sick as a parrot.... but I couldn't find a pic of a parrot being sick so this cat's gonna have to do.
Reason I'm sick is my pc's all over the feckin place, so my apologies if my posts are not up to their usual magnificent standard.
I think I've picked up a virus. Everything is running slow and I can't get access to sites and email and all sorts.... IT'S DOING MY HEAD IN!
So I'm off to run every anti virus programme I've got, then I'm gonna dowload some more and run them, then ...... ad infinitum.
Wish me luck.