Natural highs and lows

Yesterday, it was a calm, crisp morning for a walk in the parish of Orphir. Along the coastal path from the Bu, we were entertained by a soundscape of Eiders and Long-tailed Ducks, cooing and yodelling from the sea below. In Gyre Wood, there were countless Goldcrests foraging in the branches of the trees, whilst from lower down to the ground, Wrens blasted out their extensive repertoire. We encountered at least half a dozen species of fungi, either on the maritime heath, along hedgerows or in the wood. A view across Orphir Bay to the hills of Hoy By the clifftop path, a Buck's-horn Plantain shows off its basal leaf rosette   We didn't meet a single soul on our walk. The only brief company being three escaped sheep These ships are moored 😊 View over Gyre Wood to the Orphir hills Candlesnuff fungus beneath a Gorse hedge At the time, I thought this was Hogweed, but not so sure now. Secluded dell where a burn flows into Gyre Wood Difficult to photograph, a constantly-flitting Gold...

Last Friday was one of those rare November days where the wind drops, the sun shines and although the temperature isn't hot, it isn't cold either. As regular readers will know, I have a very narrow optimal window for survival! It was so lovely that we abandoned our plans for the day and simply gardened, planting some shrubs along the wall at the front of the garden: cotoneasters, rambling roses and flowering currants. Then we wandered around to the back garden and had a further attempt at working out where and how we wanted trees planting around the perimeter of the wildflower meadow. We settled on repeated groups of three of Rowan, Willow and Downy Birch. Whilst playing this game of musical trees, we found a small mushroom in the sward. It was quite easy to photograph it from above, but I struggled with a photograph from below as I tried to capture the structure of the gills (this feature often being useful for ID purposes). Meantime, ObsIdentify reckoned that it was Strophari...

It is time for an annual event of deep cultural significance to many folk, the baking of a Christmas cake. Whilst my involvement is miniscule, even in our own kitchen (what position is below sous chef?), I can confirm that the emphasis is rather more on the cake than the Christmas. Throughout October, Megan had been squirrelling away ingredients as she spotted them in various emporia, as it is rare here that every commodity is available in the same shop at the same time. The dried fruits have now been sufficiently soaked in brandy and had their car keys removed for safety. I think this is a living document, in as much that some of those splatters are probably evolving Ingredients combined and stirred It was at this point that I was called into action, measuring and folding a double layer of greaseproof paper to line the cake tin, before being unceremoniously ejected from the kitchen once more. Upon removal from the oven, and after subsequent cooling, the cake is wrapped in foil and mov...