Marvellous!

What a wonderfully warm and sunny weekend it's been.

At last the intensity of spring, summer even, has arrived in force

On Saturday afternoon we drank tea and nibbled homemade shortbread together with Edith at Maggie's tearoom. Edith has been away from the lochside for a while having treatment for her eyes. I first put Edith on my blog here. And I for one can't wait until she's back home again skipping about in her trainers!

Maggie's tearoom over looks little lochbroom. I'm not certain but I think little lochbroom is actually bigger than normal sized lochbroom where we live.

The late afternoon sun tinged the hills a delicate shade of pink.

 There is something so special about the Highlands.

Coachloads of holiday makers come to the Cairngorms and up as far as Fort William.

But they need to come up here! It's a big beautiful clean clear empty space!

This morning I did bottom of the garden inspection!

The pearly kings and queens of the mussel community lapping up the sun

Clear water with hardly a ripple

On my way back up the garden I passed these two ladies. They were watching their friend

trying unsuccessfully to push through a partially opened gate, but the opening was too narrow and she waddled off. Lambing has just started here and the sheep are extra wide  swaying from side to side making their way to nowhere in particular on their stiff unbendy legs

At my feet this male chaffinch. Not looking well, or just old perhaps. I left him quietly. I'm never sure the best course of action, but think nature is probably best at dealing with the situation.

Meanwhile back at the top of the garden, Niels was busy planting  Hazel trees - some of the time!

 Seeing him there reminded me of when we took down the old telephone cable
that ran across the top of the garden.