Nearly the end of August already!?

We are booked for both our Michigan trips - christmas and May/June.  I've yet again changed my plans for my 60th birthday in February.  We have several trips next year so I think I'll go for a late deal city break.  Any place that's not freezing.  Leaning toward Barcelona.

Taking a break from my 365 project.

One of our apple trees

Sunset down the loch

Playing around with editing one of our roses

Flowers & birthdays

A few more of my recent shots.  Hit the 6 month mark on my one year project!



Clematis

Dahlias



Dahlia

Today we had lunch for Uncle Hugh's birthday.  We were joined by

Hugh's brother, Dan, and Dan's wife Ellen.  A very enjoyable time, as

always. 



Last Post pub, Paisley

Uncle Hughie aka 'Shug' on his 84th birthday

Museums

Danny and I took an overnight trip earlier this week so we could visit the newly refurbished National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.  We were impressed!  Since it's school holidays now for both Scotland and England, it was very crowded. 

Inside the NMS

We travelled back to Glasgow to spend the night, and the next day visited the brand new Riverside Museum of Travel and Transport.  I enjoyed it but Danny thought it wasn't as good as the previous Transport Museum.  I'd never visited so couldn't compare. 

One of the tram cars

The outside of the Riverside

We walked the pathway to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum which is fantastic. 

A painting depicting a war in Papua New Guinea

The strange hanging heads in the Kelvingrove

More photos of the museums here:

Photos of the museums



Lovely day!

Danny and I went on my favourite coastal bike ride today with a stop at the beach at Kilbride Bay for a swim/wading and picnic lunch.  It was sunny and temps were about 70F but felt warmer in the sun.  Quite a few people decided a trip to this remote beach was a good idea as well so there were quite a few people there. 


Girls marching on the beach



In front of house - edited for watercolour effect

Fun on the beach

Colintraive in the Kyles of Bute (Danny's old home)

on the bike ride - edited for watercolour effect

Rural postbox on our ride - edited for watercolour effect

Benmore Botanic Gardens

Lovely day today - sunny and about 70F.  So I rode my bike to the gardens and took some pics.

A few more photos

Danny visited his old school in north London last weekend for a retirement party and to reconnect with old friends/colleagues.  Otherwise, nothing new.  Still thinking about where to go for my 60th birthday next winter.  Waiting to book our tickets to Michigan next May/June as it is still too far in advance to allow booking.  On the agenda is my niece's wedding, visiting with granddaughters and the rest of the family, and a trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes for a week. 

Down the loch before the rain - changed to b & w with a speck of red boat

Dahlia



One of the yachts from the Tall Ships - edited to b & w

Out front - tweeked a bit to make more vibrant

Tall Ships Races Greenock 2011

The 4th day of the event was the Red Arrows Airshow, the Parade of Ships and the fireworks.  Tall Ships Races Greenock

I took the ferry to Gourock and walked a short distance to a spot overlooking the Firth of Clyde where all the ships would pass.  It was chilly and cloudy for a couple of hours but then became sunny and very warm.  Photos are here:  Photos of the Tall Ships - Greenock and Gourock

brave windsurfer amongst so many ships

Red Arrows Airshow

A cruise ship happened to be amongst the racing ships

an overexposed shot - but I like the effect

Tall Ships, Flowers, Red squirrels...

The weather has been lovely for a few days - about 70F.  Saturday I attended opening day of the Tall Ships Races Greenock.   Greenock which is just across the water from us is hosting a 4 day stopover in this race.  Lots of events, entertainment, tours of the ships.  I got this photo on Saturday.  On Tuesday the ships go to their next destination so there is a parade of 57 ships with full sails.  I hope to get lots of good photos!

I happened to catch some photos of this red squirrel in our garden.  Red squirrels are an endangered species here.
                                                                                      

A walk in our garden....

Clematis

Clematis



Hydrangea