The cottage garden and beyond

So we start this week's Nature Friday with morning in the garden of our Torridon cottage, and some roses for Rosy.

(The roses are ever so slightly past their best, unlike our friend Rosy, who is of course in full bloom).

Later in the day I lead Gail on a wee adventure into the hills.

Yes of course I'm still up for new adventures! So long as they don't involve climbing too steep slopes these days.

Finally we're home again to the cottage to enjoy the evening scene from just outside our front gate. 

Happy Nature Friday friends! 

A good year for the roses...

Today, for Rosy and the LLB gang's Flower Friday, I want you to come with me to visit a very special place, the Piper Alpha Memorial Garden in Hazlehead Park, Aberdeen.

Why here, why now?

Well today, Friday 6th July 2018, it is exactly thirty years since the Piper Alpha oil platform exploded into flames and 167 workers perished in the North Sea oil industry's worst ever disaster.

A statue commemorating the men who died stands in the centre of a beautiful rose garden, and this year, after so much warm sunny weather recently, the blooms are simply stunning.

I don't suppose that all those who perished were, in life, angels - they were just the usual human mix. But not one of them deserved to lose their life so tragically early, in a disaster that was entirely preventable.

Gail and I hope you enjoy the roses, and as you do so, please spare a thought for relatives and friends left behind, many of whom live locally in the Aberdeen area.

A world class team?

WE HAPPY TWO

There is nothing on earth that can beat

A walk with your very best pal,

On a midsummer's day when the air is sweet

With wild roses and honeysuckle.

When buttercup meadows invite you to gambol,
And lily-strewn lochans await,
Offering paw-cooling ease at the end of your ramble,
Then together in peace you reflect.

On how many paths together you've trod,

On the sorrows and losses endured.

On how side by side you'll walk forward in hope,

And delight in exploring this wonderful world.

PS Apologies to anyone who read the title and thought this post was going to be about the FIFA World Cup!

Companionship and calm

PS CONGRATULATIONS ANDY MURRAY!