Hiking at Crathes

The day was dreary. We decided to venture out anyway, and I'm so glad we did! After checking out the inside of Crathes Castle, a tour which included I Spy for the kids, we wandered the gardens, and then went hiking on one of the trails. Both Cooper and Noah walked the entire time.

Excerpts from the Geneva Bible are painted on the beams:

Not a bad view:

The walled gardens are magnificent:

 

This maze of branches and roots is great for climbing:

Sweet Caleb hitched a ride for the hike:

Everyone eventually found a walking stick:

Fyvie Castle

It may seem (by viewing our blog) that we're doing fairly extensive traveling around Scotland. Most of the places we've visited, however, are only a short drive from our flat. We've really enjoyed having easy access to such amazing sites.

Fyvie Castle is yet another castle in Aberdeenshire. The earliest parts of the castle date back to the 13th century. William the Lion was at the castle in 1214 and some claim he built it in 1211. Fyvie was used by Robert the Bruce for an open-air court, and Charles I lived there as a child. The castle was a royal stronghold until around 1390, and then it was owned by five successive families.

Daniel and Cooper peek out of some bamboo.

Caleb insisted on holding hands with Jude and Daniel who led him down the path toward the castle.

We were unaware that our visit coincided with Exxon Mobil's family day.

The grounds are splendid.

We did not take part in most of Exxon's festivities but were asked if the boys would like to ride a pony. Noah eagerly volunteered.

He was followed by Cooper.

I believe this photo is the exterior of the Gallery which was added by Lord Leith in the 19th century. The scale of Fyvie is magnificent.

We chilled out and listened to some interesting Scottish tunes.

I would not call this band traditional. I'm speechless:

Peter rolled about in the grass:

and the boys climbed several of the trees:

Bamboo sticks, though fairly dangerous, were tremendously entertaining:

Noah also enjoyed a rest in the soft grass:

and Daniel definitely won the award for highest climber. He is actually quite high up the tree. I had to crop the photo so he could be easily seen:

Thus ends your tour of Fyvie Castle.

A day on the farm

We were invited for tea with a family from church on Sunday afternoon, April 18 (Yes, I'm still behind on posting). I love that the norm is to spend the entire afternoon fellowshipping before going to the evening service. The Stewarts have a farm, so after our meal we enjoyed a walk around. 

It was lambing season and we got up close and personal 

with some of the bottle-fed lambs:

Noah was attempting to feed them hay:

Rachel lifted Caleb for a closer peek:

We checked out more furry friends:

This photo was taken just before Noah bolted in excitement 

and caused the cows to bolt:

The big boys chased the chickens into their pen:

Here's a nice view of the farm:

I love the countryside!

A day in Inverurie

We spent this past Saturday at the home of Hamish and Jenny Maclean and had a lovely time. After an awesome lunch, everyone trekked to a nearby playground.

All of the snow has melted in town, but there's still plenty in the suburbs. 

The guys got the kiddos ready to go.

Hamish gives the wee guys a spin.

Jenny helps out at the swings.

View of the hills from the playground

Alex REALLY wanted someone to climb to the top with him.

What else could I do?

Nick gave Noah a lift.

Just think sausage...just think sausage

"Black pudding is the best thing to come out of Stornoway besides my mum." Those were the words of a friend who will remain nameless.
We were not disappointed. Our thanks to Hamish and Jenny Maclean who gave us a package that had been hand-delivered from Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.

A wee plunger

Caleb made it necessary for us to invest in a plunger by unrolling an entire roll of toilet paper and dropping it into the toilet. Nick went to the biggest, best stocked home improvement store in the area and what did they have...an itty bitty plunger. The ipod in the photo is not super-sized. Oh, no. The plunger is only about a foot tall and a few inches in diameter. It looks like a child's miniature of the real thing. Still, it did the job and will take up very little space in storage :)