SkyWatch Friday, Camera Critters and Castles

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Findhorn was all black clouds, rainbows and planes.

Can't remember what day (!) but this was sunrise from our window....I didn't feel like going to the bottom of the road in my jammies :o)

An ominous sky at Nairn yesterday.

And later at Burghead, we could see heavy showers all across the firth and over the hills....

....and moments later we experienced a similar full-on cloudburst which left us looking like drowned rats....and as for Mum....well let's just say it was scary!

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So yesterday I went to Auldearn to pick something up (have you tried your local Freecycle? We scored a leather armchair which the boy has claimed!) I took Rosie along for the ride. (yes, that IS the red blankie!)

Thought since we were out that way anyway we'd visit Cawdor Castle....it must be 25 years since I was last there!

Cawdor is such a pretty castle set in beautiful gardens. The car park is set among ancient towering Oak trees, we thought we'd walk round but we saw the dreaded no dogs sign, grr! The castle itself is surrounded by trees and unless you're willing to pay the £8 entry fee (which yesterday, alone, I was not) you will struggle to get a decent close-up photo.

There is also a golf course in the grounds and ponds, it's very tranquil here. I visited the gift shop and headed back to the car and Rosie. We saw lots of interesting things on the drive home and had to stop and take more photos....

These guys were in a field in the castle grounds, no idea what breed they are but check out their funny hats!

We stared at these Alpacas....they stared back! There were things made from their wool in the castle gift shop but they live on a nearby farm.

Near the Alpaca field we saw these cute little pansies growing wild.

Cawdor village has a pretty little church.

We went to say hello to these guys, but nothing.....they just sat with their noses in the air, like statues! Wonder what our giant friends Walter, Annie & Co would make of them?

On the way home we went to Nairn for a quick run on the beach....

Zoom zoom zoom.....

Our last stop on the way home was nearby Brodie Castle which has this old stone in it's driveway.

Mum is going to take the boy back there today, she'd never hear the end of it if she visited a castle without him and again, no dogs, though when Mum went to take this photo she saw a cheeky little Westie!

In the afternoon we went to grey Burghead for a very wet beach walk (see SkyWatch!)

We found another jelly....not as big but even more gross....looks like phlegm!
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Thank you for all still visiting us, we promise to reply to you all soon. Mum is busy trying to set up a website.....anyone know any decent free web builders? NOT Freewebs.com, it's driving her nuts!