Flowerdale trees

Scots pine clinging to the hillside.

An oak sappling, struggling amongst the bracken.

Flowerdale trees

Big conifers,

& silver birch.

Goodbye Andy

Jimjams & Chilli have followed Andy down the garden as he goes back to work after lunch.

Decided he's not coming back, so they'll have to come up & make do with Margot!

Early morning visitor

Lovely day for a picnic

What a wonderful day. Lots of porpoise in the bay this morning - too far away to make good photographs, but fantastic to watch, the sun glinting off them. Decided to take dogs for a picnic & headed for Opinan. Unfortunately, the car park was full of cows, calves & a bull, most of which were bigger than the biscuit tin. Tried to shoo' them away but decided that discretion is the better part of valour & beat a retreat. Chilli had joined us & I reckoned that trying to get 4 dogs through the herd wasn't the best couse of action so, we backtracked to Port Henderson & picnic'ed at Carr point. We were watched with great interest by a local seal, before catching the attention of a pair of kayakers & generally enjoying ourselves. RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat?) returning past Longa island.

Local, enjoying the sun.

Lion's mane jellyfish, floating off the rocks.

Lovely day for a picnic

Jimjams & Max guarding the food.

Local seal wants to see what's going on.

Pair of kayakers drift past - seem like serious travellers........... onboard maps & waterproof gizmos in abundance, what a wonderful way to see the coast.

Kayak trip

Near the Kerry fish farm

Scooting into Kerry Bay, having just startled a young seal,

Enjoying the trip.

Kayak trip

Margot heading out past the pier at Charleston,

onward, towards Kerry bay.

The return journey & the sun's still shining!

Kayak trip on a sunny Sunday

Loaded up on the biscuit tin & ready to go.

Looking under the "new" road to the old bridge, leading to Flowerdale.

Andy enjoying the trip at Kerry bay.

Coastguard visit to the High school

Seting off the flare, (behind "Janny's" back).

Helicopter coming in to land on the school field.

Pupils from the high & primary schools, along with staff, watch the proceedings.

Coastguard visit to the High school

Preparing the "victim" for lift off,

Winching up,

Almost there.

Coastguard visit to the High School

"Victim" disappearing into the chopper,

All inside & ready to go,

They're off.

Coastguard visit to the High School

Coastguard helicopter coming over the Mihol

Teachers & pupils getting the gen..............but

Jamilla's unimpressed.............

Andy's favourite job.

After the storm

Buzzard over Flowerdale

Looking left...........

and ahead.

Leaving "Do" for 2009 staff at The Millcroft

Andy heping himself to the chocolate fudge cake.

Kerry, Graciela, Margot & (most of) Lynn.

Thanks to Geraldine, Karen, Lynn & Jim for hosting a "Thank You" buffet for the 2009 staff at the Milly. http://www.millcroft-hotel.co.uk/ A good time was had by all & the food, as always, was delicious.

Rising river levels

The river Kerry near the Badachro junction, which has been known to flood in the past. We're forecast more rain & 70 mph winds over the next 24 hrs.

Badachro bay.

After the rain................

From the old bridge, looking past the new "road" towards Badachro.

Opposite view, looking up Flowerdale. We were too late to get pics of the boat club races, but a good time was had by all.

Oh what a beautiful morning..........

Buzzard, halfway up on the left.

Dipper.

Jamilla, Sophie & Josie on the way towards Flowerdale House on this lovely morning. Sun shining, warm & the autumn colours showing, a pleasure to be out.

A walk on the beach

Sophie, Chilli, Josie & Jamilla enjoy a walk this morning, along the beach. After yesterday's torrential rain, it's good to be out in the sunshine. Lion's mane jellyfish washed up.

http://www.pwlf.org/lionsmanejellyfish.htm