Her Majesty was otherwise engaged

Stars, thousands of them were visible for a short while last night. If we hadn't decided to use the site loo before bed we would have missed the spectacle. And on the weather news this morning the Aurora Borealis was seen by the Moray Firth not fifteen miles away as the crow flies from our campsite. If those trees hadn't surrounded the site then....well...who knows we may have seen it.

 I fancied seeing parts of the Grampians and suggested a route right through the heart. Glad I did as it took us past the Pack Horse Bridge.

 Along the route we passed the Ski Center at Lecht where our son Colin had his first-ever ski experience. The fact that he was only 2 was neither here nor there, he was a natural. Ian, on the other hand, couldn't keep upright if his life depended on it. I was the sensible one and took photos but even that was almost an impossibility as I was shaking so much with laughter.

 Went to visit her Majesty at Balmoral this afternoon but she was otherwise engaged. Instead, we walked over Brunels Bridge to the gate at the start of the gardens. Ian was the one who pointed out that the monograms on the gates had GR & MR, King George and Queen Mary.

 On our way to Pitlochry, we happened to pass Braemar Castle. With the castle closing at 5 pm and the time 4.30 pm, a convenient car park next to it meant we could stay overnight. We will do it in the morning. Oh and guess what....it is raining again!

And wildlife,

Black Highland cow.