Weekend at Fingask...

Fingask Castle is in Perthshire, I had the privilege of staying in one of the cottages in the grounds of the Castle this weekend. 10 years ago for the 40th birthday of a family friend we stayed in the grounds along with a number of other families. Now, 10 years on we stayed in the same place for his 50th!  The group was almost the same! 

Almost whole group photo...

As it was a bank holiday weekend in England we had four days to enjoy! Friday was just spent travelling and then catching up, I hadn't seen some of the faces for 10 years. It was strange seeing how much everyone had changed and grown up. My brother Sam wasn't even born last time we went, Mum was still pregnant with him. 

This is a photo of me and my friends Catherine and Thomas from 10 years ago. Catherine and I used to love wearing the same outfits, we were very cool children. As we both still owned the tshirts we decided we had to recreate some photos from the trip 10 years ago!

Me and Sam enjoying the view

On Saturday morning Mum and Sam walked up the hill to my cottage and we explored some of the grounds together. Here are a few pictures I took while we wandered...

Mum and Sam leading the way

The Chinese bridge

The grounds were just so beautiful

St Peter's Well

Chinese Bridge Selfie!

 Before lunch some of us took a trip into Dundee and we visited the HM Frigate Unicorn. We then headed back to Fingask to join the rest of the group for lunch. 

After lunch most of the group headed out for a walk up a hill to a tower and down and through Perth. The views from the top were amazing.

Me enjoying the views of Perth

The ladies having a rest and chat at the top

Group photo at the top!

Tim doing a headstand... as you do...

Perth

Saturday evening was the official birthday party and we just enjoyed a lovely evening of food, chatter and fun. The next few photos are of the lake and the main house where some of the group were staying. 

The main house

 On Sunday some of the group went white water rafting in nearby Aberfeldy!  Here are a few photos of the afternoon... (Taken by the official splash photographer and stolen from their website!! http://rafting.co.uk/) 

Me in the middle looking a little petrified!

I have to admit I was pretty nervous but once we got out onto the water and started paddling I began to feel more at ease! The rapids weren't nearly as bad as I had imagined them to be, I envisaged the raft sailing down waterfalls and turning upside down leaving us all floating down the river. 

My boat..

Not bad views really

 

There were some rapids, honest!

The experience wasn't like that at all! The rapids were fairly fast but nothing like I had imagined making it far more enjoyable! The only downside to the rafting was the temperature. I don't think I have ever been so cold! My whole body was shivering and numb with cold by the end.

Loch Leven... Wow

 On Monday we packed up and headed to Loch Leven near Kinross. The men and boys all went on a cycle ride round the Loch and the women went for a civilised walk and then met the men for lunch. It was a lovely end to a fabulous weekend.  

Emmie x 

Road Trip...

I'm back! Uni life got the better of me and my blog has taken a back seat in the last few months but now I'm finished university again for the year and hoping to share my summer with all of you! 

A few weeks ago a few friends and I went on a wee road trip, I had handed in an essay and completed a presentation and my flatmates had just finished their uni teaching before placement. It seemed like the perfect opportunity. The sun even made an appearance which doesn't happen very often in Scotland during March! 

We packed up our beach gear and headed to North Berwick. Before heading to the beach Jenny persuaded us all to climb North Berwick Law, I wasn't too keen but when we reached the top and saw the views it was so worth it! After our walk we wandered to the beach. I had never been to North Berwick before, it is so quaint and pretty. We attempted to paddle in the sea but it was absolutely freezing! When we got too cold to stay on the beach we headed along the high street and found a lovely little cafe and had some hot chocolate and amazing red velvet cake.

As it was a beach road trip we couldn't drive back to Edinburgh without a stop at the fish and chip shop, we ate our dinner looking out over the sun setting on the beach. It was beautiful. Many many photos and selfies were taken so I thought I would share a few with you... 

(Photo Credit to Kharenee Koh!) 

Emmie x 

Lasses on tour...

Long time no post! Life has been busy recently, so many exciting things going on! I thought I would just share with you about the week where my flat mates for next year came to stay! It was so much fun, so much laughter! First I will introduce you to my gorgeous friends.. 

Me (Emma), Jenny, Hannah and Lucy

I love that photo so much! It makes me smile every time I see it. 

Lucy and I both live very near each other in Newcastle so Jenny and Hannah braved the journey across the border from Scotland to come and spend a few days with us. 

On our first afternoon after collecting everyone from the station we had a wander in Jesmond dene, I'm so blessed to have such a beautiful place on my doorstep. Then after our wander we obviously had to go for cake at my favourite local cafe D&D's! 

Us enjoying the views in the dene! 

On Tuesday we made the most of the incredibly blue skies and sun and took a trip to the beach. We had a wander round the pretty shops, I found a beautiful dress in a really cute little boutique shop. After the shops we walked to Tynemouth priory and had a picnic lunch and shared some chips. 

We then walked along the beach and went paddling in the freezing cold north sea! 

We then wandered further round the coast to a different bay and had ice cream from a really cute ice cream parlour! 

It was so lovely and sunny so we went and sat on the beach and sunbathed for the rest of the afternoon! We successfully managed to all fit on the same rug!

On our last full day together we got the train to Durham to spend the day exploring and shopping! We had a lovely lunch sat down by the river. 

We spent the rest of the time in Durham wandering, eating cake and taking selfies. 

We found a pretty little cupcake shop! 

We then made our way back to Newcastle and had a lovely Italian meal out together. 

On our last morning before Hannah and Jenny had to catch their trains we had breakfast together at my house. I cooked scrambled egg for everyone and we enjoyed our last little bit of time together before we all live together in September! 

Emmie x