Lade Braes

Saturday was quite lovely -- it was in the 40's and sunny all day -- and perfect for a walk in the countryside.  Veronika and I wanted to see sheep (and shaggy cows?), so we began our quest after lunch. (apparently the hairy cows are further north... hence the name "Highland cattle", I suppose).

First we went through a park type of area, with a playground and people playing football.  Then, gradually, it became more like a nature trail... and finally turned into little-traveled country path, which was absolutely lovely.

Pictures:

A shortcut to mushrooms?

We encountered an obstacle...

... but soon overcame it.

Needless to say, there were lots of birds in this area.

Possibly the strangest tree I've ever seen.

An old water mill?

<3 <3 <3

We had to look up what a doocot was...

Apparently it's a structure for housing pigeons and doves.

We didn't find any sheep.

Because I just realized I have not yet posted a picture with myself in it...

Though I suppose this could have been taken anywhere...  :D  Oh well.  I have more... they're just on Veronika's camera.

For being the dead of winter here

it sure doesn't always look it.  (most of the trees don't look like this... just a lot of them)

and then some things look like they're starting to bloom.  Maybe I just didn't notice them before?

I suppose others just never died....

Castles and birds and things

On Thursday we took a tour of the school...


I kind of forgot to take pictures during the rest of the tour, so... here's St Salvator's quad. :)  (All of these are, believe it or not, taken from exactly the same standing place... I just turned around)

Ok, so I lied... I did take a few more pictures.  Two to be exact.  Here's a preview of the castle: (which I fully intend to explore at some point)

And the lovely North Sea:

We did some shopping/exploring on the way back to the dorm, and found this little fellow...

We've seen him at least twice now.  He has absolutely no fear of humans.  The only time he runs away is when someone nearly steps on him and he has to scurry out of the way.  Not sure if he  can fly at all.  Anyway, that's all for now... :)