Sunday, May 24, 2009

Fife Show May 23

On arrival to the Fife Show May 23 held on Kinloss estate Cupar North Fife and passing by the vintage tractors, my first encounter was with the Duncan family and their aptly named horse Star. Champion Gelding and 5th in riding, I'm not aware of the outcome of the driving judgement but I'm sure this young lovely horse will go far given the love, care and attention given by the family.

Star having a wee munch before the drive.



Other competitors strutting their stuff.

All competitors were well turned out following a long tradition of maintaining show.

What amazing patience these animals have.

There is a huge amount of nostalgia at play here and reluctance to let go, these machines did the work but cannot compete with contemporary developments.



Horse riding.





For the vegetarians, a culinary delight.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

The Fife Show North Fife

On arrival, fields of transport and then the show. Fife Agricultural Association continue to provide a show place for agricultural interests and pursuits. This year’s Show at Cupar North Fife on Kinloss estate includes all the elements of a traditional agricultural show including pedigree and commercial cattle and sheep classes, goats, food marquee, and home produce. There were classes for pets and dogs. There were also over 100 light and heavy horse showing classes and BSJA show jumping, including several Highland Show qualifiers. The Show also featured a Game Fair, large trade stand section, including agricultural machinery, saddlery, quality Scottish crafts. There was a children’s activity marquee and a food and cookery marquee.
Main ring attractions included:

Vintage Parade
Falconry
Terrier Racing
I became engrossed with the subjects illustrated below, it will give you a feel of the abundance of live-stock.


Waiting for the moment.

I'm not sure of the judging parameters, milk yield? true to breed? What ever, it is still some cow.

A friend of mine breeds pure Hereford cattle and assures me that this is a cross breed. Magnificent never the less.

On parade and needing a helping hand to get it moving.

It goes on, one superb animal after another.













All Bull maybe even a bit of spit and polish.


All kinds and colours.

Friday, May 22, 2009

The River Tay Logie North Fife May 2009

The River Tay Logie North Fife May 2009. Today was wonderfully warm and a joy to be in. I pulled in to take a video of which this a still of part. To my bewilderment "Google" have changed the goal posts and method to upload videos. Much I have tried to follow the sign-in details which should link to "youtube" has proved a thankless task. Anyway there could have been more of it.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

The Steeple North Fife

The Steeple thrusting pointedly in the midst of Newburgh North Fife. Tonight a meeting of the Fife Arts Co-operative at the community arts centre, The Steeple, instigated a positive agenda to fully integrate the use of the design winning conversion of the town hall and corn exchange into a invigorating and active community arts centre with resident artists in hired studios plus workshop events in many subjects. Exhibitions, Music, Arts, Crafts, Video, Film, could even be in Belly Dancing. As events trundle into actuality and indeed as I'm part of, you may see.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

River Tay May19th North Fife

Looking down The River Tay Eastwards from Newburgh North Fife to Dundee and Broughty Ferry where the estuary spills out into the North Sea and has over many years deposited the sands of Tentsmuir and St Andrews. Turning ones gaze West upstream towards Bridge of Earn and beyond to Perth just behind the hill. This was at 5-30 pm today at fairly low water within the range of 3 meters of today's tidal difference.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Forest Guardian North Fife


Well, sort of, I find them to be quite amazing creatures. We each have our place in the order of things. This book below is about non-poisonous eradication, myself I collect from the garden in North Fife around managed plants and feed the ducks, they really love them.


Slugs and snails leave a trail of destruction in most gardens. In this book we show you how to make your garden less attractive to them and how to prevent them damaging your plants. Banish slugs - natural solutions for your home & garden; Slugs and snails are a curse for nearly every gardener - there can be nothing more disappointing than discovering that precious plants have been ravaged. And there's no simple way of dealing with them. In this book we look at how to keep the slimy population under control without using poisons that could affect pets or other wildlife. We look at the methods that work and those that probably don't. We look at how to make your garden less attractive to them and how to encourage the wildlife that likes to snack on them. The conclusion - be alert and use as many different methods as possible to combat the threat to your plants. With this in hand you'll soon have the battle won.Banish Slugs and Snails - Naturally (Green Essentials - Natural Solutions for Your Home & Garden S.)
.

A wee amble on the right side of the hedge parallel to the road by Ballinbreich farm and castle. There,s something about walking and indeed just being in a wood, calming, peaceful even primal.


This was the view on leaving, Again the silvery Tay, I don't know about you but daily I feast upon it though everyone will have an equivalent sight which I would love to see as well.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Higham Woods North Fife

Higham Woods North Fife, is mainly deciduous, beech and ash on a north facing hill over looking The River Tay and Ballinbreich Castle and farm, it is very quiet and visited by very few, maybe 2 of 3 people per week is home to roe deer and other wildlife. A few miles east of Newburgh on the boundary road. Amazingly here in the relative middle of nowhere there is a WC. Of all places in the world to come across such a convenience is so incongruous. If one is caught short, a simple squat and use of a nearby leaf or two would normally do and yet there you have it, better facilitated than Newburgh. So if you are ever passing this way, you know where to go.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Hawthorn North Fife

Hawthorn North Fife, Hawthorn grows in many parts of the world, is edible and indeed is a very beneficial health support. Hawthorn contains many substances that may benefit the heart. However, it appears that two substances in particular -- flavonoids and oligomeric procyanidins (OPCs) -- are most likely to contribute to hawthorn's beneficial effects on the heart. Flavonoids may help dilate blood vessels, improve blood flow, and protect the blood vessels from damage. Both flavonoids and OPCs have antioxidant effects.

The berries, leaves, and flowers of the hawthorn plant are used for medicinal purposes. The leaves and flowers are believed to contain more of the active compounds than the berries. I can personally vouch for these properties having had a heart condition for many years and now take Hawthorn daily as a tincture and stopping the intake of pharmaceutical drugs as prescribed which hospitalised me due to the side effects. Fear not, it really works.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Fliskmillan Tay View North Fife


The River Tay tonight from Fliskmillan North Fife. A walk of a few hundred meters from my home, it's the first time for at least 12 years I've taken these steps. Behind from this spot is a Hawthorn tree that I know of old, seems to be failing big style from it's former health. A wee bit how I feel for myself after puffing uphill for the short distance.

Quite dramatic in its way, alone and weather battered. The pathway and hillside are covered in gorse bushes releasing a wonderful scent, honey like and quite pleasant.

Monday, May 11, 2009

River Tay Low Water


River Tay Low Water today, some may get bored by my repeated shots of the River Tay but it really isn't the same twice. Imagine, it's tidal, the sandbanks become exposed, covered changing by the minute, different light etc. Today it was warm and without wind with fluffy clouds casting intermittent shadow, Ahhh.

Potato Sowing North Fife

Potato sowing north fife. In my time living here the agricultural methods have changed, now one machine does the work, fertilising, planting and furrowing in a oner. This tractor at Newington Farm by Cupar, illustrates. There are many varieties, myself I prefer waxy though the fields nearby tend to plant "golden Wonder" and similar which are used to provide for the potato crisp market. High yields, Flowery, good for mash and crisps of course. The Potato Council provides more info. Potatoes, Tatties, Spuds are an essential part to our diet, are of the nightshade family and can induce arthritis in some but also provide cures according to the publication below.

Have you ever wondered why you can't say no to fattening foods or alcohol? Why you overspend or overwork, feel bloated, have mood swings or depression? The answer is not that you're lazy, self-indulgent or undisciplined. The problem lies in your body chemistry. Millions of people are sugar sensitive and the foods they turn to for comfort actually trigger feelings of exhaustion, hopelessness and low self-esteem. In her groundbreaking book, Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D., explains how certain food-dependent chemicals in the brain regulate our moods. To maintain mental and physical health our serotonin, beta-endorphins and blood sugar levels need to be kept in balance. We can achieve this by following DesMaison's inexpensive, all-natural nutritional plan. There is no regime of measurements or self-denial: you tailor the plan to your tastes and lifestyle. More than just a book about food, this is a book about possibilities.Potatoes Not Prozac: How to Control Depression, Food Cravings and Weight Gain


About the Author
Kathleen DesMaisons, PH.D., is President and CEO of Radiant Recovery, a highly successful and revolutionary programme for treating addictions of all kinds that combines medical and holistic approaches. Her programme has gained national attention in the US due to its unparalleled 92% success rate with alcoholics. Her website is www.radiantrecovery.com

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Tarvit Home Farm North Fife


Tarvit Home Farm North Fife.

Friday, May 08, 2009

Tarvit Drive Park Cupar North Fife

Tarvit Drive Park Cupar North Fife, Today I visited this park on the edge of Cupar, it adjoins Tarvit Home farm. The only remaining building of the original 1700s tarvit estate, Tarvit home farm has been described as one of the finest examples of a home farm complex in Scotland. More on this in subsequent posts. Just now the pathways are bordered with wild garlic.



Walking through there is a subtle yet pleasant smell of garlic. Made me quite hungry.

The small woodland ponds are inhabited by mallard ducks and Moorhens.



All in all a very relaxing place to visit and enjoy the equally relaxed wild life.