North Fife Cloud May 2014

Yesterday, unusual cloud formations above and around my garden. I think they are called Mammatus, could be wrong of course, if you know differently, let me know.

Bluebells & Whitebells North Fife

Bluebells, this year there seems to be a lovely profusion, certainly over the last week or so they have taken my eye. Amongst them there are Whitebells which to be honest I've not noticed before

Hyacinthoides non-scripta (formerly Endymion non-scriptus or Scilla non-scripta) is a bulbous perennial plant, found in Atlantic areas from north-western Spain to the British Isles, and also frequently used as a garden plant. It is known in English as the common bluebell or simply bluebell, a name which is used in Scotland to refer to the harebell, Campanula rotundifolia. In spring, H. non-scripta produces a nodding, one-sided inflorescence of 5–12 tubular, sweet-scented violet–blue flowers, with strongly recurved tepals, and 3–6 long, linear, basal leaves.

H. non-scripta is particularly associated with ancient woodland where it may dominate the understorey to produce carpets of violet–blue flowers in "bluebell woods", but also occurs in more open habitats in western regions. It is protected under UK law, and in some other parts of its range. A related species, H. hispanica has also been introduced to the British Isles and hybridises with H. non-scripta to produce intermediates known as H. × massartiana.
The white variety have no name that I can find, a genetic malfunction though there are a lot of them about.

Also, as white became my focus this white Campion  caught my attention.

Lamium album (white dead-nettle) North Fife

All over North Fife, trees, wild flowers are coming into leaf and flower. Spring... a burst of renewal, difficult not to feel good and enjoy the magnificence of it all.

White Dead-nettle, the nectar at the base of the tube-like flowers of Lamium album is only accessible to long-tongued insects such as bumble bees and mason bees. Smaller insects are often not heavy enough to open the flowers. The nettle-shaped leaves of Lamium album do not sting and are eaten by slugs and snails.
Lamium album got its common name ‘deadnettle’ because its leaves resemble those of the stinging nettle (Urtica dioica). Unlike the nettle, Lamium album does not have stinging hairs, and can be easily distinguished by its large white (or pink) flower (the flowers of Urtica dioica are tiny and greenish).
Medicinal Uses
Flowers boiled in water can be used as a traditional herbal remedy for catarrh and dropsy, and the roots boiled in wine as a remedy for kidney stones. The plant is also used as a herbal treatment for leucorrhoea, benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and for gastrointestinal problems.

There is a wee lay-bye 2 miles East of Newburgh flanked by stands of this useful Herb.

Many people stop to enjoy the panoramic Views from Black Earnside.
For those who stop and admire the view, just behind them is a valuable medicine.

Nina IMO NR: 9156199 Newburgh North Fife

Nina IMO NR: 9156199 approaching Newburgh North Fife today following Arctic Ocean 9 minuets later.

Could certainly do with a paint job, looking high in the water, maybe to take on a load in Perth. Tranquil weather, the crew looked relaxed.

 Type:General cargo ship
SKN-nr: 000727
Length:82,5m
Beam:11,35
Draugth:4,5
GT:1864
Capacity:2515 dwt
Owner/Manager:Rohden Bereederung GmbH & Co.

Name:    Nina
IMO:    9156199
Flag:    Bahamas
MMSI:    311026000
Callsign:    C6WA8
Former name(s):
- Andromeda (Until 2007 Jul)
- Hav Andromeda (Until 2006 Feb)
- Rms Andromeda (Until 2004 Jan)
- Andromeda (Until 1997 Jan)

It too passed by Perth bound.

Arctic Ocean IMO 9030515 Newburgh

Arctic Ocean IMO 9030515  approaches Newburgh in transit to Perth docks gliding by silently with the tide.

In the space of 5 minuets it drifted by Perth Bound.
IMO: 9030515
MMSI: 259998000
Call Sign: LCVJ
Flag: Norway
Type: General Cargo
Gross Tonnage: 1513
DeadWeight: 2366
Length x Breadth: 74.9m x 11.4m
Year Built: 1993
Status: Active.

Tayview North Fife

May, mixed weather yielding changing light over the river Tay.
In the garden life continued.

Fife Folk Museum Visitor Centre Tea Room & Eatery

Architect Designed Tea Room & Eatery extension to Fife Folk Museum serviced by Hatters&Co. Hatters are building a very favourable reputation for providing high quality food and drinks and excellent service.

Between the Visitor Centre and extensive car park runs trout filled Ceres Burn.

Alison Mackintosh cuts the tape to officially open the Tearoom witnessed by over 150 people who thronged in to enjoy and sample superb foods and drinks.

To be greeted by a mad hatter.

The crowd thinned and seated were able to chat... as one does.

Hatters & Co Tearoom & Eatery is open 7 days 10-30am to 4pm.
Can be found
 www.hatterscatering.com

Fruit tree blossom North Fife

Comice Pear Blossom.

'Doyenne du Comice' is a popular dessert pear with a fine flavour that was introduced from France in 1849. Pears flower two to four weeks earlier than apples and need slightly warmer conditions. The variety 'Concorde' makes a good pollination partner. All pears are grafted on rootstocks which affect their size and vigour, and may be trained in a number of different shapes. Pruning depends on the tree form and vigour of the rootstock, and should be checked in a handbook. 'Doyenne du Comice' should be picked in October while still firm and stored until November before eating. Last year the blossom was meagre yet produced a few fruit proving there must be a pollinator near by.

Sweet Cherry, never before have I seen such profusion of blossom on this tree. Last year it produced a lot of fruit mainly bird food, the buggers take it just before we would. If it all sets then we can share.

Narcissus north fife

We've had a good few days of sunshine, giving rise to flowers, daffodils are a plenty littered about are narcissus though fewer in number, more delicate.

Blackthorn North Fife

I know it's spring when Blackthorn blossom is on show, along with Cherry plum it is the first to show. If the weather is warm enough for germinating insects there will be a good harvest of Sloe Berries.
Blackthorn hedging (Prunus spinosa) is the perfect barrier for keeping wandering pets or unwanted visitors at bay due to its dark strong thorns and prickly appearance. Hugely attractive to birds and wildlife, the Blackthorn hedge produces beautiful white flowers in the early spring, followed by Sloe berries that ripen to a deep purple in autumn.

Here in the hedge rows by the roadside emerging from the winter dormancy clumps of Blackthorn stand out.

Amazing profusion.

North Fife 5th April 2014

A view of the The River Tay at Newburgh on the 5th April, North Fife, tranquil and still, the rolling clouds threatening rain which did fall intermittently.

Four of my hens sat the rain out, you know, done enough, scratched here and there, got their fill and were content.