This pear tree is only 5 feet tall yet produces a tremendous amount of conference pear fruit every year. Most flowers will bear fruit.
Also in Newburgh is this Ornamental Maple, flush with new leaves. I love the vibrant colour.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Newburgh Gardens May 2010
Newburgh North Fife is well known for it's fruit trees, many introduced by monks from Lindores Abbey 700 years ago.
This pear tree is only 5 feet tall yet produces a tremendous amount of conference pear fruit every year. Most flowers will bear fruit.
Also in Newburgh is this Ornamental Maple, flush with new leaves. I love the vibrant colour.
This pear tree is only 5 feet tall yet produces a tremendous amount of conference pear fruit every year. Most flowers will bear fruit. Also in Newburgh is this Ornamental Maple, flush with new leaves. I love the vibrant colour.
Roe Deer North Fife May 2010
Roe Deer at Higham woods on the way to Newburgh north Fife this late morning. Deer can often be seen at dawn or dusk, it's unusual to see them grazing in the fields midday. This photo is one of them escaping to the woods as I approached.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Newburgh Scarecrow Competition
Welcome to Newburgh and the scarecrow competition which is about to start. Last years entrants were spectacular, this year the prizes are for many categories, details to be published in The Fife Herald.
Celebrating Fife 2010.
Austin 7 Club Outing North Fife
Yesterday as I arrived in Newburgh. A lovely site, in my distant past I had owned such a car, my memory is how feeble the brakes were sometimes it required a foot to be put out of the door to finally stop.
Austin 7 occupants wait for the return of the rally lead car which had careered off to Abernethy having missed the turn at the Abbey Garage Newburgh North Fife.
A line of Austin 7's in Newburgh.
Round they go, the right way this time.
Austin 7 occupants wait for the return of the rally lead car which had careered off to Abernethy having missed the turn at the Abbey Garage Newburgh North Fife. 
A line of Austin 7's in Newburgh.Round they go, the right way this time.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Balmerino North Fife
Balmerino (Scottish Gaelic: Baile Meireanach) is a small village and former monastic centre in Fife, Scotland. It is the home of Balmerino Abbey and the former abbots of Balmerino who were great regional landlords. It became a secular lordship (see Lord Balmerino) at the beginning of the 17th century and fell into ruin. The village is now an official Conservation Area.
Balmerino Parish church situated at Bottom Craigs, half way to the Gauldry.
Balmerino is also "celebrated" by a poem by William McGonagall - said to be the English language's worst poet - "Beautiful Balmerino".
Beautiful Balmermo on the bonnie banks of Tay,
It's a very bonnie spot in the months of June or May;
The scenery there is charming and fascinating to see,
Especially the surroundings of the old Abbey,
Which is situated in the midst of trees on a rugged hill,
Which visitors can view at their own free will;
And the trees and shrubberies are lovely to view,
Especially the trees on each side of the avenue
Which leads up to the Abbey amongst the trees;
And in the summer time it's frequented with bees,
And also crows with their unmusical cry,
Which is a great annoyance to the villagers that live near by.
And there in the summer season the mavis sings,
And with her charming notes the woodland rings;
And the sweet-scented zephyrs is borne upon the gale,
Which is most refreshing and invigorating to inhale.
Then there's the stately Castle of Balmerino
Situated in the midst of trees, a magnificent show,
And bordering on the banks o' the silvery Tay,
Where visitors can spend a happy holiday.
As they view the castle and scenery around
It will help to cheer their spirits I'll be bound;
And if they wish to view Wormit Bay
They can walk along the braes o' the silvery Tay.
Balmerino beach on the Tay estuary looking west. Due to past volcanic activity north fife is littered with associated minerals and semi precious gems. In the fields geodes can be found and on this beach quartz, agates, cornelian, amethysts, jasper. People sit and sift, actually by scooping up a bucket full and taking home, you would be amazed at the richness and variety.
Looking East across the river Tay to Dundee.
Monks walk which runs from Balmerino Abbey to the Gauldry. This the view on the road from Kirkton of Balmerino.
Balmerino Parish church situated at Bottom Craigs, half way to the Gauldry.Balmerino is also "celebrated" by a poem by William McGonagall - said to be the English language's worst poet - "Beautiful Balmerino".
Beautiful Balmermo on the bonnie banks of Tay,
It's a very bonnie spot in the months of June or May;
The scenery there is charming and fascinating to see,
Especially the surroundings of the old Abbey,
Which is situated in the midst of trees on a rugged hill,
Which visitors can view at their own free will;
And the trees and shrubberies are lovely to view,
Especially the trees on each side of the avenue
Which leads up to the Abbey amongst the trees;
And in the summer time it's frequented with bees,
And also crows with their unmusical cry,
Which is a great annoyance to the villagers that live near by.
And there in the summer season the mavis sings,
And with her charming notes the woodland rings;
And the sweet-scented zephyrs is borne upon the gale,
Which is most refreshing and invigorating to inhale.
Then there's the stately Castle of Balmerino
Situated in the midst of trees, a magnificent show,
And bordering on the banks o' the silvery Tay,
Where visitors can spend a happy holiday.
As they view the castle and scenery around
It will help to cheer their spirits I'll be bound;
And if they wish to view Wormit Bay
They can walk along the braes o' the silvery Tay.
Balmerino beach on the Tay estuary looking west. Due to past volcanic activity north fife is littered with associated minerals and semi precious gems. In the fields geodes can be found and on this beach quartz, agates, cornelian, amethysts, jasper. People sit and sift, actually by scooping up a bucket full and taking home, you would be amazed at the richness and variety.
Looking East across the river Tay to Dundee.
Monks walk which runs from Balmerino Abbey to the Gauldry. This the view on the road from Kirkton of Balmerino.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Dundee Observatory
Looking over Balinbreich Castle and the River Tay North Fife to Dundee. Within the wooded area on the top right of the view sits The Mills Observatory. I have visited several times, it was quite fascinating to view the rings of Saturn on one of my visits.
The Mills Observatory in Dundee, Scotland, is the only full-time public astronomical observatory in the UK. Built in 1935, the observatory is classically styled in sandstone and has a distinctive 7 m dome, which houses a Victorian refracting telescope, a small planetarium, and display areas. The dome is the only surviving observatory dome in the world made from papier-mâché. View Larger Map
The actual observatory is not where marked with an A but north west in Balgay Park, click the sat button it will be unmistakable, It lies to the west of the circular road.
Mills Observatory
Glamis Road
Balgay Park
Dundee DD2 2UB
Admission is FREE to the Observatory and displays. A small charge applies to group visits and for public Planetarium Shows.
Opening Times
April to September
Tuesday to Friday, 11 am - 5 pm
Saturday and Sunday, 12.30 - 4 pm
October to March
Monday to Friday, 4 pm -10 pm
Saturday and Sunday, 12.30 - 4 pm
The dome is open every weekday evening from October to March, weather permitting, except Public Holidays.
Gifted to the people of Dundee in 1935, with a bequest from John Mills, a linen and twine manufacturer and a keen amateur scientist, Mills Observatory was designed by the City Architect, Mr McLellan Brown in collaboration with Professor Ralph Sampson the Astronomer Royal for Scotland. Built of sandstone, it has a distinctive 7-metre dome.
Smooth Newts North Fife
Today I came across this plump egg laden female smooth newt sheltering under a large wooden board in my garden, probably about to take to the pond and mate.
Smooth Newt, Lissotriton vulgaris. Adult Smooth Newts emerge from hibernation on land from late February to May, and head to fresh water to breed. They favour ponds and shallow lakesides over running water. At this time both sexes of newt become more strikingly and colourfully marked, with vivid spots and orange bellies. The male also develops a wavy crest along the back and tail - the sexes are much easier to differentiate during the breeding season.
During courtship the male newt "displays" for his prospective mate by vibrating his tail in front of the female in a distinctive fashion. The male then deposits a sperm-containing capsule, known as a spermatophore, in front of his mate, who manoeuvres herself into a position whereby she can pick up the capsule with her cloaca - fertilization occurring inside the female. The female, thus fertilized, after a few days starts to lay eggs individually, usually under aquatic plant leaves at a rate of 7 to 12 eggs per day. Altogether, a total of 400 eggs may be produced over the season.
After two to three weeks (depending on water temperature), the eggs hatch to a larval form - a tadpole. For a few days the tadpoles live off the food reserves contained within their yolk sacs (left over from the egg stage). After this they start to eat freshwater plankton, and later insect larvae, molluscs and similar food (unlike frog tadpoles, newts are carnivorous throughout their life).
The newt tadpoles look initially like small fish fry, but later become more similar to miniature adults, but with "feathery" external gills emerging from behind the head on either side. As the tadpoles mature they develop legs (front first), and the growth and use of their lungs is matched by a gradual shrinkage of the gills. Thus the tadpole gradually shifts from being fully aquatic to possessing a body suitable for a mostly terrestrial existence, a tadpole typically leaving the water after ten weeks.
Some tadpoles however may overwinter in the larval state, only emerging from the water the following year. Smooth Newts take around three years to become sexually mature, on average living for six years. Most adult and juvenile newts hibernate over winter in moist sheltered areas above ground, emerging in the spring.
Smooth Newt, Lissotriton vulgaris. Adult Smooth Newts emerge from hibernation on land from late February to May, and head to fresh water to breed. They favour ponds and shallow lakesides over running water. At this time both sexes of newt become more strikingly and colourfully marked, with vivid spots and orange bellies. The male also develops a wavy crest along the back and tail - the sexes are much easier to differentiate during the breeding season.During courtship the male newt "displays" for his prospective mate by vibrating his tail in front of the female in a distinctive fashion. The male then deposits a sperm-containing capsule, known as a spermatophore, in front of his mate, who manoeuvres herself into a position whereby she can pick up the capsule with her cloaca - fertilization occurring inside the female. The female, thus fertilized, after a few days starts to lay eggs individually, usually under aquatic plant leaves at a rate of 7 to 12 eggs per day. Altogether, a total of 400 eggs may be produced over the season.
After two to three weeks (depending on water temperature), the eggs hatch to a larval form - a tadpole. For a few days the tadpoles live off the food reserves contained within their yolk sacs (left over from the egg stage). After this they start to eat freshwater plankton, and later insect larvae, molluscs and similar food (unlike frog tadpoles, newts are carnivorous throughout their life).
The newt tadpoles look initially like small fish fry, but later become more similar to miniature adults, but with "feathery" external gills emerging from behind the head on either side. As the tadpoles mature they develop legs (front first), and the growth and use of their lungs is matched by a gradual shrinkage of the gills. Thus the tadpole gradually shifts from being fully aquatic to possessing a body suitable for a mostly terrestrial existence, a tadpole typically leaving the water after ten weeks.
Some tadpoles however may overwinter in the larval state, only emerging from the water the following year. Smooth Newts take around three years to become sexually mature, on average living for six years. Most adult and juvenile newts hibernate over winter in moist sheltered areas above ground, emerging in the spring.
Plenty by Yotam Ottolenghi
Plenty is a must-have for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. RRP £25.00 Buy at half. £12.50
Plenty by Yotam Ottolenghi.
With his fabulous restaurants and bestselling Ottolenghi Cookbook, Yotam Ottolenghi has established himself as one of the most exciting new talents in the world of cookery and food writing. This exclusive collection of vegetarian recipes is drawn from his column 'The New Vegetarian' for the Guardian's Weekend magazine, and features both brand-new recipes and dishes first devised for that column. Yotam's food inspiration comes from his strong Mediterranean background and his unapologetic love of ingredients. Not a vegetarian himself, his approach to vegetable dishes is wholly original and innovative, based on strong flavours and stunning, fresh combinations. With sections devoted to cooking greens, aubergines, brassicas, rice and cereals, pasta and couscous, pulses, roots, squashes, onions, fruit, mushrooms and tomatoes, the breadth of colours, tastes and textures is extraordinary. Featuring vibrant, evocative food photography from acclaimed photographer Jonathan Lovekin, and with Yotam's voice and personality shining through, Plenty is a must-have for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike.
Buy here. Plenty
Plenty by Yotam Ottolenghi.With his fabulous restaurants and bestselling Ottolenghi Cookbook, Yotam Ottolenghi has established himself as one of the most exciting new talents in the world of cookery and food writing. This exclusive collection of vegetarian recipes is drawn from his column 'The New Vegetarian' for the Guardian's Weekend magazine, and features both brand-new recipes and dishes first devised for that column. Yotam's food inspiration comes from his strong Mediterranean background and his unapologetic love of ingredients. Not a vegetarian himself, his approach to vegetable dishes is wholly original and innovative, based on strong flavours and stunning, fresh combinations. With sections devoted to cooking greens, aubergines, brassicas, rice and cereals, pasta and couscous, pulses, roots, squashes, onions, fruit, mushrooms and tomatoes, the breadth of colours, tastes and textures is extraordinary. Featuring vibrant, evocative food photography from acclaimed photographer Jonathan Lovekin, and with Yotam's voice and personality shining through, Plenty is a must-have for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike.
Buy here. Plenty
Sunday, May 09, 2010
Flisk Ducks North Fife May 2010
WE keep 10 ducks at Flisk or more correctly two drakes and eight ducks below are two of them, one of each. Though familiar and each with a distinct character they are not named but much enjoyed as ducks, tremendous personalities.
The Dukan Diet
Only £5.84
The Dukan Diet is a unique 4-step programme, combining two steps to lose your unwanted weight and two steps to keep it off for good:
Step 1: Attack
For 2-7 days eat as much as you want of 72 protein-rich foods.
Step 2: Cruise
Continue eating the protein-rich foods with the addition of 28 vegetables.
Step 3: Consolidation
Add fruit, bread, cheese and starchy foods, and 2 celebration meals a week, allowing 5 days for every pound lost.
Step 4: Stabilisation
Eat what you like without regaining weight by following 3 simple rules, including the famous ‘protein Thursdays’.
Devised by Dr Pierre Dukan, a French medical doctor who has spent his career helping people to lose weight permanently, The Dukan Diet is the culmination of thirty-five years’ clinical experience. Without any of the usual marketing hype, The Dukan Diet swept across France, championed by the people who had successfully lost weight following the diet. It is now estimated that the Dukan community numbers over 5 million people in France. Easy to follow with no calorie counting, The Dukan Diet offers clear simple guidelines, menu planners and delicious recipes for long term success.
Beyond its immense success in France, The Dukan Diet has been adopted by 20 countries and translated into 10 languages. Many international observers agree that this is the method most likely to put a stop to the world’s weight problems. For more information visit www.dukandiet.co.uk.
About the Author
Dr Pierre Dukan has been a medical doctor specializing in human nutrition since 1973. He the author of many works on nutrition, scientific works as well as those for the general public, and regularly writes in the press and appears on television. The popularity of Dr Dukan’s methods and works in countries as different in culture as Korea or Bulgaria show how he has become the most widely-read French nutritionist in the world.
The Dukan Diet: Amazon.co.uk: Dr Pierre Dukan: Books
RRP: £12.99 £5.84 if you buy now. The Dukan Diet
The Dukan Diet is a unique 4-step programme, combining two steps to lose your unwanted weight and two steps to keep it off for good:
Step 1: Attack
For 2-7 days eat as much as you want of 72 protein-rich foods.
Step 2: Cruise
Continue eating the protein-rich foods with the addition of 28 vegetables.
Step 3: Consolidation
Add fruit, bread, cheese and starchy foods, and 2 celebration meals a week, allowing 5 days for every pound lost.
Step 4: Stabilisation
Eat what you like without regaining weight by following 3 simple rules, including the famous ‘protein Thursdays’.
Devised by Dr Pierre Dukan, a French medical doctor who has spent his career helping people to lose weight permanently, The Dukan Diet is the culmination of thirty-five years’ clinical experience. Without any of the usual marketing hype, The Dukan Diet swept across France, championed by the people who had successfully lost weight following the diet. It is now estimated that the Dukan community numbers over 5 million people in France. Easy to follow with no calorie counting, The Dukan Diet offers clear simple guidelines, menu planners and delicious recipes for long term success.
Beyond its immense success in France, The Dukan Diet has been adopted by 20 countries and translated into 10 languages. Many international observers agree that this is the method most likely to put a stop to the world’s weight problems. For more information visit www.dukandiet.co.uk.
About the Author
Dr Pierre Dukan has been a medical doctor specializing in human nutrition since 1973. He the author of many works on nutrition, scientific works as well as those for the general public, and regularly writes in the press and appears on television. The popularity of Dr Dukan’s methods and works in countries as different in culture as Korea or Bulgaria show how he has become the most widely-read French nutritionist in the world.
The Dukan Diet: Amazon.co.uk: Dr Pierre Dukan: Books
RRP: £12.99 £5.84 if you buy now. The Dukan Diet
Saturday, May 08, 2010
The Worlds of John Ruskin
The Worlds of John Ruskin.A review.
This is excellent book on a number of levels: as an introduction to a fascinatingly complex man, as a travel book, as a beautiful set of pictures, as a challenge to look again at Ruskin and other Victorians. Anyone who has enjoyed browsing through that old series, the World of, say Dickens, Joyce, the Brontes - illustrated guides written by fans, and full of info - will be pleased to find that Kevin Jackson has revived the brand and outdone it, but with first-rate colour visuals. He presents a balanced but personally committed account of Ruskin - he is a charming propagandist. But for anyone whose knowledge of Ruskin, like mine, went little further than the puzzling fact that he could admire both Turner and the Pre-Raphaelites, and then that thing about pubic hair (a libel, it seems from the evidence) Jackson offers a complex, troubled picture that is both more interesting and more disturbing, and that really does allow us to look back into worlds that are now alien to us. Jackson makes claims for Ruskin's contemporary influence that are convincing, but what makes this book particularly powerful is that you feel as you read further into it that you are in the presence of a rare, strange creature from a time so different from our own; in that way it really is a bit of a Gothic mystery. Having said that, it's a perfect present for a nice bookish uncle, artistic godchild or anyone who is heading to the Lakes, Venice and Northern Italy, the Alps, Oxford, Normandy - or South London; or for anyone who is interested in Gandhi, Proust (there's a great supporting cast of characters influenced by Ruskin) or just about any aspect of art and architecture. More and more Ruskin is in print, but, judging from the complex history of Ruskin's attitudes that Jackson outlines, you would do well to take in this broad view first, before he comes back into fashion.
To Buy Now. The Worlds of John Ruskin
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)