A joyful day

Just like the old life. Exploring new places in much improved weather. The wind had dropped. Just a couple of rainy squalls when we were in the car or in the castle. And tomorrow’s weather looks even better.

More island west coast walks, the adrive over the top to the east coast and some hours at Brodick Castle and gardens. The gardens were beyondwheatear our expectation. They show the very marked effect of the Gulf Stream. Far greater than in Arnside.

The photos.

Main shot: whole hillsides are covered with Western Gorse which glows when the sun appears.

Extras:
Female Northern Wheatear. Not very good but my only bird shot.
Maidenhair Fern and Fairy Foxglove growing on the Castle wall.
How the Aristocracy ate. A corner of the Duke of Hamilton’s kitchen.
The walls and ceilings of his summer house are entirely lined with fir cones.
The Castle has a wonderful garden full of trees and Rhododendrons brought in by famous 19th. Century plantcollectors. This one in particular bowled me over.