Menotnaboot; With Nobby and Gail

During the Tuesday of my visit to Aberdeen, the rain managed to stay away, and the sun even tried its best to shine. It was a chance to give Gail (and Nobby, though he was probably less interested) a run out in The Grey. We went to Crathes Estate for a short walkabout and parked in the little art village, Milton of Crathes, on the opposite side of the road. After our walk, I made us some lunch in the van, and Gail bought us a cuppa from the little cafe.

We were back in time for Gail to attend to her regular gig of walking the neighbour-dog. This activity leaves Nobby wondering.....

On Wednesday, we were again blessed with decent weather. Mind you, the wind had picked up ice again. But the sun was out, so let's just get on with it! I offered to buy lunch at a place of Gail's choosing and it was settled to be at Finzean Farm Shop and Cafe. (That's pronounced as "Fingan", like, I'm singin', BTW...) What a delightful place that is. There was a pen into which Nobby was placed so he could watch us each our most delicious lunch!

From here, we went to the old mills and had a very short walk beside the water. It was there that I recorded the impromptu haiku you saw a couple of Saturdays back.

The mills were working right up into the 1980s, and as Gail and I studied the information board, a workman from the band doing the preps for a new telephone mast engaged us in conversation - a good local accent and knowledge! He was even able to tell us that the current Laird had left a Mercedes vehicle in the ramshackle garage (that looked fit to fall), and nothing was being done with it. There is always controversy about masts (or windmills) being put up - but there are soon enough complaints if there is no signal! Anyway, after a cheery bye, we wandered down over the bridge, and I got some lovely architecture shots. Patience for those, my dears! Meanwhile for the keen...

In the late afternoon and early evening, Gail had prior appointments, so Nobby and I kept company again. I worked on processing photos and videos, and Nobby... well, Nobby kept watch.

...but wait, there's more! Thursday and Friday this week are taken up with what we did, even on the day I was to depart...