New Aberdour Shore: a (mainly) botanical pilgrimage

Grey Granite and Rufus visited New Aberdour shore in order to look for two favourite but uncommon plants.

Looking west across New Aberdour Bay towards Strahangles Point.
 It was a beautiful sunny morning, (temperatures reached 24c) when we walked down to thew  almost deserted beach, perfect for plant hunting. Grey Granite likes  to make  a point of finding Grass of Parnassus and Oyster Plant each summer.

Two German spies landed here in 1942 but were quickly arrested as they cycled towards Banff on very new looking bicycles.

Oyster Plant
(Mertensia maritima)
The greyish green leaves of oyster plant surrounded by the fleshy leaves and seed heads of the common Sea Sandwort (Honkenya peploides)
This plant is now on the red list of endangered coastal species but there are several populations along the Moray Firth Coast. The plant grows on shingle beaches which shift about in winter storms so that the plants are frequently swept away or buried. We wandered about the west end of the Broad Shore for some time and had almost given up hope of finding the plants which have grown there for several years when we came upon four small plants at least one of which had flowered. It was gratifying to see that our local colony is clinging on, growing further up above the high tide line than I think they were in previous years. 

The memorial to local heroine Jane Whyte who single handedly rescued the crew of the William Hope which ran aground close to her home here at Waulk Mill Croft on 28th October 1884. The memorial is built out of the remains of the gable and footings of the croft house.

There were sand martins swooping round the entrance to The Needle Eye hunting insects

St Drostan's Well:  the granite well head was erected over  a natural spring in 1884 and is said to mark the spot where St Drostan landed.

 Less felicitously two German spies landed here in 1942 but were quickly arrested as they cycled towards Banff on very new looking bicycles.

Grass of Parnassus (Parnassia palustris)

This exquisite flower grows on the damp soils close to the well and on the cliff face near the Needle's Eye. This year the flower stalks seemed shorter than usual, possibly due to the dry hot summer. 

Dinner on the Strathspey Steam Railway

Grey Granite and her friend T recently enjoyed dinner on the Strathspey Steam Railway. They are both mature enough to remember 'real trains' with fondness and both have travelled on the line several times before but this was a memorable experience. 

The engine EV Cooper Engineer being prepared for the journey from Aviemore to Broomhill. The nostalgic journey took about 2.5 hours.

To avoid having to use a turntable, the engine ran backwards from Aviemore up to Broomhill where it made use of  a passing loop to run back to what was then the front of the train to be the 'right' way round for the return journey.

Interior of the dining car - stepping back in time to a more dignified era.
Throughout the journey an accordionist played unobtrusively at the far end of the carriage.  

We enjoyed  a four course dinner, accompanied by a bottle of Merlot,  there was a good choice of main courses and of desserts. We chose the Cairngorm platter followed by leek and potato soup, salmon accompanied by seasonal vegetables, T then  had apple pie and Grey Granite chocolate mouse. Dessert and coffee were served during the return journey from Broomhill. 

Evening sunlight catching the magnificent scenery. The train stops at certain points along the way, at this particular halt we were served our soup.

Boat of  Garten station, attractively decorated with colourful hanging baskets and planters.

 'Glenbogle' actually Broomhill, about 1.5 miles north of Nethy Bridge.

'For those that like that sort of thing that is the sort of thing they like.'

The engine, 'E V Cooper Engineer' getting up steam at Broomhill where there was a wait of 30 minutes for leg stretching.

'A moon rose over an open field'

Darkness was falling by the time we left Broomhill for the return journey to Aviemore.

High Summer in Pitsligo

Recent high temperatures and sunny days have recreated memories of what  a 'real'  summer should be like.

Rosehearty beach, beautiful white sand on which cowrie shells can occasionally be found.  This year it has been warm enough for paddling. 

A pair of six spot burnett moths on creeping thistles. After  the slow start of the cold early summer recent warm weather has brought an encouraging  increase in the number of butterflies and moths.Species such as small tortoiseshells, painted ladies, common blues, small and green veined whites, dark green fritillaries, and occasional meadow browns and red admirals are frequently seen.

An enormous towering cardoon  a giant thistle like plant about 2 meters high growing in a bed of dockens and thistles on the Cairnhill. 

Bluebells always seem to signal that the year has turned and the days are starting to get noticeably shorter.

Round Bales at Broomhills.

The last few days have brought about great harvesting activity as farmers take advantage of the continuing good weather.

Pittulie Castle rising above a sea of ripe oil seed rape.