We note that some of you continue to have unusual weather for autumn. In fact, we experi-enced that both here in Scotland and in Western and Upstate New York during our recent visit there. Temperatures were higher than expected in New York (up to 80 on 3 of the 10 days) and continue to be warmer than normal here in Scotland. We have at least begun to get some rain which is much-needed not only for the gardens but for the rivers and reservoirs. Still we have seen some colorful autumn foliage both around Comrie and over there.
October was a busy month. Our friend Karen's visit lasted until the 4th. We had a good time and enjoyed having her. We also appreciated all the meals she treated us to, particularly the trip over to the Lochfyne Oyster House for fresh Scottish seafood. If you scroll down to the early October blogs, you will see photos from that day trip as well as from Karen's and my short visit to Aix-en-Provence at the end of September.
On Saturday, 6 October, we joined other members of the Friends of Cognac for a 6-mile walk from Killiecrankie to the edge of the town of Pitlochry. There we had booked in for a group luncheon at The Old Armory, a restaurant we had long heard good things about but had never tried. We had a terrific lunch and will certainly go back there. The 7 October blog has photos of the gorgeous autumn scenery we encountered on the walk.
We attended a couple of classical music concerts, one at the Perth Concert Hall, featuring an all-Schubert programme and a Strathearn Music Society Concert in Crieff which featured three up-and-coming artists playing an unusual variety of chamber pieces on guitar, piano, and violin.
Don's sore shoulder seemed to worsen and so he saw the doctor who recommended a cortisone jab and a week-long break from golf to ease the pain from some strained tendons. As it was only a few days prior to our trip to New York State, the break from golf was a bit longer, but not as long as it might have been. Why? Don ended up playing golf in Rochester with our son-in-law Julius. He was pleased that he played pretty well considering that it was his first time after a break and that he was playing with someone else's clubs. Need I say his shoulder is feeling better?
The trip to New York State was the highlight of October. Below this blog you will see another one for today which describes the start of the trip. Today's report is on our 3 days in Buffalo. Tomorrow's and Saturday's will be on our 3 days in Rochester and 3 days in Albany. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed seeing so many family members, from the oldest (Aunt Shirley, who is 102) to the youngest (our grandson Cameron who turned 2 while we were in Albany), as well as some friends.
Don's new online course for AACRAO finished with rave reviews from his 29 students. He was able to keep up with things from family computers while we were away. He's still consulting on other courses that are running or being developed.
Other October news, which you'll see by scrolling back through the few posts of October include:
The apple tree has had a bumper crop of what we think are James Grieve apples. They are firm, crunchy, and taste wonderfully perfumy. I harvested over 6 dozen apples and packed them in the garage in newspaper but another several dozen remain in the top of the tree which I cannot reach (a sure sign the tree is overdue for pruning). (See blogs of the 10th and the 14th.)
We have had two huge overgrown conifers and the overgrown and unattractive rock garden taken away. Now our side garden gets much more light, which means we get more light into the dining/sitting rooms too, a boon as we approach the darkest time of year. We will have that space to contemplate until we decide what to do with it in the spring. (See blog for the 16th.)
Just before we left, our verandah off the sitting room, the front entry porch, and the back stoop had all had their concrete surfaces clad in decking. They look so much better. The job was just finished as we left for the States. I'll put photos up next week.
We are thinking of having another Thanksgiving meal here, although it will probably be on Sunday the 25th. There will be no football games on TV for our version but otherwise, we hope to make it as authentic as we can for the 6 folks who will be our guests.
Have a happy Thanksgiving!
Love,
Lynn and Don
October was a busy month. Our friend Karen's visit lasted until the 4th. We had a good time and enjoyed having her. We also appreciated all the meals she treated us to, particularly the trip over to the Lochfyne Oyster House for fresh Scottish seafood. If you scroll down to the early October blogs, you will see photos from that day trip as well as from Karen's and my short visit to Aix-en-Provence at the end of September.
On Saturday, 6 October, we joined other members of the Friends of Cognac for a 6-mile walk from Killiecrankie to the edge of the town of Pitlochry. There we had booked in for a group luncheon at The Old Armory, a restaurant we had long heard good things about but had never tried. We had a terrific lunch and will certainly go back there. The 7 October blog has photos of the gorgeous autumn scenery we encountered on the walk.
We attended a couple of classical music concerts, one at the Perth Concert Hall, featuring an all-Schubert programme and a Strathearn Music Society Concert in Crieff which featured three up-and-coming artists playing an unusual variety of chamber pieces on guitar, piano, and violin.
Don's sore shoulder seemed to worsen and so he saw the doctor who recommended a cortisone jab and a week-long break from golf to ease the pain from some strained tendons. As it was only a few days prior to our trip to New York State, the break from golf was a bit longer, but not as long as it might have been. Why? Don ended up playing golf in Rochester with our son-in-law Julius. He was pleased that he played pretty well considering that it was his first time after a break and that he was playing with someone else's clubs. Need I say his shoulder is feeling better?
The trip to New York State was the highlight of October. Below this blog you will see another one for today which describes the start of the trip. Today's report is on our 3 days in Buffalo. Tomorrow's and Saturday's will be on our 3 days in Rochester and 3 days in Albany. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed seeing so many family members, from the oldest (Aunt Shirley, who is 102) to the youngest (our grandson Cameron who turned 2 while we were in Albany), as well as some friends.
Don's new online course for AACRAO finished with rave reviews from his 29 students. He was able to keep up with things from family computers while we were away. He's still consulting on other courses that are running or being developed.
Other October news, which you'll see by scrolling back through the few posts of October include:
The apple tree has had a bumper crop of what we think are James Grieve apples. They are firm, crunchy, and taste wonderfully perfumy. I harvested over 6 dozen apples and packed them in the garage in newspaper but another several dozen remain in the top of the tree which I cannot reach (a sure sign the tree is overdue for pruning). (See blogs of the 10th and the 14th.)
We have had two huge overgrown conifers and the overgrown and unattractive rock garden taken away. Now our side garden gets much more light, which means we get more light into the dining/sitting rooms too, a boon as we approach the darkest time of year. We will have that space to contemplate until we decide what to do with it in the spring. (See blog for the 16th.)
Just before we left, our verandah off the sitting room, the front entry porch, and the back stoop had all had their concrete surfaces clad in decking. They look so much better. The job was just finished as we left for the States. I'll put photos up next week.
We are thinking of having another Thanksgiving meal here, although it will probably be on Sunday the 25th. There will be no football games on TV for our version but otherwise, we hope to make it as authentic as we can for the 6 folks who will be our guests.
Have a happy Thanksgiving!
Love,
Lynn and Don
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