Chronicle for 8 May 2012

We had a leisurely start this morning, starting the day by heading into Perth. After parking our car and having a short wander through the town we we faced by the local parking wardens. The parking fares are very cheap, but being 6 minutes late we were almost nabbed with a £1000 fine! We managed to scrape away with that ... just ... and headed out of town very promptly.

Whilst in Perth we went into a small art gallery run by a guy who was severely outnumbered by woman around a table which we found out was an artist circle. Very entertaining. It was debatable who was running the show.

Heading north we found ourselves travelling through countryside very reminiscent of New Zealand. Large areas of farmland surrounded by high hills and mountains of a greater scale than we have seen anywhere in the UK until now. Some parts reminded us of Central Otago, other parts Tongariro, and others could be anywhere in the central farming districts. We were now within the boundaries of the Cairngorms National Park. What continues to surprise us is that working farms, private land and farmland are included as part of the National Parks.

As the land became steeper, the vegetation became sparser to be replaced largely with heather and the ski lifts became more prolific, we found ourselves heading towards Balmoral Castle. The summer residence of the Queen (she spends 10 weeks per year here) is situated in a most impressive landscape. In fact, that is what had the greatest effect upon us throughout the visit. This place really is stunning. We learnt that the only month of the year that gardeners can guarantee that there  will not be a frost is in August. However despite the odds against them they must produce produce for the table during her visit. It is interesting to see the back drop and subjects that we have seen so many times in the royal portraiture over the years. And for the record, the ballroom at Balmoral isn't nearly as big as what the photos would have you believe.

After leaving Balmoral headed through more of the National Park landscape via single lane roads, either winding and climbing or descending at equally alarming rates. We even managed to see a grouse that we disturbed fluttering off into the heather.

We arrived at our destination of Dulnain Bridge, not far from Granton-on-Spey, at another old manor house. We decided not to have dinner in house as it seemed rather posh and definitely out of our price range. Instead we headed into town and enjoyed a delicious venison casserole served by an overworked Hungarian woman.