Yes today was our traditional Christmas trip to Aberfoyle to choose our Christmas tree! This year there were five of us (me, James, Cat, Ally & Davie - Jamie set off on his ski holiday today so was not with us.) The weather was not promising but the forecast told us that it would be better in the morning, so James organised us all to leave the house at 9.30 and off we went to the David Marshall Lodge, playing Christmas music on the way. There was not a huge selection this year but we chose a nice 8 footer and the boys lashed it to the roof of the car while Cat and I perused the shop and visitors' centre. We noticed that one of the "live webcams" had what looked like the carcass of a deer staked out on the ground while a magpie feasted on what was left of its innards. I asked one of the centre staff if it had been alive when it was staked out but he reassured me that it had already been deceased and that it was tied down so that wild animals wouldn't drag it off. I still had doubts about how the many visiting children would feel about "Rudolph" being displayed in such a fashion but maybe today's children are made of sterner stuff than I was! We went for our usual walk down to the waterfall and back, and although it was now raining steadily we were quite well sheltered by the trees. We went to the squirrel hide and watched the red squirrels and birds cavorting about in the trees, sometimes managing to climb right inside the feeder boxes. There was a new installation beside the stream which was quite attractive; you could divert the water in different directions through some large flat stones by using wooden gates. Then we had a pleasant lunch in the newly refurbished café before heading home.
And now our Christmas tree is all set up and lighted, tinselled and baubled ready for the festive season!
No comments:
Post a Comment