Dalgreine news - Tel: 01796 481276
| Lena's Diary - 2009/10 |
|---|
After what seems a very long winter spring has hopefully arrived. The snowdrops and crocuses are out and March has been a beautiful month so full of promise for the season to come. Last year I acheived another goal of my new lifestyle by learning to ride a bike and at my age that is no mean task. I started with level routes in the village and out to Killiecrankie. Then cycled to Bruar falls and around Blair Castle grounds. Then Colin decided I was ready to cycle up Glen Tilt to Forest Lodge. It was a glorious September day, blue skies and so the picnic was packed into my bicycle basket and of we set. The scenery is amazing, for a lot of the time you cycle alongside the river. To make my day I even saw a salmon leap just after the first falls. I made it to Forest Lodge only to find some of the picnic had fallen out of my basket. Colin thought that on my next outing up Glen Tilt I should manage all the way to Falls of Tarf. Again the weather was superb with blue skies and no wind. It was in October during the Roaring Stag ruttting season and I was lucky enough to hear and see them. You have to experience this for your self to fully appreciate the spendour of Glen Tilt. We think we saw an eagle on our return past Forest Lodge. The cycle to Falls of Tarf was a big day for me and after Forest Lodge the path becomes more difficult. But I am just a learner. Our son brought a group of friends up in February and they climbed Ben a Vrackie and Carn Liath in the snow, they visited Edradour distillery and enjoyed their evenings in the lounge playing guitars and of course they ate us out of house and home. Writing this makes me appreciate all the area has to offer and how lucky I am to have it on my doorstep and look forward to welcoming you to share it all with me from my home here in the Highland village of Blair Atholl. Lena Robertson, Dalgreine |
| Lena's Diary - 2008/09 |
|---|
It is a beautiful day with blue skies and the frost has now melted, it is a day to climb Carn Liath and look down on the glen. But I am afraid the old house has other plans, Colin is painting the fence and the garden is calling me. It is such a promising time in the garden, everything is just starting to blossom and awaken from winter, like us it is perhaps awaiting your return visit. We have been busy making a patio for the table and chairs with patio heater so you can sit and enjoy the garden for longer in the evening. We are offering a BBQ facility as well. You must give me your thoughts on this. The village also has a feeling of anticipation for the seaon ahead, everything opened up for Easter. There is more to do this year with evening pony trekking or treat yourself to the Atholl Beauty room. I have tried both and can thoroughly recommend them, as you can see of the photo of me on Hamish. Now will I go into the garden or climb that Munro?………….. Lena Robertson, Dalgreine |
| Lenas' Diary - 2006/07 |
|---|
|
Colin and I took over Dalgreine on 1st June 2006 and I thought it would be nice to let all our guests who have stayed with us know how we are surviving. Having given up our busy lifestyles where we only really spent time together at weekends, we are now together 24/7.
I can't believe season's have past and we have now seen what each month in Blair Atholl has to offer.
We are now much more relaxed and organised. Breakfast is about waking up and planning the new day ahead, and when you are on holiday it is especially exciting and it is great to a part of that. We even have daily visits from the village ducks for their breakfast, mind you they come for lunch and tea also.
The last year has changed our lives completely, our Saturdays are now Tuesdays. We have learnt about an old house and the loving care it demands. We have added an ensuite to one of the rooms and fully redecorated the room and soft furnishings. Another room has been upgraded with a Sleigh bed and all new bedding and soft furnishings. This obviously is an ongoing process.
|
The garden on the other hand I have still to learn about. I have never had a mature garden before and it is so beautiful, every month one or more plants are in bloom. I have plans to learn the names of each plant and how to care for them. This is where our guests have been of great help. Just yesterday Peter and Monica from Austria were telling me about a plant I did not know the name of that they have in their garden also. It is an herb and they use it in soups, stews and salads, so now I can give it a try. I wonder how it would be with our Smoked Salmon and scrambled eggs.
At the moment the garden is an array of colour and the birds are just wonderful to watch. If you have been watching Springwatch with Bill Oddie you will know this weekend we are to make a special effort to watch our birds and make sure the young fledglings are being fed. Well, we have some Rooks who are eyeing up our little Blackbird fledglings. You should see those Blackbirds chase the Rooks away from their young!
June is a wonderful month in Blair Atholl, the village is busy, and the Castle and grounds are great for exploring and of the course the mountain Glens, Lochs and Munros are sitting majestically in the background beckoning, always beckoning.
That’s all for now .Check back later to see what is happening here at Dalgreine.
Lena Robertson, Dalgreine
|