Thursday 7 January 2010

Thursday 7th January 2010. Not One But Two

DsDesignsItscoldoutside

Today we had to head up to Perth as our car was booked into the garage for its first MOT. We have been thinking of cancelling it all week but we had not had snow overnight so we thought we would chance it. All was well and we made it no bother. As we approach Perth we come from high up and descend into the town, beyond the town away to the north the mountains were looking spectacular today with all the snow, it was a complete white world.

After dropping the car off and getting a lift from the garage into town a coffee was called for. After a warming cuppa we wondered if the River was going to be frozen and set off to have a look. There was a bit of ice floating about as you will see from the photo but to our great joy two otters were swimming just below the view point by the time I got the camera out they had swam a bit into the middle of the river but I did manage to get this shot before they disappeared under the water.

DSCN0453

It is not an awful clear picture but you can just see the two heads sticking out of the water I have had to crop it to bring them a bit closer you can also see some of the ice floating around too. The River Tay at Perth is still tidal so therefore is still salty which is harder to freeze. This is the first time we have seen otters close up they were just a few feet away to begin with but swam away quickly when they saw us, we were very excited about it.

Here at Loch Leven our loch it totally frozen over, nearby on The Lake of Monteith (the only Lake in Scotland) they are planing on having a Bon Spiel (a Grand Match in curling) tomorrow as the ice is now 8 inches thick it will go ahead if they can get Health and Safety to agree. We wait to see the outcome. A few years ago we were hoping to have a Grand Match here but the ice thawed to quickly. I am sure it is thick enough just now but it has too much snow on it at the moment and it would have to be cleared away before they could curl on it. Where we live curling is very popular and work is about to begin in the village for the National Curling Centre, it is going to be very grand and a big draw to our village.

It was nice to get back today as you know how cold it is,but what a bonus we had seeing the lovely otters in the Tay. Hope you are all keeping warm and safe till next time. Love Joan.

DSCN0455

13 comments:

Kath said...

How wonderful to see the Otters Joan,wern't you a lucky pair today.Lovely pictures even if it does look Brrrr (shivver shivver).Happy you didn't come across any problems on your travels.I hope the car goes OK on it's MOT,ours is booked in for next Friday, providing the weather is suitable at the coast for Rooster to take it there.Have a nice cosy evening.Thankyou for sharing the great pictures.Take Care God Bless Kath xx

Jan said...

You didnt say wether the car passed its MOT I suppose you were too excited about the otters ,'A Ring of Bright Water' comes to mind ,that was filmed in Scotland wasnt it ?,hope the H&S allow the skating .Keep warm ..love Jan xx

Aileen said...

Glad you managed to get out today, I'm going 'stir crazy', not been out since New Years Day. Allan will walk here tomorrow with some Groceries, and stay overnight.It's fine at the moment, and very cold.
We saw Otters at Oban,a long time ago. Lovely creatures. Bet you were excited.

Aileen...X

PS the Comment Box on mine, seems to come and go :>)

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

You did have a nice day out even though it was cold. The pictures were so pretty and the otters were a treat to see. I guess some one likes cold weather. Not me for sure. It is snowing heavily here right now but I'm in for the evening so that is good.

Julie said...

Seeing the otters would have been so cool, we have none around here. Are you going to get a break in the weather soon?

Missie said...

I bet it was fun to watch the otters! Enjoy your evening.

Marie Rayner said...

I have only ever seen an otter on the telly and it brings to mind that same film that Jan spoke of. One of our favourites. It is very cold in Scotland I hear. It's pretty cold here! I hope things warm up for us soon! We haven't been out in the car in several days. Tis just not worth the risk! Stay safe and warm! xxoo

Bunny said...

What a huge thrill to see otters like that.
One day I will visit Perth; I have cousins there I have never met.
Mind you, coming from two large families I have a lot of cousins I have never met!

Jeannette said...

I love otters, you were so lucky to have seen them! I had to read Ring Of Bright Water for my English literature GCE many moons ago and loved it! Glad you made it into Perth in this dreadful weather, hope the car made it through the MOT! Jeannette xx

Sybil said...

Hi Joan, wasn't that great to see the otters. I hadn't realised they were around there. I am amazed to read that the Lake of Monteith is so solidly frozen that a curling match can take place Keep us posted on that one...
we are like you almost frozen stiff. Thank goodness for a lovely warm home and good neighbours and family willing to risk the roads to keep us all well supplied.
Love Sybil xx

Angie said...

I bet your new boiler's working overtime isn't it? You take fab photos but don't you go risking life and limb for them!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said...

Dunt.
Fresh update?

Blogs I read.