Merry Christmas All

May I wish all my readers a Very Happy Christmas and a Guid New Year.

Please view the following link on YouTube, it's a lovely musical greeting:  

Youtube White Christmas

Mince Pies

Doesn't that mince pie just look delicious?  Mouthwatering and the pastry, looking so crumbly and light, will surely melt in your mouth within seconds.

No, it's not a photo of my home baking - how I wish it was!  I've been struggling to buy a quality mince meat to bake my own, but yesterday I finally decided to make my own.

Emptying the contents of the baking cupboard it was a surprise to find plenty sultanas, raisins and cherries. Complimented by ground almonds and various spices the fruit was put in a pan and warmed thoroughly using generous tots of rum, amaretto, port and anything else to hand.  This was then cooled and put into the fridge in a covered bowl.  I've stirred it today and added more booze and have to admit, my fridge smells rather festive.  Overpoweringly festive, but at least I'm doing my best to get into the spirit of things (excuse the pun).

I'll leave the concoction to 'mince' ( or is it 'meat') until Sunday then do the pies. Hopefully I can manage a comparison photo with the one above, but I don't intend to 'break' more than two just to improve my photography skills as I would like to offer my New Year guests some.  So keep your fingers crossed!  

Christmas Markets

This photo was sent to me as a Christmas card and it took my mind back to my years of working in Europe.

Christmas in Germany, Switzerland and Austria was a wonderful experience.  The superb Christmas markets where you could buy all your food for the festive season, plus of course gifts for everyone.

Traditions were far more marked than they are here and Christmas Eve was the time to put up the tree which would be adorned with real candles.  I can understand why they've been banned I suppose, but seeing a Christmas tree lit by candlelight is a true joy.

We opened our presents on Christmas Eve too and Christmas Day was the day for food, food and more food.  Goose was a favourite rather than turkey and, to this day, I do enjoy goose for my Christmas meal.

The Europeans don't seem to over-hype Christmas or over decorate, it's all rather subtle and gentle.

Such treasured memories. 

Skiing at Glenshee near Blairgowrie

A heavy fall of snow overnight and now a great possibility of Glenshee opening for business.  As usual it's very picturesque here but cold (-3 outside earlier).  The cold is a 'dry' cold and if you're dressed warmly it's lovely outside.

I didn't take the above photo of Glenshee but I've borrowed it.  Such a wonderful landscape and skiing for all levels of skill.

Why have all the hassle of airports when you can access Glenshee easily.  Blairgowrie is at the south side of the Cairngorms and the last town before the slopes, so do stop and stock up with the painkillers and moisturiser!

St Andrews Day, Blairgowrie

Another year, another St Andrews Day.  Had a busy weekend guest-wise so it was a rush to get out to a party tonight.  Everyone had to wear something Scottish and there were some very well turned out people in attendance.  Kilts abound and the question 'why do men usually have better legs than women' sprung to mind - again.  Perhaps it's only men with shapely legs who wear kilts!

Blairgowrie gave a good show of entertainment this afternoon.  The Pipe Band were out in all their glory and the market was doing well.  I didn't manage to spend much time in town and also forgot my camera, so the above picture is from earlier in the year.

The town Christmas lights looked so smart tonight and I'll try to take some photographs very soon.

It's good to meet with friends but also good to be home in the warm.  Very cold again tonight but everyone says they are cosy so that's the main thing.  The new boiler seems to be working well.

Winter Weather Is Here Early.

November Snow

Woke up yesterday morning to a 2 inch covering of snow.  It looked very picturesque from inside the house where it was cosy and warm.  Eventually I did go outside to take some photos and the day was very pleasant, cold but dry and no wind.  Luckily the council looks after the roads well, so there are no problems travelling in this kind of weather.

The garden looked quite sculptural with the snow outlining the shape of shrubs and there's always a peacefulness about gardens and the countryside when it's covered in snow.

I'm being very brave this year.  The cordyline above has been nurtured by me for years, fed in summer and brought indoors once the frost appears.  This year, on the advice of a guest who is a gardening expert, I've left it outside.  He says it's a very hardy plant.  If it survives this snow then I'm sure it will survive anything.

Autumn Colours in Perthshire, Scotland

So often recently I've been out and forgotten my camera.  Not today though!  Travelling though Alyth to visit a friend the colours of the trees were just stunning in the sunshine.  Just takes your breath away.

Another trip I enjoy at this time of year is up Glenshee to the Spittal (where you can have a relaxing cup of tea).  The enormity of the Glen is so much more obvious when its colour palette varies from a light gold to a deep deep copper, and all shades in between.  It's rather difficult to describe the intensity of colour and the atmosphere.  It feels as if the trees are making a last attempt to be centre stage before taking to the wings for the winter.

The A93 is one of these roads which has an entirely different vista driving north and driving south.  Definitely a worthwhile trip.

Highland Cattle in Perthshire & New Year BBQs

It's been a very busy few weeks and I feel guilty at not spending a little time writing.  

This photograph was taken locally the other day but the weather wasn't too bright.  I think it's amusing as it was so strange they all turned to face me - just as if they were about to burst out in song!

September was a hectic month, lots of golf finals to be played, fishermen making their last attempts to find the elusive record-breaker trout or salmon and many other guests here for family parties or some type.  More and more people seem to prefer small bed and breakfasts to large hotels these days.  

Barbeques seem far more popular in Scotland these days and party guests usually speak highly of the variety and quality of the food offered.  It no longer seems to be a choice of burgers or sausages.  My favourite BBQ meal is a venison steak, baked potato with courgette and carrot salad (either hot or cold).  Just delicious!

Must tell you about my strangest BBQ.  It was New Year some years ago and we'd invited friends round for a meal and to welcome the New Year.  I'll take the blame for coming up with the idea of having a BBQ, although the food would be cooked outside and consumed inside. Guests were forewarned to bring warm clothing if they wanted to be part of the cooking staff.

Around teatime that Hogmanay the snow started.  Then it snowed and snowed.  The BBQ went ahead amid such stunning scenes of winter and it was a roaring success.  Part of the secret I'm sure, was providing everyone with a whisky mac on arrival, just to warm their insides. 

For quite a few Christmases (weather allowing) we've taken the portable BBQ up into the hills on Christmas Day and thoroughly enjoyed our meal - even though I have kept my gloves on to eat at times!  A thermos of soup, baked potatoes done here at home then wrapped in tinfoil, a decent steak from my favourite butcher and stunning scenery make the event as near to perfection as possible.  Saves on all the washing up a traditional turkey Christmas dinner creates too!

 

Baby Wipes aren't just for Babies

I must tell you about this before I forget!

This morning a young guest accidently spilt some ground coffee which splashed the curtains and carpet.  I was intent on getting a cloth dampened with cold water, when she asked, "Do you have baby wipes?". 

"Yes," I replied, wondering why she would ask such a question when she was so obviously embarrassed at what had happened.  I tried to assure her it would be fine when she asked me to bring her the baby wipes.  This I did.

She proceeded to dab the offending stains on the curtains and carpet with a couple of the wipes and within a minute or so there was no evidence of the accident, other than some coffee grounds, which the carpet cleaner easily removed.

I have to admit I was impressed, but also thought outlines of the stains would be left, similar to when you use a damp cloth.  This afternoon I checked the curtains and carpet, in fact I checked several times.  Why?  Because I couldn't even remember where the coffee stains had been, that's why.  Not a mark on anything; it's as if they never had been.

So my thanks to my young guest for such a wonderful cleaning tip which I wouldn't have known about without her wee accident.  My understanding to all mothers of babies if they wonder what these wipes do to babies' bums if they can remove coffee and other stains so efficiently.

Tip:  The stains must be fresh for this to work.  Haven't yet missed my mouth with red wine so can't vouch for them working on that.  Mind you I expect the day will come when I am forced to try!

Pier Fire, Weston-super-Mare

How sad I felt when I heard of the destruction by fire of the pier at Weston-super-Mare yesterday.  The photograph says it all really.  

Back in the 60s I started my hotel management training with Trust House Hotels who are no longer in existence.  It was a national company which owned quality hotels of all shapes and sizes.  I was one of the first females the company decided to train in management which was, until then, a male dominated vocation.

My first trainee management post was at the Grand Atlantic Hotel, Weston-super-Mare.  A splendid victorian building it rightly dominated the residential part of the promenade.  In those days it was a 4 star hotel and definitely deserved that status but I see, from some comments on websites, that it has deteriorated badly in recent years.  Such a shame that a building of great dignity should now be denied the tender loving care it received and appreciated for over 100 years. 

At the Grand Atlantic I concentrated on the housekeeping  and function part of my training and it was tough.  Miss Reid, the housekeeper, took no hostages and her standards were exacting. We started work serving morning teas/coffees to bedrooms at 6am (no DIY trays in the rooms in those days!) and were lucky to finish before 4pm.  A few of us had to also work evenings as each floor had to have staff available in case guests required laundry facilities, beverages and many of the other services which have now vanished.  It sounds as if it was all work and no play but, to be honest, there was always time for laughter.  Happy days.

During my time at the Grand Atlantic I met some 'superstars' such as Cary Grant, Patrick McGoohan (he used to use the outdoor pool early every morning and would be sitting in the sun lounge when I reported for work), Jayne Mansfield, Diana Dors and many more.  Most were starring at the Weston Theatre which was widely recognised as one of the 'best in the west', but Cary Grant regularly visited because he still had family in the Bristol area.

What has all this to do with the pier fire yesterday?  Well, the pier was only about 200 yards from the hotel and I have spent many a happy hour, at all times of the day, strolling down the pier just to relax.  I didn't spend much money because I didn't earn much as a trainee and had a car to keep on the road.  I know I received much more from this dignified victorian structure than I gave and I still appreciate that fact.

Thankfully the new owners have decided to rebuild it and I will definitely visit when it's completed.  For me, I'm just happy I had the experiences of its differing atmospheres. The Grand Atlantic set me on a career path with a training which stood me in good enough stead for me to manage large hotels in Europe for some years and the pier at Weston-super-Mare was my therapeutic escape from a greatly enjoyable, although demanding, part of my career.  Oh happy days!

Scottish Rainbow Trout

Had the super gift of a rainbow trout from my lovely  fishermen this week (nearly 2lbs).  Their catch was average over the week but not quite as good as last year.  Part of the problem appeared to be the rain and also the cold wind which is most unusual for this time of year. Dull days seem to be best for fishing but chilly winds are not appreciated and neither is bright sunshine I'm told.  

Regardless, my anglers set off with great enthusiasm every morning to tackle (forgive the pun!) some of the surrounding rivers and lochs.  There are so many good fishing destinations in Perthshire that they are completely spoilt for choice, but as they know this area well, they are able to make informed decisions about places suited to the differing weather.

A comprehensive website relating to fishing in Perthshire is http://www.fishingnet.com/.

I love trout and I am always delighted to receive such a generous gift.  All I have to do now is plan a spare hour some evening when I can barbeque the handsome 'catch' and enjoy the pure pleasure of eating it.  Can't wait!

Pets can Bed and Breakfast in Perthshire too!

Don't you shake your head in despair at times when you realise a problem, which seems very complicated, is easily resolved.  The answer may be staring you in the face as in this case.

Owning a bed and breakfast in Blairgowrie, Perthshire, a good many of my guests are people from all over the UK.  Many enquire if I would take pets, usually dogs, but I've also had enquiries for cats and one rabbit, which I was pleased to accommodate as he arrived with his own portable flat (or apartment if you prefer). 

In recent years many bed and breakfasts and guesthouses have stopped taking pets.  I can understand why as the cost of carpeting and furnishings are expensive if you are a 4 or 5 star business but I also understand why visitors don't want to leave their adored pet behind.  Having been a dog owner for some years leaving a dog behind is a wrench.  Leaving a dog behind for a week or more can be emotionally upsetting to all concerned.

So, your bed and breakfast or guesthouse refuses your lovely, well behaved pet. "I'll find somewhere else then," you think to yourself.  After ringing umpteen places you still haven't found somewhere who would cherish your pet as much as you.

Solution:

Why don't you bring your pet with you and arrange accommodation in a local kennel or cattery?  That way you can see your pet every day, even have them with you all day and both of you will sleep well at night.  Here in Blairgowrie there is a cattery just yards from my door and a kennels just over 5 minutes drive away.  As I haven't used either of these for some years I am hesitant to recommend them, but it shouldn't take long to check them out.

One thing I know, the local two are very busy, so book early.  There are quite a few others within 30 minutes drive so you do have a good choice.

Do away with all the stress of taking your pet to kennels or the cattery prior to your holiday.  All come together and enjoy yourselves in Perthshire, Scotland!