Forest Poppy: cycling

We had the most wonderful week away last week - my parents and I spent a week in Highland Perthshire, not far from Aberfeldy. We had a lovely rural house with a great garden and the weather could not have been more perfect. We all had such a good time - and John joined us, freshly back from Malawi, half way through the week which made it even more special.

Beautiful River Lyon

I think that I have mentioned before that I am very lucky to have parents who share many of my interests. Or, rather I suppose, I share their interests. I grew up with precisely the kind of holiday my children enjoyed so much last week. Woodland walks, cycling, hillwalking and playing in burns and rivers. Mind you, I don't remember many of them being so hot as this last one! So, going away with mum and dad, grannie and grandy to my children, is easy and a real joy. As I said, I am very lucky.

I really want to post a fair few photos here as a reminder of special times - of course the real memories are far more important but I think photos help a little too. I know my children love reminiscing by looking back over photos - or laughing and imagining when they look at older photos from my childhood. Do you enjoy that too?

On one of our river trips we made a very special discovery - we found freshwater pearl mussels. I'm afraid I'm not going to tell you where they were, or show any photos of the location, as they are one of the most critically endangered molluscs in the world - they occasionally contain a pearl and are suffering from non-sustainable 'pearl fishing' and also pollution and river works. I have friends who have carried out freshwater pearl mussel surveys but to actually see some was an incredible treat. I still can't really believe our luck.