Jim Malcolm

Had a family jaunt to Snandroos last week. A beautiful day in the medieval religious capital of Scotland where lately an obscure couple called Kate and Wills hooked up. The Beach from the inspirational movie Chariots of Fire, viewed from just behind the clubhouse of the Royal and Ancient golf club at St Andrews in Fife. Queue Vangelis…… Doo doo doo doo doo doo, Doo doo doo doo doo…..

Hello folks, here is another snap from the West Coast, not far north of Fort Bragg. Awfie  bonnie…

Evening folks, safely back at home with me slippers on after a wonderful trip the West Coast. Scotland is still in late winter mode but the snowdrops are bloomin’ and the odd crocus too. There has been little snow even on the mountains this year in stark contrast to our two previous full-Narnia winters. This is good for the trout fishing because the cormorants have been happily munching trout in the unfrozen lochs and not my beloved Perthshire rivers. So – lookin’ good! But it can all still go wrong I assure you and it usually does.

Id like to thank everyone who made my wonderful tour possible and I dearly look forward to trouble-ing your kettles again soon. The provision of afternoon tea in America is getting better and better. And the Renaissance in American Beer continues apace. From Caledonia to California, Oregon and Washington – a happy Scotsman salutes you !

 

Near Cloverdale Ca amongst the vineyards – if only the Scotsman would get out the way….

Near Morrow Bay CA

The other direction…

Heading down towards the central valley from Clearlake the hills are very triangular

The Sacremento River near Chico

Snow geese in a rice field near Yuba City Ca

Mount Hood from the car park

Up the very mountain shaped er mountain

Had a beer and a rather chewy hotdog in this wee shop thingy – fairly sure there is a posh french name for such places.

Nearly went off a bit of a cliff here….

Mt hood is one of a string of similar looking volcanoes called the Cascades. I think this is St Helens , the one that exploded in the eighties. A bit like Margaret Thatcher.

Goodbye wonderful mountain, a superb day with thankfully no injuries. mind you I have got some serious padding. Snowboarding has totally been my mid life crisis, but at least it’s a lot cheaper than a sports car!