Lord Stephen & Lady Di

Our future is bright, That I can see

Won't be much fun, If you're not with me

For I close my eyes, And dream the dream

With glass half full, On the same team

It's nearing now, A goal we've set

This is our year, The best ever yet

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Steve & I have had a somewhat unusual year, one we would like
not to happen again :(   We are looking hoping to have a great
35th Wedding Anniversary on the 5th of March. Last anniversary
gift was giving Lord Steve a title and a tree in his name in the
beautiful Glencoe Highlands. You can have a peek of the woodlands
by googling Glencoe - to see some terrific panoramic photos of the area.  
Check out http://www.highlandtitles.com/ for more information about titles

Happy 1st Birthday Laird Mason

Happy Birthday little Laird Mason. 1/11/11 -  our youngest member of the family turns a whopping ONE year old !!  He is growing up amidst loving parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles and a loving Great Grandma Anne :)) Can't wait to see him again and give him a HUGE hug


I must get onto http://www.highlandtitles.com/  to arrange a special little title for his Lairdship LOL

Blue Mountains of NSW - The Land of the Mist and Rain.

ooooops. Had a bit of a migraine yesterday - waiting for the rain to come - and today it did. Very sorry for no news about the Lord & Lady of Glencoe here in the Blue Mountains of NSW.

This is the view from Kurrajong Heights towards Sydney

Today we are awaiting the arrival of the dinosaurs. The weather is mainly thick with mist and its drizzling all the time. Birds are in and about the trees taking in their good fortune as when it rains the worms are easier to snatch from the ground where they come up when the ground is sodden. 

My hens however, are very naughty today as I only managed to find one very soft shelled egg!! Thats it said Lord Steve, they'll stay in tomorrow - too busy gadding about to be concentrating on the job at hand!!

SO - it was off the mountain today for my Lord Stephen and I to go looking - at houses land and the like.

Lord Steve and Lady Di are up and moving in a month or so - well hopefully just the month and are moving up to the North Coast of Australia. So there will be more to share about what we are up to and what we will be seeing.

We quite like the look of this land

But today I have also been sorting out all the paperwork we get in the mail and made some interesting discoveries. In Australia we pay into our Superannuation funds usually with the employers we work for. Sometimes we can remember or are allowed to use the same Super people and sometimes not. So WOW - Lord Steve has 6 and I have five !! Now just to get them altogether for when we get old. LOL. Think we are almost there now :))))

Am happy to be writing bits and bobs tp share with my Glencoeans and those looking to join us, by buying a little piece of land to help save the heritage of it. Just take a peek for more information on the following link :-

http://www.highlandtitles.com/

Camping in Australia - Does it compare to Scotland ?

T'was a wondering about what it must be like to go camping in Scotland. In Australia, the word camping is still a politically correct term. I know Tramping is used in New Zealand and Trekking - well we do that too. So what is is called in Scotland??
Heaps of camping groups in an about the national parks and forests though you will need to get permission in some areas from National Parks & Wildlife office. We use the following term when going about our native bushlands and that - Take only photos, leave only footprints. Throughout the parks there are fire places ready made so you can make a cuppa, have a bbq or keep warm - BUT - if its summer in Australia you MUST adhere to Bush Fire danger periods and not light any of these at all. No naked flames allowed.

The bush track to Patterson Camping Groungs, Kurrajong Hills NSW

Wikipedia tells us the following about camping in Scotland though I would advise looking up http://www.highlandtitles.com/ or such and let them know that youre coming for a wee visit.

Did you know that as part of Scotland's access legislation (The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003) you can camp on most unenclosed land?

This is just one of the aspects which gives Scotland some of the most progressive access legislation in Europe and wild camping is also a great way of getting out into the less-discovered parts of Scotland's stunning countryside.

However with this right comes some responsibilities. Campers should leave these wild places unblemished by their visit and protect them for future visitors and campers. Over the last few years there has been an increasing number of high profile cases of antisocial and careless behaviour at wild camping sites. Concerns have been raised after some locations were affected by vandalism, out of control fires, rubbish, abandoned equipment and pollution from unburied human waste.

SNH is keen to reinforce the principles of responsible behaviour for visitors wild camping in the countryside. Scotland's Outdoor Access Code (SOAC) provides guidelines for people accessing the countryside and choosing appropriate camp sites.
Wild camping is encouraged throughout Scotland provided campers apply the good practice 'leave-no-trace' guidelines as detailed on the Outdoor Access Scotland website. These are:
- Avoid overcrowding by moving on to another location;
- Carry a trowel to bury toilet waste and urinate well away from water courses;
- Use a stove or leave no trace of any camp fire. Never cut down or damage trees;
- Take away your rubbish and consider picking up other litter as well.
- If in doubt, ask the landowner. Their advice might help you find a better camping spot.

A great list of sensible no nonsense requirements :))

Another Laird of Glencoe?

Good Evening All :)

Introducing the youngest members of the Clan ..........

The latest addition to our clan is young Mason James. Our little man turns one year old on Tuesday 1st November, 2011.  Must get onto http://www.highlandtitles.com/ to acquire a wee bit of land for a wee bit of a lad, to be hence known as Laird Mason , seen below with his Lordship - or as he knows him 'Pa' playing on the beach together

As you can see Mason required some shade from our harsh Australian sun and his Pa was happy to help him out. They played on the sand making little moats while the gentlest of breezes blew softly and the tide was quiet.

Mason is such a delight and brings much love and laughter into our home. Wherever he goes he is sure to get a smile on for anyone who would like one. At the moment he is getting some more teeth so can be a wee tetchy at times, but a hug and distraction of a song from his Nan or a bearhug from his Pa or tickles from his Mum and Dad can get his smile 'on' :)


I purchased a wee lot for our eldest grandson Jordan Brian from http://www.highlandtitles.com/  when I was searching for gifts for the rest of the then family members. Jordan is pictured below playing a tough game of Nerf guns with his Lordship a couple of weeks back.

Jordan has the cheekiest or cheesiest of grins :)

His Lord and his Laird prepare for battle !

So, I'll be back in the 'moro for 'tis 11:49 pm here in Australia on the last Sunday night of October 2011. I will introduce the Lady and two other Lords in moi family soon :)

Here Be Dragons...... Lords, Lairds and Ladies

The Three Sisters

Here in the Colonies of New South Wales we have the faith of the Scots, in knowing that there be dragons all over the world. For the believer that is. In the Blue Mountains of NSW and almost at my doorstop lies some of Australia's finest National Parks and dragons lie therein.

Maybe I should re-name the National Park behind our property - to Australias Glencoe Woodlands heehee - but I reckon I would get myself into so much strife, so I'll leave it alone. I don't have that power anyway. Luckily most of the land in our National Parks haven't been violated by man's destruction. As these photos show, its a beautiful vista of how Mother Nature intended for all of us to see her in her glory.

Mountain Ash

A Few pics of the World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains for you to drool over :)))

Now, here is a little info about three such 'Dragons' -  these 'beasts' that 'scour' our native parklands.

 Eastern Water Dragon
(Physignathus lesueurii )  This is the Eastern Water Dragon who lives on the Eastern Coast of Australia and its hinterland - From the top of Australia at Cape York Queensland, NSW and Victoria.  

This picture shows the dragon approximately 20" long (50cm) from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail. Mature Water Dragons can grow up to 3 foot long (90cm). The picture is of a male - shown by his red neck which will get a little darker as he ages.


Water Dragons hibernate from late Autumn to early Spring which is now in Australia. Mostly these animals lie in wait for an insect to land nearby. Then they'll jump on their victim and grab it on their tongue...


               Mountain Dragon (Rankinia diemensis)

Then we have the Mountain Dragon which is probably the smallest of lizards that bears the name dragon. LOL. They grow to around 20cm in length.You would have to imagine a massively big lizard but alas it is but a wee one. They can be found in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Victoria as well as in Tasmania where it is the only native agamid. Mountain dragons are found in dry woodlands and heaths with access to open areas for sunning themselves giving them energy. They are oviparous and feed on ants and other small invertebrates.They are not quick footed relying instead on camouflage to evade predators.

Overall colour is grey to reddish brown, with two rows of lighter coloured paravertebral stripes or blotches running down their back. These stripes are deeply scalloped, so that they appear like two series of blotches. They have a cream coloured belly. Individuals can grow up to 20 cm in length, although the average length is somewhat smaller, with females typically growing larger than males. They have a row of enlarged spinose (spikey) scales on each side of the tail-base.  (Thanks Wikipedia for the info!)

Lying in wait in the leaf litter for tasty ants

      



Sitting on the leaves of the Isopogon
commonly known as Little Drumsticks




Isopogon anemonifolius



                         Southern Leaf Tailed Gecko

                                 (Saltaurius wyberba)

The Southern Leaf-tailed Gecko is a master of camouflage. Instead of scurrying away, it will lie perfectly still to either catch its prey or prevent it from become something else's. This Gecko grows to approximately 15cm in length. Kinda ugly little fellow but we love all our Native Fauna. There is a second Southern Leaf Tail - Saltaurius swaini - known to live in rainforests

They are found in the Greater Sydney area up to wher I live in the North side of the Blue Mountains., and live in dark sandstone crevices and even our shed and garages, They have three defence mechanisms too - their colouring, a noise like a squeal or bark and the dropping off of their tail which is a last resort. The squeal is amazing when you first hear it - such a loud sound from such a little creature.








The tail keeps wriggling letting the Gecko get away though the regowing tail is somewhat smoother for a while. I found these two photos on the internet to show    what the tails look like.
There are many more species of Lizards with a few more being called Dragons, but these are the ones more likely to be seen here in the Blue Mountains. I must check the woodlands on http://www.lochaberhighlandestates.com/ and see what sort of 'Dragons' still remain in Laird's Wood. Only 1% of the forest remains, but, regeneration may entice back some of the wild and native fauna of the Scottish Highlands :)) One tree has been planted in our name to assist though I think quite a few more will be needed to help along the way.



A Day in the Misty Mountain

Good Afternoon to all

Today we are sitting amongst the trees, looking out to a misty drizzling day. Good for the hens, ducks, other animals and peoples who love being wet. Moi - personally I think water is great for showers, washing clothing and animals and of course my wee car. 

While sitting inside I can hear birdsong in the air, so thought I would let you all close your eyes to 'see' and let your imagination hear what I can.

Tawny Frogmouth >

 Kookaburra

Red Faced Finch                      King Parrot

Sulfur Crested Cockatoo

Crimson Parrot - known as the Mountain Parrot

The Gang Gang Cockatoo - Male

We have some beautiful parrots up here in the Blue Mountains - Black and White Cookatoos the first a wet weather warning signal the second a b++++y noisy lot who terrorise trees and wooden bits on houses. Red Tail Black Cockatoos are rare this side of Katoomba though do show themselves at times. Small yellow breasted robins dart about trying to woo a partner and make nests in the trees behind our cottage. Male Willywagtails dancing their dance of love, Mountain parrots with their blue and red plumage are stunning in the Eucalypts.

We have Satin Bower birds running around looking for mates - these are the birds that collect everything blue - bottle caps, blue string, plastic bags - grr, straws and the like, Spotted tree creepers keeping our bugs down to a minimum and beautiful Eclectus Parrots sitting in the fruit trees - pinching mouthfuls of fruit .  I have added photos for you all to drool over :)

Satin Bower Bird

My hens are the odd lot out, though they do go around the acreage scratching up bugs and turning over leaf mulch for tasty tidbits.

I was taking photos of the ironwork symbols and garden bits n bobs when my chooks decided that I should have a picture of them for all time :) Funny girls, leave the car door open and they think you'll take them for a ride. Go outside to where the fruit trees are and they follow you around in case you have food in your hands.

Makes me wonder what birds are in an about the Highlands of Scotland. I am off my blog so I can do a little web searching to see what I can come up with, then share for my Aussie Glencoeans the secrats that lay in our Woodlands of Glencoe .

For your interest check out - http://www.highlandtitles.com/, http://www.lairdoflochaber.com/  or http://www.lochaberhighlandestates.com/, I am sure you will have lots to peruse and chat about. Once you become a Lord, Lady or Laird - join us on Facebook - its a closed group and only open to Lairds, Lords and Ladies of Glencoe, Lochaber. Just click on the join icon and you will be notified of your welcome.