Day 151: I love my Mum

Mumsy and I arranged to meet for a free cuppa tea at Dobbies after work tonight, before I headed to Campaigners at 6. But I got held back at the office for a bit, so I texted her to let her know, and when I arrived, I was greeted by a pot of tea, and a cupcake. I love my Mum.

The cupcake was FAR too sweet, but the tea was perfect. We had a quick wander round before I left, and I discovered lots of amazing props that would be cute in photo shoots...may have possibly looked at the massive tea cup planters with the view of putting newborn babies in them...and ended up going back after kids group to buy a new coat. HA. I couldn't decide which tea cup I wanted, so I'll be going back for that another day.

Thanks for tea Mumsy :)

Day 150: Backwards Bench Bunday (Monday)

So, going out to Crathes Castle, to take photos, in the rain, probably isn't a good idea when one has the cold, especially when one leaves their umbrella on the ground. But it's just so much fun!! I absolutely love the castle grounds. Could've sat there all evening, if the bench wasn't wet, and I didn't have a baked potato calling my name from the oven back home.

As you have probably guessed, I like water, in all its formations, be it at the seaside, a waterfall, a sprinkler, or in a balloon, and I love to get it in my photos! But when it comes to Bench Monday's there's a slight problem...not many places face the bench away from the beautiful view...which is fair enough. So as I was driving home from work, and getting a craving for Crathes, I decided to just try out a backwards Bench Monday, and it's nae too bad.

I was hoping for some torrential rain, slapping down on the loch, but the location of the bench, with the sloping grounds behind it prevented a good enough view of the loch to provide such a shot. I'll just have to hunt for another new bench beside a loch. Shame. But, despite not getting what I'd visualised before arriving, I LOVE this composition. The wee island you can see on the right of the image is just so cute! I'm gutted the gap is just that little bit too wide to force future clients to jump across. It would be the perfect spot for a picnic blanket and some cute family/engagement photos. I could get a plank...I'm sure they'd trust me.

Next time I'm there with someone I'm definitely gonna jump the gap! It would just be a little bit too risky for me to try get across within the 10 seconds of my camera's self timer, without falling in. I do have previous experience of falling in a pond...Ha.

Day 149: I love a good BBQ!

This is probably one of the greatest photos ever taken...it shows many truths about Rachel and I together...
1. I will forever have to look down to see her. 
2. She's a bit fatty.

It's excellent! And it was done by my faithful friend the self timer, my running, of course, added to the hilarity! Haha. We all had a fantastic day, in the glorious sunshine, enjoying delcious food, great company, and good banter. It really couldn't have been any better. Considering we got to meet the beautiful, 6 day old, Lydia Marie Worthington too, lovin those cheeks.

Alas, the fun is now over, and I need to get to my bed for a looooong sleep before heading back to work tomorrow. I should probably fill my body with the appropriate vitamins to try get rid of this cold first!

Day 148: Never trust the weather forecast!

I love it when BBC weather tells me it's gonna be cloudy with rain all day, and it turns out to be glorious sunshine! I'm glad I wore my shorts.

We had our congregational walk out at Glen Tanar today, although the WHOLE congregation wasn't there, we had a good number of people. Some lazier than others, only doing the shorter part of the walk, then sitting eating back at the car park! The energetic group walked a total of about 8 miles, and then we all headed back to church for some food...with a few minor mishaps at the beginning of the journey and on route. But we shall give that a miss...ha...ha.

Don't you just love a bit of abnormal arm in your self portrait photos?! That's my darling friend Rachel and I, not looking the least bit phased, just a little windswept, after having walked about 6 or so miles.

OH! I have to say a massive Congratulations!! to my genius of a sister, who passed her driving test today :) Having had a grand total of ZERO driving lessons. Oh yes. Only she could do such a thing.

Day 147: What's that you say?...

...don't get hay fever (some say it's the cold) when you've got to go on two flights to get home? Wise words indeed. The descent of both those flights was rather horrific, losing my hearing in both ears on the first, and then it clearing on the way up on the next flight, only to go again after some full on pain on the descent again. On the bright side, it's only in one ear.

So, we're home! After a rather fantastic week, it has to be said. We were rather sad to be leaving...but managed to squeeze in some last minute sunbathing in OUR park, behind the concert hall, under the dark clouds (Vienna's onset of depression due to our departure) before we got the taxi to the airport...

And once we boarded the flight from Vienna to Heathrow...Vienna's tears began to flow. It was an emotional time. But we were incredibly happy about how jammy we'd been with the FANTASTIC weather all week. Hahaha.

And once we got back to Aberdeen, despite only having hearing in one ear, and having been on planes/in an airport for the majority of the day, I decided to nip along to the ceilidh that was on at Church tonight. Woop woop! I would have been gutted to miss it, so I freshened up at home rather quickly and changed out of the clothes I'd worn on the plane...because I'd spilt tea all over my lap 10 minutes in to the Heathrow-Aberdeen flight. Ha. Oops. Hot. And jumped in to JD :) It was lovely to see him, we've never spent a whole week apart from each other. So I put Two Door Cinema Club up nice and loud (a bit louder than I usually would due to the partial deafness, and attempting to clear my hearing again...ha...probably more likely to damage the other one too), and we sang together, although I could hear me singing more than JD unfortunately due to being able to hear every single breath, word, chewI make right now.  I hope it's cleared by the time I wake up in the morning...and speaking of waking up, I should probably go to sleep so that I wake up on time to go collect my car buddies before our Church walk tomorrow afternoon. Woop woop!

It's 1am in Vienna...just sayin.

Day 146: Has it really only been a week?

I absolutely love how slowly this week has past, it feels like we've been gone for ages! It's been wonderful. Alas, all wonderful holidays must come to an end.

Today we decided to skip the sunbathing in the park, and went for a walk around the outskirts of the town centre, to see the big snazzy buildings on the map. They sure were snazzy! They were Museums, Parliament buildings, Churches, and Cathedrals...and I think we bypassed (bipassed? by...passed?) the University. Oh well. It was a fun walk! We went inside one of the museums, the Leopold Museum, basically to get out of the sun for a bit. There was some pretty bizarre impressionist work, by some not as famous artists, compared to Klimt, that the creators of the museum felt deserved some recognition. Good times.

The first image above is of one of the churches from our walk, taken with the lensssssbabay. I love it. And the second, was from our evening walk in the park across the road, when I discovered my twin.

Right, we're watching Back to the Future (woop!), and then we need to pack our stuff up ready for tomorrow. Hopefully get a final top up tan in the park tomorrow morning before we head to the airport around noon. I hear it's cold and dull back home...where's my scarf?

Day 145: Well hello hayfever!

After lying out on the grass in the park yesterday for several hours, my hayfever has struck! And we did the same again today for a bit...so this evening my throat felt like it was the size of a pea, and I basically had no voice. Woopsies. I've got a splendid tan though. Totally worth it!

We found that building I mentioned yesterday, after a long walk...along the outskirts of the buildings grounds, trying to find a way in. Ha. It's a museum, that has that world famous beautiful painting by Gustav Klimt in it. The one I can't remember the name of right now. But yeah, it was amazing! And I got my lensbaby out for some fountain and bizarre statue banter. Ha.

No idea what the plan is for tomorrow...but we should probably hide from the sun for a bit, as when I said "splendid tan" I meant "I look similar to a chargrilled tomato right now". Ha. Helloooo after sun.

Day 144: IT IS SO HOT!

Today I melted like a chocolate bar on a heater. It was apparently around 28degrees. Oh My Life, it was hot! We lay in the park for a few hours, sunbathing...which was weird. I've never been in this heat without a swimming pool or some form of water!

We then went for another wander round a different part of Vienna, and a couple foreign girls came over to me and asked if I lived here, and could I direct them to a supermarket. HA. I obviously look the part. Good times.

Tomorrow's apparently only going to be 23 degrees...should be tough, but I'm sure we'll push through. We're gonna go find another beautiful park, and a massive building we saw in a panoramic postcard and I fell in love with. Apparently it's only a short walk from our hotel. Woop!

Day 143: Bench Monday, in Vienna!

Vienna is Gorgeous. And HOT. Like, really hot. Probably not quite as hot as a volcano...and there's certainly not any ash involved...the skies are actually very clear, and fresh...and it's hot. Just sayin.

We're right next to a beautiful park (todays Bench Monday photo was taken in said park, the second was on a we stroll/hunt for icecream after dinner), and there are at least 3 H+M's just 10/15 minutes walk away, and a lot of people speaking German. I did German in school...but am ashamed to admit I can only remember the basics, and this is my first time in a German speaking country, so it's a little weird. I like it though! Really wish I could remember more of my German skills. I'm loving reading out all the sign posts and adverts we're walking past.

And did I mention it's hot? We're only missing a swimming pool, but there's a big fountain just along the road, so I'll maybe just jump in it.

I've just clicked "Spell check"...and it's basically highlighted the whole page...I'm guessing the dictionary's now in German, so I won't be trusting it.

Day 142: Final day in London town

No time to chat, gotta go pack, leaving the hotel at 7:30 tomorrow to get to the airport for our flight toVienna. Woop woop! Gonna squeeze in another cooked breakfast before we go too. Enjoy the photos, I'm quite chuffed with them myself.

Hope you've all had a wonderful weekend :)

Day 141: Day two in London town

Shopping + a spot of sight seeing = lots of walking, but it's been a gorgeous day outside, so I don't mind :)
Oxford Street was incredibly busy this afternoon, which was an experience, I can't imagine trying to walk about with 10 shopping bags in hand, rather than my one little Topshop bag. We then headed down Regent Street and headed past 10 Downing Street, and along to Big Ben! Classic one liner from Sarah "Oh, there's a big clock!" But to be fair, I think she did mean "that has to be Big Ben!", haha. The first image is us in Urban Outfitters, I thought Topshop's 3 floors was impressive, Urban Outfitters has FOUR.

Tomorrow we're heading along the road to Wesminster Chapel for their morning service, after another delicious cooked breakfast, hopefully! And then we're off to Covent Garden, and I'll be taking out my lensbaby and getting some proper photos. Today's focus was just shopping. Tomorrow, I'll be in the zone. A complete tourist...hopefully with a little bit of artistic touch though.

Toodles!

Day 140: Visiting London, baby!

I shouldn't be surprised that I've just had a massive pilava (...that's the first time I've ever typed that word, how on earth is it spelt?) trying to connect to the internet in my hotel room to do today's blog post. It seems to be a tradition now that whenever I'm away somewhere, doing the blog is no easy thing! I'm now using Ken's laptop in his hotel room, after the lovely man at the front desk came all the way up with a new ethernet cable for me to try...and it failed.

Anyhoo, here's a photo of Sarah and I on the plane, and then outside the Queens house...where that couple who got married, smooched on that balcony behind us. Good times. It was just a flying visit, we had to turn down the invitation to stay for afternoon tea.

Tomorrow we're payng Topshop a visit, and that's all. It has 3 floors, nuff said.

Day 139: I don't think I've ever packed so well....

...apart from that time we got cheap flights to France, and to save even more money, I was only allowed one piece of HAND luggage, FOR A WEEK. That was tough. That won't be happening this time though, since I'm taking a hand bag AND my laptop.

So, I don't think I've actually mentioned this trip at all on the blog...tomorrow I'm off to London for the weekend, and then going further south, to Vienna, for a few days, with my wonderful uncle and lovely wee cousin, Sarah. Well, she's not actually wee anymore, but she will forever be known as Wee Sarah. I am SUPER (need to lay off on the capitals...) excited about all the amazing photos I'm gonna get over the next week :D And I'll hopefully be keeping up on the daily blog photos while I'm gone, fear not.

Anyhoo, I've got 3 photos for you today...a before, a procrastination,and an after...

Come back tomorrow, and you'll hopefully see an exciting, totally non touristy, photo of us in London!

Day 138: Back in the day

Mum planted this piddly lookin tree in the back garden the other year, and I was amazed the other week when I noticed how much it looked like an actual tree now. Good story, huh. Well, the best is yet to come... The other day I realised it was a BANANA tree! (Not actual bananas, by the way.)We used to have a tree like this in our front garden in Bishopbriggs, except it was massive, not piddly. When Mum planted this one, she probably told me the name of it...most likely it's proper name though, so I wouldn't have had a clue. So yeah, the other day when I noticed these big banana shaped flowers that had suddenly appeared I got very excited. And now every time I look in to the back garden it reminds me of when I was teeny tiny weegie.

Day 137: Can't get away from them...

The kids club at church started up again last week, but I didn't make it...because I forgot. At the last minute though, may I just add! But, I'm very glad I remembered about it this week, as the craft was cake decorating. Can I get a 'Woop Woop!' Mmmm they were good. Butter icing is AMAZING. And, Wilma had brought mini jazzies. If they're not the cutest little sweeties you've ever seen, then you need to point me in the direction of your sweetie shop! I was loving it. The kids were too, by the way, I wasn't just hogging the whole table of goodies.

When I got home afterwards and looked at my phone I realised I had a message from Sam informing me I'd left my camera in the kitchen at church. Aaaaggh!! He'd taken it away with him though, and drove all the way out to Westhill to give it to me, good man. A massive thank you to him!  He obviously knows how much you guys all LOVE my blog, and would get withdrawl symptoms if I missed out today's photo. Obvs.

Mmm, I love cakes.

Day 136: BA Commercial Photography Exhibition Bench Monday

I can't believe that my wonderful college buddies who went on to do the BA Commercial Photography degree at Grays have basically finished. Has all that time really past already?! I know it's not quite been a year, but the fact that summer's just over a month away is CreyC! I was down at Grays this evening to see their exhibition of the final major projects, and I was super loving their stuff. Rachael's project was my face, and she did a darn good job of making it look AMAZING. So much so, that people didn't realise it was me. And little Ginger Darling had some seriously beautiful black and white square prints. Mmmm, they were yummy! She's got another exhibition, at Crathes Castle, in August. Very exciting! I'll be promoting that a whole lot more when the time comes. Woop woop!

And of course, it being Monday, I couldn't resist getting the girls in on my Bench Monday Banter before we left. From left to right we have Rachael, Megan, Rebecca, Diane, and myself. And here is a slightly humorous photo of us attempting a boy band album pose...and a blooper while trying to set it up.

I love Ginger. And please keep in mind I had to run from the camera to the bench, in my heels, in 10 seconds. Not a lot of time for composure.

Well done to everyone on the BA course, loved the exhibition tonight!

Oh, almost missed this beauty...

Day 135: It's been a good day!

This morning was my first day of teaching the age 3-4 Sunday School class. I'm taking over from Lynsey before she pops (she's pregnant, and due in less than 2 weeks now! Exciting!!), and I'll be doing it week about with one of the Mum's from church. Both are wonderful sunday school teachers, so the kids are at a loss with me at the moment. Haha. At least I get a wonderful helper from the teenagers bible class each week! Ha. I'm looking forward to my new role as a Sunday School Teacher :)

Then we had a congregational lunch in the church hall after the service. Absolutely stuffed myself, but then had to go make my own cup of tea because they were taking too long in the kitchen (we'll soon find out who reads my blog...haha).

And now, to today's photo...when we got back to the house after church I was up for some Board Game Banter...ooooh yes! I originally suggested Monopoly, but then was keen on Scrabble, or SUPER Scrabble, which I was given last year. Amazing. But during my search/look in the cupborad I couldn't see it...and spotted the Simpsons Board Game instead. HA. We actually have no clue where it came from. Sarah and I set about playing it, but soon realised it was a load of nonsense. For us anyway. I picked up a card and proceeded to tell Sarah she had to "Mime juggling with hissing cats..." and I was to judge whether her perfomance was worthy of a token, or not. Not really our cup of tea. Ha. Give us Scrabble or Pictionary any time and we'll have a LOAD of laughs...like that time I thought ostriches had four legs...

Day 134: Things to do differently next time

This is a super cute photo, from the fair this morning, I just wish I'd set up the lighting a whole lot better than this. It was pretty quiet, but got a few different portraits done, and some more of my business cards are out in the world. Woop! But I seriously need to work on my promotional skills, it's down on my list of things to do better next time.

My new green backdrop was excellent, but it's not very wide, so it's made me think I'll just use it for toddlers, newborns, and individual children, or just head and shoulder portraits. And I still put outdoor location shoots above studio shoots for sure...but to end on a positive note, ha, I absolutely loved setting up the studio, and if I give myself a bit more room to work with the lights then it would be FAB.

Now, back to the Eurovision.

Day 133: The perfect purchase...

Aren't they just the cutest!!? I bought these beautiful earrings this afternoon before heading back up the road to Aberdeen. And I got Rachael the matching necklace for her birthday :) We're photography nerds, and we love it.

I've got the Skene Nursery Craft Fair tomorrow morning, exciting!! I bought some beautiful green spotty vinyl for my backdrop. Can't wait to set up my mini people studio. Check back tomorrow for a photo!

Day 132: The Eyeball

Couldn't resist getting in on the photo banter at the ball last night, and asked the lovely Anna to accompany me in the photo :) It was an excellent evening! Rachael and I absolutely loved looking at all the beautiful dresses, and it was fascinating to see the number of lads wearing grey suits...must have been a special offer on.

I have to say a very big thank you to Rachael, for her wonderful assistance all evening, and her company in the car. It was a great wee roadtrip :) Happy Birthday Rachael!!

Day 131: I got the cloud!

Hooray! Many thanks to Dobbies car park, for providing me with a clear view of the puffer. Without it I wouldn't have been able to capture today's incredibly fascinating blog photo.

The next few days are going to be rather busy for me...I'm photographing a University Ball tomorrow night down in Glasgow, and then on Saturday I'm doing portraits at a local nursery fair back here in Westhill. So, tomorrow I have to pack over night stuff, and an outfit to wear while photographing at the Ball...who knows what that's gonna be...I don't think I should wear my joggers. Then I'm going to go to Dunhelm Mill to buy some lovely fabric for using as my background at the fair. And either before, or after that, I'll be picking up my lovely assistant Rachael and then driving down to Glasgow. Woop woop! for road trip banter in JD :) We're gonna have a great time! And I'm not printing out directions for my aunts house, or the hotel, because I totally don't need them...and just as I said that the plans completely changed! We're now staying at my other aunts house, which is slightly more confusing when it comes to the roads I have to take to get there...I'm sure I'll still manage without google directions...ha. And if not, we've both got our blackberry's! Haha.

After a fun filled evening tomorrow night, we'll maybe do a spot of shopping on Friday morning/afternoon...and have a mini party over lunch to celebrate RACHAEL TURNING 22!!! Oh yes, I'm making her come with me to Glasgow on her birthday! I'm a mean person. But, to make it up to her I'll go through the horrible ordeal of visiting BOTH Topshops on Friday...it'll be tough, but it's only fair of me to do this for me, I mean her! haha. That was actually a typo at first, but it made me laugh, so I kept it. Good story huh?

Then once we've had our wee spot of shopping and party banter, we'll hit the road again with JD (woop woop!), and hopefully get home at a reasonable hour so that I can sort myself out for this fair on Saturday morning...and then I want to go play Frisbee in the park. But maybe I'll just breathe instead.

I think I'll go get a good night's sleep, so I can be up bright n' early tomorrow to sort out my road trip hamper! Just kidding, but come to think of it...a trip to Markies for some Percy Pigs won't go a miss. Mmmm.

Day 130: The countryside's nae bad either...

I absolutely love love love the beach, that's for sure, but I also quite like living in the countryside. I've walked and driven past this view many times since moving to Westhill, and everytime I think it would be a lovely photo...but it wasn't until today that I actually stopped to take that photo.

It wasn't what I originally thought I'd photograph as I went for a wee drive after work. The clouds over Kingswells were incredible, super massive fluffy white candy floss shaped things that looked like they were about to just float down on top of you, and the sky was a yummy shade of light blue. So I thought I'd head out past all the yucky traffic and find a good spot for a photo...but by the time I got out of the yucky traffic those clouds had disappeared...and a mass of grey was threatening the sky instead. So I headed back to Westhill after a wee spin and no more inspirational sights, until I noticed that the sun was piercing through the clouds. I love it when that happens! And it was hitting this lovely scene perfectly. I pulled the car up on the pathway...ha, walked in to the field in my pretty sandals, and was rather pleased with the results.


Doesn't it make you want a wee walk in the country, and a picnic by the river, on a lovely summer afternoon?! And then a trip to the beach with a fish supper in the evening...

Day 129: Beach Bench Monday

I went back to the scene of our BBQ for today's Bench Monday photo, and my wonderful friend Diane, who lives just along the road from the beach (jealous), came along to join in the fun! Her dog, Millie, was loving the bench banter, as you can see. Haha.

I headed to Balmedie straight from work, and got through the rush hour traffic a lot quicker than expected, so I arrived before Diane was ready. I didn't mind at all though, sitting on that bench and watching the waves roll in is amazing! I'd build a house there but it's probably illegal, and pretty foolish. One day I'll have a house by the sea. Or a boat. Or I'll just take a photo of one and pretend I own it.

Anyhoo, it's late. Surprisingly. Well, late for me anyway. But before I go, here's a humorous photo of Diane managing to lean over and just perfectly getting in frame of the camera...and Millie pretending she doesn't know us.

I love Bench Mondays on the beach!

Day 128: An incredible weekend

I had hoped to talk for ages about how fantastic this weekend has been, but I'm simply far too tired! The thought of getting up in less than 8 hours is yucky. So instead I'll just say a few short words...
God is great!
And, my nephew's a genius; he rolled from his changing mat, and pulled the tub of chocolates off the fireplace, all by himself. I went for a drive after church, and got the photo on the left just after the sun had set. Perfect end to a very good weekend!

Day 127: Oh Herro Invasion

It's communion weekend at my church this weekend, and a few of the Glasgow lads decided to come up for a visit...and invaded our BBQ at Balmedie beach this afternoon. Despite this, we had a great time! The sun came out, and by the sounds of things it was the only place in the Aberdeen area that got some sunshine. Woop woop! And we were playing with my lovely new frisbee, and ended up having too much food with us. Amazing! I absolutely love the beach, and when you get to spend the afternoon there with a wonderful group of people it's even more amazing. And when you get a photo of Duncan Murchison being thrown in the river it makes it even MORE amazing.

But what topped the level of amazingness was our short time of fellowship at the Manse after tonight's service. I'm no singing expert, but I was absolutely loving it tonight! It's shaping up to be a fantastic weekend, and I'm looking forward to Iain D Campbell's communion service tomorrow morning...as long as I can wake myself up after such an exciting and tiring day! I wish I could tell you every single hilarious moment, but it would take far too long and I'm up late enough as it is. So, toodles!

Day 126: "I quite like that they're called Dumplings...

...I feel like the QUEEN would eat Dumplings." Good times. Thanks for another lovely evening girls :) See you at the exhibition!!

Day 125: The Closing Scene of Cinco de Mayo...

Tonight I spent the evening in great company, at the flat of one of my American friends, Courtney, celebrating Cinco de Mayo. Basically, eating tacos! Totally scrumptious food, prepared and cooked by Courtney, for a big group of us! It was excellent. And I can't believe I stayed out so late...but the reason for that is probably in the above picture....ha. Good times.

Featuring in today's blog photo are, from back to front...our lovely host Courtney, Tanya, headless John, headless Shep, Kerry, headless Cathryn, and Sean.

P.S. Hi Tanya!

Day 124: One step further

I set up a business bank account this morning. How exciting! Now I need to put some money in it.

Day 123: Tea and cake!

Day 122: Botanic Gardens Bench Monday

My absolutely fantastic weekend was rounded off with a picnic in the sunshine, at the Botanic Gardens, with our lovely friend Ruth. It's moments like that that make me like Glasgow. But we're still a long way off me being persuaded to move there! Anyway, lets get the photo...last week Sarah told me to find a new bench, so since last Monday I've imagined this photo, somewhere in Glasgow...and as the week progressed the number of legs that were going to be in the photo grew. We took this photo in our last 15 minutes of being at the Botanic Gardens, and I'm quite chuffed with the end result. Fin looks cute, but what's new there.

Thanks for lunch, Ruthie! Was lovely to see you. And thank you to all the Berry's who put up with us this weekend, it was an excellent mini holiday, filled with hilarity. It's going to be weird not spending the day with Finlay tomorrow...I don't think anyone at work will giggle at me quite as excitedly for simply looking at them and going "Ba!"

Day 121: Dinner time

Sunday night, 1st May 2011, Fin having his dinner in his great grandparents house :)