What’s In My Garden? #82

White Bearded Iris (2020/09/01)

Thank you very much for taking the time to join me in exploring our garden.

Till next time, please stay safe and healthy. Have a fabulous day.

Coreen

” A garden should be in a constant state of fluid change, expansion, experiment, adventure; above all, it should be an inquisitive, loving, but self-critical journey on the part of its owner.”   ~HE Bates

14 August 2019: Day 4 of our Grand Tour of Scotland: Part 11 – Arbroath

We left Dundee on our way to Arbroath. We spend so much time in Dundee that time was running out and, we had to start making decisions about what places of interest on our list we were going to skip. The roads were busy and, I took the wrong turn off. Had to get someplace to turn around to at least take a photo of the Declaration of Arbroath.

Arbroath was the location of the Battle of Arbroath in 1446. A series of disagreements between the Chief Justiciary of Arbroath, Alexander Lindsay, third Earl of Crawford, and Bishop James Kennedy of St Andrews resulted in Lindsay sacking the bishop’s lands and burning his properties. Lindsay was excommunicated for his troubles and, it was felt that this was incompatible with his role as Chief Justiciary. The monks of Arbroath Abbey selected Alexander Ogilvy of Inverquharity as his replacement and, the insult led to a pitched battle in the town, leaving 500 dead, including Lindsay and Ogilvy. Large parts of Arbroath were destroyed in the aftermath by the Lindsay family.

Declaration of Arbroath
Declaration of Arbroath
Arbroath
Arbroath
Arbroath
Arbroath
Arbroath
Arbroath

Arbroath Abbey was founded in 1178 by King William the Lion for a group of Tironensian Benedictine monks from Kelso Abbey. It was consecrated in 1197 with a dedication to the deceased Saint Thomas Becket, whom the king had met at the English court. It was William’s only foundation — he was buried before the high altar of the church in 1214.

The last Abbot was Cardinal David Beaton, who in 1522 succeeded his uncle James to become Archbishop of St Andrews. The Abbey is cared for by Historic Environment Scotland and is open to the public throughout the year. The distinctive red sandstone ruins stand at the top of the High Street in Arbroath. Unfortunately, dad and I ran out of time and, the Abbey had already closed. I took some photos through the fence. 

Arbroath Abbey
Arbroath Abbey
On route from Arbroath
On route from Arbroath

Thank you very much for taking the time to join me on my travels. I hope you enjoyed it just as much as I did.

Till next time, safe travels and keep dreaming.

Have a fabulous day.

Coreen

“Stop dreaming about your bucket list and start living it.” ~Annette White

Monochrome Monday: 30 November 2020

Taken at Ring of Brodgar, Orkney Islands

Thank you for taking the time to have a look at my work.

Till next time, stay safe and healthy.

Coreen

“Black and White photography erases time from the equation.”  ~Jason Peterson

My Photo Someone’s Quote: 139/365

“Live Simply. Dream big. Be grateful. Give love. Laugh lots.” ~Unknown

Have a Blessed day.

Coreen

My Affirmation for Today: 30 November

“I love myself, respect myself, and accept myself exactly as I am.”

Have a fantastic day.

Coreen

What’s In My Garden: #81

Garden Nasturtium (2020/09/01)

Garden Nasturtium
Garden Nasturtium
Garden Nasturtium
Garden Nasturtium
Garden Nasturtium
Garden Nasturtium
Garden Nasturtium
Garden Nasturtium
Garden Nasturtium

Thank you very much for taking the time to join me in exploring our garden.

Till next time, please stay safe and healthy. Have a fabulous day.

Coreen

“Watching something grow is good for morale. It helps us believe in life.” ~Myron S. Kaufman

Sunday Portraits: 29 November 2020

Thank you very much for taking the time to have a look at my work.
Have a fabulous day. Till next time, please stay safe and healthy.

Coreen

Silent Sunday: 29 November 2020

Thank you very much for taking the time to have a look at my work.
Have a fabulous day. Till next time, please stay safe and healthy.

Coreen

My Photo Someone’s Quote: 138/365

“You are not alone. Within you is the infinite creative power and presence, guiding you, loving you, and waiting to give you anything and everything you choose.” ~The Secret

Have a Blessed day.

Coreen

My Affirmation for Today: 29 November

“Happiness is a choice. I base my happiness on my accomplishments and the blessings I’ve been given.”

Have a fantastic day.

Coreen

Cee’s Flower Of The Day Challenge: 28 November 2020

Good day everyone,

Today I need your help again. Mom had this plant that never flowered and this year it flowered for the first time. I have no idea what it is called. Can someone please help in identifying it

Here is my contribution for Cee’s FOTD Challenge.

Moms Special Plant

Thank you very much for taking the time to have a look at my work.

Stay safe and healthy. Till next time.

Have a Fabulous day.

Coreen

“Flowers are the music of the ground. From earth’s lips spoken without sound” ~Edwin Curran

What’s In My Garden? #80

Ivy, Hedera (09/10/2020)

Ivy, Hedera
Ivy, Hedera
Ivy, Hedera
Ivy, Hedera
Ivy, Hedera

Thank you very much for taking the time to join me in exploring our garden.

Till next time, please stay safe and healthy. Have a fabulous day.

Coreen

“Wherever life plants you, bloom with grace.” ~Old French Proverb

Saturday Landscapes: 28 November 2020

Views from Links Battery on Orkney Island
Views of lighthouse from Links Battery on Orkney Island

Thank you for taking the time to have a look at my post.

Have a amazing Saturday.

Coreen

“Our landscapes connect us to our history; they are the source of our character as a people, as well as our health, our safety, and our prosperity. Natural resources enrich us economically, yes. But they also enrich us aesthetically and recreationally and culturally and spiritually.” ~Robert Kennedy, Jr.

My Photo Someone’s Quote: 137/365

“You are responsible for your own happiness.” ~don Miguel Ruiz The Mastery of love

Have a Blessed day.

Coreen

My Affirmation for Today: 28 November

“I take responsibility and I am moving towards my dream.”

Have a fantastic day.

Coreen

Flowering Herbs: 27 November 2020

Taken with my Huawei P30 lite.

Thank you for taking the time to look at my post.

Coreen

Fauna and Flora Friday: 27 November 2020

Burchell’s Zebra, Equus quagga burchellii

Burchell’s Zebra,is a southern subspecies of the plains zebra. It is named after the British explorer and naturalist William John Burchell. Common names include the Bontequagga, Damaraland zebra, and Zululand zebra . Burchell’s zebra is the only subspecies of zebra which may be legally farmed for human consumption.

Like most plains zebras, Burchells live in small family groups. These can be either harem or bachelor groups, with harem groups consisting of one stallion and one to six mares and their most recent foals, and bachelor groups containing two to eight unattached stallions. The males in bachelor herds are often the younger or older stallions of the population, as they are most likely not experienced enough or strong enough to defend breeding rights to a group of females from challengers. These small groups often congregate together in larger herds around water and food sources, but still, maintain their identity as family units while in the population gatherings.

Formerly, the Burchell’s zebra range was centered north of the Vaal/Orange river system, extending northwest via southern Botswana to Etosha and the Kaokoveld, and southeast to Swaziland and KwaZulu-Natal. Now extinct in the middle portion, it survives at the northwestern and southeastern ends of the distribution.

Burchell’s zebra migrates the longest distance of any terrestrial animal in Africa, traveling 160 miles one way.

Burchell’s Zebra
Burchell’s Zebra
Burchell’s Zebra
Burchell’s Zebra
Burchell’s Zebra

Thank you very much for taking the time to read my post. I hope you also learned something new today.

Have a fabulous day. Till next time, please stay safe and healthy.

Coreen

Cee’s Flower of the day: 27 November 2020

Bearded Iris

Here is my contribution for Cee’s FOTD Challenge.

Bearded Iris
Bearded Iris

Thank you very much for taking the time to have a look at my work.

Stay safe and healthy. Till next time.

Have a Fabulous day.

Coreen

“Minds are like flowers, they open only when the time is right.” ~Stephen Richards

What’s In My Garden? #79

House Sparrow and Cape Weaver at Feeder (10/05/2020)

House Sparrow and Cape Weaver at Feeder
House Sparrow and Cape Weaver at Feeder
House Sparrow and Cape Weaver at Feeder

Thank you very much for taking the time to join me in exploring our garden.

Till next time, please stay safe and healthy. Have a fabulous day.

Coreen

“Never underestimate the healing power of a quiet moment in the garden.”  ~Unknown

My Photo Someone’s Quote: 136/365

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” ~Mahatma Gandhi

Have a Blessed day.

Coreen

My Affirmation for Today: 27 November

“Each day even if it’s for a few minutes I’m going to stop and be grateful for all of life’s beauty.”

Have a fantastic day.

Coreen

Captured Doors and Windows: 26 November 2020

Doors of Scotland

Mansfield Traquair
Mansfield Traquair

Thank you very much for taking the time to have a look at my work.

Stay safe and healthy. Till next time.

Have a Fabulous day.

Coreen

“In the universe, there are things that are known, and things that are unknown, and in between, there are Doors.” ~William Blake

Throwback Thursday: 26 November 2020

Good day everyone,

Today we continue on our Tour de Sanparks.

We are continuing our drive through the Namaqua National Park.

Wind Pumps in the field
Wind pump in a field of Orange Namaqua Daisies
Wind pumps in a field of Orange Namaqua Daisies
Anthill in a field of Daisies
A Beautiful drive
Namaqua National Park
Namaqua National Park
Namaqua National Park
Namaqua National Park

That’s it for now, friends. Thank you very much for traveling back in time with me.

Have a fabulous day. 

Keep safe and healthy.

Coreen

“Photos capture our memories in print, but our memories are always with us in our minds.”  ~Catherine Pulsifer

Happy Thanksgiving.

Good morning everyone,

I would like to take this opportunity to say Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends from the US.

Here in South Africa we do not celebrate Thanksgiving. I think it is very important to give thanks for all the opportunities and gifts we receive on a daily basis. Be Thankful everyday of the year, without the feast of course. Otherwise we will all roll down the streets….

Happy Thanksgiving have a wonderful day.

Coreen

What’s In My Garden? #78

House Sparrow, Cape Weaver and Red-eyed Dove at the feeder. (10/05/2020)

House Sparrow, Cape Weaver and Red-eyed Dove at the feeder.
House Sparrow, Cape Weaver and Red-eyed Dove at the feeder.

Thank you very much for taking the time to join me in exploring our garden.

Till next time, please stay safe and healthy. Have a fabulous day.

Coreen

“Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience.”  ~ Ralph Waldo Emmerson

Cornflower: 26 November 2020

Photo taken with my Huawei P30 lite. I can’t wait to see it bloom. Super excited.

Thank you for stopping by.

Have a fabulous Thursday.

Coreen

My Photo Someone’s Quote: 135/365

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including YOU.” ~ Anne Lamott

Have a Blessed day.

Coreen

My Affirmation for Today: 26 November

“I am grateful for my life’s challenges for helping me grow and become who I am.”

Have a fantastic day.

Coreen

Happy Hydrangea: 25 November 2020

Photos taken with my Huawei P30 lite.

Thanks for stopping by my garden.

Coreen

Mustard Plant: 25 November 2020

Taken with my Huawei P30 lite.

Thank you for stopping by.

Coreen

Cee’s Flower Of The Day Challenge: 25 November 2020

Good morning,

Here is my contribution for Cee’s FOTD Challenge.

Pansy

Thank you very much for taking the time to have a look at my work.

Stay safe and healthy. Till next time.

Have a Fabulous day.

Coreen

“Flowers are the music of the ground. From earth’s lips spoken without sound” ~Edwin Curran

What’s In My Garden? #77

House Sparrow at Water bowl (10/05/2020)

House Sparrow at Water bowl
House Sparrow at Water bowl
House Sparrow at Water bowl

Thank you very much for taking the time to join me in exploring our garden.

Till next time, please stay safe and healthy. Have a fabulous day.

Coreen

“We may think we are nurturing our garden, but of course it’s our garden that is really nurturing us.” ~Jenny Uglow

Wordless Wednesday: 25 November 2020

Thank you very much for taking the time to have a look at my work.
Have a fabulous day. Till next time, please stay safe and healthy.

Coreen

“If you can dream it, you can do it.”

Walt Disney

My Photo Someone’s Quote: 134/365

“Use your voice for kindness, your ears for compassion, your hands for charity, your mind for truth, and your heart for love.” ~Unknown

Have a Blessed day.

Coreen

My Affirmation for Today: 25 November

“I put my energy into things that matter to me.”

Have a fantastic day.

Coreen

14 August 2019: Day 4 of our Grand Tour of Scotland: Part 10 – Dundee

Good day everyone,

Hope you are all having a great day so far. I decided to share the last part of our visit to Dundee with you today. I know 2 days in a row…. We drove around Dundee trying to check off the different places of interest on our list.

Dudhope Castle

Dudhope Castle is an extended late medieval tower house located on the southern face of Dundee Law in Dundee.
It was built in the late 13th century by the Scrymgeour family, with the original castle being a smaller tower house.
In 1792 the castle was rented in an attempt to use it as a woolen factory, although the plan never came to fruition. In 1795 the park and the grounds were leased to the Board of Ordnance. They used Dudhope as a barracks for 95 years, from 1796 to 1879. Additional buildings were constructed, including a hospital, officer’s quarters, stables, and guard-rooms. The castle itself was used to accommodate 400 soldiers. The Board of Ordnance finally abandoned it in 1881.

Dudhope Castle
Dudhope Castle
Dudhope Castle

Steeple Church

The Tower is the oldest part of the structure, dating from the 15th century. Over centuries several church buildings have been erected and have fallen on the site. The present Steeple Church dates from 1789. The other parts of the building on the east side, the Mary Slessor Centre and Dundee Parish Church (St. Mary’s ), were built in 1840 after a fire.

Steeple Church
St Mary’s Parish Church
St. Mary’s Parish Church
Dundee
Oor Wullie’s Big Bucket Trail

Adam Duncan Statue

Admiral Adam Duncan, 1st Viscount Duncan (1 July 1731 – 4 August 1804) was a British admiral who defeated the Dutch fleet off Camperdown on 11 October 1797. This victory is considered one of the most significant actions in naval history.

Adam Duncan was born and schooled in Dundee. He joined the Royal Navy, following in the footsteps of his uncle, Captain Robert Haldane. He went on to serve under him on HMS Trial and HMS Shoreham. In 1755 he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, then in 1759 to a commander.

In 1763 Duncan returned home on half-pay. Despite his repeated efforts to gain another naval command, he spent much of the next fifteen years on the family estate at Lundie or in Dundee. On 6 June 1777, he married Henrietta. His father-in-law pulled some strings and, in late 1778, he was given command of HMS Suffolk and then of HMS Monarch.

Duncan remained in command of the North Sea fleet until he retired in 1801. He died three years later at the age of 73 and was buried in Lundie.

Adam Duncan Statue
Adam Duncan Statue
Adam Duncan Statue
Oor Wullie’s Big Bucket Trail

St. Paul’s Cathedral

St. Paul’s Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in the city of Dundee, Scotland. It is the cathedral and administrative center of the Diocese of Brechin in the Scottish Episcopal Church.

In 1847, Alexander Penrose Forbes was elected new Bishop of Brechin and chose to make Dundee his permanent residence.

The foundation stone of the cathedral was laid on 21 July 1853 and, it was completed in 1855. It was designed by George Gilbert Scott and is in the style of the Middle or Decorated period of Gothic architecture. There is a peal of 8 bells; the tenor bell weighs 23 cwt.

The total cost of the building exceeded £14,000, and ten years passed before the congregation could pay off all the debts incurred. The church was dedicated on All Saints Day, 1 November 1865. In 1905 St.Paul’s status was raised to cathedral.

St Paul’s Cathedral
St Paul’s Cathedral
St Paul’s Cathedral
Dundee

Mains Castle

Mains Castle (also known as Claverhouse Castle or Fintry Castle) is a 16th-century castle in Dundee, Scotland. It consists of several buildings surrounding a courtyard, although several of the original western buildings no longer exist. The family lived in the northern and eastern buildings, with the servants occupying the southern quarters. The castle also has a large, six-floor, square tower house with dressed cornerstones, which is typical of 16th-century construction.

Mains Castle
Mains Castle
Mains Castle
Mains Castle
Mains Castle

Claypotts Castle

Claypotts Castle is a late medieval castle in the suburban West Ferry area of Dundee, Scotland. It is one of the best-preserved examples of a 16th-century Z-plan tower house in Scotland. Now surrounded by modern housing, the castle is maintained as an Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland.

It was built by John Strachan around 1569–1588 according to dates inscribed on stones that make up parts of the castle, which make its construction longer than usual for such a small building. The Strachan family leased the land from the Tironensian Abbey of Lindores starting in the early 16th century.

The legend has it that the castle was once home to an industrious brownie who helped the servants with their work, but that he left in disgust because of a lazy kitchen maid.

Claypotts Castle
Claypotts Castle
Claypotts Castle
Claypotts Castle
Claypotts Castle

Thank you very much for taking the time to join me on my travels. I hope you enjoyed it just as much as I did.

Till next time, safe travels and keep dreaming.

Have a fabulous day.

Coreen

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” ~Saint Augustine

Cee’s Flower Of The Day Challenge: 24 November 2020

Here is my contribution for Cee’s FOTD Challenge.

Perennial Aster

Perennial Aster taken at Ring of Brodgar on Orkney Island

Thank you very much for taking the time to have a look at my work.

Stay safe and healthy. Till next time.

Have a Fabulous day.

Coreen

“If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly our whole life would change.”  ~Buddha

What’s In My Garden? #76

Female Cape Weaver (10/05/2020)

Female Cape Weaver
Female Cape Weaver

Thank you very much for taking the time to join me in exploring our garden.

Till next time, please stay safe and healthy. Have a fabulous day.

Coreen

“Never underestimate the healing power of a quiet moment in the garden.”  ~Unknown

Tuesday Beach Vibes: 24 November 2020

Kelp Gull Landing

Thank you for taking the time to have a look at my work.
Till next time, stay safe and healthy.

Coreen

“If you can dream it, you can do it.”

Walt Disney

My Photo Someone’s Quote: 133/365

“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” ~Mother Teresa

Have a Blessed day.

Coreen

My Affirmation for Today: 24 November

“I accomplish everything I set my mind to.”

Have a fantastic day.

Coreen

Jasmine: 23 November 2020

Photo taken with my Huawei P30 lite.

Thank you for your support.

Coreen

Rocket flowering….

Photo taken with my Huawei P30 lite.

Have a Blessed day.

Coreen

14 August 2019: Day 4 of our Grand Tour of Scotland: Part 9 – Dundee

Good day friends,

It’s been a while since I shared a post on our Grand Tour of Scotland. I think today is the day.

We continue our visit in Dundee. We headed up to Dundee Law. The views was breathtaking.

The Dundee Law is a hill in the center of Dundee. It is what remains of a volcanic sill and, it is the highest point in the center of Dundee. With a large war memorial at its summit, it is the most prominent feature on the local skyline.

Dundee Law comes from the Gaelic word for the mound. Lava was forced through fissures in old red sandstone from a volcanic area miles to the west. Actions by subsequent rain, wind, and ice movements eroded the sandstone. The glaciers of the ice ages deposited more debris around the base creating a crag and tail. The shallow gradient of the slopes on the north and eastern sides of it suggest a northeasterly movement of ice flows. The hill’s summit is over 500 feet above sea level.

Views of Dundee from Dundee Law
Views of Dundee from Dundee Law


On 16 May 1925, a war memorial for the fallen in both World War 1 and 2 was unveiled on Dundee Law.

War Memorial
War Memorial
War Memorial
Views of Harbor from Dundee Law
Views of Harbor from Dundee Law
Views of Dundee from Dundee Law
Views of V&A Museum from Dundee Law
Views of V&A Museum from Dundee Law
Views of Tay Bridge from Dundee Law
Views of Tay Bridge from Dundee Law
Views of Dundee from Dundee Law
Views of Tay river from Dundee Law
Views of Tay Rail Bridge from Dundee Law
Views of Tay Rail Bridge from Dundee Law
Oor Wullies Big Bucket Trail
Oor Wullies Big Bucket Trail
Oor Wullies Big Bucket Trail

Thank you very much for taking the time to join me on my travels. I hope you enjoyed it just as much as I did.

Till next time, safe travels and keep dreaming.

Have a fabulous day.

Coreen

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” ~Saint Augustine

Cee’s Flower Of The Day Challenge: 23 November 2020

Here is my contribution for Cee’s FOTD Challenge.

Cobra Lily

Thank you very much for taking the time to have a look at my work.

Stay safe and healthy. Till next time.

Have a Fabulous day.

Coreen

“Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.”  ~Luther Burbank

Monochrome Monday: 23 November 2020

Rural Landscape on R304

Thank you for taking the time to have a look at my work.
Till next time, stay safe and healthy.

Coreen

“If you can dream it, you can do it.”

Walt Disney

What’s In My Garden? #75

Male and Female Cape Sparrow (10/05/2020)

Male and Female Cape Sparrow
Male and Female Cape Sparrow
Male and Female Cape Sparrow

Thank you very much for taking the time to join me in exploring our garden.

Till next time, please stay safe and healthy. Have a fabulous day.

Coreen

” A garden should be in a constant state of fluid change, expansion, experiment, adventure; above all, it should be an inquisitive, loving, but self-critical journey on the part of its owner.”   ~HE Bates

My Photo Someone’s Quote: 132/365

“The best way to cheer up yourself is to try to cheer someone else up.” ~ Mark Twain

Have a Blessed day.

Coreen

My Affirmation for Today: 23 November

“I am a beautiful, unique soul and I acknowledge that my existence and contribution on this planet is needed.”

Have a fantastic day.

Coreen

King of the house…

Hi everyone,

Shadow loves sleeping on the kitchen table. I have a special tablecloth just for him.

I love my Story Maker App. I use it to post my cellphone photos.

Thanks for stopping by.

Coreen