A family and art week in the caravan in Montrose. Me, mum, Roan, Ian. Walking and cycling and a good deal of sketching and painting - including Roan doing his first paintings for eight + years. Peterhead family coming to visit.
There are always loads of gulls and eiders and, in summer, terns, but only ever a few gannets, fishing far out or flying swiftly past. One morning the sea was far in and turbulent and gannets were all over, presumably following a shoal. In an undercount I got three hundred, a mix of browny-plumaged juveniles and white-black adults with their mustard heads. Most were close in and riding the waves or performing semi-horizontal gliding dives to cope with shallows.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8QYyxJNHZYJ4LjXy4kls_OYGIbR-vBJlCBhBL5pwd9Lgtmcrp63b5kFgIuqhnE0G5EhXcRRZV4LLrRYP5FKHXZDxTBBwcTg2xXi9F1adOUbCJqdpPSMny-mK0MzkqX9mVvURd2o8LhhK/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(2).jpg) |
gannet dive |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFFh3VDnCkMB9KZ1L8f6g6tcINk8EckYrxokbg_B8mrB_qyPYmBIIdqbuPhyIrfv-mAKDtw39bopuIOC2wScYg-Kwso8yIEXDwKVOueZKd_5jmm1nz0-AGROXb0rPJHGsgCGVvkU62_08/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(3).jpg) |
lady's bedstraw |
The same day there was a bi-plane over the airfield, marking a centenary. Loop-the-looping through grey wet haze.
Cousin and cousin's husband Gemma and Danny visited with the kids.
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Cycle through Ferryden village to Scurdie Ness. Locked bikes below the lighthouse and walked along to blowhole point. Last visit Roan discovered it, a miniature cave has collapsed and sea pours in and out of the lidless pot - when tide and level of choppiness are right a plume of spray shoots up. This time it was definitely shooting. Mum was at the other side, taking photos of us. She retreated fast when a thick wave rushed around her ankles.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrwk9iUChccyRhc70ykF-zZvXCkbfzA3GLxOefA96yro5NJy0CABUSslxdh2fu7739bDs7PEcLaMwfWzH3it1VzKczD4Ke3Xw0RnDu6sRHmg3Ol4qs9XGe0hwMEIeDnRRirRUtw2QAyoe/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(42).jpg) |
Scurdie Ness lighthouse |
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We cycled to Langley Park Gardens, 1 mile from Montrose. Extensive three-tiered walled garden with beautiful herbaceous borders; meadowland; woodlands; standing stone. Tea, coffee and cake by the fountain pond, served on fine china.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWc5SMReYM_HxHo2yJShI9vUwfMZJIRY75YPkv235jDeuBiG4Ec028hyphenhypheny80EfG46PkjUVkfTdwtCS6Em_NTWlFhvbGXjwjlUHkqML0cvPtaxFWnGy11iCVYN59rPGAsP_hR9SuGdzLKMg/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(46).jpg) |
Langley Park horse head statue |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjor7ktSUJ3Jo94_oGFiESD9N8KDNrcqsEfMruO1Q7lqjKvKywF1bnaS9ua_qc8VlXxR9weZHPA5jH_urjgoPGYT6Kjd6mZDK33Dgp1QwmDfs2y0AN6vw6jXP9a9k1w3PqsHOnQViCOfTA-/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(6).jpg) |
standing stone, wildlife meadow |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWT3Fa7D6kW-KlrzpdkGphjrJ2bI1y6nF7bPjzXjOc2cT6PnvzJa-GySmwdM-qE5vMOU0Xi_VscQoNDDeHeVYlS83AGGpwfSUxLEDeOhWwkZJlKeUZl3rNa6XfL5gUGDlNwuerwYyn3q0/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(10).jpg) |
It's definitely a tree Roan. |
Langley Park Gardens are open Saturday, Sunday, Monday during the season. You'll receive a very friendly welcome.
Full details here and
on Facebook here.
We returned via the Lurgies at west end of Montrose Basin. A little egret was on the mud and twenty or more grey herons.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwzpvw4innFQhon8gIoPiGHD0av2QK1JtlQjvvt0XoOKNMbRszO2x35vyQZBjnJH0kwt-BJnOCWo6Qtks02EqXDC5tnuqBZf7crNiS2QfiYQKToC9Np2NEKeowtcq3Y6ryllhkOETglLb/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(11).jpg) |
count the herons |
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A walk on the red cliffs between Arbroath and Auchmithie Harbour. Take a
torch for Dark Cave and Light Cave, leading right through the width of a
thick headland.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fthkfPWbnQInH-j_lMiIey0-mSoFKXasixCvqwuu8MPYcnnArCFo6V_aob7BKDXgFaZPEYYu186GTLOSN_vz53Bk60CACOz8GMQ_ULk13oRvq8Di9AojMkIIIzMnvQ6PrwfkRFeorSY1/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(24).jpg) |
Dark Cave, south entry |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMMFFeO0mOOSACiE9g5odOUXbsyisoxkp8-xiLT-DbjtbMl2rpExaYX3XPmiYTF91_T5qm1Pu389pIlNchbd8OcszTHjdo5-mlwhbbRk9lAZ4OOm4kGKdc-C3Aei4XPHbMvQVa7BS_ctK/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(28).jpg) |
kittiwake parents and young. The juveniles are those with streaks and stripes of black. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLdgaYasoT6KFixYGeNygf3TGgASYSe223jW7Kc-n4ibmF7vF73Xb3tk3v-8D1-hGzMMHrqsoZGmkt2YSAeJcZo1_app_DAbvvTaa3zVzWX0p2d69iaiSi96XktXNwuS1qVEQQdJDZSR9/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(18).jpg) |
bird tracks |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYw988bl_OxHjM2zPaeB42iHodXjUZWZB9a5QAB7Fkibz1Vpejl8ldreY_HXEZbgps2njpcyAbczW3U8WXW22p7L0TX6uGgt2581DtHFgeeZU5dYWsMndUXBA7BVomD7o_dbdhOlrhnB3/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(22).jpg) |
fossils? sea-worms? |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNV2GLC3rk7Pzdis3RQXJS0ss93T_z2v0yooiJh86qKzMceUYDvnGOEmVUVNdOFVQq2vdn_3XSI6Aso3jxctEJ7NsNfR6_dWLnXModyAlE6fZbzfM9jEQBtjl3u1fHCrhub6NAdIzAUnH8/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(23).jpg) |
fossils? sea-worms? |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0RdS1BPnht69k3S6BdIBPSDzTbUjhZI4lZ801h5ydRaUVapeH5wiVYnaNYbHjMyKS53Uq1l3p3yLg9HljkidUgFk1XWowQzTWCV1uBtHmiIkTotHTpjLdBgURilQHs6ua_eJ245AdsVn/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(20).jpg) |
miniature world |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizl9tvWwHrJcONATKxMB4OuSKiETxkoYtdD1wBZ7I6RWOgAgUxYD22fVlAvCSvAm3H2xrBYn_x-aLBmFqTMI8HIVI-esTOk_VkK3W_5uie0IpWQLBQqIHJWWkayVsiQJWKU1ENDWhV_N-K/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(19).jpg) |
cave face |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEift_lkxDHcEywXopgqbG8hEZEWIVo0eEfWZhYYBENsFG_08o1KrmTDE0wKXpvMx2Qg5wT61Hl1al086H8O4VPG4ANDSgbshMElGzCZY_PhFgsLG4IijPDUXVJ5SjmwvszSgL7DarOt2BWu/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(21).jpg) |
Roan dematerialises |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4Xk4xq_1VksIZWIloN45-NuyXho9P2iCQh9mZMxnz7pdy4vYofKWIn2Jwwg-ObVGIgznVT4jBdZbKKE66wLYJir7aSD8BL8snnV5kdfcj5ljHFVBDmh2MzDN5nui7zvOHWJdrB0qIzLb/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(16).jpg) |
Roan rematerialises (eating a leaf) |
A wildflower border around a long stretch of clifftop field, absolutely alive with bumble bees, hoverflies, many tens of butterflies - small tortoiseshell, red amiral, peacock, green-veined white, a grayling.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUiGHTPOYRMNIS9XNzs0IRPRyT_jtVGdmUEdTxaCALyZrqQxJLHjBLdC_bD3ojuB_-vVhd2e58Kj22wQ50condc9DMuKZDaT9SVoGZtMFYLnuEEfFSZCBFvWbEhREmy6v7C714yVsHMNw/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(25).jpg) |
wildflower field margin - why doesn't everyone do this? Hundreds of insects, many tens of butterflies. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy091HtCDLwRlMEQfziacFGrIac4inr-PZVcYkENRy_gzO0JUEx2H-Jb5ehE_684hlHi30mK5u9eJyzAHaK7jxeQ63-pXFxQqtzaAAWMbgC6Jg56jATkWWvYvzU-8IPp-pa_HcnvIMxkBr/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(26).jpg) |
sunflowers, poppies, thistles, vetches, Roan's head |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xcvQeSEa6bkix24dHNYv27wPe_Bd9IEKPuLq2N4ZJvAo4Lq3fCZL_zJTiHsf_YA4EYf6uAteSDKm5snCvBKikAilo0u63vCIx1zjaVl4q2rCoLFhnqLJa4VGbSognI2uG4Lu9j1lGKUB/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(27).jpg) |
wild carrot - note the single purple bloom at the centre of so many white |
We stopped and painted - Roan too. Perhaps soon we'll have to think about a Mother & Son
& Son exhibition.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0iBu41tJePSeiXKijjwunAe7b420BEB5BD3Lv5BuWLBcCYK826LjbKCv9dt071EI38GDB_2gHgN0V2xcw3RqMWTEN9xNfQqtN7GCf-agr0IFpTZuqw0XgKI-Fo5pqbr3j2RhIiPZGIkl/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(32).jpg) |
mother & son (photographed by other son) |
Brother Roan:
Mother Susan:
See mum's work at
www.susanmcsmith.com
Read Roan's words at
www.queenofnothingkingoftheworld.blogspot.com.au
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A cycle to the graveyard above double-sea-arched Elephant Rock. Explored the stones in the bay there and painted a view towards the limekilns.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSfng5QCqfJfCXZvSB0umKcVt-qfoyVCYgZGtUasyrwkl_i9vPWFs_1GwdDuhmaM_dKS8aRpCLoiWC-DvAFi2s5sZN0osceqMmL_9gp_UUcMpSa2oZS17eVHkcXEgTHPvl0VrFx1yMYeA/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(34).jpg) |
Boddin Point limekilns |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQMRqGwY1fI-o67IXXbgGFBvFSe_fnJnMN7blKO3oyi2vhCA7Dxf-txjQ3Vr8fROZBY-qnAyUJNTvGj7vnFycWDNc6WS56E_zkHkwlAWyNneQIMqUvu3cAx1bJbJycS34x4cWIHq5LqjE/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(37).jpg) |
As Calvin and Hobbes say, there's treasure everywhere. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnWaiIazSgAZKX112z8Do48kFD1YbnOyf5PKBrvCRXGxSmRMx4XBaVwfD0FLsF-cnFqch1Fhg6ccMzx4lF3uXJ1zYK5QGMnXaPS7rr2dflv5PlSEKMOlLyDBe2J7upWlAmtSFqw198Jzz/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(40).jpg) |
the trunk |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXxP-16YbjXwhmjaOhuSs-tpWgpbIUTYv_eHfy2OQ9ZtS_zURvulAey5pG1LdStueRe92OzOYdCu1PbWxO0KPxFzOI3lUE0fsSJNs0KP6P3Jtcq-cA-B48wJ30UARPfmjYOmIcxIaaDOZ/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(33).jpg) |
Elephant Rock - a rock that looks like an elephant |
All the seabirds were around, plus a kestrel, house martins, linnets.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhengbxDQ0I8JFOwZhNkbsOwDWUEaW6xPU2FTskUyqEiPwx9vQtMiAmJYvLLqwoWpOfsdMk4ungoKOh_7_pfTFOLhicgll2YVneXD-AgyZmx7wUP4c3swWeG7uQYLX5dmrfAP8P6AJHXN8n/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(36).jpg) |
kestrel |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURvwE3_Tr0OXfaJsweM6nPpGQ3ML_a1cEmJSh_L-q7rRCYQ4WOeuOFx4_w3paP0fmqo1hRflx2_1nZ3bpQVMaW3GTFngy8MvztIlitEDc5ZPhdacuMH8YzUrx0_1-zN625zcnYwRGCXs-/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(39).jpg) |
yellowhammer |
Before breakfast I'd stood on the dunes and watched a group of 12 or
more dolphins swimming south, up down up down up down, jumping full
clear of the water.
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqFzm9l9QgTU3-q_g7356cjF7QWs0gfQ6D5_eGq4tG_ORZEqnrQYINLvbqew2KziVs-gB93YZLWeONPEdQTkdFzEZnHW3_1JRiGRfWWKC4ldrgwW2vDE-sr6eL_VJHA9CaZ2TDB4vBSq2/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(14).jpg) |
terns on the shore, mostly common |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOwEJE6URkPgs_WS3q5YrdMLkZnRnhXvh0m1uVk4xaLoN0NE9EmpRQLg1mJmqM6ahHLg6H8-zivtKybN_1dwsPyYGoHkBRgSBpuYxkUPue2JR4-3JAsE9jIUhWYEVUtJdM4ihw74tUIrg/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(13).jpg) |
adult feeding young |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQROywAIhyphenhyphen5VnR99K2mCsoidkUzGpyJnVuAIkJqEi377lAYbe1CsC1zPhZnOvJC3kvCwkrPHAuwrAH4mFEMAinwVY76hLqD-8mTHdxblDC72RrDEAtC0bVB3EH_rV1TtKLgeUhlRVycxvl/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(31).jpg) |
the Bell Rock lighthouse, taken through binoculars |
Waiting for my return train at the end of the week I watched an osprey fly high above the Basin. It was constantly mobbed by agitated terns and swallows and martins at the same time as I was constantly divebombed by a territorial pair of lesser black-backed gulls. I stood by a lamppost so they couldn't have any effect other than to give me really good views. Everyone else kept at the other end of the platform.
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACJ6m-M2DzPLdlk2jiipVU3K_2VpizeoUzrsXHEeodcaMHv2uY6bunAsfOEgyHvkW9TwjQ4TttIS9m26kRe6mn1BnkspGTiHNDNynTn5vxm5LCDY2kOcJLZGKY9qvIXvrJdEHN9D1sCl8/s1600/Leo+du+Feu,+Montrose,+August+2014+(45).jpg) |
caravan self-portrait, to be continued |
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How to get there
Montrose is easily reached by rail. It's on the
Glasgow & Edinburgh - Aberdeen rail lines and trains are frequent.