A grand day out

Saturday.
First stop was Udale Bay where we watched the Little Egret preening near the burn.
On to Cromarty to catch the Ferry across to Nigg.It only takes two cars and rocked about even though it was a calm day. I could not get out of the car as it was too tight to open the door.
We then went to the first Open Doors venue at Nigg old Church.A pretty little 17th Century church.A large 8th Century Pictish stone slab, can be seen inside, beautifully carved with a dove holding a piece of broken bread and crouching lions https://www.britainexpress.com/scotland/Highlands/churches/nigg-old-kirk.htm
The Poor loft was also interesting.
On to Anta pottery for a very tasty scotch broth soup and a good cheese scone :) The pottery is lovely but very expensive. I was lucky to pick up a bowl for 50p in Jumble sale a few years ago.
Next we went to Fearne Abbey another nice building with lots of history displayed on information panels throughout.
We met a Guide on the way out and he told us about an exhibition about Peter Fraser who was born in Hill of Fearne and went on to be War time Prime Minister of New Zealand.
we thoroughly enjoyed the coffee and cakes and scones that were provided , delicious :)
We chatted to some of the residents , a couple of farmers, one waiting for a combine to get the crops in and the other a retired Dairy farmer.
Next was a tour of Ballone Castle, fascinating and amazing what has been done to what was recently a ruin. Beautifully decorated and lots of Anta pottery and furnishings.
The gardens are still being developed but we found a nice sunny spot to sit and watch the sea. Chickens roamed around eating the fallen apples.
We went for a walk in , glorious blue skies and seas. Such a pretty walk with wildflowers still in bloom.
We drove through the seaboard villages and stopped to see the Mermaid of the North. The tide was on it’s Way in and starting to lap at her tail.
Enough time to pop into the Nature Reserve at Nigg. We saw the Osprey and a swan and a number of other birds further out.
A few peacock butterflies around too.
Home to a Fish and chip supper.