St John’s Church and Kirkyard

A slow-ish start to our first proper day of holiday. We then walked down and along the beach (my idea), then up the cliff path to The ruined St John’s Church and Kirkyard, located about half way up the cliff (TT’s idea). When we were here last year, it had been very wet, and was still very wet, and part of the path had collapsed, making it impossible to walk up to the ruins. The path has been built up and reinstated, and we were able to get up. Once up there, we discovered another new-ish looking path going up to the top of the headland, then effectively round the massive field at the top. As it was such a beautiful morning, we walked up and admired the view (extra two) and followed it round, and had a good walk. It was breezy at the top, so quite bracing! The horse was abundant and in full bloom, and was looking magnificent against the very blue sky. We then made our way back to our holiday cottage, and headed out in the car.

We drove to Fraserburgh, where TT was keen to pick up provisions. He’s not usually all that keen to go to the supermarket!! Shopping done, we drove down the coast, and ended up parking at St Combs, where we ate a late picnic lunch. We then had a very bracing walk down the beach in the direction of Rattray Head lighthouse (you can just see it in extra one). We were walking into the cold wind, and walked until we couldn’t bear it anymore and just had to turn around, then walked back to where we started and a bit further. It was much better with the wind behind us!

We drove back via Fraserburgh, stopping for a brief sojourn at the Lighthouse Museum. TT didn’t leave the car, as he was fed up of the wind, but I had a quick look around at the lighthouse, and outside displays (extra three), which we missed last year, as the weather was too awful. Once back at our holiday cottage, I left TT to his cooking, while I walked to Crovie. Later there was a lovely sunset (extra four).

This is St John’s church and Kirk yard, looking down on Gardenstown, with Crovie in the distance