Rachel and Tom's wedding

Anne and her duaghter Rachel, Laura, Jim, Emily and Gemma

Emily, Laura, Anne and Gemma

Jamie, his mom Rachel and the flower girl

The bride Rachel and Groom Tom

True love

Me with Gemma and Jackie

Me with my great host and hostess Jim and Anne

My Cousin Anne and her beautiful daughters Emily and the bride Rachel

One of Rachel's friends with a fantastic voice

great band from Glastonbury

Welcome to this world

Guess what I am typing with a little miracle making those delicious contented newborn sounds on my chest. This little bundle of perfection was born last night at 22.58. I wasn't actually here but came to Dundee on the 6.30 am train by which time I knew that all had gone really well. Mother Amy and baby daughter were well  in the midwifery section of Ninewells  hospital, Dundee. Amy got to the hospital about 8 pm and believe it or not had a water birth. Just shows how far we have come in the last 26 years - back then water births were way out there. Now they are in mainstream Scottish hospital. I am impressed.

Yesterday was a full day. 93 year old Theo my enduring father in law took me on an Edinburgh bus to the botanic gardens! He commented on most of the trees and shrubs as we walked through the garden with an interesting diversion through the Chinese gardens. Theo told me that the Chinese were great gardeners along with the British but definitely not like the French and the Germans who mutilated their trees and grew things in geometrical shapes.
Once in the new restaurant,  a card on the table advertised weddings for up to 70 guests for 4995 pounds! Theo was happy to ask the waitress if that included a bride. After an elegant lunch I headed out to see my sick brother in law and my niece Sarah who happily showed me all the genealogy work she has been doing. Even had my father's death certificate from 1959 and many interesting things about his side of the family.

Back on a double decker bus - more fun than a Disney ride - I headed out to my niece Jane. She has moved into a new home in Colington that they have done lots of work on. We walked up around the hills and fed her little boy Ethan handfuls of juicy blackberries. He couldn't get enough. Later Jane's husband Graham came home, then her sister Emma and new husband Stewart, and her dad David. It really good to see everyone and catch up on their news which included a broken ankle and a honeymoon to Kenya. Life is good.

Watch for the up and coming photos!!

In England's green and grassy hills

Here I am in Britain. I have been here 5 days and am having a great time. So much diversity on such a small and green land. My cousin's daughter was married on Friday in a gorgeous unspoiled English church with large flower arrangements, with white hydrangea's, gladoli, and white roses. Rachel in pale ivory dressed raced her dad down the aisle accompanied by three lovely bridesmaids in burgundy dresses, Emily her sister recently returned from Australia, Laura her friend more used to riding horses than dressing up looked lovely all the same, and her young neice Gemma who tenderly held the hand of the little flower girl in a white dress with a red sash. We sang hymns to celebrate this occasion of a young couple coming together to declare their love and willingness to be in relationship together. The minister David talked about Love and MJ read the peice on love from Corinthians - all very touching.

Outside the sun shone as photos were taken then we all took off for the party at a beautiful old English hotel in the countryside. As I sipped on Cornish Champagne, well, sparkling wine I thought I was living the life it felt like a movie set. After the 'wedding breakfast' a delicous meal we danced until the small hours to a talented local band from Glastonbury.  Us oldies crashed while the younger ones caroussed until late or should I say early.

Quick version of what I have been up to.
Life is moving ahead rapidly.After the wedding I had a quick trip to Bath and saw 10 of Diana's dresses - a little dissappointing  I thought they's be more.

My brother in law picked me up at Edinburgh airport and whisked me to Princes Street Gardens where there was a specatcular music and firework display  the grand finale to the International Edinburgh Festival.

Monday Des and I hiked along a wild stretch of coast - I felt all the cobwebs blow across the North Sea to far and away. On our return to the car park some poor car had a tree on its roof and it's glass windows shatterd on the tarmac. Did I say it was a windy day? Came home to delicous meal cooked by my nephew.

Yesterday I took 93 year old grandpa to a couple of delicious gardens, sequoia's, cedars and other oregon fir trees. I watched him eat - a lot!

Today I spent hanging out with my two delightful neices Sarah and Catriona. Guess what the sun was shining. It was a bluebird sky here in Edinburgh.

Now we want the baby to come on time.  Watch this space for photos!

"Blue Lake and Rocky Shore, I will return once more."

More wildflowers oh so beautiful.

Looking at the route ahead just a couple of hours out from Sunshine

Last little bit to Og Lake

Filtering the water from Og Lake

Trying to keep warm under the fly with frost outside!

Morning Sun on the Mountain

Second morning from OG Lake to Magog Lake

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From the Nub Peak

Walking off the Nub

Just back from a 4 day back pack from Sunshine Village to Assigniboine where we spent 2 nights and walked out today to Mount Shark carpark. My feet are still protesting even as I sit infront of the screen.

The fly that clive used for 8 weeks!!!!!!!

It was a fantastic experience. Amazing that it has taken me so long to hike in from Sunshine.

Fat Frog

The wonder of Wonder Pass

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And this is our water supply!

Family antics

The wanderer returns from his little 8 week walk across Ellesmere Island
 He and John Dunn covered about 750km on often unexplored territory.
Amazing.

Summer hail on our balcony - Don't think the plants liked it too much
but then it is the mountains and it has been a wet summer.

We are a mountain family. Awesome day

Me trying to keep up! I sure worked up a sweat!

Shona and Chris stride down Tent Ridge on our annual family hike

Family Farewell to Shona Andrew and kumu - Godspeed

Shona and her beloved Kumu plus gerry cans

Moose having a drink up near Eohippus Lake. Love the name of the
lake really has nothing to do with the animals of the Rockies.

Paradise in Canmore Gardens

Detail in Shady Retreat.
Darlene and Darrel's Garden

Everything is honored in this garden - water, rocks, wood and plants.

Detail fromSping Creek

Xeriscape garden with magnificent fossils
Eric Kuhn and Sue Webb

Xeriscape Garden

Bee balm
Chicadee Pines B& B

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The grand garden of Stan Niemies Chickades Pines B&B

Detail of pathway - not an inch of space is wasted in this garden.
Carmelo and Anneke private heaven.

An over abundance of produce.

These Basil plants produce 10 kgs of Pesto each year!
I'm jealous!

Zucchini grown in Canmore - amazing

Tomatoes on wheels plus protective plastic.

The science of rain barrels.

Carmelo and Anneke's Garden