The Wee Writing Lassie’s and her Many Marvellous Reads – The First Book : Introduction

What ho, Wee Readers, and welcome to the first (the first part in fact) in hopefully many such blog posts. I spoke about perusing a more in-depth look at some of the books that I read at the start of the year … then I got a bit distracted. But I’m back again and ready to get this thing started… at last.

A Game of Thrones

By George R. R. Martin

One of the few books he has finished. Sorry, that was mean I’m just very bitter about the Winds of Winter.

Genre:

Fantasy. Of course. What you didn’t think the world where winter lasted decade was going to be in the history genre did you?

Format

Novel, of course (and a heck of a long one at that) but as with most books I read lately I experienced this book in its audiobook form. It was really good check it out on Audible and have a listen for yourself.

Published

1996 … I was two.

The Wee Writing Lassie’s Shelf

The Great Grand Dragon Something or Other Shelf. A shelf intended for all those works of fiction not only of the fantasy genre but relaying on all things magic, prophetic or large fire breathing lizards to move their stories along. It will be fun in the future to see what other books fit this particular shelf.

Reasons for Reading

Because I loved the show and I’d always been interested to see how it matched up with the book itself. Pretty well as it turned out – at least as far as the first season went anyway.

Now, our first introduction is done, next week we move onto our next portion of the review … the Characters.

If you’ve enjoyed this wee post remember to follow the Wee Blog if you haven’t already. Also check me out on X, Goodreads, Instagram, Mastodon, Threads, Pinterest, Tumblr, Spotify, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook and Kofi. Until next time stay safe, and have a bonnie day.

All Hallow’s Holiday – The Playlist

Well, we’ve come to our series end wee readers, and I have to say I’ve really enjoyed this blog series. My photos always come out twice as better than I think they will. But everything has its time, and now the mailing list has been released we must say goodbye to ‘All Hallow’s Holiday’.

And what better way to do so with a Playlist.

All Hallow’s Holiday

And yes wee readers this is the very playlist in which we listened to on our travels … which might explain somewhat why it’s so very long. I love making playlists for my family’s holidays because there’s always a song for everyone.

All Hallow’s Holiday – The Mystery Box

Well, Wee Readers, we’ve finally reached our end – or rather the last part of our journey that’s memorable enough to write about – but don’t fear we’re not quite done yet. For like most of the blog series I make this one will end in the mailing list.

And yes, I have indeed devoted a whole blog post in this series just to tell you that. So, while your already a little disappointed let’s play a game.

Can anyone tell me where this is?

All those who guess right can help themselves to the biscuit of their choice from their own cupboards . And for all of those who guessed wrong…well, I guess you’re just going to have to sign up to The Wee Mailing List if you haven’t already by the 14th of February to find out where it is.

In fact everyone should do that because I’m not saying it here.

All Hallow’s Holiday – Bridges and Highland Roads

Well, we might be nearing the end of our holiday wee readers but we’ve still got a few roads to pass.

Interesting fact – this next group of photos is of one of the oldest bridges in Scotland. And as I say that, I hope it’s true because I can’t remember where I heard it.

Onwards to the end we go.

All Hallow’s Holiday – A Graveyard, because there has to be a Graveyard in a Halloween Holiday

Well, follow us Wee Readers round Parish of Auldearn – or more accurately it’s graveyard. Because every Halloween holiday needs a visit to a graveyard.

Interesting fact, the witch trials that took place in this parish back in 1662 were some of the most significant in Scottish History thanks in no small part to Isobel Gowdie and her confession.

The ruin of the old church.

Graves, Graves, oh so many graves.

And off we go, on to our next adventure.

All Hallow’s Holiday – A Ruin and a whole bunch of stone circles

And now that we have a temporary home base we head out for our adventures. First stop a castle ruin in someone’s backyard. Don’t worry we were allowed to be there this isn’t a breaking and entering situation.

Fun fact this castle was actually cursed to become a ruin by the famous Scottish witch Isobel Gowdie.

And now we’re on the trail for some stone circles.

And we found them.

A whole lot of them.

All Hallow’s Holliday – A Holliday Cottage is reached

Well, finally people, we reached our destination. And to welcome us to the city of Nairn we found a Victorian era post box.

And a beach a stone’s throw away from our holiday cottage.

And speaking of our cottage.

We usually live in the woods so it was actually a nice change – at least for a two day holiday – to have houses on both sides of us.

All Hallow’s Holiday – The Hillock

And so as we march on towards our destination ; may I introduce Downie Hillock. A small knoll with the remains of an Iron Age hill fort at the top now found in the forest of Downie.

Climbing up Downie Hillock.

Standing on top of Downie Hillock.

Making our way down Downie Hillock.

Getting Lost in the forest below Downie Hillock.

All Hollow’s Holliday – Into the Woods

Well, our next stop was a walk in Speymouth forest.

Speymouth forest is large, measuring about 9,945 acres in total.

It is located on the right bank of the River Spey – hence, probably, the name – in the area of Moray. I would give more facts but I’ll be honest these posts are really more about the photos.

All Hallow’s Holiday – The Well

What Ho, Wee Readers and Welcome to the first post of the All Hallow’s Holiday. Our first stop takes us to the village of Portsoy and yes we are in a graveyard. You may find it creepy but I find it thematic.

Built in the early part of the 7th Century – so it’s said – this well is covered by a stone cupola standing opposite the gravestones of Portsoy.

Said to be built near the sight of church dedicated to St. Columba this sight has an almost eery feel to it when you step past that stone arch and into the well beyond.

The well is replenished by a fresh water spring.

And kept hidden in an earth mound of possible ancient origins.

Well, that was our first stop now back onto the road towards our holiday cottage.