Day 5 in the Winter wonderland

There's not much "going out" happening around here as we reach day 5 of the Great Perthshire Snow of 2010. So there has been plenty of time to crochet hats for the family. Rhona wanted one with ears and that's just what she got.

Night time photography isn't my best achievement but you hopefully get the idea here.

Despite heavy snow on Friday night there was still a great turn out on Saturday evening to see the switch on parade. Here comes the pipe band leading the parade.

Not really going that fast but somehow I got a nice effect as the band passed the shop.

And here comes Santa on the four wheel drive which all self respecting Santas will be travelling in this year.

Last year he travelled by tractor but this year the tractors were a bit busy digging cars out of snowdrifts further up the glen.

And then came Sunday. Such a lot of snow.

The drive was cleared on Saturday to get my car into the garage and now look at it.

Going to be a big job getting out of this. Thankfully we don't have to be anywhere for a couple of days.

I decided against hanging my washing out on the line. Good choice I think...

Besides which, the tumble drier is in the downstairs toilet and while it is tumbling away it makes the toilet really warm and cosy..

Nearly lost my wellies in the snow.. In some parts it came up over the top of my super Jelly Bean Wellies.

Ha.. in some parts it came up over the top of my wee dog.

No wonder she is so keen to get back in the house before it starts to snow again.

Time to get crocheting more hats for the shop I think, and maybe a couple of dog coats.

Victorian Day

Saturday 27th November was the date for Alyth's Victorian Day

A quick recap if you weren't here last year.

Victorian Day is the day we switch on our little town's Christmas Lights. We are very proud of our Christmas Lights as they aren't provided by the local council, but have been built up over the last few years by enthusiastic fundraisers and many many coffee mornings.

The day starts with shopkeepers in Fancy Dress, endless photo opportunities, a charity Victorian Style Market in the afternoon, then the switch on parade up the main street and into the Square for music from Perthshire Brass and Alyth Pipe Band.

There are certificates for the best 3 fancy dress and a shield for the winner as chosen by the Citizen and Young Citizen of the year.

All round, it's just a lovely day to be part of.

Big thanks to 'my man' for tackling the job of clearing the path in front of the shop. We had our first snowfall on Friday night and the morning was freezing cold.

Me and my Boy. Since Megan went to Uni in Aberdeen my son Calum has been helping out on Saturdays. He is studying drama and quite enjoyed playing the part of distinguished young gentleman.

I loved my Mary Poppins outfit. Not quite the weather for a '...jolly holiday..' but I kept singing Mary Poppins songs throughout the day. It was ... supercalifragelisticexpialidocious.

Heather in the paper shop spent the morning dressed as Paddington Bear. Sillly girl, ate all her marmalade sandwiches in the first half hour.

Young Kirsty, Super Kirsty helps out in the Tee shirt printing shop next door to Buy Design.

Michael was not a great advert for the Barber of the town in his big affro wig. He was too busy reliving the '70s to care that his hair and moustache were different colours.

If you watch Scottish Television, you will no doubt recognise Isa and Jaavid from 'Still Game'.

If not, then just take my word for it, these two were great.They came 3rd in the competition.

These cool hippies were kept busy in the Co-op. Serving customers and posing for photos.

David in Hobbies tried shouting 'I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here' but it was Muriel's day off so he just had to work.

Pirates took over in the chemist shop but they seemed to be working pretty hard so we let them carry on.

Audrey and Bill looked just like the Victorian Post Master and Mistress.

They were chosen in 2nd place. I love Audrey's dress.

The staff at The Alyth Hotel came 1st and get to keep the shield that they also won last year.

I can't get over that the Boss is in the Scooby Doo suit.

My favourite though is Wee Jack in the Scrappy Doo outfit.

So those are the highlights from my camera.

More about the parade and the switch on next time.

Fiona x

My Creative Space.

It's been all go in here this week.

It started on Sunday morning, bright and early with a collection of tractors and cherry-pickers on the street as the 'boys' of the town started to put up the Christmas lights.

The average age of the 'boys' can only be imagined but they are a hardy lot who work really hard every year to make our little town gorgeous over the festive period.

I was hoping for an action shot but got out with my camera just in time for tea break.

Believe me though, they worked really hard and we are all really looking forward to the switch on parade this coming Saturday.

Saturday 27th November is Victorian Day. This is the day when the shop workers (and anyone else who feels like it) get the chance to dress up in fancy dress and just enjoy ourselves and be a little bit silly. I can't wait to get our costumes out this year as we had such a good time last year.

The end of the day sees the torchlight parade up the street and the switch on of the Christmas lights.

There is a prize for the best-dressed staff on the day, but really it's just good fun.

Victorian Day is also the target for getting our windows ready for the Christmas Window Competition.

I'm just about there now.

A quick break now for dinner and I will be back with the results of what went on in My Creative Space today. In the meantime have a look at other spaces HERE at Kootoyoo.

( little confession here.... I can't get my photos to load just now and I really want to hit the computer... so in the interest of my sanity I will leave and come back later..)



Victorian Day in Alyth

What can I say about Victorian Day !!! We had such a lovely day in Buy Design. Here is my lovely Megan looking like a shop assistant in a novel by Jane Austen. Don't know if there are any Jane Austen shop assistants but if there were they would look like this.

There is a competition amongst all businesses for the best or most original costumes and we are really chuffed to have been awarded third place today.

We spent the day having photos by complete strangers and smiling madly. The last time a spent a whole day smiling for photos was my wedding day 20 years ago.

This lovely couple work in Costcutter and were given second place.

The ladies in the chemist reliving their school days.

Andy Pandy and Teddy in the Post Office.

Michael Kay, the demon barber of Airlie Street. Michael is a very active member of the Alyth Business Association and did loads of work to make the day a great success.

This lady doesn't actually have a shop but she and her little grandaughter dressed in Victorian style and visited all the shops.



A lovely snowlady in the hairdressers. I think this is a great costume as she was able to work as normal while looking fab.

David here, was standing on the corner watching life go by and took photos of everyone as they passed. He has a really good pic of me which I didn't know he had taken. He is doing a photography course and I think Victorian Day is a bit of a project for him.

The Toy Soldier was serving in the newsagents today. She has also decorated a fantastic Christmas Window. That's another competition here and our windows will be judged in two weeks time.

Most of the windows were done for today and are looking great, especially as the Christmas lights have now been switched on.

The Co op staff turned out as the cast of a Spaghetti Western

Dorothy and the wicked witch at The Dirliebane coffee shop.

The Spar just did their own thing really. Paul had a bit of a problem with his parrot which did not want to sit on his shoulder,but all was resolved in time for a photo.

Now, Margaret at Meg's Mini Market has taken recycling to a whole new level with her bin bag dress and litter accessories. Will it become the fashion of the future? Mmm just have to wait and see on that one.

This cowboy and his squaw were helpers at the scout coffee morning in Airlie Street Hall. Here they are outside Buy Design.

Sadly I don't have a photo of the winners today. The Alyth Hotel had dressed as the cast of Allo Allo. By the time I got round there to visit they had changed into normal clothes since the costumes weren't suitable for working in the kitchen and for handling food. Hopefully I will get a pic e-mailed to me and I will post it later.

All round it has been a super day. Hope you enjoy the pics.

Victorian Day

Just A quick note to remind everyone local that this Saturday is Victorian Day here in Alyth. Megan and I were off this evening to collect our costumes and can't wait to wear them on Saturday.
Christmas window is just about finished, though I think I will be adding a few more bits along the way. I really want to have it all done by Saturday since there will be a lot of visitors in town and we want to be looking our best.
I will be taking lots of pics on the day and will share them as soon as I can.
Just a bit more knitting to do tonight, so bye for now.

Christmas Shopping Evening

I have just set the date for our Christmas Shopping evening which will be on Wednesday 9th December. We will be open from 6.30 till 9ish. Last year I made mulled wine for the first and since I wasn't entirely sure what it should taste like, I wasn't entirely sure if it was any good. Apparently it was, so I will try to do the same again. There will be seasonal nibbles too, so you can always pop in on your way home from work instead of rushing home to cook.
Not sure if I mentioned before that 28th November is Victorian Day here in Alyth. Coffee morning in Airlie Street hall in the morning, Charity Stalls there in the afternoon, and Christmas Lights switch on at 6pm.
We will be open till 7pm. Not giving too much away, but along with the other shops in the town, we will be in Fancy Dress on the day. Megan, my Saturday girl (and daughter) and I were off trying on our costumes last week and can't wait to wear them for real.