321. Conservation area & another well

This stunning, modern house, on the site of an old brewery, really doesn't look like it's only a few years old.  Building a new house in a conservation area like this is not easy - it had to comply with very strict planning regulations (just like my shop did).  There is currently a consultation exercise taking place, looking at the conservation area and asking for the residents' comments about it.

At the base of the tree in the above photo is another of the village's old wells.

320. Temporary traffic lights

 Traffic lights aren't something you see in the village every day.  

  I wonder what work they're doing...

319. The Cauld Waul

Leading on from yesterday's photo - to the bottom right of the steps is the Cauld Waul.  This old well was one of many that once provided the residents with their fresh water supply.

I did a Google search for info on 'Cauld Waul' and it said that no records were found, did I mean 'Cold War'?!!!!

318. Steps

These steps lead from the end of East Street up to Castle Street.

317. Playing field

This is the playing field/ football pitch at Waird's Park.  A great facility for the village.

316. Listed cottage

There are a number of listed buildings within Johnshaven.  Among them is this pretty cottage on Mid Street which has an external stair to the door on the upper floor so I assume it was once two properties.
A lot of time and care is taken over the beautiful garden here which is a riot of colour in the summer.

315. Anchor Hotel

Here's the Anchor Hotel as seen from The Square.  Note the pile of creels outside the cottage next door.

The Anchor has an excellent reputation for its delicious food - you can have a bar meal downstairs or dine in the restaurant upstairs.  The restaurant and overnight accommodation have all been refurbished recently - take a look at the website.

314. Stone heads

I've been Googling away, trying to find out something about these unusual stone heads on the house opposite the church, but I've drawn a blank.  If you know anything about them please leave a comment - did they come from somewhere else or have they always belonged to this house?  Are they depictions of actual people?

UPDATE:  They are the images of Mr & Mrs Cuthbertson who owned the Ship Hotel at some point - I don't know how long ago but it was certainly before the 1920s.  They used to be above the door to the Ship but when they moved into this house they took the heads with them.

313. Dock Street

Looking along Dock Street which fronts onto the harbour.

312. New bench

The bench on the left was erected late last year in memory of Jim Murray.  It's in a lovely spot, perfect for sitting in quiet contemplation or watching the fishermen landing their catch, just like Jim used to do.

311. Blink and you'll miss it!

At around 7:30 last night we had our first snow of the winter.  It was coming down thick and fast with big white flakes swirling around in the wind.  It didn't last long at all though, and there's almost no evidence of it today.
This photo was taken from my living room and shows the back of the lovely pantiled cottage with the blue shutters that sits beside the harbour.

310. Snowdrops

It's a gorgeously bright and sunny morning here today.  These beautiful snowdrops are in the woods alongside the old railway line.

309. Spring has sprung

These crocuses are blooming in the tubs outside Starfish Studio. 

308. Shadows

This shadow cast by chimney pots caught my eye as I walked past Waughton Place.

Apologies for the 2 missing days recently - I was away for a few days and, although I had set Blogger to automatically upload posts, it failed to do so.  There will be a week missing at Easter too, but I'll keep going until the full 365 photos have been posted. 

307. School entrance

The school building is surprisingly inaccessible by car.  There's a very tight turn from Seaview Terrace to get into this narrow entrance - I reversed a Berlingo along here once and it was a real squeeze to get past the lamppost!  There's pedestrian access along Back Road too, but this is the entrance the children walk through every day.

306. Shiny pebbles

Pebbles on the beach, caught in the morning sunlight.

305. Old Schoolhouse

This striking building on Seaview Terrace is the old schoolhouse.  Dating from the 1850s, it is now a category 'C' listed building.

304. Still no snow

This was the view from Seaview Terrace on Sunday afternoon.  Much of Britain was covered in a blanket of snow at the time, but I've still not seen even a flake of the white stuff this winter.

303. Inside Starfish Studio

Lots of people from outside the village have asked to see what it's like inside Starfish Studio.  

It's a small shop, approx 23 square metres but it's packed with gorgeous goodies.  

We only sell affordable British art and craft.  There's a small studio space behind the counter where I paint (when it's not covered in paperwork!).

There's something for everybody in here with prices starting at £1 and the vast majority of items being under £30.  

302. Rays

The sun's rays as seen over the rooftops of Herd Crescent this morning.

301. Going home

There was lots of excitement at the harbour today as a 100 year old fishing boat started its journey back home to Norway.

The boat had been stolen in 1941 by four brave men who were desperate to escape the Nazi occupation of Norway during World War II.  They sailed across the stormy North Sea, landing safely near Old Portlethen.  The boat ended up in Johnshaven and was used for a time as a fishing boat by Murray McBay.  More recently it has been in the care of the Johnshaven & Benholm Heritage Society.

A large crowd gathered in beautiful winter sunshine, and the Lifeboat House was festooned with Saltires and Norwegian flags.  Representatives from Norway joined locals in seeing the boat off on its journey.  Above is the Lord-Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire with representatives from the Royal Navy.

There was a nervous moment as the boat was transferred onto the back of the lorry that will take it up to Aberdeen.  From there it will be transferred to a ship and sailed across to Norway.

The boat's original mast and sail have been found and a suitable engine has been located so the vessel will be restored once it reaches its new home.

The children of Johnshaven Primary School sang an east coast version of, 'I''ll take the high road'.

There was music from the Lathallan Pipe Band.

Before setting off the boat was given a wee tot of whisky by local historian Andrew Orr.

Although the original is now on its way home, a replica boat, made by Richard McBay, can be seen in Johnshaven harbour.

You can read more about this story on the BBC News website.

300. No secrets

It's often said that in small communities everyone knows everyone else's business.  This is particularly true when your friends and family advertise your age on the railings of the village shop!
I hope twins Geordie & Edie had a lovely birthday yesterday!

299. Distant boat

This was taken from the harbour a couple of days ago.  I love this photo!

298. Morning light at the Narrows

My dream home as seen from a frosty field in the early morning.

297. Sunrise

This was the view from the shore at about 8:40am this morning.

296. Beach

Down on the beach, looking towards Ferryden in the distance.

295. Coastal Colourists

This bunch of friendly folk are the Coastal Colourists, an informal art group who meet every Wednesday at Wairds Park (the caravan site) from 10am - noon.  Everyone is welcome, regardless of artistic ability or experience.  There's no teacher, but everyone's very willing to share their advice and ideas if required, and the group have visiting demonstrators every so often.

The room is perfect for art activities as windows along three sides allow lots of natural light to flood in.  If you fancy joining them, pop along one Wednesday morning to find out more.