Lowther Castle Craft Fair 17th Dec 2015

We first thought about going to Lowther Castle in November when we found out about the craft fair they were putting on until Christmas Eve. However other commitments, and then the dreadful weather Cumbria and Southern Scotland experienced, prevented us going until now. Even then when we looked out the window and saw the fog and drizzle, we wondered if it was the right day to go. The weather forecast said there would be cloud and some rain at first but that it would then clear up in the afternoon. Would they be right?? We have to say they have been very accurate recently so decided to go!

Well they were correct about the rain – as we got to Carlisle it was quite wet and misty – but then it brightened up! Our planned route had to be adjusted slightly as some roads were still closed (due to flooding). We ended up travelling through little villages with narrow wooded roads, spotting 2 deer bounding through the trees at one point. There were plenty of signs announcing the presence of red squirrels – but no sight of them on this occasion. Everywhere still looked very wet and muddy and the streams and rivers were full and free-flowing.

 

 

On arrival at Lowther we saw evidence of the snow they had recently experienced, with a few small deposits at the edges of the car park. The Lowther Estate is large and was originally laid out in the 16th and 17th centuries. It was subsequently remodelled and the Lowther family are still maintaining and restoring the parkland today.

The last family resident was the fifth Earl, who left the castle on New Year’s Day 1936. The castle was then requisitioned by the army during the Second World War for secret tank weapon testing in the gardens. The sixth Earl sold the castle contents in 1947 and after trying to find alternative ways of saving the architectural heritage of the site, the seventh Earl removed the roof and all the interior structure of the building in 1957.

The gardens were then used to house a large chicken farm and commercial forestry business, while the rest of the gardens and the castle were left to fall into ruin. The Lowther Estate and English Heritage entered into a partnership in 1999 to reverse the deterioration of the castle, gardens and stable courtyard and turn Lowther Castle into a Visitor Attraction.

Work is still ongoing today.

 

Hunger took us first to the old coach house where the café is now found.

 

 

Feeling refreshed we moved across the courtyard to the shop and stables, where the craft fair was housed. According to Lowther we would find “beautiful crafts & gifts” at the fair, many from local artists & designers.

 

 

They were not wrong – there were many stunning items on display, with much time and effort put into their construction. The stables provided lovely surroundings for the decorations and gifts that were on display. We were able to wander around the displays, and the gifts in the shop, in our own time.

 

 

 

Finally leaving the courtyard after a lovely time – we realised the weather was lovely too!

The sky was blue and the sun was shining!

 

 

The drive home was dry, with sun on the hills and white clouds skidding across the sky.

 

 

As an extra treat there was also a lovely sunset. It wasn’t quite what we expected when we set out, but after the weather we have had recently, it was a real bonus for us.

 

 

An Afternoon of Carols 10th December 2015

Had a lovely Christmassy afternoon yesterday at Broughton House in Kirkcudbright.

It is an 18^th Century Georgian house and the former home of Scottish painter E A Hornel, one of the Glasgow Boys. It is a living museum of his life and work, full of his paintings and those of his contemporaries. There is a library, which includes one of the world’s biggest collections of works by Robert Burns.  Behind the house is Hornel’s garden, which is a mixture of Eastern and Western horticulture and is a delight to explore. The National Trust look after the house and had organised an afternoon of carols.

We began the afternoon with mulled wine and mince pies and then went into the Gallery for the carols. The staff had organised a terrific programme of carols and readings, which they presented with great aplomb.
The readings for the afternoon were all related to Christmas in one form or another - from "The birth o Jesus" from the Glasgow Gospel by Jamie Stuart, where the story is told in a Glaswegian accent - to "I keep my Snowman in the Freezer" by Ian McMillan.

I KEEP MY SNOWMAN IN THE FREEZER

by Ian McMillan

I keep my snowman in the freezer

Just behind the  pies

He likes it there, he  told me so

I can see it in his eyes.

I made him on a cold, cold  morning

When the snow was fresh and deep

Now he sits in the freezer

Near the fish that we got cheap.

I keep my snowman in the freezer

And look at him each day.

If I’d left him in the garden

He’d simply have melted away.

But now he’s like my Grandma

Living somewhere safe and nice;

He’s in a frosty, snowy palace

On a throne of coldest ice.

I keep my snowman in the freezer

Near a lump of frozen beef

And I’ve got a treat for him in August:

I’m taking him to Tenerife!

Do you think this poem by Paul Curtis would ring any bells with modern mothers too?

A MOTHER'S CHRISTMAS TALE

By Paul Curtis

 I have worked for Ebenezer Scrooge all year

A man devoid of any sign of Christmas cheer

I’ve avoided being kissed by the office Romeo

By navigating the office avoiding mistletoe

As the time is ticking towards Christmas day

I could have done with a little help along the way

I’ve dealt with shoppers impatient and rude

But I tried to stay cheerful while I queued

I’ve bought all the presents the paper and bows

I’ve put up with all the countless ho ho ho’s

I’ve got all the groceries and gallons of booze

While you sat in front of the telly and snoozed

I’ve decked the halls I’ve trimmed the tree

I’ve wrapped all the presents from you and me

I’ve written all the Christmas cards to everyone

Which I hand delivered though I posted some

I’ve cleaned the whole house from bottom to top

I’ve washed and ironed till I’m ready to drop

I’ve prepared the veg, I’ve stuffed the bird

I’ve hung the stockings and you’ve not stirred

And the very second I take a minute for me

The first thing I hear is “Mum, what’s for tea”

So to Santa Claus I make my annual plea

For a special present just for me

Next year I want to escape this stress

So that I too can have a merry Christmas

One of the final readings was another poem by Paul Curtis...

Happy Christmas Auntie Peggy

By Paul Curtis

For Christmas I bought my auntie

A brand new wooden leg

I didn't have it specially made

I bought it off the peg

You may say it's not a nice gift

You might think that it's a killer

It wasn't her main present though

It was just a stocking filler.

The carols included all the old favourites like Once in Royal David's City and O Come All Ye Faithful. The 12 days of Christmas was very amusing with participants waving or standing up every time the number on their programme was mentioned in the singing. The partridge in a pear tree - number 1 - was up and down like a yo-yo!
Two volunteers were requested for our rendition of Deck the Halls - to accompany us on kazoos! We were given party poppers and given permission to set them off!
A fantastic afternoon that really made it feel like Christmas. From the conversations afterwards everyone had thoroughly enjoyed themselves. We look forward to next year.

October wildlife sightings from a garden in Annan

This month has been very unusual in that the weather has been very mild. The wind has been so gentle that the leaves are still on many of the trees showing off their beautiful autumn colours.  There has been no frost to put an end to the growth of  many summer plants so we still have cosmos, nasturtiums and dahlias flowering!
Moths and butterflies have almost disappeared from our records this month though on sunny days the odd few have still been spotted. Moth traps and accessories have been officially put away for the winter!
Our max for this month is as follows:
Red Admiral - 7
Small tortoiseshell - 1
Silver Y moth - 1 (a day-flying moth)
Many birds have reappeared this month - house sparrows and starlings have been most numerous but it has been nice to see a good variety. We have also seen geese flying overhead as they return to D&G for the winter, often hearing them before we actually see them! However we have said goodbye to House Martins and Swallows as they fly off to warmer countries.
Our monthly max for birds:
Blackbird - 2 male, 3 female
Blue Tit - 4
Carrion Crow - 1
Chaffinch - 1 male, 1 female
Coal Tit - 4
Collared Dove - 2
Dunnock - 3
Geese - 150 flying overhead
Goldfinch - 3
Great Tit - 2
House Martin - 12
House Sparrow - 20 male, 15 female
Jackdaw - 4
Robin - 1
Rook - 1
Sparrowhawk - 1
Starling - 35
Swallow - 2
Wood Pigeon - 1
Wren - 1

Do you know the difference between members of the crow family? if not, here is a short guide:

 

 

The all black carrion crow is a fairly sociable bird, often found alone or in pairs.

 

 

The rook with it's bare, greyish-white face, thinner beak and peaked head distinguish it from the carrion crow. They are very sociable birds and feed and roost in flocks.

 

 

 

This is a small black crow with a distinctive silvery sheen to the back of its head. The pale eyes are very noticeable.

 

 

 

The hooded crow is closely related to the carrion crow but can be more sociable and groups of them can be seen together in fields.

 

Species to look out for in November:

The fieldfare is a large member of the thrush family. The head and rump are grey, with a chestnut -red back and wings and the chest and flanks are heavily spotted.

 

The redwing is smaller with its creamy stripe above the eye and a distinctive orange-red patch on the flanks, which is also visible in flight.

 

(Info & pictures from RSPB website)

September Wildlife sightings from a garden in Annan

A much better month for weather - some lovely sunny days although the evenings are beginning to draw in and cool down! Much of the wildlife this month has been butterflies again. The sunflowers and buddleia have finally fully opened their blooms and the butterflies have loved them!  The max for each species seen is as follows:
Painted Lady - 1
Peacock - 10
Red Admiral - 7
Small Tortoiseshell - 7
There have also been numerous white butterflies flitting around the garden.

We have noticed a good number of day flying moths around the garden too - especially on the sage! Usually a Silver Y, which is a very pretty moth, named for the mark on its wings. They have not however been caught in any numbers in traps.

Moths in the traps have still been in short supply. Cooler evenings have probably had something to do with it. New for us however is the Bulrush Wainscot (pictured on the right below) and Agonopterix arenella (pictured bottom left)

A few birds seem to be re-appearing in the garden now, but nothing in great numbers. There is presumably still plenty for them to find in the wild. The monthly max for birds was as follows:
Blackbird - 1 male, 1 female, 4 young
Blue tit - 2
Carrion crow - 2
Chaffinch - 1 male
Coal tit - 2
Dunnock - 1
Great tit - 1
House sparrow - 30 male, 20 female
Jackdaw - 4
Robin - 2
Starling - 30
Swallow - 4
Wood pigeon - 2

Seasonal Sightings (from the car) 31st Oct/1st Nov

We set off from Annan on a journey to Argyll hoping to see lots of autumn colour along the way. The weather wasn't exactly encouraging - mist and drizzle accompanying us. Photos were not therefore a very good idea until we got beyond Glasgow, and even then they were difficult. However there were some spectacular colours on the trees alongside the road and further in the distance.

Beyond Loch Lomond the visibility improved slightly and the colours began to intensify...

The return journey, on Sunday, looked much more promising....
The sun was shining!
As we had plenty of time we took the more scenic route home - beginning with a short detour through Stronmilchan. Only 2 miles to the village but the hills were ablaze with colour.

It was not a difficult decision then to take the road along Glen Orchy as our way back to Tyndrum. With the weather and the colours we had already seen we were sure to see more.

All along the road the colours were beautiful.

We stopped at one of our favourite spots along the way - there are always spectacular opportunities for photos at these rocks! Today, with the mist, you could see all the spider webs on the bridge. Many of the bushes along the roadside were also covered in spiders webs - visible because of the mist.

Continuing on our way, the colours continued...

Then we were at the junction for Tyndrum - but even then the display continued.

Loch Lomond was looking quite ethereal in the mist...

... which increased as we journeyed further South. By the time we left the A74M at Annan we could only see about 50 yards in front of us! We know the beautiful autumn colours are in Dumfries and Galloway but today we just couldn't see them!

Scotland's Secret Bunker & The Fisheries Museum 5th Oct 2015

Hidden underneath a farmhouse near St Andrews is a secret Scotland kept for 40 years. The farmhouse was put up for sale with Estate Agents who were unaware of what was underground. On purchasing the house the new owner then brought in builders who discovered a steel door! What was behind the door must have been a real surprise - or shock!
2014 was the twentieth anniversary of the opening of the Bunker to the public. The Bunker lies 100ft underground and is the size of 2 football pitches, one on top of the other.

There is a 450ft tunnel .......

 

 

 leading you to the Security Office.....

 

 

... before reaching the entrance to the Bunker  - through the blast doors...

 

These doors weigh 1½ tons each!
  

The Bunker was built to safeguard Scotland during the Cold War in the event of a nuclear attack. Scotland would have been governed from here, where it was  hoped, those in charge would be safe from any bombs. The Bunker is encased in 15ft of reinforced concrete. Central Government and military commanders would have been living here for some time in the event of a nuclear war so there are all the facilities they might have needed, including cinemas, café, dormitories, medical facilities, chapel etc.

 

Dormitories

 

Canteen & Medical

 

 There are Operational rooms and Command Centres for many organisations.

 

 

This exhibit reminds you that although the Cold War may be over.......

 

  .... it was not that long ago.

There is one resident at the Bunker ....

 

 



... with her own entrance.

These are not real ... but just there to explain why they need Cleo!

The Secret Bunker is an amazing place. There is so much to see - you could be down there for weeks!


We then moved on to The Fisheries Museum, which had been highly recommended to us. This museum tells the story of the Scottish fishing industry, its boats, harbours and communities and is situated in historic buildings on the harbour at Anstruther. The buildings date from the 16th-19th Centuries and surround a cobble-stone courtyard which has associations with fishing from the 14th Century!

The buildings have all been linked internally to create the different galleries and visitor trail around them.
The museum is split into different galleries, beginning with one telling us about the fishing industry before the 19th Century.

Through the different galleries we then learned about the Herring Boom which was so important to the industry in the 19th Century. Changing Fishing Methods told of the new technology developed in the 20th Century and Developments in Boat Design told of the influences on changing boat shapes and technology.
There are many fantastic scale models of boats within many of the galleries ...

.... and also proof of a thriving Model Boat Making Club.

There is even a working boat yard - within the museum -where they are restoring a boat! As we watched the volunteers were busy shaping a piece of wood to fit where the original piece had rotted away.

3 boats in the museum are recognised as being of national significance by the Register of Historic Vessels. The Reaper, The Research and The Lively Hope are all included in the National Historic Fleet.

There are exhibits within the museum that give you a little experience of what life as a fisherman was like.

The final gallery is the Fishermans Cottage, a real cottage fitted out as it would have been when it was lived in by a fishing family.

The Fisheries Museum is a fantastic museum to visit. It is like the Tardis - it looks small from the outside and does nothing to prepare you for the extent of the building and its exhibits within. It is absolutely stuffed full of artefacts, models and history. The recommendation we got was spot on. A brilliant place and well worth a visit.