Stirling 14th - 17th December 2018

Friday 14th Dec
A lovely sunny day saw us off on another trip - this time to Stirling. The weather forecast for tomorrow is looking very hairy - warnings are out for snow, ice and rain! - but today is glorious.

On the way we bypassed the Kelpies and then Stirling Castle.

After a slight detour - through Morrisons car park - we finally found our hotel, which looked out over the Wallace Monument.

Saturday 15th Dec
Well it didn't look too bad when we looked out the window this morning so we decided to go to the Visitor Centre at the Queen Elizabeth Park at Aberfoyle. The approach road had more snow than we had seen so far …

and the loch definitely looked icy …

There was supposed to be a craft fair but unfortunately we found only 2 stalls! After coffee we therefore headed back to Stirling, but were rewarded on the way out by fabulous stags running through the trees! We have been know to say on occasions "You just never know what you might see!"
In Stirling there were some stalls in the shopping centre, (and even if there hadn't been any stalls it was much warmer in there) We were also treated to a choir singing Christmas songs and carols - lovely.

Returning to the hotel before any really bad weather arrived we only ventured out again to eat. Much later in the evening found it had actually snowed! The paths were white but nothing like the forecast had implied.

Sunday 16th Dec
Still only a light covering of snow on the roads and hills, but thawing already.

Our destination today was the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway, a heritage railway and Scotland's largest railway museum situated on the Firth of Forth. There were Santa trains running today and therefore many excited families.

A gentle ride home concluded our trip to Stirling.

Glenrothes 9th - 12th Nov 2018

Friday 9th Nov.
We began our trip at the usual meeting place outside Edinburgh - free coffee Mon - Fri! We then moved on to South Queensferry - the car park just outside gives a lovely view of the bridge.

Going into the village itself there was a museum all about the bridges on the main street. What a quaint little place - narrow street with steps up to shops above street level.

Having spent some time in the museum we had a wander up and down the street before finding a nice cafe for refreshments.
Moving on we crossed the new bridge - busy by this time in the afternoon - to our hotel for the next few days.

Sat 10th Nov
Sat saw us catching the train from Markinch to Dundee. Ticket office out of action and we were asked if we had our bus passes with us??? There is apparently a special rate for train users if you have a bus pass in Fife. As we did not have a Fife bus pass it was no good to us. The platform taking people to Edinburgh was very busy as there was a rugby match on but our platform for Dundee was much quieter. A nice ride across the Tay Bridge brought us into Dundee station.

A very nice guard on the train (Steve) told us his dad (Bill) was a guide at the museum we were planning to visit, so we said we would say hello to him when we got there.
Scotland's Jute Museum at the Verdant Works was within walking distance of the station, and although Bill wasn't at the entrance, he soon found us in the café and introduced himself, and gave us an introduction to the museum.
Leaving us then to explore on our own we learned much about jute and its uses over the years. A lady who used to work in the mill explained some of the machinery (a smaller version of the ones she used but still very noisy) No wonder she was deaf!

Bill re-appeared to start up the copy of the steam engine that was in the museum - just for us -although a few more gathered by the time he got it going! Wandering around the rest of the museum was really interesting and the café was good for refreshments along the way!
A brilliant lego exhibition was also being staged at the museum and we had a look around in amazement at some of the models.

We had thought to have an early tea at Wetherspoons before catching the train back to Markinch but it was absolutely heaving in there (possibly because of the rugby on TV??) but managed to find seats at the Pancake House instead. Fascinating to what the pancake dishes being made through the hatch as we were waiting - one plat of pancakes would have been enough for all 4 of us!! Next time perhaps.
Sun 11th Nov
Not such nice weather today so a leisurely drive down the coast. We thought we would stop and wander around St Andrews - but the rain was getting heavier so that was cut short and we just drove around ending up at Caulders Garden Centre at Cupar. What a transformation from the last time we were there. A new café and much of the centre rearranged and refurbished.
Reaching Anstruther later meant only one place for tea! Only a short wait today too for a table and their excellent fish and chips.

Not so much luck for another fish and chip shop in Anstruther though - there were 3 fire engines in attendance and the front of the building was black! Don't suppose we will ever find out what happened.
Mon 12th Nov
We were travelling home today and went via IKEA for a little early Christmas shopping. Crossing via the Queensferry bridge was still a treat to us as we headed home after another enjoyable few days away.

Breaking new ground 2nd Nov 2018

A place we had heard of, but never got around to visiting, was Broom Fisheries, near Annan. Well, the weather was perfect this morning - frosty but sunny - so a wander was in order. We knew where we were going but had never been down this particular road before! A narrow, winding  road took us through the old Royal Ordnance Factory site before arriving at Broom Fisheries.

Broom Fisheries it turns out is the home to coarse fishing lakes and waters at Newbie, just 2 miles from Annan in beautiful Dumfries & Galloway. The fishery is open from 8am to dusk every day. You may ask - as we did - what is coarse fishing? As I understand it (I think!) coarse fishing is fishing for species of fish that live in freshwater - other than trout and salmon.
Broom Fisheries offer the chance to catch barbel, roach, tench, perch, bream, rudd, gudgeon, chub, carp and ide. (Never even heard of ide!) They have records of bream and barbel weighing in at 6lbs and carp at 15lbs!

Coarse fishing is apparently a growing sport in Scotland and the fishery has 9 fully stocked lakes and a purpose built canal. They are all well signed and looked after. As well as offering fishing days out, at what to us seemed very reasonable prices, they also host a range of competitions and events - attracting some of the country's top anglers. The Tackle Box is an on-site shop, selling everything you might need - although it was closed when we were there. (There was however a notice on the door giving a telephone number if the shop was closed!!)

We began our adventure with coffee in the cafe, only open Fri-Sun, but warm and welcoming.
Setting off we wandered around all the lakes on grass pathways that had been cut to allow access to the various fishing stands on the lakes. Although only 2 miles from busy Annan we commented how quiet it was - not a sound!  No traffic, just the tweet of birds in the trees. Blue tit, great tit, robin, blackbird,song thrush and a redwing were spotted on the way round and we disturbed a heron who then drifted majestically across the water next to us. Two mute swans stood at the side of the water as we passed by, seemingly not at all bothered by our presence. A buzzard landed in the tree in front of us and sat for a while before moving on when it was ready. Trees and lakes surrounded us in all directions. We had no clue as to where we were. It was wonderful!
We passed the ruins of several brick-built buildings and underground openings that were still left from its time as a propellant factory site for the War Office.

On our way round we also discovered there is a caravan and campsite - just 100 yards from the banks for fishermen! The site has beach access, electrical hook-ups, hard standing and private shower & toilet facilities. Dogs are also welcome on the site.

The site seems very well looked after and they have even begun a firewood log business. To maintain the grounds they had to cut and remove the older/precariously growing trees within the 200 acre estate and this led to a new business venture, which has continued to grow since then.

Finally returning to the cafe we sat outside in the sunshine and had our lunch. Not a huge menu but burgers, rolls etc all prepared and served in just a few minutes. Very reasonable prices and as we sat there there several local workers called in for their lunch too - so must be good if locals use it!
We shall certainly be going back, both to walk around and search out the wildlife - and to use the cafe (As long as we remember it is only open Fri-Sun)
Then to round off our time here, as we stood looking around, a sundog appeared in the sky. a beautiful end to our visit.

Washington Oct 2018

Day 1
Telling everyone we were off to Washington caused a few questions, but we were only travelling to the North East of England, not across the Atlantic! We were going to visit a museum that many ex NE residents seemed to have no knowledge of!!
The North East Land, Sea and Air Museum (formerly the North East Aircraft Museum)is an aviation museum situated on the site of the former RAF Usworth and Sunderland Airport, at Washington. The museum also has collections of weaponry, vehicles, engines and other historical exhibits. Many of the exhibits are housed in a new hangar, much of the money for which was donated by members of the public.
The museum has a collection of more than 30 aircraft - from passenger aircraft to training planes

... and a huge Vulcan.

It is only when you are up close you realise just how big it is!

The Military Vehicle Museum  has a collection of military vehicles such as trucks and armored personnel carriers. There are also examples of emergency vehicles.

The North East Electric Traction Trust has a collection of vintage trams and a trolleybus here too.

There is a display dedicated to the local RAF Squadron, 607 (County of Durham) Squadron and
the story of life in Britain during 1939-1945 is told through a street of shops within the museum.

A wonderful museum - there is so much packed into the hangars and sheds, you could spend hours looking round. The volunteers are doing a grand job and as you walk around there is evidence of previous work, ongoing work and future projects.

Day 2
Our visit today was to Locomotion, part of the Science Museum Group. Locomotion was the first national museum to be built in the North East and opened in 2004. It is sited at Shildon, home to the first steam hauled passenger train, which operated during the opening ceremony of the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 1825. Just inside the entrance is a Replica Locomotion No.1

The building is home to over 70 heritage rail vehicles.Some have been finely restored while others still show signs of the work they have done over the years.

As well as homing many historic locomotives the museum also has trainees and volunteers working with experienced engineers and conservators to repair and restore historic railway vehicles.
The Science Museum Group want to inspire the next generation of scientists, inventors and engineers and so Locomotion have workshop tours (and a viewing platform allow visitors to see conservation workers at work on a range of projects), steam rides, shunting demonstrations and guided tours to encourage this. They are committed to telling the story of Shildon, the world's first railway town.

There are areas for families to have picnics and interactive displays -  plenty to interest everyone - and a cafe for refreshments. Another great museum.

Holiday to Arran Sept 2018

On the eve of our holiday, as we were packing cases, an Email arrived to say our ferry had been cancelled because of a technical issue (unable to use ramp to get cars on or off)!! Unable to get through to Calmac because of the high volume of calls they were experiencing we went to bed not knowing what would happen in the morning.

Well morning arrived and although the website said there was an extra ferry running - it was at 8 o'clock in the morning! Not going to catch that one then! Ringing Calmac resulted in about an hour on hold. Eventually, talking to a very helpful assistant meant we changed our booking to the first available ferry - at 8pm. Plans to meet our fellow travellers then had to change, and kept changing throughout the day. Finally arriving at the ferry terminal to collect our tickets we found that our original ferry might be taking cars after all! A mad dash to get the cars into the queue and we managed to board the ferry at the very last minute.

Back to Plan A now after a very stressful time.
The crossing made up for it though - calm and done under beautiful blue skies.

Having done shopping, we journeyed to the cottage and unpacked our cars, had tea and were sitting watching the tide come in by the time 8pm came around - the time we thought we would be setting sail. How relieved we all were to be here and settled. A good night's sleep will hopefully get us back into holiday mood.
Sunday
Well it was a very good night's sleep - and the view this morning is amazing. Look at the colour of the water!

Then it got even better! My favourite sea bird is the gannet and what was flying and diving right in front of me as I sat looking out the window? Yes gannets ... and more gannets... and more gannets. What majestic birds when they are flying - those black wing tips mean there is no mistaking them for anything else. The way they then turn into a dart as they head towards the water is incredible to watch. Well, that's made my holiday! We have been trying for years to get a good photo of a gannet, or a video of one diving into the water but have never been able to produce anything worthwhile. They are so agile and quick.We may have another week now to have another go, but it means sitting here looking out of the window at the sea watching for gannets with a camera in hand - what an awful way to spend a holiday (I don't think!)
With the window open, listening to the sea whooshing gently on the shore, watching the blue/green sea as it shimmers in the sun is such a hardship that the morning passes very quickly. The odd shower passes over but they are of no great length or density.
Decided to go and visit Arran Distillery this afternoon.

A lovely ride out but not too far to go and the scenery on this short journey was lovely in the sunshine.

On returning to the cottage we decided to have a wander along the beach as the sun was still shining - might not be tomorrow! The weather in Scotland can be unpredictable, so strike while the iron is hot!

Although breezy, the sun shone for the rest of the afternoon and we had a very pleasant wander. On the way back we encountered a kite surfer just getting his gear ready.

Well we had to stop and watch didn't we? Not a hobby we will be taking up though!

A calm end to the day as we sat and watched the water and the sun setting. The sky was clear enough to see Mars and Saturn out the window and on going outside found there were hundreds of stars in the sky too. By bedtime however they were disappearing  behind the clouds.
Monday.
Not such a calm morning this morning.

Cloud everywhere and the wind seems quite strong. It has rained overnight and the sea as it crashes against the rocks makes quite a spray.

It is still mesmerizing to watch and keeps us enthralled all morning. We have also seen a few fishing boats out on the water this morning - but I don't think I'd like to be out there with them!
As the day went on the weather gradually got worse and the rain poured down. We did manage to get out for lunch but soon headed back to the cottage where we sat and listened to the rain hammering on the windows and watched the waves crashing on the shore. It was so dull and grey that it looked just like a black and white photo.

Tuesday
Today started better than yesterday finished! We even saw some sunshine and then spotted a really special creature sitting on the rocks in front of us - an otter. He soon disappeared - but then came back again and sat on the rock munching his breakfast! Unfortunately he was looking the wrong way and too far away to get a really good photo but we know what that black blob in the photo is!!

One more quick sighting in the water was all we saw of him/her again. As the tide began to come in we had some whooshing waves on the rocks which was fascinating to watch, but we then set off out to look for other water. After the rain last night there must be a lot more of it in the rivers and waterfalls. On the way we passed through Corrie -  a picturesque village right on the shore, well known for its boat moorings that look like sheep, a sculpture of a seal in the bay, and, as we discovered, its Viking boat!

Just along the road from Corrie lies Sannox, where the river runs alongside the road. It flows through rocks and crosses the road under an old stone bridge - it certainly had plenty of water in it today.

Wednesday
We woke to glorious sunshine this morning but still had the odd heavy shower. A huge cruise ship passed by the end of the island - it was the Regal Princess on her way to Greenock. A walk along the road to the local shops was meant to be taken between showers ... it began well enough

Unfortunately, we mis-timed our return and got drenched!! By the time we had eaten lunch the weather had improved again and we decided to venture out again. We re-visited Lochranza and the villages of Corrie and Sannox looking for wildlife along the way. We were lucky to see swans, a heron, swallows, mallards and peacocks. Yes I did say peacocks.... they were just by the side of the road!

We also sat and watched what we think was a female Hen harrier hovering and then gliding low across the hillside - probably looking for food.There was also a herd of deer, including stags and hinds up the hill and seals in the water. So, not a bad list for just a couple of hours. We went back to the cottage feeling quite chuffed and sat in the sun watching the waves gently washing up on the shore and the oystercatchers poking around in the seaweed right in front of us.

Thursday
Up and out early this morning - well early for us this week! We wanted to catch the ferry from Lochranza to Cloanaig to visit Campbeltown and the Mull of Kintyre. However first we had to empty the moth trap we set last night. Unfortunately that didn't take long - only 2 moths in it!! A Square Spot Rustic and a Dun-bar. Counting the Angle Shades on the wall that made a grand total of 3.
The weather this morning was still somewhat changeable but the water didn't look too choppy for a ferry crossing. It was quite busy at the small Lochranza terminal and there were actually 2 ferries running as the main terminal at Brodick was still having trouble with ferries.

Only half an hour sailing on Catriona saw us arriving in Cloanaig, leaving a misty Arran behind.

We took the minor road towards Campbeltown, driving along the narrow, meandering roads through wooded areas which suddenly opened up and revealed the sea below us again.As we got nearer to our destination we saw the lighthouse that we had watched blinking every night from the cottage.

Finally arriving in the port of Campbeltown we had a good wander around.

The harbour was full of eider ducks - all sounding a bit like Frankie Howerd "ooh"ing

A nice little town but our time was up - we headed off on The A road towards Tarbert, passing the airport at Macrahanish (up to 10 flights per week from Glasgow - we didn't even know it had an airport!), calling in at Big Jessie's tearoom for tea and delicious home-made cakes on the way. Big Jessie wasn't there unfortunately (on the ferry to Gigha, which had its terminal by the tearoom)
We reached Cloanaig in time for the last ferry back to Arran, and home shortly after that. A super day out.
Friday
Rather grey and breezy again this morning but it had brightened by mid-morning so we decided to go for coffee at the Shiskine Golf Club - just up the road. We knew there was a golf course, and had watched many golfers going past with their trolley of clubs but had never gone to look any closer. We now wish we had - a very smart looking course and clubhouse, that overlook the sea, as you approach. Inside is just as impressive and the home-made scones and cakes were absolutely delicious.

It would have been nice to sit there looking at the view but we moved on, crossing the island by the road known as the String, with a lovely view across the Firth of Clyde .

We continued to Brodick, with a detour along the shore overlooking Holy Isle.

This seal was obviously very comfy on his rock ... but not interested in looking our way!

The heron was busy too fishing for his lunch ...

... talking of which, we went back to a cafe we had visited earlier in the week and had their delicious fish and chips.
Although we had suffered some heavy showers while we were out, by the time we got back to the cottage the sun came out and we spent the rest of the day "water-watching". A quick wander along the sea-shore brought views of a couple more birds.

Rock Pipit

White Wagtail (New species for us)

And a few more ever changing views of waves and whooshes

Not only watching the water, but as it went dark watching the sky too.

The crescent moon looked fabulous but then we also saw Jupiter, Saturn and Mars. A nice end to the week.

Saturday
Better weather this morning so we had a smooth crossing to Ardrossan as the first part of our journey home after a very relaxing week. We stayed in a super cottage with a stunning view across to the Mull of Kintyre. The well-equipped cottage was cosy and comfortable and although the weather may have been rather changeable it did not stop us getting out and about. We were very lucky to see some wonderful wildlife and are already looking forward to going back!