Rambling Russells

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 ...

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 ...