Rambling Russells

The weather forecast didn't bode well for our trip to Stirling this week. We have been very lucky on our trips away so far this year, so I suppose it all had to end sometime! We set off on a rather grey day - and it didn't get any better. Horrible drizzle eventually led to rain by the time we arrived at our hotel. Sunday didn't start any better - it was already raining - and continued all day! We did visit a craft fair and took the 'scenic route' back, via Callender. We would have stopped and had a walk up and down the shops but it was pouring by then - so no! Dobbies Garden Centre & Lakeland Ltd did tempt us in for something to eat/drink but as we came out it was still pouring down, so back to the hotel was all we could come up with to do! Monday dawned with sunshine - yes I did say sunshine! We had to take a second look to check, but it was definitely sunshine, and blue sky! Straight after breakfast we were out - just in case the sun disappeared! Having been...

We travelled to Leith, via Hawick, with friends on a rather grey day. Some trees still have leaves left on them but they are looking really brown now. A lack of wind lately has kept them on the branches longer than might be expected and we are hoping that these few days away will be just as calm. After pausing for lunch we arrived at our hotel and unpacked before heading off into Edinburgh. The bus stop is right outside the hotel and riding upstairs we see many sights on the way - including all the road works, and the congestion this produces! It is really nice not to be the driver in this situation but to sit and look out the window at the chaos with no stress whatsoever! The Christmas Markets began yesterday so Princes Gardens is full of stalls selling a huge range of goodies, both edible and drinkable as well as for presents. There are some scary-looking rides too - the screams are very off-putting and the height they reach is very scary! The crowds thronged every avenue and i...

A miserable time as we travelled to Glasgow, with constant drizzle for most of the day. We did stop off at Drumpellier Country Park, thinking we could have a stretch of our legs here but as it was so miserable we just had coffee and moved on. The park sounds interesting, having 2 lochs with trails and walks and a variety of wildlife. Perhaps another time. We reached our hotel in the continuing drizzle and checked into our room overlooking the airport. Not many flights tonight and as the room had double double-glazing we didn't notice them anyway! Saturday didn't look as if it was going to be much better weather-wise - thick fog in all directions. We stayed at the hotel for the morning as the Rugby World Cup Final was played this morning. Unfortunately England were beaten by South Africa. Moving on after the disappointment we headed for Ardrossan, planning to travel slowly up the coast. Arran had just about disappeared under the cloud …. but we sat and watched ...

It was a dull, grey, morning as we set off for Dundee, but the weather man said the sun would emerge later - and they are always right aren't they?? As we travelled up the A74M towards Moffat the clouds were very low over the hills, making it rather spooky-looking, this pre Halloween weekend. Along with the browns and greens on the hills and the oranges and yellows of the trees  it was feeling very autumnal. The weather man was right though - as we travelled on the sun did come out to shine very brightly. We crossed the Kincardine Bridge heading from Stirlingshire towards Dunfermline in Fife. The bridge was built in 1936 as a swing bridge, allowing ships to pass as they sailed along the Forth, but the lack of shipping in later years meant it was permanently sealed shut in 1989. Pittencrief Park in Dunfermline has been a destination of ours before and as we knew it had a café we searched it out today for a stopping off point for lunch. Delicious home-made soup and sandwich...