Happy Tourists

7.5.17: A Castle, a Cruise and Plenty of Good Cheer

It was a glorious if early start to the day and being Sunday, I allowed myself the luxury of a full Scottish breakfast; as of course, did many of the others.
The first visit this morning took us along Loch Fyne bringing back memories of the times that Christian and I took visitors to the "Loch Fyne Oyster Bar". In those days it was a little known, simple affair which quickly became one of the places to say that you'd been to. Nowadays while this restaurant remains independent and supplies seafood and smoked fish all over, the name has been sold to a chain of restaurants throughout the UK.
Our destination was Inverary, a pretty town on the shores of the loch which attracts many a tourist. The main attraction is the 18th century castle that's home to the Duke of Argyll, head of the Clan Campbell, which was used for a Christmas edition of "Downton Abbey".
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/inveraray/inveraray/index.html
There's also a "double" church originally built (1792 - 1802) to allow one half to  worship in Gaelic while the other half worshipped in Scots. The jail and courthouse were built to replace the existing but inadequate buildings between 1816 and 1820 and shows visitors the harsh reality of the penal system of the time. History aside, there are a number of shops fulfilling every tourist's wish for tartan, whisky and other souvenirs. My "lot" were no exception. They were straight off the bus into the "Edinburgh Wollen Mill" in search of a bargain. Looking at the bags that were taken back on the bus, they were successful.
Nicole S had given the excursion a miss as she didn't feel up to it, so Nicole P and I went up to the castle to enjoy the views, the gardens and a cup of tea. Nicole had her first experience of scones and Tunnocks tea cakes; soft marshmallow on a biscuit base, covered in milk chocolate and wrapped in red and silver foil. Only 106 calories a go!. Mmmmm! They brought back memories of my own initiation into the world of Tunnock's teacakes by breaking and picking off the chocolate, bit by bit to prolong the pleasure. I gleaned from the Tunnock's website that the father of the company founder, who was born in 1865, had been a joiner and coffin maker from Uddingston, Glasgow. Mr Tunnock Snr advertised his wares as follows “Why live a miserable life when for 30 bob you can be buried comfortably”. http://www.tunnock.co.uk/about-us/
I kid you not; have a look see for yourself and for those of you who are too young to remember or are among my non British followers, a "bob" was a "shilling" which was 12 pence before decimalisation.

Still, enough of all that; let's get back on the bus and head back to Loch Lomond for an hour's cruise. The weather unsurprisingly as the day was wearing on, was not quite as sunny as it had been in Inverary but it was as picturesque as you would imagine. The boat chugged up the loch with a live commentary in "English" that was completely lost on the French. The main feature was Tarbet Isle or as it is better known, "Honeymoon Isle", so named as newlyweds were left there for a week. If they were still on good terms at the end of the week, it was deemed that the marriage was a success and would last!
After a good dinner, it was off to the bar for coffee for most and a wee whisky for some. We were all soon singing and even had some requests. No, not to be quiet! Just to be sure, I went into the ballroom next door where a quiz about tv programmes was going on and asked a group of women who were sitting out if we were too noisy. They replied "not at all, it's great to see young folk enjoying themselves!". So, there!
Not to be out done, two Scottish women came through and sang too.
The quiz over, it was time to let our hair down and dance. What's more, we fair livened the place up!
Weather:
Warm and sunny. lots of people out getting very red!. Cloudy later
News:
Emanuel Macron won the French Presidential election ahead of Marine Le Pen. In the village he polled 813 to her 605