17.5.22:
Left for the station with JJ on the bus. It
was a little late arriving but we were still on time for our train to
Cacassonne. 20+ minute hold up along the the way but still had time to eat our
picnic in the very warm sunshine on the bank of the canal and have a coffee before
the navette to the airport. Only small, we breezed through the check in.
Even though
the plane was more than 25 minutes late taking off, we arrived
to a cloudy,
chilly but dry Edinburgh airport only 5 minutes late. Baggage reclaim was quick
but my case had obviously fallen off the truck somewhere along the line as it
was damaged but didn't notice until I got to David and Laura's. David picked us
up for the hour's drive to their house where a warm welcome, an apéritif and
dinner awaited us. Just as well, heavy rain and strong wind battered the night
away.
Weather: 26°, sunny at hom; 12°, wet and windy in Scotland.
18.5.22:
Awoke and was up before 8am; my body obviously
being on French time. A leisurely breakfast and drive along Loch Earn to
Killin, stopping to look at the falls (in drizzle) and to have a coffee. Soon
after the rain left off.
Stopped at Fortingall to see the oldest tree in
Britain estimated to be between 2-3, 000 old. Also found written examples (the
inn and on paving stones) of the homophone yew, you and ewe! Drove on to
Aberfeldy where we had lunch at "The Mill'. Continued our drive with a
couple of photo stops, to Crieff and back to the village. Laura and I walked
back while the guys drove. Easy going evening doing a quiz, reading, planning
tomorrow and having an apéro and dinner.Weather: 17° cloudy, breezy
19.5.22:
Getting up for 8am wasn't difficult as it’s
light well before 5 o'clock. A quick breakfast and off to Oban finding sunshine
on the way. Coffee first, a wander, watched the ferries coming in and bought
postcards. Went to Poppies Garden Centre beside the marina on Loch Etive for a
seafood platter lunch. Looked around the shop and came away with a good
waterproof. Not sure I'll get much wear out of it but I liked it and need to
let my impulsive child out from time to time!
From there it was off to the
Ardchattan 13th century priory ruins and home through Glencoe. Drew breath, had
a quick cuppa before Gordon (McCloud) arrived. Laura headed off to see her
grandson in a play and for us there was time for a quick glass of cava
then it
was off to hear the Pipe Band practice. Some new members but several who came
to the village were present and spoke about coming again.
A curry dinner, interesting
conversation and lots of laughs.
Weather: 18°, sunshine and cloud
20.5.22:
Took the train into Edinburgh.
Visited Princes Street, Rose Street, Royal Mile with a lengthy lunch stop at
the old "World's End" pub. JJ thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere
though not the £6 price tag on a glass of wine! Dinner back at David &
Laura's included cousins Rob and Jean so a lot of catching up was done.
Weather: Some sunshine but chilly
21.5.22:
A day with a lot of driving.
House of Bruar (didn't buy anything), a walk to the falls, a soup sized lunch,
a drive passed Blair Atholl Castle,
Killiecrankie and the Soldier's Leap,
Queen's View and Pitlochry.
Had an early and tasty dinner there in "Victoria's" an Italian
restaurant before going to see " Sunshine on Leith" at the theatre.
Was really well done and has inspired me to look for the film version.
Weather: Sunshine & showers
22.5.22:
Another day out driving around
from Lochearnhead. Had lunch in funny sort of retro café. More soup! Ended up
at 13th century Doune Castle, later rebuilt in its present form at
end 14th century. (was closed up for renovations). Was used in the film Monty Python and the Holy
Grail and served as Castle Leoch in “Outlander”. Contented ourselves with a
walk along the river in the sunshine and surprise, up popped "La Loutre"!Dinner at Jane (Laura's sister)
and Phil's.
Weather: Sunshine and cloud
23.5.22:
David & Laura kindly drove us
through to Glasgow via M&S at Braehead. Supersize that it is, I didn't find what I wanted and the clothes didn't leap out saying "buy
me". June met us in John Lewis for the drive down to Lanark where she put
us in her Airbnb cottage.
Had a quick lunch and then a walk down to New Lanark, the UNESCO site of Robert Owen's mill.
Drinks and dinner with a friend of theirs at the house.
Weather: Sunhine and showers, some heavy
24.5.22:
Visited New Lanark this morning
and had a good walk up to the falls. Caught up with Willie and went for a late
lunch at the "Inn in the Loch".
Heavy rain while we were in there
resulted in the car sitting in a puddle!
Weather: Sunshine and heavy showers
25.5.22:
A wet morning for our drive over
to Alloway with Noel who left us there for our rdv with Colin and Sheila at the
Burns' Visitors Centre. We had time beforehand to go around the cottage, the
Monument and onto the bridge.
Had lunch at the Centre with Colin and Sheila
then spent a bit if time exploring the Auld Kirk and the museum. From here we
moved on to Troon going via Dundonald so as to have a better view of the coast.
After a blowy, at times drizzly walk around,
we stopped off at the "Lido" for tea and calorie laden cake. Finally
made it to Mauchline for an apéritif dinatoire all together eventually making
it to the B & B trying not to disturb the other guests.
Weather: Sunshine and showers
26.5.22:
A full Scottish breakfast was a
new experience for JJ. He even had some black pudding. Around at Ann & Noel's we
chatted for a while before heading down the coast with better views today of
Ailsa Craig, to Ballantrae via Maidens where JJ took a photo of Trump Towers
and Girvan where JJ and I had a brisk, windy walk along the prom. Had a soup
lunch at the garden centre in Ballantrae and on the way back tried out the
Electric Brae. Home fof just a short time and then headed off to the Black Bull
in Tarbolton for dinner with Angus & Maureen.
Ended the evening back to
theirs for a nightcap.
Weather: Cool, showery and windy
27.5.22: Glasgow Dernière Étape
Noel donned his chauffeur's hat
once again and this time took us up to
Suzanne's, stopping off at the curling stone works. The stones are made from granite coming from Ailsa Craig and the village produces 38 handmade stones a week which are the only ones that are used in Olympic competitions.
After a coffee chez Suzanne
and Noel's departure, the three of us went off on foot to the Botanic Gardens.
Looked in at the Oran Mor, a church converted into a bar, serving up music and theatre as well as food and drink.
Suzanne left us here and we walked down Ashton Lane and
Byres Rd ending up in the Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery. JJ took himself off
around the exhibits while I met up with Anne and Blair in the tearoom, who gave us a lift back. Suzanne was watching the tennis
only tearing herself away when she needed to put the finishing touches to
tonight's dinner. Liz duly arrived on time though without Eamon, who was
suffering after a cataract operation. Was a good night even so and I will be seeing them here in the Autumn. Weather: Sunny spells
28.5.22:
A sunny day for our walking tour
of Glasgow with Andy and Maureen. Passionaria, monument to the Civil War
blockade runners, People's Palace (2nd floor out if bounds) and a soup lunch
then up to
Cathederal Square where there was a flash wedding going on. Rounded
off the day with a couple of drinks at the outdoor Festival Village Beer
Garden. Andy had told JJ that people in Glasgow were friendly and lo and behold
he was proved right when we got into conversation with a group of lively young people at next door
table. Caught the train back from Central Station. Quiet evening watching Roland
Garos on the tv.
Weather: Sunny
29.5.22:
Another sunny day for our trip
through Arracher, up the Rest and be Thankful and along Loch Long and Loch Fyne
to Inverary.
Had a pleasant walk around and up to the castle. Lunch cooked by a French chef, at the George Hotel and a quick
whizz around Crarae Gardens (NT) before it closed.
Weather: Sunny
30. 5.22:
Gave the trip to Jupiter
(Sculpture) Park a miss due to last night's and this morning's gastro episodes.
Slept and read until late afternoon taking it very easy on the food and drink
front.
Weather: Dull, drizzly and cool
31.5.22: Home Sweet Home Again
Spent the day travelling back
from Edinburgh airport. Suzanne got us there with more than the 3 hours that
Ryanair had suggested for check-in. Luckily we didn't experience the horrendous
hold ups due to lack of staff that are happening elsewhere. Took the shuttle
bus to Carcassonne railway station, then the train to Perpignan where Martine
picked us up to go to Jacques' for dinner.
Weather: Cloudy and cool in E'burgh, sunny
and warm at home
