We paid a visit to the wee town of Tillicoultry in Clackmannanshire the other day, we were really having a snoop around to see if we might like to move there when my husband takes early retirement next year. Sadly, although there are really lovely hills there which are just begging to be hiked up the town itself is fairly dire. Mind you I suppose it’s no different from lots of small towns nowadays. Various recessions, the internet and out of town retail parks have taken their toll and there’s virtually nothing left of the High Street. But as you can see, there is some lovely cherry blossom out at the moment, and a great wee burn which used to power five mills. I used to spend a lot of time playing in a burn like this when I was wee, it was a favourite summer pastime for kids in my day, damming them up and making stepping stones, but you never see anyone playing in burns nowadays.
This cherry tree is right outside Gordon’s living-room window in Alloa, it’s gorgeous, it’s just a pity that the blossom doesn’t last very long.
This is one of the many sculptures which decorate the roundabouts in Clackmannanshire. They seem to have given one local sculptor loads of commissions – lucky him! I do like his work but they have given others a chance to shine too. Apparently this one is called Journey’s End. You can see more of Andy Scott’s work (and various other artists’) by following the links here.
When I was little, we lived in a lovely brick 6-unit apartment building in a small town. The yard was HUGE, front, back and sides. In the back was the biggest Japanese cherry tree I’ve ever seen. We used to play under the branches, in the ‘house’ the branches made. People used to come from all over the town to see it when it was in bloom. I’m glad we have photos of it because they cut it down to build more units. So sad. The loss diminished the neighborhood and the apartments. Someday, I’d like to see the Washington, DC, cherry trees in bloom, especially since we live so much closer to them (at the moment).
And you’re right, I never see kids playing in the burns or creeks. I almost never see kids playing outside at all. That’s very sad, too.
Joan,
It’s lovely to hear about your childhood memories, but what a shame about the tree. Trees sometimes have preservation orders on them here, so you have to be careful what you cut down but I think developers usually get their own way. I didn’t realise that Washington is famous for cherry trees, you should plan your visit as it’s close by. Are you thinking of moving again? As kids we ran wild up the hills and came back home when we were hungry. It didn’t do us any harm but now they have no freedom. The murder and abduction statistics aren’t any worse than they were. I blame the tabloids!
Yes, we’re hoping to move back to Boston, but, like you, we have to wait until Jack retires. That may be sooner rather than later because he’s getting tired of all the traveling and of the insurance companies’ (our clients) red tape.
We, too, used to play all day in the neighborhood without anyone freaking out. No one was ever kidnapped or murdered or, as far as I know, molested in any way. We climbed trees, made houses in the bushes, rode our bikes, waded in the creeks, explored old buildings. I used to visit older neighbors, who were always happy for the company and often gave me cookies!
Joan,
Your childhood sounds very similar to mine, the nearby disused railway line was a great place for making dens.
It’s the same with my J. He’s 6 years older than me and in 2013 there are going to be big changes in the education system again and he’s fed up with it all and finds it all much more tiring now. Politicians always think they know better than teachers and there’s so much paperwork and nonsense which is nothing to do with teaching kids!