Well, as it hasn’t actually rained for two days in a row now, I know it’s hard to believe, I’ve been hard at it in the garden as it had got to the stage where I couldn’t actually see the path which leads to the greenhouse. Everything was so overgrown, what with all the rain we’ve had, I’ve made a fairly good start but, there’s still a lot to be cut back and weeded and the rain is coming back tomorrow according to the weather forecaster.
On Friday it was a lovely day so we made a picnic and drove for about two hours south-west over to Ayrshire to visit Culzean Castle, it’s pronounced Cullane. It’s just over 100 miles away from us and we hadn’t been there before. It’s a wonderful place, set on cliffs above the Firth of Clyde, with views over to the island of Arran and on very clear days you can see all the way to Ireland. I’ve not had a chance to flickr the photos yet but if you want to see what it looks like have a look here. Go on give yourself a treat and click on it, it’s a gorgeous place.
After Culzean we drove to nearby Alloway, Robert Burns’s birthplace, but by then it was late so the house was shut, we did have a lovely walk around the village though and, it’s much prettier than I thought it would be. Again, photos to prove it will be here during the coming week.
It was a beautiful evening so the drive back east to Fife was a treat, after all the chat about Scotland’s gloaming it was great to actually experience that long summer twilight, there was still plenty of light in the sky around midnight but we haven’t been having many gloamings like that, as the weather has been so dull and wet.
Jack did comment to me the other day that I didn’t seem to be able to go anywhere without buying a book, and he’s right because the National Trust houses all have second-hand book sections now. So I’ll be listing more book purchases soon, I haven’t even had much time for reading and I never did get around to signing up for the Rosamond Lehmann Challenge which I found out about from Anbolyn. I had every intention of reading A Sea-Grape Tree for it as I’ve had it for ages and I’ve read most of her other books. Oh well, I can drop by and see what other, more organised bloggers are saying.
Tomorrow, the forecaster is promising us rain again, maybe I’ll catch up with things then!
Just one wee mention of Bradley Wiggins – the first British man to win the Tour de France apparently, but I read in the Guardian the other day that he was actually born in Belgium! I think that’ll be one to remember for pub quizes – if you partake in such things. Apart from that it’s one to remember for that ever popular game of – Name Famous Belgians. He can replace the inevitable Hercule Poirot, that’s always a controversial one as he’s a fictional character, strictly speaking!
Bradley Wiggins, born in Belgium to an Australian father and English mother!
What a great day out you had to Ayrshire! Haven’t been to Culzean since I was about 10. Must go back sometime.
I have so much blogging to catch up with, on visits Colin and I have made!
Evee,
I didn’t realise his father was Australian!
We should have stayed overnight somewhere in Ayrshire, next time maybe. I know how you feel, I still have some posts to do about our Warwickshire trip and lots of Scottish ones!
Also makes sense. His father was a competitive cyclist! I was commenting on bookbath and thyme for tea because of the Paris in July Challenge. Every year I’m addicted to watching and keeping track of the Tour even though I have absolutely no interest in cycling. Started out mostly for the overhead helicopter shots of the Alps, Pyrenees and of course PARIS. Now I’m at a loss the day after the race-like today.
Lorraine,
Never fear! The Olympic Games will be starting at the end of the week! I’ll be doing my best to avoid them though. I think there are lots of things on TV which are worth watching for entirely the ‘wrong’ reason. I remember years ago sheep dog trials were very popular, but it wasn’t because of the sheep or dogs, it was the beautiful countryside setting which everyone loved.
Gorgeous castle! Ian would be in heaven. He loves castles so. We’re you able to go inside too?
Peggy Ann,
We did go inside but sadly they don’t let you take photos, the same goes for all National Trust properties I think. It’s probably not as you would imagine it, the ‘new’ bits (250 years ago or so) are designed by Robert Adam, the ceilings are all beautiful, very ornate plasterwork, like wedding cakes. There are plenty of great castles around which Ian would adore – one day!
My husband is a cycling fan – well he used to ride himself in a cycling club (not competitively!)so the Tour de France is a must in our house and I’ve got quite interested myself – in watching, not cycling!
We really must get over to Ayrshire one of these days, or rather for a few days. I’m looking forward to seeing your photos.
I’m another one who likes to buy a book to remember my visit (that’s my self-justification) but I hadn’t noticed the NT’s second-hand book sections – not like me đŸ™‚
Margaret,
I think all of the NT properties we’ve visited recently have had a second-hand book section but sometimes it’s just a few shelves. At Culzean it’s a really big shop full of books, I wish I had bought more!
What a dramatic and romantic castle! I’ve always wanted to live in a house at the top of a (stable and secure) cliff overlooking the sea.
Joan,
Stable and secure – most important when you’re on the coast, so many cliffs are crumbling. I think those ones are fairly solid, Culzean’s oldest part is 14th century!