Coast to Coast...

What a glorious fortnight enjoying Scotland’s coasts. First up was a brief overnight for us all in North Berwick and Ly’s first ever visit to the sea. We enjoyed an amazing evening walk down the beach (and then I watched John rock a 50th!); then John and I did a glorious beach run; we spent a day on the surf body boarding; before a trip for cake with a view at Drift; and finally all topped off with fish and chips on the beachfront. Ly loved the sea and fully embraced the spirit of adventure and beach life. The look on her face and screaming whilst body boarding made it all feel so special.

And then this weekend was my summer birthday treat away with T. We zipped off to Dunoon lunchtime on Friday, arriving away from it all on the ferry in a record 1.5hrs. Then a trip and walk round Ardentinny and another walk near Benmore before a lovely home cooked meal back at our accommodation ‘The Hidden Place’. Next day was lots more glorious walking including highlights of the atmospheric Pucks Glen and the views over the Clyde and Loch Long from the Camels Hump, before an amazing al fresco sun-kissed barbeque at the Tryst in Dunoon. Next morning the weather was turning and rain set in – so we beat a hasty retreat to our old stomping ground of the West End of Glasgow. A last minute reservation at Crabshakk and a surprise of hitting the final day of the West End Festival, meant that no amount of rain could spoil our fun. We had an amazing time and the food at Crabshakk didn’t disappoint. What a weekend! Thanks to my beautiful wife 😘...

On North Berwick beach

Fun in the surf

The evening view

50th birthday breakfast of champions

Peaceful views onto Loch Long (with nuclear weapons just around the corner)

Big trees on the Big Tree Trail

Pucks Glen

The Clyde, Loch Long and Holy Loch

BBQ delight

Rockin in the Rain

Birthday picnic

Homegrown...

The last few weeks have seen an abundance of homegrown activity and action.

There’s been a spontaneous action in the shape of a bank holiday mini-festival in our backgarden. Tent erected; sleepovers for Niomi and Emily; Ly and us hosted guests; all over 3 days with lots of food, drink, firepits and merriment. We’ve also said a good bye to our nesting blue tits. That was a long-time birdwatch with our nestbox camera installed in February and charting first contact, nestbuilding, waiting, egg laying (8), hatching (5), and fledging (only 1). An eye opener on bird mortality and the challenges life can bring. We’ve also successfully grown 13 butterflies, with Emily and Niomi loving their release but Ly not so keen on crawly things! And then there's all our regular sunny homegrown dinners outside - with many, many meals involving friends (mainly Emily and Niomi's but sometimes others). Ly has really taken to cooking and Tanya and her regularly serve up new delights...including sushi!!

We’ve learned that homegrown is wonderful (but also quite hard work and can be faced with challenges).

Also on the homegrown front Emily is growing in experience at her sewing (making clothes now), flute (end of year concert) and dance (successful show and dance exams). Niomi is loving Brownies and her reading is coming on just grand. Both girls got great reports from school. And finally Ly is making great progress with her English. And I’m just proud of all of them. 😁.

And on the not so homegrown we’ve had recent trips out to Dumfries House, the Kirky Gala and lots of walking and cycling round and about. And all in glorious sunshine.

Sometimes life just feels good.

The crew at Dumfries House maze

Emily Dancer!!

Videoclip: Birdbox 2023

Or you can watch the videoclip here

Mischief making at the Wells

Sushi!!

Butterfly keeper 1

Butterfly keeper 2