Sunshine and Rain...

Ah the good old Scottish weather. You never know quite what to expect. A week off, some ideas of what to do, DDU really getting into his stride and we were off. Trossachs-ish (twice) there we went.

And the weather followed. All of it. Sun, rain, wind, cold, cloud – we had it all. It didn’t make for travelling light but as ever ‘the van doth provide’, and we worked our way through all conditions.

First up was a few days near Aberfoyle – walking up Ben A’an (where we rather bizarrely bumped into the east coast Gurney’s), tramping in bluebell woods searching for a Fairy Hill, skimming stones and lots of family cycles. The kids never stopped on their bikes from dawn till dusk – truly amazing – including a 4 mile round trip to Aberfoyle and back. Not bad for little 4 year old legs on a tiny peddle bike.

Then a quick bit of R and R (and gardening), and it was back up to near Balquhidder for our second time at MhorFest. Truly amazing once again. There was not so silent disco dancing, musicing, disco yoga, meditation, foraging, trapezing, bungee bouncing, bread making, hula hooping, bushcraft, unicorn viewing, owl holding, jazz-a-nory, butchery, a fairy tea party and a real live wedding…plus plenty more...And there was sun. For a short while anyway. Followed by rain. Lots of rain.

But our hearts remained full of sunshine even if our bodies were covered in rain. Much fun.

Videoclip: Climbing Ben A'an

 On top Ben A'an

 Tunnel exploration

 Skimming stones

 The bluebells are amazing this year

Videoclip: Daddy respect in between trips

 Back at MhorFest

 Festie Face 1

 Festie Face 2

 Owl holding

Videoclip: Not so silent disco

 Obligatory face painting

 Unicorn watching

With bushtucker man

Sssh…It’s a secret…

Cowal, like a quiet neighbour, you never know just what’s on your doorstep. It’s known colloquially as Argyll’s Secret Coast, and the first thing the campsite owner said was “yes, we’re not very good at promoting ourselves.” 50mins drive, 20mins on a ferry and another short drive and we were there. Coves, beaches, mountains, gardens…and great places to enjoy the fruits of the earth. It really is a hidden gem.

Sssh...It's a secret...

So from exploring the beauty of Benmore Botanical Gardens, walking the woodland coast near Portavadie or enjoying empty beaches at Ostel Bay – Cowal really hit the outdoor spot. And then there was coffee in gentrified Tighnabruaich and a sumptuous seafood platter in Kames. And we still felt there was plenty more to explore in Argyll’s Secret Coast. And talking about exploring…Niomi is becoming a great explorer. As her confidence just keeps on growing, she just keeps on trying things out – a joy to see.

So don’t worry Cowal… we’ll be back, and till then your secret is safe with us (sort of).

 Blooming marvellous

 Benmore had miles of playground

 In the land of the giant redwood

DDU sporting new appendage

 The morning's were cold 

 Sister Act I

 Sister Act II

(Dead) Crab interest

 Picnic spot all to ourselves

Niomi explorer

Videoclip: Exploring

On the beach

 Seafood delight

 The most important meal of the day

Going home face

Beach with a view to Arran

Keeping things in perspective...

Drama Queen

Sometimes in the life of a 4 year old you can just get mad. No real reason for it except you want to be mad, and no matter what, you're going to be mad. You might even be pretending to be mad. Still doesn't matter - today we are being mad, and that's the end of it.

Videoclip: I'm very angry with you

And then after we've been mad for a bit, we'll immediately change our mind and be happy again. And its time for a dance...Ah nothing like a 4 year old to keep things in perspective.

Videoclip: Dancing season is back

Melting bunnies...

Wow. What an Easter. Anyone's bunnies and eggs not melt?

It was scorchio. A day in the garden planting this years offerings and some impromptu time with the neighbours kids in water play, and then we were off to even sunnier Ayrshire. The first outing proper for DDU this year. And, after the calamity of the trampoline and the asbestos roof (see post Joining the Dots), we had a brand new awning to try out. All was good.

So it was a Saturday at Culzean Castle (courtesy of Grandma and Grandads gift of National Trust membership) followed by a Sunday at Heads of Ayr Farm Park. And boy did the girls rock. Because by Monday they had little left to give except for a short stroll then back to Glasgow for an early barbecue and an early bed. They maxed out and by the end of it a pair of melted bunnies they most certainly were.

But with lots more trips planned in the coming weeks, let's hope they recover and we get some fine weather and trouble free adventures...Can't wait...

 She's got so brave

Welly whang

 Mr Crocodile

 Mrs Dragon

 

Hot Dog

Videoclip: Heads of Ayr

 Swinging out the sun

 The beautiful woods of Kilkerran I

The beautiful woods of Kilkerran II

Over to Mull to mull it over...

And so over to Mull. It felt like a very long time since my last holiday so I was really looking forward to our week on the Isle of Mull. And it didn't disappoint. We all had a fantastic time - possibly helped by sunshine every day - but nevertheless having mulled it over, Mull certainly hit the spot.

There was beautiful scenery - mountains, seascapes, forests, lochs and glens; tasty local food - scallops, oysters, mussels, cheese and plenty more; amazing wildlife - puffins, white-tailed eagles, otters and even a minke whale (we were so lucky with what we saw so early in the 'season'!); trips out to Isles of Lunga and Staffa, Aros Park, Calgary Bay, Glengorm Castle, Crater Lake to name a few; and Tobermory delighted with it's catch and release Aquarium, the Mishnish, Chocolate Shop, Tobar Arts Centre, Cheese Farm, nice shops, cafes and of course, brightly coloured houses.

And then there was the Rooke family holiday song (I'll save you from it), Double Double Dish Dish on loop (see below)...and Niomi's growing language (also see below).

All in all it was a wonderful week away. Let's hope it's the start of this year's adventures.

Colourful Tobermory

Did you see the size of that starfish?

Wherever I find a shell...

Mr 9 brains and 3 hearts

 Holiday joy 1

 Holiday joy 2

 Holiday joy 3

Holiday joy 4

Oystercatchers at Calgary Bay

 Beach joy

Calgary Bay

 Puffins

 Staffa

 Admiring the view

Videoclip: Staffa

 White-tailed eagles (and gull)

 Fish and chips on the harbour

 One of Mull's many lovely eateries

Famous Four go Extreme Whale Watching

 Rock pools Mull style

 Beach joy 2

 Barbeview

First to the top

 Famous Four go to Crater Lake

 Boats

Videoclip: The Giant Jumperee

Videoclip: Double Double Dish Dish

 Looking over Tobermory

 Farewell Mull