Let the summer's parties begin...

Glasgow is not famed for the longevity of its summer. In fact some years I am not sure that the Weegie summer has warranted being called a 'season' in its own right, having regularly failed to differentiate itself from any of the others - particularly the rainy ones. This year was Emily's first, and we were praying for long, hazy summer days - the sort that went on forever just like when you were a kid, or at least that's how your memory serves. Whatever, we wanted a summer to remember.

Despite being somewhat slow out the blocks, our warm sunny weather had been rapidly picking up since our holiday and so we gingerly upacked the carnival gear and barbeques and braced ourselves for the inevitable torrential downpours that accommpany the lighting of the first charcoal. However, the summer monsoon didn't arrive. And, whilst I wouldn't compare the weather to that of the Med, the past few weeks have been more than agreeable (although that's probably just put the kibosh on it). Still, the good weather has seen us enjoying some barbeques, picnics and festivals in the sun, a proper treat by Glasgow standards.

A boat trip on Scotland's only lake (Lake of Menteith)

Picnic at Inchmahome Priory with Grandma and Grandad

Where's the rain gone?

 Grandad still working his voodoo magic

Following this most gorgeous day out to the Trossachs, it was carnival time at the West End Festival. Having been in Glasgow's West End for 15yrs, I've really taken to the carnival. It certainly doesn't rival a Mardi Gras in Rio, or even get close to its sibling in Notting Hill, but it does have a wonderful atmosphere and never ceases to impress with enthusiastic amateurism and community joie de vivre.

This was Emily's first taste of a festival and we were slightly concerned that she might be somewhat over-loaded by the feast to the senses that festivals bring. Maybe she was or maybe she wasn't - we'll never really know as she slept through the whole proceedings despite the efforts of a passing samba band and some taiko drummers.

The sun saw the crowds flock to Byres Road

3 carnival ladies and a mighty fine dragon

The following week saw the Glasgow Mela (Scotland's biggest multi-cultural festival) bring an extravaganza of music, dance, food and entertainment to the West End. It was a fantastic weekend and another chance for the supreme being to get a taste for festival life. Our dear Emily though once again had other plans, sleeping through the Punjabi dancers, Bhangra drummers, West African percussionists and Samba ensembles. Some truly somnifacient performances!

One, two, three, zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

And so our sunshine summer continued to the mighty NCT barbeque - seven bairns at seven months, with seven maws and seven paws. I thought we had over-catered but totally failed to underestimate the scale of feeding that can take place with a frenzy of breast feeding mothers. It might not have been pretty, but at least we weren't left with many leftovers. A good time was had by all, Emily stayed awake for at least some of it and the rain held off for nearly the whole time...long may this summer of parties continue.

Mummy stocking up in case rationing was suddenly re-introduced

Miraculously we somehow managed a group photo

Frolicking in Fife...

Barring the odd day trip, the East Neuk of the Kingdom of Fife is an unexplored part of Scotland's central belt for us. Nestled between Edinburgh and Dundee, the area is famed for its pretty harbour villages, lovely beaches, fish and chips and more hours of sunshine than elsewhere in 'Europe's sun capital' Scotland. So with the fine weather continuing we stocked up on extra sun cream and headed off from Torridon to Pittenweem.

Picturesque Pittenweem 

Being the second week of the holiday our planning was a little on the light side, but this was soon overcome by a quick study of T's parents Fife Coast path map, Tripadvisors Fife top 10 and some in depth research on the proliferation of leaflets in the kitchen of our cottage for the week. So our weeks itinerary was soon sorted, and with Doodoo's warning light miraclously clearing itself, the Fife adventure began.

Our arrival in Fife took us past Tentsmuir, a favourite beach of a sadly departed dear friend of mine, Reuben. And a quick stop was called for to introduce the supreme being to the delights of the seaside holiday and reminisce about some fond memories with Reuben. Then it was on to a bus ride to nearby Elie for lunch in the sun and a glorious coast walk back...

Mummy enjoying more Scottish seafood delights

The coast path looking onto the Isle of May in the distance

Day two saw the weather take a wee turn for the worse, and so we retreated to spend a day mingling with the young jet-set in St Andrews. Our daughters love of fish (see post on the tao of fish) meant we couldn't resist a trip to the St Andrews aquarium, but bizarrely, despite seeing some massive and exotic specimens, it was the meerkats that captured the day and the imagination.

This minor rainy blip was quickly forgotten and the next days saw sunny trips to Cambo House and gardens, Kellie castle and more beaches. This was the most time I had spent with the supreme being since she was born. Two weeks of uninterrupted time with Emi was simply amazing. I got to watch her develop and was really learning how to be with her all day, every day. Despite our daughter being truly wonderful, motherhood is a tough task and I really began to appreciate the every day dilemmas for T. Still, we had the discovery of toes, the fascination of watching the wee one learn to eat, and first gum brushing to keep us entertained and recompense any sleep deprivation.

NBF's (new best friends) - the Meerkat family

The discovery of toes

Baby-led weaning going well - a pepper lunch

 Video clip: How to brush one's gums

Another gorgeous Fife coast town - this time Crail

Quality Dad-Daughter time (part 3)

An ice cream a day kept Mummy's blues away :-)

Our final day was a scorcher so we decided to take the boat trip to the Isle of May, which is a tiny island in the Firth of Forth managed by Scottish Natural Heritage. During the height of the breeding season on May, over 200,000 seabirds of 14 species can nest on the island, including Puffins, Black-legged Kittiwakes, Razorbills, Guillemots, Shags, Fulmars, Oystercatchers, Eider ducks, and various species of Tern and Gull. It was an amazing day, and one that Emi loved, she even got to try her first fish and chips from the 'Best Fish and Chip Shop' in the UK (allegedly) in Anstruther.

Puffin-tastic Isle of May

First fish and chips with Dad!

And so the holiday sadly came to an end and we resigned ourselves to returning back to Glasgow. One member of the team though had other ideas and Doodoo decided to vote with his battery by failing to start - the warning light was back! A visit from the local breakdown service soon had us back on the road though, and we all headed back to Glasgow via a pit stop at friends in Falkland, albeit with warning light flashing all the way. Despite this final twist, it was a brilliant two weeks, and if this was a taste of family holidays to come then long may they continue :-)

A view to remember our holiday by

The supreme being addresses the nation...

During our first week on holiday in Torridon the supreme being decided she would like to record her first message to the nation. She wished you all to know what a lovely holiday she was having and give you an insight into her world and her everyday adventures.

I hope you enjoy her first oratory appearance and appreciate the finer points of her address to you all. It's possibly not the most intelligible thing you will ever have heard, but like all great leaders, I fancy she wished to leave something for the imagination - either that or she had been pilfering Daddy's beer again.

Video: The supreme being's first address

Touring Torridon...

Everyone should go to Torridon at least once in their life – but make sure you wait till the sun is shining. When the weather is on your side it really is one of the most stunning places in Scotland. And we arrived with an improving forecast, or at least by Scottish standards it certainly could have been a worse meteorological outlook.

This was our first proper family holiday. We set off from Glasgow in traditional west coast drizzle, the van piled high with accoutrements for every eventuality. Expectations were elevated – but going somewhere so remote was a risk if the weather turned particularly foul. The long journey progressed well, as the supreme being enjoyed a lengthy morning nap until somewhere south of Aviemore, when Mummy was forced to find a new use for the cupboards in the van.

All change at Aviemore!

Despite this impromptu change, Emily was taking fast to her first adventure in Doodoo, my much loved campervan (now relegated to my third love after T and Emi) which was a really good sign. An even better sign was that Doodoo hadn’t broken down yet. And so before we knew it we arrived for our week in the North West of Scotland – the first week of our fortnight’s holiday. Days of walks in the sun and seafood by the loch lay in front of us. I was determined to show Emily some of the best that Scotland had to offer and to let her experience nature. I wanted her to feel the rough textures under her feet, hear nothing but the sound of the birds or the running burn, and gaze over stunning long distance views, which apparently help develop sharp eyesight. And bless her, she took to it all like it was an everyday occurrence.

Home from home for a week

 

Off for a wander round the shops

 

Sun hat on...now where's the sun?

 

The early days passed as planned in a haze of glorious adventures on foot, a trip out to the resplendent Inverewe Gardens, visits to Badachro and Applecross to eat gorgeous food whilst gazing out to sea, all topped off with evenings watching DVDs in half hourly instalments/getting very early nights. The latter of these being on account of the supreme being’s new found desire to wake up anytime from 5am. 

 

 Learning about nature at Inverewe

DIY parenting

Quality Dad-Daughter time (Part 1)

 

 Quality Dad-Daughter time (Part 2)

 

Mummy impressed with her langoustines

 

Emily less than impressed with her vegetarian option

 

 Applecross Bay with the Skye Cullin in the far distance

As the week progressed our luck didn’t quite last, with the weather taking a turn for the squally. Plan B was called for, which seemed to involve sending Daddy out into the cold to go and pick mussels off the beach. Worse could happen though and he was promised a day’s munro bagging if he cooked up a feast…

Emily showing off her new 'muscles'

 

Enjoying the 'Good Times'

 

 Hooray! Rainy days means extra-long bath time...

 

Daddy’s unexpectedly snowy adventure along the Horns of Alligin

And so the first week’s adventure drew to a close. Our supreme being appeared to have loved her first real taste of the Highlands. Mummy had faired pretty well too looking refreshed and well-fed. Doodoo had scraped by with a puncture, a strange rattling sound and only one warning light but seemed determined to keep going strong. And as for Daddy? He was most invigorated following his climb, itching for the adventures to come in our second week on the beautiful coast of Fife…

 Ya cannae whack Torridon when the weather is braw!