Land, sea and loch...

Sometimes it's easy to forget what's on your doorstep. Scotland is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the UK - and as the school holidays ended there's still been a window of decent-ish weather to explore the 'nearest' big loch, Loch Lomond, do a spot of fishing off Dunbar and some vanvenuturing to Argyle, Loch Fyne and Loch Long.

First up was Ella's final week with us, and after passing her English exam we celebrated with exploration to the Dumpling and RSPB Loch Lomond. Then Niomi, T, Rowan and myself trailed Loch Ard whilst Emily and Ella did some gorge walking before we said a final farewell to Ella. She'll be missed as she made such a positive impact on our summer.

Then I donned my sea legs for a spot of sea-fishing off Dunbar with my friend Kenny. I am certainly no fisherman but after a nervy start I was soon hauling in some fish - returning with 6 mackerel, 2 cod, 1 pollock and 1 ling. A great catch for the freezer and a thoroughly different and enjoyable day out. It was all topped off with greedy seal who kept trying to steal our catch and a pod of dolphins.

Then it was into the van with my pal Liam and Rowan for a weekend of vanventures taking in Ardgarten, West Loch Tarbert, Campbeltown, Saddell, Carradale, Skipness, Tarbert and Crinan. It was a stunning weekend exploring about 100 miles west of Glasgow on the Kintyre peninsula (but due to geography its a very out your way 3 hour drive or a lot of ferry hopping).

Scotland is stunning. Watching the sun set over the Isle of Gigha or gazing over Arran with a fire has got to be the highlight. The calm beauty of it all is really good for your soul (as is a little whisky to top off the mood).

Looking over Loch Lomond from the Dumpling

The same view from ground level at Loch Lomond

The ever stunning Trossachs

Boy and Girl

Loch Ard

Sending Ella off with the taste of Smore's

Fishermen Three

Rowan enjoying Loch Long

DooDoo enjoying the view over Gigha

And so did we all

Happy Boy

And then there was Arran

Arran

The view from Skipness Castle

The lovely town of Tarbert

Videoclip: The view above Crinan...

Or you can watch the video here

Keeping the numbers up...

Every summer Tanya gets everyone to write a summer bucket list. Things we want to do, goals we'd like to achieve, experiences to be had and so on. Not everything happens but it is a great way to make sure you get out there and squeeze the last drops of juice out of summer life.

This summer we had another special addition to our family to keep the numbers up - Ella. 18yo Ella arrived from Switzerland at the end of July to stay for a month. She is the daughter of a friend of a friend (don't ask how we get ourselves into these things), and she brought with her a lovely spirit and genuine ease that has been nothing but a wonderful addition to our summer. 

Ella coming wasn't listed on the bucket list, but if there is one thing that has been a fabulous experience this summer, it's been having her come to stay. She's been a real pleasure to have in the house, great company for us all, and has just, well, fitted right in. She'll be truly missed when she goes.

Anyway back to the bucket list.... I wanted a van trip away with each of the girls individually - tick. Ella being here meant we wanted to show some of Scotland's best - tick. There's been stunning trips out, picnics galore, music, dance, beach trips, water fun - tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick. It's been full on but what a great time we've had. Our ticking of numbers on the bucket list just kept going up.

Vanventures to the Trossachs, wild water swimming, dog walks galore, cycling crazy, Commonwealth Games, trips to the big smokes of Glasgow and Edinburgh, Fringe by the Sea in North Berwick (a whole week of festival in itself - music, dance, comedy, drama, beach adventure and family fun), Loch Lubnaig, Conic Hill, loads of time with really lovely people and great food eaten mainly outdoors which has all been amazing. T and I both agree its been a really 'healthy' and holistic summer. Not healthy in the boot camp way (although its not been bad for that) but healthy in the well rounded, good for the mind, body and soul kind of way. A real joyful blessing. And I'm brown as a Scottish berry to boot.

And looking into the diary for the next few months there is much more to come, with not much pause before November! Phew, I need to retire from retirement.

The Bucket List

Vanventure with Emzo

Emzo in Loch Ard

Videoclip: Pool jumping....

Or you can watch the video here

Pool jumpers

Welcome Ella

Taking in the Games

Gold medals for them all

Dog meets Dog

At the Athletics

Dogzo's first trip to Glasgow

Belles of the Beach

They're out there somewhere

Return leg

Carnival spirit

Summiting the Law

Was a tad breezy though

Sunset on the beach

Out there somewhere on Loch Lubnaig

Eclipse viewing

Rowan's taken to the van

Lochan Spling

Vanventures with the Niomster

And the now Famous Six enjoying Conic Hill