The Far East….

At the far east of Scotland lies the East Neuk of Fife. The East Neuk has some of Scotland’s most picturesque coastline with pretty little fishing villages and harbours interspersed with coastal cliffs, beaches and unusual rock formations jutting out to sea. The quality of light coupled with the landscape makes for some really stunning views, and it also claims to be the sunniest part of Scotland – except of course when we were there. 

Rain peppered our week on and off, but we put on our brave coats and boots and made the most of our week away. Bigger trips were to St Andrews for the Aquarium and the Barbie movie, Kellie Castle, Hill of Tarvit and Cambo Estate, and of special note was also the powerful and spiritual Dunino Glen. The weather cancelled our boat trip to the Isle of May, but the East Neuk is also full of little villages to stop off like Crail for its harbour or Elie for the beach and chainwalk. We were based in Pittenweem and there were daily excursions seal watching, rock pooling, book finding, crazy golfing or swimming. But just wandering the streets and enjoying the cafes was also a lovely past time. It was our first long trip with Ly so was good to spend the time with her, and also lovely to get out and do some coastal running (alone) and walking (with T). And then finally the Pittenweem Arts Festival ended our week on a wonderful high. A really interesting experience if you’ve never been. So what started as a dull and rainy week, saw the sun emerge and my soul soar. 

And then it was over the water to North Berwick – 9 miles as the crow flies but a two and a half hour drive for a trip to see the Gurneys and a taste of Fringe by the Sea and the Fringe in Edinburgh. More great vibes and sunshine. There was even a replacement boat trip to Bass Rock. The Far East was not so far and is definitely close to our hearts. 

And then a spot of the World Cycling Championships road race back in Kirky, and a meal out to Non Viet (Vietnamese restaurant in Glasgow) and the summer holidays were ended with a final huzzah. 

Bring on P4, P7 and now also S4!

Fish and Chips by the sea, ye cannae whack it!

The joy of jumping

The joy of hot chocolate

Avoiding the sun

The great book hunt

Pittenweem

Picture perfect

Racing around

Seals!!

Brave souls dipping in the pool

Dip anyone?

En route to chainwalk

One of the 8 chains

Enjoying the view

At Fringe by the Sea

Non Viet

And there starts P4 and P7

Mini-pinch...

If you see one of these this summer and then the next thing you know is you suddenly cry out "ouch" (as your companion has pinched you on the arm whilst crying out "Mini-pinch"), then you've inadvertently entered into a game of Mini-pinch. Mini-pinch has become the game that's taken the Rooke family by storm this summer, and so far we have all suffered mildlly sore arms and legs as a consequence (but thankfully no fatal accidents). It's pervaded our every journey. It's also the kind of game that lulls you into a false sense of security as every time you go out on foot or in your car you forget you're actually playing till someone, normally a child, suddenly pinches your arm crying "Mini-pinch" as a Mini drives by.

Once you've got the hang of it there are also various add-ons to the basic rules:

- Tesla Tickle
- Yellow Car Slap
- Porsche Punch (sometimes also called Police Punch) 

- Tractor Turbulance (rapid punching on arm) and,
- Caravan Kick (although we don't generally use this add-on).

I think you probably get the gist, and what you need to do but please be gentle!! Any false calls are punished with a double response in return.

Good luck this summer! Once started it never ends, although it does help pass any long car journeys quite well...

Mini-pinch

Disclaimer: The author of this blog is not responsible for any injuries caused by the reading of this article.

And in other news...

Back from holiday and it's back to work, well only for me. The holiday wagon rolls on for Tanya, Ly, Emily and Niomi. And in other news Emily’s had her ears pierced (agreed to in France) and Niomi’s been to Tam Shepherds Trick Shop (belated birthday present). Both daughters pleased as punch with their new acquisitions. For the record Niomi bought: a fake rat and spider, squirty flower, squirty ring, fake egg and pineapple glasses; so we’ve all been regularly spooked, squirted and fooled by her. She’s been giggling with glee at the mischief of it all.

And they are all just back for a few days of being spoiled at Nana and Baba’s – Ly’s first trip to Banchory. The usual dose of Crathes and the River Dee, plus a look round Banchory and the allotment. Looks like they had a great time. And Ly's developed a love of Mexican Train.

Next up for us all is a trip to Pittenweem next week. Woohoo - never mind Mexico, get on board the holiday train!

Sporting new ear studs

Sporting new pineapple glasses

The holiday crew at Crathes

Bonding 💗

Mexican Train in full flow

The crew on the Dee

Videoclip: You can count on me!

Or you can watch the videoclip here

Benodet, la bonne idée…

The good idea indeed. And so it was with our summer holiday to Benodet on the Breton Riviera.

With a pit stop near Preston to see friends Edward and Ewa, we completed the mammoth trip to Plymouth for our overnight ferry to Roscoff. Choppy seas and we arrived a little tired to complete the final leg to Benodet. 

But it was really worth it – Benodet is a picturesque town at the mouth of the Odet River as it enters the Bay of Biscay. Everywhere in the town agapanthus and hydrangea were in bloom amongst the quiet streets, cycle lanes and boardwalks. The houses are all well kempt, some old and some new, many reflecting Breton architecture. The beaches were spotless with rockpooling available to your hearts content. Our campsite nestled at the head of the bay to the east of the town and a little further east lay a giant sand bar with a tidal lagoon and river – this also meant for warmer swimming if we chose. Nearby lay many beautiful small and larger towns like Concarneau or Quimper, or very much working fishing towns like Guilvenec.

So some days we kept it local on the beach or in the pool at the campsite (all heated and with plenty of slides to keep the kids entertained). And other days we visited nearby towns or did activities including treetop adventure, a maize maze, fishing auction, markets, boat trip to the Glénan Islands (highlight for my 50th)….And then there were the baguettes, croissants, pain au chocolat, cheese, fish and wine. We lived like royalty from our chalet.

But a fortnight was not enough in this beautiful part of the world so back on the list the Breton Riviera must go...We'll miss you Benodet. You really rocked our summer holiday. Merci biens et a bientot!

Videclip: Benodet, July 2023

Or you can watch the clip here

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

Welcome Ly...

So Ly (pronounced Lee) has been living with us for just over a month and already seems to be one of the family. She's so lovely - great with Emily and Niomi, a real help round the house and a truly happy and gentle personality. She's fitted right in.

There's been lots of stuff to entertain her and lots of stuff for her to learn. She came here with pretty much no English but already our communication is much less reliant on Google translate. Her desire to learn is really apparent and she's enrolled in the school at the end of our street - and apparently quite good at maths!

And everything is just one massive learning curve. She's learning how to use a mobile phone, a microwave, washing machine and an oven. She's learning all about our food and our culture. She's learning to find her way around using train and bus. Every day seems to bring a new experience of one kind or another.

There's also been trips to the Campsies, Edinburgh, the Five Sisters Zoo, Science Centre, ten pin bowling, the cinema and lots more. Plus endless appointments with doctors, opticians, lawyers and others to help her settle in to the UK.

But we're only just beginning - there's a whole summer full of adventures to come. Sometimes she's understandably a bit tired with everything that's going on as its pretty full on, but generally she seems to be taking it nearly all in her stride. And we're loving having her here.

Welcome to our home Ly - we hope you'll be very happy here 💖

First day at school

First meetings

Feedling lemurs at Five Sisters Zoo

Finglen

Growing at the Science Centre