Well, I'm on my way! Left Belfast Harbour for Cairnryan a few mins ago - half an hour late due, I think the capt said, to a collision yesterday? Misty but apparently calm. Stopping in Ayr tonight to catch up with friends. (I don't normally say where I'm heading, only where I've arrived - gives plenty cover for getting lost 😂)
East from Amsterdam
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Safe travels Jean. May the road rise up to greet you etc etc.
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Thanks all. I'd a good crossing and spent the night on the Ayr beach front. Special bays for motorhomes, charged at £10 from 22 April. Very narrow bays but lovely view, with swans on the sea. Met up with MyGalSal who used to be on here. Had the best chinwag and a super Italian meal out.
After morning coffee with Sal n Don I headed up the road to Bishopton, staying in the train station carpark which is less than 100yds from my BIL n SIL. Took the roads less travelled; was horrified at the amount of rubbish at the side of the roads, mile after mile. I don't blame the council for not lifting it - they've enough to do with their limited budgets - I blame the dirty hallions who put it there.
Another evening of catchup - my tongue (and ears) are getting plenty exercise! And a delicious meal of haggis, neeps n tatties (my request).
Off next day, again by back roads, to Bridge of Allen. I stopped en route to make a cup of coffee n climb to the Queen's View to get a very satisfying hit of the hills round that area. I spent the day with a cousin and had an Indian meal this time! Along with a complimentary glass of red since it was Mother's Day.
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After morning coffee with Sal n Don I headed up the road to Bishopton, staying in the train station carpark which is less than 100yds from my BIL n SIL. Took the roads less travelled; was horrified at the amount of rubbish at the side of the roads, mile after mile. I don't blame the council for not lifting it - they've enough to do with their limited budgets - I blame the dirty hallions who put it there.
Another evening of catchup - my tongue (and ears) are getting plenty exercise! And a delicious meal of haggis, neeps n tatties (my request).
Off next day, again by back roads, to Bridge of Allen. I stopped en route to make a cup of coffee n climb to the Queen's View to get a very satisfying hit of the hills round that area. I spent the day with a cousin and had an Indian meal this time! Along with a complimentary glass of red since it was Mother's Day.
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19,348 Posts
Still very wintery looking, but as you left the door open I‘ll guess not freezing, First day of Spring today, weather can only get better now 🤞.
to remind yourself how the trees looked before and after Jean do you choose a type of tree and as you go on your journey look out for those trees take a photo and then compare them to see what Mother Nature was up to while you travelled. I do that and it’s amazing when you find a few km further on how much or less the tree has progressed. Safe journey wherever you may roam.
to remind yourself how the trees looked before and after Jean do you choose a type of tree and as you go on your journey look out for those trees take a photo and then compare them to see what Mother Nature was up to while you travelled. I do that and it’s amazing when you find a few km further on how much or less the tree has progressed. Safe journey wherever you may roam.
That's a good idea with the trees Jan!
I'd coffee with 1 cousin then tea with another outside Linlithgow and finally dinner with my sister in Musselburgh... I'll be the size of a house by the time I finish! I'll be here for about a week so little to report.
It must've been cold in Ayr as my dump valve had activated tho I only became aware the next night when I eventually got round to trying to fill the boiler.... same sluggish response from the taps so I went outside to investigate and yes, there it was dropping out the bottom!
I'd coffee with 1 cousin then tea with another outside Linlithgow and finally dinner with my sister in Musselburgh... I'll be the size of a house by the time I finish! I'll be here for about a week so little to report.
It must've been cold in Ayr as my dump valve had activated tho I only became aware the next night when I eventually got round to trying to fill the boiler.... same sluggish response from the taps so I went outside to investigate and yes, there it was dropping out the bottom!
Walked over to Newhailes National Trust today (2.5mi) only to find the house tours don't happen on Tuesdays. It was a beautiful day n I realised it's time to ditch the thermals! Had to strip right down to bra n pants - not easy in a public toilet when you don't want to touch the floor with anything! Was just starting a walk in the property after lunch when the heavens opened. And the route home skirted fields so was pretty mucky. Met a couple of lasses practicing their dance moves in the rain n bare feet!
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Newhailes House
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Newhailes House
Yesterday was a hospital appointment with my sister. Today I visited Gladstone's Land, a house in Edinburgh old town. Apparently, since you had to live within the city walls in order to do business, and space was short, you either extended upwards or outwards into the road, which is what Gladstone did. Very interesting, if small, property.
I'd got a day bus ticket so spent the rest of the day walking round my old haunts - birth place, school, Sunday School, 1st Saturday job... Lots of super memories! A good day.
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Lady Stair's Close
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On the toilet door - very appropriate!
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My old primary school
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My old Sunday School
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The local police box
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I was born here
I'd got a day bus ticket so spent the rest of the day walking round my old haunts - birth place, school, Sunday School, 1st Saturday job... Lots of super memories! A good day.
Lady Stair's Close
On the toilet door - very appropriate!
My old primary school
My old Sunday School
The local police box
I was born here
After Edinburgh I travelled south to visit the Cragside NT property - lovely walks but I discovered I've lost the ability to read a map! Spent the night at a diversifying farm who have a couple of fishing lakes, 4 MH bays and a variety of bird wildlife. Very pleasant.
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Perhaps the original dishwasher; in the 1st house in the world to be powered by hydroelectric power.
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At Linden Lakes
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Next day I drove to Wallington, another NT property, before arriving with old school friends. The girl and I have known each other for 72yrs!
The craic was great n it was hard to leave for the Newcastle-Amsterdam. They boarded nice n early but it doesn't leave till 5pm. Had to make a decision about where to stop when I get off the ferry as there's no free WiFi onboard - I thought I'd have the whole journey to think about it!
Perhaps the original dishwasher; in the 1st house in the world to be powered by hydroelectric power.
At Linden Lakes
Next day I drove to Wallington, another NT property, before arriving with old school friends. The girl and I have known each other for 72yrs!
The craic was great n it was hard to leave for the Newcastle-Amsterdam. They boarded nice n early but it doesn't leave till 5pm. Had to make a decision about where to stop when I get off the ferry as there's no free WiFi onboard - I thought I'd have the whole journey to think about it!
The ferry crossing was grand and we were fairly quickly off.
I came to parking at Leiden tho it's further out than I had reckoned. I'd already done over 10k steps by the time I got the walking map from the TO! I had a very nice lunch (the Dutch version of a cheeseburger I reckon. Tho I'd never buy a cheeseburger at home, this was delicious and washed down with a very nice blonde tap beer, a Chouffe. I visited a Young Rembrandt video presentation, just 7mins but interesting, dynamic - and free!
This parking is huge and next to a couple of lakes (forbye all the water in the canals!) There's a lot of walking/cycling activity around. I'll probably take the bike tomorrow as it's too far to then do the town walk. Lovely day and I'm pleased with my 1st stop.
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St Peter's Church being used as an exam centre - divine torture!
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The old jail
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Some of the wildlife
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I came to parking at Leiden tho it's further out than I had reckoned. I'd already done over 10k steps by the time I got the walking map from the TO! I had a very nice lunch (the Dutch version of a cheeseburger I reckon. Tho I'd never buy a cheeseburger at home, this was delicious and washed down with a very nice blonde tap beer, a Chouffe. I visited a Young Rembrandt video presentation, just 7mins but interesting, dynamic - and free!
This parking is huge and next to a couple of lakes (forbye all the water in the canals!) There's a lot of walking/cycling activity around. I'll probably take the bike tomorrow as it's too far to then do the town walk. Lovely day and I'm pleased with my 1st stop.
St Peter's Church being used as an exam centre - divine torture!
The old jail
Some of the wildlife
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