A Very Small Adventure

[green_amber]

Fired by the good weather, Andy and I went up on spec to the Lake of Menteith Hotel for Saturday; only ten miles out of Stirling, and a hop from Edinburgh, but it feels like you're really on holiday - a beautiful spot I'd stopped at long ago, with a lovely (recently revamped by tv-chef Nick Nairn) hotel, perched on the edge of Scotland's only "lake", gardens running down to the shore and lots of comfy outdoor seating for eating and drinking in the sun - in other words, my basic idea of heaven. We took the tiny motor boat service out to the 13th century abbey in the middle, toured the tiny island looking for The Others (a shirtless Sawyer was not sighted, sadly) and very daringly, and despite still-injured paw, I sort of, almost, climbed a tree. (Honest! Pix to prove will follow!) At night we went for a stroll round Aberfoyle (verdict: "Jesus, thank GOD I didn't grow up somewhere like this!") and back at the hotel, opted for the full blow out meal, rather than the bar snacks, as the menu looked so nice - and were aptly rewarded with meltingly tender steak and venison, and vegetables that tasted OF something - almost, in a good way, of the earth. I alsso had a rather a lot of some very very nice Primitivo wine :-) ()the wine list was fab - I'd certainly recommend it to anyone in the area.) Then we retired burping to watch the Film 4 Forty Films You Have to See Before You Die , on which we both scored rather shamefully badly - must see more b& w classics and Vietnam war films, it seems! (I must say I'm looking forward to having Ffilm 4 for free despite the wall to wall advertising, especially as they seem to be showing almost everything MIyazaki ever produced throughout August:-)

Sunday after Getting Up For Full Scottish Breakfast (people who know me at conventions please note this involved rising at 9.30am!) I dropped Andy at Stirling station via Callander (verdict: "like a big Aberfoyle with more Xmas and new age tat shops!"), and went off to Explore. Well, I'd had a little (OK, a big) rant on Saturday about the joys of exploring and spontaneity and getting out of small house-boxes into new places, so it seemed about time to obey my own advice. I haven't explored as much as I'd like at home, since not having Tommy around to drive me places: I'm a fairly good driver , I think, but not a particularly comfortable one, especially on motorways. So I decided to head across country from Stirling to the Wee Dollar Glen and Castle Campbell which was as pictureskew as I recalled. Sadly didn't do the actual (very steep, I remembered) walk to the castle due to Sore Foot, but will go back now I've re-established where it is. Then I headed off to Kinross and Loch Leven castle - but unfortunately the weather clouded over there rather, and having missed the first boat to go over to the castle on the island, I decided not to wait twenty minutes more, but head back down the M90 before the storm broke. Then the sun came out again! so I bodyswerved the Forth Rd Bridge and detoured to Aberdour to check IT'S beach out. Which was splendid : picnic lawns , well tended beach, bouncy castle and burger and ice cream stands and changing facilities, everything you could want. Sadly it wasn't QUITE warm enough to tempt me in to actually swim!! But it's really good to know it's so promising for the next hot day, because boy, is it near, and it's nice to have an alternative to Gullane.

And then I finally drove back over the Forth Road Bridge all on my own, for the first time ever - a shameful admission, I know, but my vague fear of heights sort of cuts in on suspension bridges - it's something about being able to look down through the pilings in the middle and see the sea far below you.. Anyway I managed the crossing with no problems, didn't even have to pay the toll going that way and felt very proud of myself! (OK, stop laughing purelyskindeep!)

Comments

[pigeonhed.livejournal.com]

I'm just back from a 1000 miles driving in a week, of which less than 150 was motorway or even dual carriageway. At times it was hard work, way too hot, or on the cooler day, misty on the cliff top roads, but I enjoyed it and would rather drive than be a passenger most of the time.

I think my next trip is likely to be up your way actually.

[surliminal.livejournal.com]

Nah you see - I much prefer to be navigator, simultaneously able to feel in control and look at the scenery! (And have a drink at lunchtime!)
Funily enough I was just wondering if I should plan a trip to Ireland. I've been to Dublin & Belfast (oh and Cork actually) but apart from that I have to admit, it's never appealed - what's it got scotland hasn't? [Plus I hate the way every American who turns up in edinburgh is all gaga about going to Ireland because they have some seventh cousin from there.)

[pigeonhed.livejournal.com]

Do it! Pics will be posted soon if you need more persuasion.

We camped across the road from a two-mile long beach and I swam before breakfast (11.00 am) in the surf. Drove past hedgerows of fuschia, and ate fish and chips on the harbour where the water was as clear as anywhere you've been.

[bibliofile.livejournal.com]

[Plus I hate the way every American who turns up in edinburgh is all gaga about going to Ireland because they have some seventh cousin from there.)

Not me! All my ancestors are slavic or scandihoovian.

Besides, aren't Scotland's bagpipes louder? (Yeah, that'd make a great slogan for luring the tourists.)

[poisonduk.livejournal.com]

Aberdour is my local beach and we did consider going yesterday. If I'd known you were in the area we'd have come and found you.

[surliminal.livejournal.com]

Poot!! I had no idea that was where you lived. Maybe if it's nice Sunday?!