Full steam ahead

So, today we spent the afternoon on a steam train travelling round central Scotland.

It was great fun - combining my love of steam with a nostalgia trip around childhood haunts and a chance to travel on routes not normally open to the public.

I even managed to have my own Brief Encounter moment but without a dashing gentleman to help remove the cinder.

Next trip is in October to the Lake District. Anyone want to join me?

It's a nice day ...

For a white wedding!

And it was too. On my latest trip home my big sis and I went for a walk around Aberdour Castle yesterday afternoon. It was looking beautiful in the late summer sunshine and made a wonderful setting for this wedding we spied.

It was really strange being there as grown ups - everything seemed smaller and the views seemed more open. And then we realised it was just because we were tall enough to see out of the windows properly!

This afternoon's adventure is a steam train trip around Fife, along the Forth to Stirling and back. Check later blog posts for pics and stories!

Lions and tigers and bears. Oh my!

Today we ventured out to Blair Drummond Safari Park.

Unfortunately it was very very wet and we got soaked.

It was so wet in fact that one of the tigers hopped in the back of our car to dry off!

Puddings al fresco

Life's little pleasures keep on coming as my house guests continue their holiday with me.

Tonight we finished dinner (after bath time) with puddings on the back steps. Short stop as you can see was well wrapped up against the cooler evening air.

And my day at work ended with an invitation to join them for coffee in town at Beanscene, fabbest coffee shop around. What more could a girl ask for at the end of a busy day at the office?

Homes as they're meant to be!

What a fabulous scene to come home from work to!

Continuing to enjoy having my visitors to stay. It's just a shame I have to go to work really!

Looking for a shrubbery

Today we paid homage to the great Monty Python with a visit to Doune Castle, location for some of the filming of the epic Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Lots of silly singing followed, with one very confused and bemused 6 year old in tow. He religiously looked for shrubbery, rabbits, swallows and witches - but then declared he'd much rather go to Kings Park to play on the slides instead. I think Monty Python would have approved.

We did, however, see a Minstrel (who followed us round the castle, fortunately not commenting on our bravery or otherwise) and a pair of coconut shells being used!!

Natural handmade

Today's offering ... A sand castle.

Made by our own fair hands at the sandcastle competition at the Aberdour Festival. There were some amazing creations - much larger than our meagre chateau. Strangely enough, we didn't win. But we did have fun!

It was really nice to see the beach so busy. My big sis and I used to play on the beach when we were much smaller so it was nice to be able to take my nephew down this morning and see him enjoying it just as we used to. Well, not quite as we used to - I don't remember a puppet show, loudspeakers or beach volleyball when we were young - but the sand's the same.

We went back this afternoon to see the raft race - a much more successful endeavour than the one I took part in (cough cough) 24 years ago. As I remember, that time we were dressed as babies (for some reason) and the raft only made it 10 feet from the shore before sinking and plunging us ingloriously into knee deep (cold) water! At least the 4 that were taking part this year all stayed afloat and made it round the (much longer) course.

The finished article

My fabulous big sis picked my bowls up from the ceramic painting place today. And here they are!

I can't wait to start using them. Already planning the next colour combination! Shades of blue I think.

All in a (Scottish) day's entertainment

Day 5 in my visitors' great Scottish holiday adventure saw a trip for us all to a genuine Scottish highland games. The trip on the train to Bridge of Allan was an added bonus I think for at least one of the party.

My sister and I enjoyed the brunch at Zingerman's too!

(And no, we didn't know pursuit cycling was a traditional Scottish sport either!!)

Back to handmade

Today, as well as some sightseeing, we managed to fit in some craft time.

A visit to the fabulous Ceramic Experience this afternoon was very therapeutic, and even better produced 2 much needed pudding bowls for the flat.

'Finished' photos will appear some time after Monday.