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.