Glasgow GTG 2014
How do seats E33-E35 in Front Stalls sound?
Saturday 4th January 2014, matinee (2pm)
Dick McWhittington, with the usual crew :D
Tickets ordered last night ... :)
yey:) PM me with how much I owe ya, hon.
We wish, we totally wish, Ali!
Maybe i'll buy a lotto ticket. lol
Between us we all have faves on the Cellar.
So between us I reckon we'd welcome everyone.
[crawly bum-lick] I'd certaily love you to join us, I reckon you'd be a good fit [crawly bum-lick
In seriousness though, Dana, Limey and I get on well. But out tastes in many things overlap - we're not in synch about everything. Like real life friends, which we've become.
So our opinions of Dwellars do vary. We've had a number of "Who would you like to be here?" or "Who would you invite if you could?" conversations, and come up with some very disperate answers.
Of course I say, "No-one", because I hate you all.
I even hate Dana and Limey.
(I don't actually like panto .... )
Sent by thought transference
As long as you like pants you'll probably be ok limey. :)
I'd be there with bells on if i could afford it. No doubt about it.
Hey!
Nothing with JB in it is pants.
(Even if it sometimes is...)
The man could power the whole of Arran just with the wattage of his smile.
Hey all you JB fans, seems to be a bit of a spat between the Glasgow venues and an article about JB being too blue for kids
article here
http://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2013/05/12/pantomime-starring-krankies-and-john-barrowman-branded-too-risque/The source of all comments being...
Iain Gordon, General Manager of rival Glasgow theatre, The Pavilion
The last three pantomimes have had their share of nudge, nudge, wink, wink moments.
If children understand them, then that's down to other elements of their lives.
Blue? Hardly. We're not talking Jim Davison or Roy Chubby Brown.
Although I would quite like to see John handle an adult pantomime :)
Isn't a bit of cheek what panto's all about? (Oo er missus!)
Sent by thought transference
Iain Gordon, General Manager of rival Glasgow theatre, The Pavilion, said: “We’ve had a lot of feedback from schools and general customers about how blue John Barrowman was and the number of gay references he made.
“We’ve taken at least ten schools from the SECC due to teachers saying they weren’t comfortable with the kids hearing the material.”
Mr Gordon said the King’s Theatre in Glasgow could also overstep the mark.
He said: “The King’s has maybe been a bit guilty with Karen Dunbar, but not to the extent of the SECC. [COLOR="DarkRed"](More acceptable because it's not 'gay' perhaps?)[/COLOR]
“I don’t blame The Krankies – I think they’re just following Barrowman’s lead. There’s a time and a place for being risqué and blue, and panto is not that place.
Think we've got the nub of it here.
Shittington.
Lost long post with lots of detail.
Shorter post, prolly better.
My ideal, if I can get thetime off.
I come up Thurs 02/01/14 overnight.
Friday night 03/01/14 in Arran - never enough but get to say hello to Cyd as well as Jasp & Mr Limey.
Limes & I travel into Glasgow Sat 04/01/13, book into Alamo. Dani comes in ASAP and does not miss train as is MATINEE.
Dinner after panto.
Maybe take-away in room if either Limey or Dani are staying.
Cherry back home on overnight bus same night.
Not ideal, but I do need to know ASPA.
Not my usual excitement but I now have a job where Xmas and New Year need booking WAAAAAY in advance.
I may even have missed my chance.
Which will be my bad, I'm coming up tp Glasgow regardless.
But it means REPLIES, REPLIES, REPLIES ASAP.
[COLOR="Red"]Please.[/COLOR]
hmm. I thought we were coming up the night before, doing overnight in alamo and going to the matinee, then i was gonna go straight home and you go to Arran?
Or something like...
I'd find it quite difficult to get up to Glasgow on the day and get there before the matinee. And More than an overnight is a bit much for Mum with the two dogs (particularly since Nelle is having trouble with her dew claws, so Mum needs to keep a close eye on Carrot and her playing).
That was one of my suggestions in the long post!
We'll wait for the Limes because I can work to that.
@Cept Arran part of trip may no longer be poss - don't think I had this job then.
Or I did and forgot.
Or I did and conveniently fogot because I hate limey.
Or more likely I was either drunk or (these days) on super-snoozy drugs.
Anyway, as long as you know it might be my fault but there is an excuse, okay?
If I miss Arran at Christmastide I will make real, proper, dfinite plans to go in the Summer in 2014.
Want to take something more for Brianna. Like before, nothing valuable, and like before it's bound to be raining. Just a remembrance.
Whoops! I have tickets for 2pm performance on Sat 4th January 2014. All and any are welcome at any time, let me know what suits!
My plans seem to be:
Come on up daytime coach to arrive in Glasgow teatime Friday 3 January. Limey and Dani to do same with varying arrival times according to transport.
Stay over said Friday night at Alamo, our GTG. Poke me with sticks if I try to go to sleep early.
Matinee panto next day on Saturday 4 January.
Dani goes home after show.
Limey and I go to Arran (need confirmation that this is possible crossing-wise)
Stay two-three nights on Arran, seeing M Limey and les chats de chaux.
Come back again on daytime or standard overnight bus.
As far as I can tell I have plenty of holiday in reserve, so although the sleeper is fun, and looks better than ever now, I'd rather pay a £12 fare than £50.
Yesyesyes I said I'd never-not-ever do the standard bus again.
But needs must when time rich/ cash poor raises its head and I have Pythons to see next year.
It's all dependent on whether the Limes are available and whether the bus times match up with the Arran-Glasgow schedule. Worst comes to worst I can stay a single night at an Ibis or something.
Note - how bout Mother India on Friday? Eat in or take away?
Tried and tested. Nom nom nom.
And please can we forgo any alcofrolics?
Sorry, it's just too soon for me to be tempted.
I really need support to stay on the wagon. I can cope with things like eggnog or cocktails in the same way I can wave away a slice of cake. It's general bevvies that will be very hard for me to resist.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Looks like a plan certainly :). I can't remember what time the panto ends but we need to be on a train out of Glasgow central at ten to five to catch the last boat ....
Sent by thought transference
Oh, and I have a gourmet society card which may give us some interesting dining options. I'll research that, too ...
Sent by thought transference
Looks like a plan certainly :). I can't remember what time the panto ends but we need to be on a train out of Glasgow central at ten to five to catch the last boat ....
No can do.
14.00 matinee finishes approx 16.15...
Looks like it's two nights at the Alamo for thee and me, I'm sure Steve will let us change rooms or discount us though.
What if we take a cab from the theatre?
Sent by thought transference
I'll leave it in your hands, you have a better idea of travel times/ what is possible.
I still think limey is a female james bond and y'all are planning something like mission impossible
No....we're Charlie's Angels.
Which begs the question....who's Charlie?
you three could be my angels anytime!
Have just gone on camera hunt, to make sure all is well and good and this time I will not have any drama.
Drama has already started, as Dad has taken mine and Mum's cameras in some weird attempt to find "a working camera".
No Dad. I have a camera. Mum has a camera. Keep your mitts off.
Sadly all cameras have gone into hiding in protest.
Mum is in a big sulk so I am determinedly being cheerful about it.
I will do a proper search tomorrow; the 'rents will be in Oxford for a hospital appointment and I will the run of the house. Can't easily access all areas when it's dark and Diz is waowing and scratching to be let in/ out of my door.
Not Dad's fault, I should keep my electronics under lock & key because I know he gets puzzled and "tidies them away".
That would be so frustrating. Good hunting!
At least I have a month to find it!
Have just booked sleeper coach to Glasgow.
Well, as I'm not going to see the Pythons I feel the money I've "saved" there may as well go on something I can look forward to... I probabaly will choose a budget option coming home.
Triple room booked at the Alamo.
Sent by thought transference
I took an Executive Level decision.
I've booked and paid for a twin room at the Ibis Budget hotel for the night of 4 January.
Plan:
All three Christmateers share an evening/ night together in the Alamo on Friday 3 January.
The next day, after breakfast and checkout we go the Ibis and stash our luggage, including Dani's of course.
P.A.N.T.O. !
All of us go from the Armadillo to the Ibis so that Dani can collect her bags and baggages and get back to Carrot, and we (Cherry-Limes) can see her off.
We retire to our room and get our heads down with a mind to getting the early train/ boat to Arran on the morning of the 5th.
Ready for Glasgow, ladies?
Limey, I warn you I am so ready to sleep.
Diz has been a monster these last few nights.
Probably because I've not been working; Waitrose shut Christmas Day and Boxing Day and then my scheduled days off were Friday and today, so he's out of a normal routine.
Three adults, a three-bedroom house and we still can't get a decent night's sleep because of the two cats.
Still, only getting a few hours sleep a night is good practice for the trip up and our overnighter, right?
Any thoughts on Friday night's dinner?
I'm still well up for a take away from Mother India eaten in the Alamo dining room.
Me still being poor as a church mouse as always and with a small mouse-appetite.
And hot-dogs at the Panto, yes?
Limey - I'll link to some recipes you might want me to cook.
I'm dragging lots with me this time, so I'm trying to think of things I can cook but not carry to Arran.
We're more at the mercy of the weather than I think we've ever been, travel-wise. Everything crossed. Or at least it will be if I get on a coach with a horrible toilet again.
ETA - note edit to countdown.
I didn't want to scare either of you.
Five sleeps where Diz walks over my head until I give up and sleep downstairs on the slippery sofa.
Since Mr Limey and I had to abandon our trip to London (supposedly down on 27th and back on 30th dec.) because of the weather which continues to look as though sailings to the Big Island are going to be disrupted for the next week, I was wondering if I should post the tickets to Steve at the Alamo just in case I don't make it.
Sent by thought transference
Oh damn. I'm so sorry.
I honestly missed the fact that there was anything extraordinary happening in your part of the country because I was all taken up with the fact a storm had finally hit us. And when I say hit us, I mean I lay on the sofa overnight listening to the howling wind, nothing more.
I know you're not that kind of person, but it can't have helped to have me witter on about my hols when you had to cancel yours.
A good person would now write, "Oh nonono! Don't post the tickets because if you're not coming I'm going to cancel too!"
I'm sorry. I can't write that.
Not being able to make it to Arran would be bad enough. It's such a big part of what I've been looking forward to.
But not being able to see JB either would make me inconsolable.
I have no lovely house, no Mr Limey, no beautiful view of hares and sea. And I can't play fife. Or drum.
If the worst happens (well, not the worst thing ever, just the worst likely for now) I'll camp out in Ardrossan for a week just in case there's a sea-change.
I have your Secret Santa to deliver. Surely if I cry enough they'll worry I'm adding to the sea-level and let me stay in the Asda toilets.
I could only ever be a consolation prize if you miss the GTG, but a vial of tears is all I got.
Oh goodness me! Don't fret (Dinnae fret hen!). You will see JB. You will come to Arran. I will get my Secret Santa gift. But I might post the tickets to Steve just in case. :)
Sent by thought transference
K, I have a slight problem on the timing.
I have to be at Glasgow Queen Street station for my train at 17:00 on Saturday. So, it'll have to be a taxi straight from there kind of affair. Given we're only doing the one night, I don't need to pack much. I can get it into a medium size bag and take with to the panto, instead of dropping at your hotel.
Pray they don't overrun and pray I can get a taxi.
Also, hoping against hope that they don't cancel said train, because it's the only one. Earlier than that is too early to get to, and the one after that stops at Newcastle and departs the following morning.
Mum's scheduled to do a Samaritans shift on Sunday - so scheduled because I was definitely coming home in time...
(It's a 9 minute drive from SECC to Queen Street, according to google maps).
Meanwhile, I have spoken to the Alamo and told them to expect an envelope addressed to Sundae which contains the tickets. I've sent them next day delivery so should be there tomorrow. The weather looks shite on Friday and I may not get across from Arran ... I felt it better that the tickets be in Glasgow ahead of me, just in case!
Good thinking, lass.
9 minutes drive....I should make that, even if I have to wait for a taxi...
I have spoken to Ma and apparently she'd already rearranged her Sams shift just in case I had train probs coming back :P
I'm hoping it works out for you ladies.
Dani, I'm pretty sure you can make the SECC-station trip in plenty of time.
My big worry was the fact I would have to go back to the Alamo, as I will have a suitcase (as I'm going to Arran afterwards) and not just an overnight bag. Also the last train to Ardrossan leaves ten minutes earlier.
Added together I'd be clock-watching all through the second half (through the first if it didn't start on time; and it won't) and it would make me miserable.
Thanks Glatt. We've always lucked out so far. I'd like to think we will again.
Re:restaurants. I belong to something called The Gourmet Society, basically a discount club to help fill restaurants' empty tables. I think anyone can check out online which restaurants participate-there are a few near the Alamo. I'm open to suggestions (provided I get there!).
Sent by thought transference
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-25582344
I may have trouble travelling tomorrow. What a good job I posted the tickets to the Alamo, FAO Sundae. I hope I'll be able to travel no later than first boat Saturday to catch the panto myself, but if not, then at least my grrrls'll be able to go ... :/
Sent by thought transference
Oh nooooeeeeess. Plllleeeeease let the boats be running. Pleeeeaaaaassse.
That is not ferry weather.
[PHP][/PHP]
That is not ferry weather.
No, that's more like "Release the Kraken!" weather.
Even if they were running the boats, would you really want to be on one?
:vomit:
I
think this would be Limey's boat?
ARRAN
Ardrossan - Brodick
Disrupted Disruption Details
Status: Disrupted Service
Ardrossan - Brodick 03/01/2014 disrupted/delayed Due to the adverse weather conditions, SSW winds in excess of 50mph, the 0820hrs sailing from Brodick to Ardrossan diverted to Gourock. The delayed 0945hrs sailing from Ardrossan departed from Gourock at 1110hrs. The vessel is expected to arrive in Brodick at approximately 1310hrs where a review will be carried out with regards to further sailings on this service. As a result of the diverted sailing this morning the 1105hrs sailing departing from Brodick, and the 1230hrs sailing departing from Ardrossan, have been cancelled. Due to adverse weather conditions, SSW winds in excess of 50mph, this service is on amber alert, and as such, may be liable to disruptions or cancellations at short notice for today, Friday 3rd January. Passengers are advised to check our website, www.calmac.co.uk for the most up to date information. CalMac Ferries apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Reason: adverse weather
Last Updated: 03 Jan 2014 11:26
Sorry, ladies.
That's the one.
These pictures show why it was diverted from Ardrossan. That's the lighthouse at the harbour entrance, the train to Glasgow, the sea wall by the car park ...
Sundae and Dana are enjoying a cosy dinner right now ... without me :(
awww....poor Limey. I'm sure they're thinking of you and wishing you were there. By the way, will Sundae still be able to come to you? She had suggested I give a ring when she's with you so I can talk to both of you. She never gave me a phone number to do so though. :3_eyes:
I got to Glasgow!
We got duplicate tickets for the ones lost in the post.
We're watching the panto.
It's halftime: Hello Cellar! !!!
Sent by thought transference
YAY!!!! That's wonderful news. And expect a call around 12:30 to 1:00 P.M. Sunday. :-) I'm up but busy until then.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
Me too!
Sent by thought transference
Ha! So that's what you were doing while we went to the loo in the interval (and in my case also a quick smoke:-p)
I am now sitting on train from leeds to halifax:) all my fears of my last possible train being cancelled or connections missed did not materialise hurrah
snip--
I am now sitting on train from leeds to halifax:) all my fears of my last possible train being cancelled or connections missed did not materialise hurrah
FEAR
F -- False
E -- Evidence
A -- Appearing
R -- Real
FEAR
F -- False
E -- Evidence
A -- Appearing
R -- Real
Did you not hear about Limey's recent experiences with train cancellations?
I don't normally panic about trains but it was the only one to get me home tonight :)
FEAR
From
Experience (of)
Actual
Rail travel
:-p
Got back across to Arran just in time. The boat's off again! While Dana had to run for her train yesterday after the show, Sundae and I had time for a leisurely stroll along the Clyde back to our hotel. I'm really impressed with the use that Glasgow's making of the space left by the redundant shipyards.[ATTACH]46406[/ATTACH]
Sent by thought transference
I'm sat on Limey's sofa, with Cyd the new cat, listening to the wind roar in the chimney.
All very cosy in here though, especially with the fire blazing. I do wish I'd gone for a walk earlier to blow the cobwebs away, but it was lashing it down then, and on a Sunday there isn't really anywhere open to shelter in, should the need arise.
As usual I'll do my proper writing up when I get home (well, Friday really) but I'll be in the Cellar in general.
This is not from the 2013 trip. But I thought people might like a little glimpse into the kinds of thing that go on in a panto.
The kids get the glitter, and fairies, and fart jokes. The adults get the pecs, and lycra, and dick jokes.
[YOUTUBE]j-n2z126xfA[/YOUTUBE]
(sounds wavers a little, but you get the general idea)
It's a little like a live Disney cartoon at times. People breaking into song and the hero always gets the girl, and she's usually a princess. The main roles (hero, princess, baddie, fairy/spirit helper etc) are often played by the same people, year after year. Names and costumes change, but basic role remains.
[YOUTUBE]bcLAvPDu8II[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBE]Zpj42GmEjps[/YOUTUBE]
This one shows the outside of the armadillo!:
[YOUTUBE]L0-EoVpfZoA[/YOUTUBE]
And the pictures of us? "So easy to post from your phone"? I know it is, because, surprise surprise, you've posted a pic of Carrot which you showed me the day before yesterday on your phone here on teh Cellar since you got back. But. hey. The. Pictures. Of. Us. ? ;)
Oh, you mean these pictures?
Us! just as the show is about to start. Not sure what's going on with my teeth...
Here's a really lovely pic of Sundae, in the diner, where she and I ate on Friday night. Sam was at this point still grounded on Arran (booooooo!):
And another with what looked like a really delicious pizza:
A selfie at the diner:
And finally, because it's traditional, and because the Cellar men deserve a treat:
Yay! I'm so glad limey was able to make it after all. Everyone's looking so happy, and that's the best kind of Dwellar picture.
Most excellent! Thank you very much.
Great pictures!
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One day I'm going to come too! (yes I know I say that every year, but one day I will surprise you all!)
You'll have to let us know so that we can get you tickets. It's damn near a sell - out each year.
But we'd sure as hell love to see you there!
Sent by thought transference
It would be so nice if all of us can get together. :D
Too righty!
Sent by thought transference
LIMEY HAD TWO AT ONCE!???11?
;)
Sent by thought transference
Okay, here we go!
Let me take you back to the third of January, about supper time.
I'm all packed and ready to leave.
And bloody hell did I have a lot of packing to do!
Not so much of the fancy-pants variety, but enough clothes to stay clean and warm and dry, three pairs of boots and gifts for the girls.
1) Posing in my travelling clothes.
2) My big fat bags. And Jaffa cakes.
Mum gifted me the money for a taxi to the station.
She did this another year too, but I walked then, because I wanted to save the money.
I could've done with the money this year too, don't get me wrong, but it was pelting it down.
Anyway I saved money by getting the bus to Amersham (instead of the through train), and the Tube on from there.
Londoners might think otherwise, but once you get onto the Tube you save an absolute fortune. It's getting onto it (from Aylesbury) that costs.
1) Waiting for my bus.
2) Me on the crowded train from Amersham.
I forgot to say - I bought the Jaffa Cakes from Waitrose. 75p. And that's before staff discount.
For those who don't keep a close eye on the fluctuating Jaffa Cakes market, a packet will set you back over £1, and there were four packets in that long box.
It would have been rude not to.
Why did I dress up just to travel?
Me, the person who lolls about in jogging bottoms and a sweatshirt?
Well... I don't get the chance to dress up often.
And I knew there was a chance I'd have to sleep in what I was wearing, so it had to be fairly light.
And the bottom line is, I thought I would be more likely to get some help with my case if I looked a bit girly.
It worked. Three staircases, three charming men helped me. Then again, Dani and Limey hefted my case about for me too, so maybe I just lucked on out altruism.
So. Arrived at Victoria coach station pretty early.
Only, what's this? A sleeper coach to Glasgow at 23.00? Yup, was mine. Blimey - I'm so used to it leaving at 23.50 I hadn't even bothered to check.
Scrambly, scrambly, join the queue.
It was okay, I was still in plenty of time.
We boarded at the back, and I headed to the front, which was an all-or-nothing gambit, because if there were no berths left you'd be behind everyone else who was heading upstairs.
I lucked out.
I took the bottom bunk on the left closest to the driver.
There was no bottom bunk on the right, just storage for the staff.
The top bunk on the right was taken by a very lithe young Weedgie woman who had travelled from Tel Aviv that morning, coming hame from a nine month entertainment contract in Israel.
Chalk one up to her for travelling further than me.
Then the bunk above me was taken (with much heaving and puffing) by an even younger Sheila from Badelaide, Baustralia, who'd come via Eurostar from Paris.
Chalk one up to her for travelling from half a bloody world away in the first place and then not even stopping to catch her breath in London (off to see rellies in Erskine).
And I had my tea at home that night, I felt like a right surburbanite.
Megabus have changed the sleeper coach.
No seats, just bunks. NO SEATS! Nowhere to go if you're feeling a bit crook or want to see where you are or too hot...
And the bunks were tiny. Teeny tiny. I measured the mattress with my arm and it was barely wider than elbow to outstretched fingers.
And the poor lass on top. She was no super-model, and she was very aware of that. Bless her. She asked more than once, "I'm not squashing you am I?"
Yes, she was. But it would have been exactly the same if I'd been under the lithe dancer; the only way not to be squashed is not to have anyone above you. Or not to travel on the Megabus Sleeper.
1) Me in my lickle berth.
2) Really sweet Aussie.
Notes on the above: what you see is what you get, apart from a scanty cover.
There are no longer any curtains on the berths. So I was glad I wore my dress, because it's not a million miles away from a nightie, really.
I paid back the gents who helped me with my bag via karma. Young Sheila only had Euros and was horrified to find out that public toilets cost money. So I gave her 30p and showed her how to use the pushchair entrance (it's not clear, even though there must be loads of people with suitcases who can't use the turnstiles).
So the coach had left earlier than I expected.
In fact it also left ahead of schedule as all passengers had been ticked off the manifest and they were wary of bad weather.
This meant arriving in Glasgow WAY earlier than I expected.
Four and a half hours before I could expect even to leave my bag at the B&B, let alone check in.
I fannied about for a while, but there is only so much you can do without anything being open. Or startling the horses.
So off up Sauchiehall Street. At least this time I knew how to pronounce it. And I knew the way. It all helps.
Although it's pretty much uphill for a mile, it didn't really start raining until I got to the Alamo. Bloody hell, it's still not even 07.00. There weren't even any lights on.
So I sat and waited on the steps.
I know I'm irritable. But it's mostly because I dislike other people.
Left alone I am pretty patient and can wait for extended periods of time. It's my African heritage.
Flash (B&B cat) came and sat with me. He was more restless than I was, but then he couldn't/ wouldn't understand the significance of the 15 minute clock chimes from a nearby tower.
And Mr Fox trotted past us down the street on vulpine business.
Came back a while later, still in a foxy fashion.
A chap with a bear-trapper's hat went by with a red setter and returned also, noticing us on the return journey. "Happy New Year!"
Still no lights on.
OMG. What if no-one was staying last night?
It's not an unreasonable assumption. No breakfast, no rooms to clean, no reason to get up and open the doors until at least 10.00 and no reason for my poor old bones not to be sitting there for another two and a half hours. sadness.
Everything in me rejected the idea of taking my suitcase on another jaunt.
I'd used my dwindling reserves of energy just to get it up the steps.
And it was now raining properly.
So I found a napkin and wrote my name and the fact I was staying that night, and left my case (and the Jaffa Cakes) outside the door.
Risky business I know. But by then I was quite cavalier about my luggage.
My Norman heritage.
Off I hoyed, in the rain, to the Wetherspoons I'd passed earlier, which I knew opened at 08.00. Breakfast photo in Breakfast thread.
Back I climbed, in the rain, only to find that the Closed For The Night card in the door had been changed to a No Bags To Be Dropped Off Until 10.00 card.
09.35. Sigh.
Luckily, Steve - the owner - saw me and recognised me and let me in with a warm welcome and a worry that I might have been kept waiting.
Not at all!
He's such a nice chap.
My second breakfast photo is in the Breakfast thread.
The breakfast room has had a makeover - although it was nice enough anyway.
They've let out the whole place to the BBC for the duration of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this year and the makeover is thanks to the deposit.
Good on them; Steve & Emma get a holiday as it's been booked as a self-catering let, and the BBC get to benefit real Scots as opposed to faceless multinationals. And it's a smashing place.
The breakfast room and me after being ravaged by travelling. And still in the clothes I slept in.
Down to our room. Which they made available before 10.00.
I had no mobile (cellphone).
All I could do was wait and hope someone else arrived.
My worry wasn't financial - for once! The Alamo know us and anyway Dani & Limey would never leave me stranded with an unpaid bill.
I was just a bit lonely.
Detritus.
1) I know it's a busy photo, but look out for hand-made chocs and biscuits from Ali, my decoupage decorated boxes and a pile of prizes for the girls.
2) My hat on a hand mirror.
Where did I leave you?
Oh, I was a bit lonely.
It was raining in a significant kinda way, but I'm British and I can deal with that. I wanted to wander rather than just wait, so I went out to explore the immediate environs.
Hang on, it's my fourth stay in the Alamo, how come I'd never done this before?
Well it's a combination; I'd been drinking on the journey in other years, so needed to sleep it off. It was snowing previously, so a jaunt out was very much heads down, watch your footing. Or I came by train and didn't have as much time to kill.
But I said to Dana - and it's true - that I do have a real feel for the area around the hotel now and can navigate it quite well.
This is a park more-or-less on the doorstep. Probably where my bear-hat friend was headed.
I was fascinated by the slide. I never thought I'd want to be ten again, with all the vulnerability that entails, but seeing the slide I did wish myself back, just for a little bit.
Actually I might have been able to fit down it, not having quite such a fat arse these days, but it was running with rainwater. And I'd never attempt it alone. Can you just picture the headlines?
"Child traumatised by rotting corpse found stuck in tube slide"
"Mystery woman tried to smash her way out, autopsy suggests"
"Bodily fluids the first sign of trapped body"
"Posh Spice has new haircut"
Park photos.
I particularly liked this fountain? pool?
As Limes said, it's very Albert Memorial.
And back across the bridge.
I wanted to take photos of it the other year, but that was the year of the treacherous ice.
I can't tell you what these statues represent.
Or even the name of the bridge.
Sorry.
When I get back to the B&B I find out that Limey definitely cannot make it to Glasgow that day (Friday).
Which is pretty rubbish.
But if you've been reading this thread you know it works out okay, so there's no need to dwell on it.
Here comes Dani! Yay!
I'd probably have welcomed Kim Jung-un at that point, but how much more lovelier to welcome Dani.
Both of us ready to hit the town.
Well, to hit a local diner which I'd checked out online.
916 Diner. Worth a visit. Very good waitress, although my opinion may be skewed by the fact she loved my hair (and I loved her tattoos)
Dana's dinner. And latte (not Irish coffee as the glass suggests)
As Dana posted previously, we had a very giggly time in the diner.
Very, VERY giggly on my part. At one point I brayed with laughter so hard I felt like I was an extra in Pinocchio.
And I let out all the laughter on the way back, to the extent I'm surprised it didn't bounce off cars and set off alarms. FTR I kept my knickers dry.
Anyway. My yummy, yummy pizza.
If this week was a stomach stretching exercise, this was my first challenge.
I reckon I ate about 2/3.
This is so wonderful, Sundae, I can't wait for more. I do have to say, it always startles me to see solid-metal playground equipment. Around here, that slide would get hot enough in the summer to give you third-degree burns. Even the plastic ones are too hot to use sometimes.
Thanks Clod. I've never thought about playground equipment in terms of A&E before (aside from getting stuck in it).
Glasgow does have hot summers sometimes; I stayed just outside Oban for a scorcher of a week one year.
But in general I think the unfamiliar yellow burny thing in the sky would startle Scottish children so much that a metal slide would be the least of their concerns.
Oh and I looked up the bridge and the statues for you.
For all of you I mean.
The bridge is Kelvin Way Bridge, and the statues I photographed are Peace & War, and Navigation & Shipbuilding.
I didn't mention that I am wearing my rockstar trousers in the above photo.
Maybe because I hoped you'd notice...
Yeah well, okay. Dana liked them anyway.
And my red shoes.
Next morning.
Breakfast documented in Breakfast thread. As before.
Limey contacted us to say she was already on her way so we got ourselves ready to meet her at the station.
I was confident we could do so in plenty of time, as it was pretty much downhill from the B&B back to town.
Sauchiehall Street, then Hope Street, then you can't miss Glasgow Central Station.
I know this is what people say when it really is quite easy to miss, but this isn't an elaborate set-up for us ending up in the Athens of the North; we really did get to Glasgow Central with no detours.
Delays, I've had a few, but then again, too few to mention.
Except I'll mention them - Dani can't walk past a beggar with a dog. Or just a dog actually. It's part of what makes me love her of course. Except when I am worried Limes is waiting on us.
Silly, really. I'm not responsible for either Dwellar and of course we met up just fine with no recriminations.
Interestingly, Glasgow seemed to have lots of American candy shops. I saw four or five. Marshmallow Fluff, Babe Ruths, Reeces Pieces etc in the window. I can only assume a ship came aground somewhere in the style of
Whisky Galore!
The photo is the ceiling in the Alamo breakfast room.
I was trying to turn off the camera.
I liked the photo, so I kept it. Note my cotton candy hair making a sneak appearance bottom right.
Off to my second hotel.
Dani only slept in the Alamo. Limey only slept in the Ibis Budget (as below).
I win because I slept in both.
NB. Limes did question my idea of winning. I'm not sure I managed to get it across very well. Perhaps because it's essentially incomprehensible.
It is almost entirely a private joke, although the phrase, "Once again I win the game" does come from The League of Gentlemen.
But the idea of silly, silly, very silly games in which it is only possible to win comes from assuaging the natural boredom of being a reasonably intelligent single person.
Today I cut 300g of Cornish Quartz Cheddar cheese bang on.
I win.
See?
Anyway.
Those of you who follow my posts obsessively will remember that Mum & I stayed in an eTap hotel in Cardiff to pad out a trip won by my brother in a raffle.
eTap is now Ibis Budget, but the idea is the same. Basic accommodation, clean but no frills.
We checked in on floor six and got the keycard for the lift and the room on floor eight.
Twin room. The shower cubicle opens straight into the room, the sink is in the room. The toilet is separate. There is a telly and a little desk with a stool. And WiFi.
We were there to sleep.
It was (you may say) satisfactory.
1) Dana arsing about because I told them they didn't need to pose, I was just taking photos of the room
2) Shower and sink and reflection of me lovely me
Dani and I had already exchanged Christmas presents.
Mine from Dani was the same as Limey's - a most excellent mug with Yorkshire sayings on it. Some of which I have never heard. And I've read Alan Bennett.
A further Christmas exchange occurred.
Limey gave me her old iPad. Which is just like, wowza. She was worried that my delicate sensibilities might be offended. I was worried that Dani might think her carefully chosen and cool gift was overshadowed.
But hey - I bought them both cocks so I guess it all evened out. In truth we're pretty much tuned in to eachother after four years and don't do the jelly thing. My only disappointment this year was not getting my girls together overnight, but no-one could help that.
Moar of budget room, inc MY iPad on charge.
I must just interject here that I had adopted it some time ago as it was Mr Limey's cast-off and it is a little battered. But still serviceable. I seem to have accidentally bought myself a replacement on a previous trip to Glasgow ....
Sent by thought transference
We're off to see the wizard!
Well, off to the Panto.
The tickets that Limey conscientiously sent to the Alamo in case she couldn't make it were lost in the post. This actually happens less than people believe and is usually just the last excuse of thieves and scoundrels.
Limey is neither, so it was just sod's law.
Of all the worries that worried me, the tickets were not that high on the list.
Not once I had my girls with me.
I can be quite bullish when needs arise, but put me with Limey & Dani and I am immediately in passive mode. It's not a conscious decision, it's almost pheromonal.
Limes brought the whole ticket-buying-papertrail (well, it did fit into an envelope) and that was that.
Limey is a force of nature: educated, a financial expert, English with a history of living in Scotland... basically you cannot face this woman down.
Not even a hardened Weedgie SECC employee could stand agin her.
That said, it seems he was a decent chap and Limey only had to smile at him anyway.
Oh I forgot to mention, she keeps her claws sheathed; Limes also has a degree in Charm.
1) The Armadillo (where we were headed) and the new Hydro
2) La Rotunda Restaurant. We didn't go there, but the building appealed to me. It was the entry and exit point for pedestrian/ horse and carriage tunnels from the end of the 19th century, originally housing hydraulic lifts. There's an identical building on the other side of the river, which is for sale. Let's buy it!
Ladies?
All the ladies, louder now, help me out, all the ladies...
(if you know the next line then it's your bad not mine)
Dick McWhittington.
Absolutely excellent seats thanks to Limes.
I dunno, do you want a detailed review?
I will if asked , but I won't be offended if I'm not.
Off goes DanaC. She needed to leave to get home for Carrot.
So sorry to see her go.
I always feel bereft when I leave Dana's company, or she leaves mine.
She makes me laugh so much and so hard and we do have a shorthand when it comes to cultural references.
Something I don't have with (m)any people in the real world; I had to join a mostly foreign forum to find it.
Bye bye Dana.
Bye bye.
Bye.
Okay, so now we enjoy ourselves with food :lol:
Limey and I decided on an all-you-can-eat buffet on the same retail park as the hotel.
In truth, Limey would have paid for a taxi into the city centre and a really good meal at a gourmet restaurant.
But we both just needed to eat and this way we could eat what we wanted, when and how much we wanted and walk back to bed in about 100 steps and I could feel less of a cringing worm.
There were a number of chain restaurants in the area.
But we went for the only AYCE.
And the name was appropriate. Does Big Sarge vanity search? I hope so.
Limey snores.
So does Dani.
And so do I, AND I talk in my sleep.
I dunno, women of a certain age, eh?
Back to Glasgow Central, less than 24 hours after picking Limey up there.
But we did get some kip, nocturnal emissions irregardless.
Um...swoon!
When I get back to the B&B I find out that Limey definitely cannot make it to Glasgow that day (Friday).
Which is pretty rubbish.
But if you've been reading this thread you know it works out okay, so there's no need to dwell on it.
Here comes Dani! Yay!
I'd probably have welcomed Kim Jung-un at that point, but how much more lovelier to welcome Dani.
Both of us ready to hit the town.
Well, to hit a local diner which I'd checked out online.
916 Diner. Worth a visit. Very good waitress, although my opinion may be skewed by the fact she loved my hair (and I loved her tattoos)
This is so great. I have been following as you've been posting. Everyone looks great and happy! Dana, love you in the vest and head thingy. :)
And the Rotunda? I want the Rotunda Opposite. How much are they asking? What a cool building.
1) Further proof, were it needed, that you're charged 2p all across the UK.
Or 30p. So do remember to lay in a stash of coins when you come.
2) For Rich Levy, following our conversation about where you can and can't buy alcohol over here. This pub is on the station concourse, although the off licence is closed. Still, you can buy alcohol in Marks & Spencers I think.
I bought this juice from M&S instead, and very good it was too.
Note Limey's limey bag a couple of photos back. Absolutely gorgeous. I coveted.
She didn't disclose how much it cost, but given that it was a Christmas present to herself, and the glowing terms in which she reported its purchase, I think it may have been a tad over my budget. Which stretches to the heady heights of about £9.99. On payday.
Infi, yes let's buy the building on the other side of the river!
We can secretly reopen the tunnel and sneak into the Chinese restaurant at La Rotunda when the staff have gone home.
Or at the very least we can use it as a secret Cellar lair.
We need to get some rich backers on board though.
Scotland has a very odd way of selling property (or this is what I've gathered from watching property shows) which involves sealed bids and offers and things. So we have to go in high.
And kit it all out of course.
Hammocks and cat-food and hydoponic bays and the like.
Train from Glasgow to Ardrossan Harbour.
No drama, and nothing like the photo Limey uploaded from the previous week.
On the Clansman boat again; it's always pressed into service this time of year which means it's the standard boat for me, even though it seems old to people who make the journey on a regular basis.
We had breakfast on the boat (yup, photo in the Breakfast thread again).
Got to Brodick and laid in some shopping, then over the top of the hills (mountain) to chez Limey.
Greeted by the regulars (Jasper and Mr Limey) and the newbie (Cyd).
Settled down to eat Jaffa Cakes and relax.
Limey put a whole joint of lamb straight from the freezer into the slow cooker.
I was astonished. In fact I haven't told Mum about that yet, I may just nip off to do so - she'd be horrified.
Of course Limey does know what she's doing and served up a perfectly cooked and meltingly tender "roast".
Potatoes done in the thingy. The thingy, you know. Little cookery thing. Got a brand name which I can't remember *
They were very yummy.
I had no hand in this meal except for the eating. Which I did very well.
There was leftover lamb which I used the next day.
No dinner photos, sorry.
Not from Sunday night or indeed any night.
Very remiss of me.
ETA * Remoska!
It came to me as soon as I'd sent the post. Probably the reason I used the word remiss.
The next morning came up rainy.
Sunshine is not a given anywhere in the UK in January.
So I went off to Brodick on the bus.
I found myself at a bit of a loose end there.
Although the rain had stopped I couldn't go off-road as everywhere was pretty sodden, and I'd already seen all I wanted to see and photographed all I wanted to photograph.
So I went back to the Co-op and bought a few bits and pieces for the evening meal, then caught the bus to Whiting Bay.
The sun came out as soon as I arrived, which endeared it to me.
I said before that I wanted to live in Whiting Bay, but Lamlash now also has a claim on my affections (more of which later).
1) Christmas decorations Arran style
2) You can't see it in the photos, but the sea is a really improbable shade of green and quite, quite beautiful
I forgot to mention that in the background (above) is Holy Isle, where the monkeys live.
Or Buddhists or something vegan like that.
I'm tempted, but TBH if I'm going to endure public transport all the way to Arran I think I'd rather have a little more hedonism on my arrival than a retreat would provide. I'd be miserable if the weather was miserable, and if it was good I'd end up rocking and moaning to myself about the wasted opportunity of being so near and yet so far from a nice sausage bap.
I became a little obsessed by the swans on Arran.
I've never seen them on the sea before - they're inland birds in my book; fresh water birds if such a thing exists.
I can only assume that they're more flexible than I thought, or that no-one told them about my book, because they were everywhere on the salty water and on the beach.
Thinking about it, my book was probably I-Spy at the Seaside, which is an under-used resource tool these days.
The one thing Whiting Bay is a little short on is places to wait for the bus when the weather is on the turn.
There's The Coffee Pot, but I suspect it costs an arm and a leg just to get a little cup of tea and a stale cake.
That's really unfair of me; I have no idea whether this is the case because it's closed on Mondays. Which might explain my hostility towards it.
Instead I went into Bar Eden - a hotel bar which serves snacks and soft drinks as well as the usual.
It was lovely inside, pared back but comfortable, and while I was there three locals dropped by, which is always the sign of a good establishment in my book. That book being Bars and Why I Usually Avoid Them.
No crisps though. Booooooo. I might write it up for TripAdvisor all the same. Without mentioning the crisp shortage; if I can help bring even a little bit of money to Arran it's worth it.
I did mention that the weather was on the turn, right?
Not that you can tell by my perfectly coiffed hair... Just one of many wind-sculpted looks I sported.
You so need a travel blog.
I love your reportage. I swear if you wrote travel books, I would absolutely read them.
Before I left, Limey told me very strictly to stay away from the water.
The winds were getting up and High Tide was going to be high.
Keep away from the seafront.
Yes, Limey.
Don't get too near the water.
Yes, Limey.
Be careful, there could be large waves.
Yes, Limey.
I did listen, honest. And take on board everything she said. But I also have eyes and a brain and I know if she'd been there she would have realised that I was in no danger whatsoever. She did pick me up on it when she saw the photos though.
That was the day I told you to stay away from the seafront, wasn't it?
Yes, Limey :lol:
As you can see, the wind picked up and the sky greyed out, but there wasn't a big tidal surge while I was there.
Other places on the island were harder hit that day, although nothing like as bad as the previous week. I know the boat wasn't running, and some children were sent home early from school, but Whiting Bay just had some rain and sea-spray.
I swear if you wrote travel books, I would absolutely read them.
Only to name-check yourself ;)
Hahahahahahahahah.
I got a mention...I win!
Actually you get a win and a gold star for paying attention.
Off "home" on the bus.
I think it might have been raining again by the time I got back to Limey's.
But at least I didn't fall in the water.
For dinner that night I soaked the leftover lamb and some dried apricots in red wine.
I'd bought a mini bottle and can honestly hold my hand on my heart and say I used it all for cooking. Risky business, but it worked.
I can't actually remember what else I did to it. I expect it was some sort of stove-top stew, because that's my forte. Oh yes, I went for a quasi-Moroccan style adding onion, carrots, tomatoes and pretty much everything else I could find. Bulked out with a barley mix and served with warm crusty bread.
Limey noticed my preferred method of cooking and eating whilst I was there.
Cook in one big pan, eat from a bowl.
Had I been there longer I might have learned The Way of the Slow Cooker, but this time round they just got my usual.
Oh, in case you wonder why Limey was absent from my account, she was working.
Ditto tomorrow (Tuesday) in order to free up Wednesday for our trip to Machrie Moor.
Off to Lamlash with Mr Limey.
He was going to work, Limey was chauffeuring us both.
I didn't think much of Lamlash on previous visits and didn't expect to spend that long there, intending to get the next bus to Whiting Bay and spend my time there instead. Perhaps in the much-maligned Coffee Pot.
But in fact it yielded up unexpected pleasures and I was happy to potter about for quite a while.
It stayed dry, but it was grey, so the photos of the actual bay don't do it justice.
I've just snuck in some trivial ones hoping you won't notice.
Oops.
1) Okay this was just weird.
An abandoned crutch. And no nearby church even.
2) There's something about the minutely manicured grass on a bowls green that really appeals to me. And there are quite a few on Arran. Something for the auld folk to do. To make up for the absence of hostelries I expect.
1) Limey did tell me what these were. Not technically palms. But they look tropical and that will do for me.
2) Moar Holy Isle.
Cocks!
Well, chickens anyway.
Another shop window.
Skull bag I liked.
And me.
[Correction: the home baking in the Coffee Pot is excellent and the establishment itself is always bursting with old farts and middle-aged farts stuffing themselves whenever it is open. ]
Sent by thought transference
I stand corrected, Ma'am.
Delays, I've had a few, but then again, too few to mention.
Except I'll mention them - Dani can't walk past a beggar with a dog. Or just a dog actually.
Whilst I wouldn't necessarily disagree with that assessment (:P):
I would like to clarify, that only one of the beggars I stopped to say hello to had a dog. I did however spend a little longer talking to the guy with a dog, because I was talking to him about dogs. I have no idea if the other guy would have wanted to discuss dogs, since he didn't have a dog. Therefore I did not stop and talk about dogs with him; I just gave him a couple of quid and exchanged pleasantries.
I find it very difficult to walk past a beggar. I find it very difficult to walk past a dog. But for different reasons. A beggar with a dog I find difficult to walk past for both reasons.
I honestly don't know if it's age or penury which has slowed down my street-giving.
I always preferred to give to performers anyway, and will still buy the Big Issue when I have enough in my purse, but I'm unlikely these days just to give to someone on the street.
It's certainly not a moral decision on my part and I will always acknowledge someone who asks me for money or assistance, even if I can't give.
Although I admit to deliberately steering clear of chuggers.
My real confession of course is that I can't walk past a cat.
And I don't even have to engage with another person. Hahaha.
Oh I don't give anywhere near as much as I used to. I just can't. When i had it, I was generous with it. Now I don't have it, I have to be careful with what comes in and goes out.
That was an unusual day. It all got slotted under Trip to Glasgow. Along with grabbing a latte on the way up. I relaxed my rules for a couple of days. If I'm going to do that, it feels right to include a couple of quid for a guy with fuck all. Now I'm on the other side of the trip and paying off the credit card. Those few coins I gave to two blokes in Glasgow centre get lost in the whole :)
One of the cool things about Arran - at least on the side where Limey lives, is that the bays are also surrounded by hills.
So they feel quite distinctive and set apart.
1) The main road through the village
2) Where there's water, there's moss
I thought this pair of holiday lets were just beautiful.
They overlook the harbour, obviously.
Let's all go and stay there.
ETA - looking at the second photo again, it might not even be a holiday let.
But I bet with enough money on the table we could have it anyway.
Swans again.
I did tell you I was obsessed.
We have a beautiful mated pair of swans in the park. They've taken up residence in the boating lake.
Two bars, both closed.
I wasn't going to go in them, at least not to drink. Although both had great vantage points for watching the world go by.
I had to take a photo of the opening hours of The Pierhead Tavern because it made me laugh. It's quite a substantial establishment, and you'd expect that even off-season it could support itself just from local trade. But instead it's only open three nights a week. Lazy Scots.
Except Limey told me the real story, which is that the brewery chain which ran it, pulled the plug quite suddenly last year. And in fact it was the locals who stepped up to keep it open at all, because there are very few social gathering places and/ or drinking establishments left there. Bad for those that live there, bad for tourism.
Moar power to their pint-pulling elbows I say. Shows you shouldn't make snap judgements. Or at least I shouldn't.
The Drift Inn had lights on behind the bar, but the chairs were up on the tables, so I didn't embarrass myself by trying the door. Shame, because it looked like a place that would have a Breville out back.
Back to the cathouse.
That night was Rich Levy night.
We had pasta sauce with clams from the hamper he sent.
I made it with rice rather than the pasta which was also included, because it fit better into bowls that way.
Limey provided a whole bag of prawns and I was going to siphon some off to have in a sarnie the next day (prawns are still considered a luxury in my house) but it ended up as a kind of gumbo and all the prawns were decanted, coated in sauce and thoroughly enjoyed.
So, not kosher Rich, sorry.
We talked about having dessert but that was before we started eating.
Were all too stuffed to even consider it afterwards. I lie, we did consider. Just not for long.
Oh - I forgot to mention.
I got Mr Limey Utopia on DVD for Christmas. Luckily I didn't know he (they) now have a blue-ray or I'd have felt obliged to get it on that and it's much more expensive...
We watched the first episode together one evening, can't remember which.
I had forgotten how sweary and violent it is, but also how very very funny. I'm not sure if that came across to the Limes; I just snorted reasonably quietly to myself.
Now I know Limey has a visceral reaction to blood and gore. So she did really well. She watched in silence and did not make any kind of fuss. But she admitted to me afterwards that when she woke in the night, she found it hard to get back to sleep because of what she'd watched. Which made me feel rotten. I hope Mr Limey enjoys the rest of it. And it did look absolutely gorge on their spanking new big telly.
1) Here tis me with part of the Limeys' music collection in the background
2) Old chap. That hare tugging on his cape better watch out, he's already wearing ermine.
Yes of course the above shows one of Limey's gorgeous Christmas decorations.
She kindly gave me permission to take photos of anything I wanted.
Her house is a wonderland of pretty, unusual and bang tidy things, another lifetime is the least I'd need to document it properly.
The tree is one of ?three? I think.
The trumpet is one of many instruments.
Bookcase, and not the only one.
Just to show they're not just about the music.
Although I expect both of them do much of their reading electronically these days.
And this gorgeous little chap who I would be quite happy to smuggle home. Except that he belonged to a family member of Limey's and is therefore likely to be missed. Oh and because that would actually be stealing.
Machrie Moor.
Hmmm.
Same as last year, I've been both anticipating writing about it but also dreading it.
Except this time part of the dread came from the fact it was my last day on Arran.
I wanted to share it with you all so much, but I knew that when I did my trip was pretty much over. Okay it was over last Thursday, but I've been reliving it since then ;)
I also felt the post should be in the right place, because what I was doing and how I was feeling does have a bearing on the actual day. Nothing dramatic, just that Arran had a chance to work its magic on me.
One thing I missed on this trip was being able to properly explore.
It was just too wet, and had been too wet for too long.
I'd pictured walking through the woods again, it's part of what I hold in my heart about Arran now. Limey counselled against it but she didn't even need to this time. I knew it would have been folly.
This was completely borne out by our Machrie Moor experience.
It was only mildly boggy, and only in parts, but it made it quite clear to me just what the woods would have been like. Much muddier and much worserer and therefore with no peace at all.
For anyone reading this who doesn't know, we lost a Dwellar last year.
Her name is Claudette and her monikers here were Brianna and Trilby.
Limey and I went to Machrie Moor on the Isle of Arran, Scotland to remember her in the same week her funeral was held in the US.
Many people here loved her and I am one of them.
Just thought I'd make it inclusive.
Limey drove us there.
Sunshine!
Proper sunshiny sunshine!
We didn't really think it would last, but it did. It didn't have any real warmth to it, but then it wasn't a cold day.
After squelching and jumping puddles and avoiding sheep-leavings and finding work-arounds where the track was saturated I was plenty warm.
I performed a very slow, not very teasy strip-tease in the course of two miles. Gloves, hat, scarf and in the end waterproof jacket all came off.
1) A little circle that I didn't photograph before. Note water.
2) Limey hasn't really just killed someone, there are other reasons to adjust your gloves. Although our trip was accompanied by the crack of gunshot and the yelp of dogs as pheasants were hunted in a far-off field.
Limey and I.
Seated on different parts of a sacred monument, albeit in the same circle.
Because Bri would love that.
And because we can.
And because why not.
I also wanted to recreate the photo from last year, of Limes eating a picnic up a mountain in the snow.
She gamely offered to eat some choc as a substitute, but we agreed that we're not out to make memes here.
Probably just as well given the annual nature of our photo ops.
1) Brianna's stones from the circle we were in.
I doubt you could have seen them if I'd taken this photo last Spring, it was that drear and dreich.
2) And me, again.
There is a story to the photo of me above.
There could have been many more photos, trust me.
I had an odd impulse to sit up on a stone which wasn't immediately accessible from ground level.
It wasn't of a particularly impressive height, but I did need a boost up from Limey.
I dutifully took off a boot, to keep her hands clean, but ended up face down on the top of the stone, spread-eagled, arse in air.
STUCK.
I am not as limber as I once was, and there were a few seconds where I thought I might even have to give up and shuck my top. But I persevered, hindered slightly by Limey's laughter but helped enormously by more boosting from same.
I think she was a bit disappoint that she didn't get to take a photo though.
At least not until I sanctioned it.
She did replace my boot and take two lovely photos, so I am very much in her debt.
What we brought to remember Claudette.
No singing this time, but I did try to talk as if I was talking to her.
I cried in the end.
I told her about the frog in the well, and how I'd brought the frog for her, but was in fact taking it home again. Same with the purse.
I just hated the idea of something genuinely special either being taken away by someone with no understanding of its meaning, or rotting away.
I bought the purse for her you see, before she died.
So originally she had the jade frog, chocolate coins, real Chinese coins, a lucky purse, tulips and a bottle of Bacardi.
We left a tulip, both types of coin and the Bacardi we poured and then each had a sip of.
Limey took the remainder of the tulips home, the same as the daffodils last year. It's a cliché to say it's what Brianna would have wanted, but she would. She was an enjoy it while you got it person.
I really like that shot of the three stones. Well done.
Cold winds.
Warm thoughts.
Nifty.
Wonderful photos. It looks like it was a great trip
Really love those standing stones.
One day, oh one day, I will try and get to Arran.
This set of stones had one that came with it's own natural step.
I think Limey was disappoint.
Oh yes, here is Limey being disappoint!
And an out-take of me just to even things up.
1) Looking away from the Moor to the Kintyre Peninsula.
2) And green and sheeps; view from the carpark looking back.
More lovely things from Limey's house, this time the sea-themed bathroom.
A fine piece of scrimshaw.
And if you don't know what that is you've obviously not tried to stave off the end of a weekend my eating cake and watching the Antiques Roadshow. Shame on you.
We picked Mr Limey up in Blackwaterfoot on the way home.
I hoped for a repeat cup of tea in the hotel there, as it was the first place I visited last Spring, but it was closed.
Lazy Scots :p:
Instead, when we came back I decided to get busy. Limey had noticed that the recent blowy weather had left her garden strewn with twigs, which when collected made excellent free kindling. As I was going to be home alone that night with the fire all to myself, it seemed reasonable to contribute to it in some way. Of course they work better once they've had a chance to dry out, but twigs is twigs.
1) Cyd-Sox going sailing.
2) The collected kindling, my bedding and Cyd's cat palace.
Nice kindling.
I'm really enjoying this thread. You're doing a great job as always, Sundae.
Last night on Arran, to be spent all alone as the Limey's were off for the band Christmas Party.
Like anyone who is busiest at Christmas, this had to take place in January of course (we had our department meal in November).
I was invited, but figured it would be too tempting.
Instead I baked some beans for myself, which I have to say were pretty good.
I packed my case and generally got ready for an early start the next morning.
Well I say early, I caught the bus at 07.00. This morning I'd already been at work for half an hour by that time.
When the Limes came back we did have a chance for a chat before bed.
I was a little perturbed by the following conversation:
- Does [name of person I don't know] expect us to do the rory-bories tonight?
- I think so.
- Well not me, I'll be asleep by then!
It sounded like a really bad codeword for rumpy-pumpy!
Which is fair enough, but it was a shame the word bories was in there. And weird to think of them discussing it over dinner, and Limey turning it down flat.
Of course it wasn't about sex.
The Aurora Borealis were supposed to be visible at 02.00.
Turns out I was still wide awake then, overly worried about missing the bus/ boat/ coach, about my long journey in general and about what I might come home to.
I couldn't see them. Shame, it would have been a perfect end to the visit.
One final photo from the boat, to show it's possible to manage the idiosyncrasies of Gaellic, but still have problems with basic English.
So I think all that's left is for me to thank Dani for her company and good humour.
Oh and dinner - I never paid you back did I?
And Mr & Mrs Limey for their hospitality, kindness and various purchases on my behalf including tickets.
Work have asked us to book our holiday as far in advance as possible, so I'm already blocking in some dates. My birthday is 1st July which is in term time - it's not really fair to book the school holidays as most of my colleagues have children.
Maybe I could come up and frolic in your wonderful house around that time?
I don't feel the same pull to Arran that you've always felt, but seeing the sea is something I try to do every year. And now I wasn't to be amongst the trees again too.
Greedy.
My birthday is 1st July which is in term time - it's not really fair to book the school holidays as most of my colleagues have children.
Maybe I could come up and frolic in your wonderful house around that time?
Won't that put you right in the middle of everyone getting ready for the 4th of July celebration? I expect Limey will be playing the "Stars and Stripes Forever" by Sousa at the big concert
Sarge, you are one goddamn funny man. :)