Arran, Summer 2015

Sundae • May 7, 2015 5:59 am
Got this email from Mum this morning.
It's all booked, I'm going to Arran for my birthday to spend some time with Mr & Mrs Limey. A wonderful mini-holiday for me.

Thanks to all three - Mum for fares [thanked IRL] and the Limes for hospitality.
Please send all cards/ money/ birthday gifts there! Also care hampers if you want us to have an American Feast in your honour :drool::yesnod::lol:

I do hope to be able to cook some light nutirtious meals. Marinated chicken, salads, pulses and grains.
And (only assuming Limey is free) get to Machrie Moor to revisit Brianna's memory.

I have already promised Carruthers I will not take any heels. wedges or platforms with me. I might have lied. Depends if the Limeys say that want to take me out. I don't expect it of course. What I want is company, companionship and cats. And I always get those chez Limey.

There were many times I didn't think I'd see this birthday. Or rather that I did nnot want to. So although it's not technically a "special" one - ie it doesn't end in a 5 or a 0 - it will be special to me.

All booked. Tickets will come to my address and I will post them on to Cherry.

Leaving Leeds Station on MONDAY 29th JUNE at 09.47.
Change at Carlisle, after having arrived 12.17.
Leave Carlisle 12.47 on the Glasgow train.

Above part of journey you have to find your own seat I am afraid. Not bookable.
.......................................................

Arrive Glasgow Central 14.01. On the train from Carlisle to Glasgow you have a window seat booked in a quiet carriage.
Leave Glasgow for Ardrossan Harbour at 14.18.
Sail from Ardrossan 15.15.
Arrive Arran 16.10.

.............................................................
ON RETURN - Friday 3rd July.
Catch ferry 11.05. Arrive Ardrossan 12.00.
Leave Ardrossan 12.36 on train to Glasgow.
Arrive Glasgow 13.22. Leave Glasgow 13.40.
On Glasgow to Carlisle train there should again be a booked window seat in quiet carriage.

Arrive Carlisle 14.46.
Change to Leeds train, leaving Carlisle at 15.06. You have to find your own seat again. No bookings.
Arrive Leeds at 17.40.

I will check everything again once the tickets arrive and let [Limey] know of any changes. Hope the above is okay.
You will not have to leave too early from Otley Cheryl. Give you time to settle.
Love Mum/Sheila xxxx


I didn't actually expect her to fund the whole journey. So I am immensely flattered that she thinks I'm worth it. She's told me she's spending my funeral money so I have to stay alive :lol:

No pics in this thread as yet obviously. But there will be.
DanaC • May 7, 2015 7:34 am
That is so totally awesome!

And of course you're worth it, you numpty.
limey • May 7, 2015 9:53 am
Do you want a mod to give this thread its proper title?
[COLOR="Magenta"][FONT="Impact"][SIZE="6"]Sundae's Island Birthday Retreat Extravaganza[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
;)
Gravdigr • May 7, 2015 12:41 pm
Sundae;927750 wrote:
She's told me she's spending my funeral money so I have to stay alive.


:lol2:

I hope you all have a great time! [SIZE="1"]Pet the cats for me.[/SIZE]
BigV • May 7, 2015 8:42 pm
She's told me she's spending my funeral money so I have to stay alive


Comedy [COLOR="DarkOrange"]GOLD[/COLOR].

Also, that's so cool, please have a good time and please take lots of pictures and please give my best to our cellar friends. I'm excited for you!
Clodfobble • May 7, 2015 10:05 pm
She's told me she's spending my funeral money so I have to stay alive


Quoted one more time because it's worth it (just as you are.) Tell your mom this line is funny as shit. Sounds like it will be a very nice trip!
Carruthers • Jun 29, 2015 5:31 am
The journey has commenced.

Sundae is on the first leg of her rail journey north and will arrive in Arran late this afternoon.
Carruthers • Jun 29, 2015 8:26 am
Just received from Sundae and posted on her behalf.
She's speeding North on the second leg of her journey as I type.

Image
Carruthers • Jun 29, 2015 10:20 am
Another couple of photos from Sundae in the last few minutes.

The view of the Ribblehead Viaduct would appear to be more impressive than that from it.

From (just entering):

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Of (Google Street View):

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Carlisle Station. Victorian architecture and construction and still going strong.
Carruthers • Jun 29, 2015 10:28 am
There's Sundae now on the ferry to Arran and looking very well.

Image
xoxoxoBruce • Jun 29, 2015 10:46 am
The ferry strike is over as Limey said it would be, she must have spoken to M.

Carruthers, you missed your calling as the perfect gentleman's gentleman. Thank you, Sir. :notworthy
Undertoad • Jun 29, 2015 10:48 am
:notworthy
Carruthers • Jun 29, 2015 10:51 am
xoxoxoBruce;932201 wrote:
The ferry strike is over as Limey said it would be, she must have spoken to M.

Carruthers, you missed your calling as the perfect gentleman's gentleman. Thank you, Sir. :notworthy


Undertoad;932202 wrote:
:notworthy


Thank you, Gentlemen. You are very kind.
glatt • Jun 29, 2015 11:51 am
Very nice!
fargon • Jun 29, 2015 4:08 pm
She looks happy, I like that.
wolf • Jun 29, 2015 4:17 pm
So happy! Looks like great fun!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
Clodfobble • Jun 29, 2015 5:01 pm
Wonderful!
Carruthers • Jun 30, 2015 3:38 am
I had a call from Sundae, safely in residence at Castle limey, yesterday evening.
All was well after a tiring day. I also had a chat with limey for the first time.
As the phone line wasn't too good, at least in my directioin, I suspect that some of my answers might have caused a bit of head scratching at the other end.
I'm convinced that I said 'no' when I should have said 'yes', and vice versa.
Anyway, no doubt Sundae will be along to give a report on her visit in a few days.
Griff • Jun 30, 2015 7:29 am
Well played C.
Carruthers • Jun 30, 2015 11:03 am
A couple of photos received in the last hour or so.

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Sundae has captioned this 'Making friends on Arran'.

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There's quite a difference in temperatures in the UK this afternoon.
Here, about 35 miles NW of London, it's 27C/81F and 320 miles further North on Arran, it's 18C/64F.
However, it obviously hasn't stopped Sundae enjoying the day.
DanaC • Jun 30, 2015 11:06 am
Awesome! keep 'em comin:)
limey • Jun 30, 2015 1:02 pm
I see I was too slow ... :)
xoxoxoBruce • Jun 30, 2015 1:39 pm
It takes two of you to keep up with her. :haha:
Gravdigr • Jun 30, 2015 3:45 pm
The hair on her head matches the hair on her monkey!

I always wondered about that...:rolleyes:
monster • Jun 30, 2015 7:46 pm
I :lol:
Carruthers • Jul 1, 2015 12:44 am
Happy Birthday, Sundae!

I hope that you have great day! :birthday:
fargon • Jul 1, 2015 7:05 am
Happy Birthday Cherry!
Clodfobble • Jul 1, 2015 7:06 am
Happy birthday, lady!
DanaC • Jul 1, 2015 8:09 am
Happy Birthday hon!
Undertoad • Jul 1, 2015 8:27 am
Happy Sundae, Birthday!
glatt • Jul 1, 2015 9:01 am
Have a wonderful day! Happy birthday.
Carruthers • Jul 1, 2015 1:02 pm
Once again the electric rays worked their magic and two more photos were received from the Birthday Girl.

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'Look who turned up to help me celebrate today'!



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A slightly windswept Sundae enjoying her big day.
Griff • Jul 2, 2015 7:21 am
Happy post dated birthday!
BigV • Jul 2, 2015 10:44 am
Gravdigr;932298 wrote:
The hair on her head matches the hair on her monkey!

I always wondered about that...:rolleyes:


Monkey? You mean the carpet matches the ape's.
Undertoad • Jul 2, 2015 12:00 pm
the carpet matches the ape's.


DING DING DING DING WE HAVE A WINNER thanks everyone for your participation in this thread
Gravdigr • Jul 2, 2015 11:37 pm
Happy Belateds, SundaeGirl!
monster • Jul 3, 2015 8:39 am
BigV;932425 wrote:
Monkey? You mean the carpet matches the ape's.


Undertoad;932428 wrote:
DING DING DING DING WE HAVE A WINNER thanks everyone for your participation in this thread


Tagline?

The Cellar: Where the carpet matches the apes
Undertoad • Jul 3, 2015 8:47 am
when we cooperate we all win
limey • Jul 3, 2015 9:00 am
Sundae is now in her way home and I look forward to seeing her account of her Birthday Extravaganza here soon.

Sent by thought transference
Sundae • Jul 4, 2015 6:52 am
So here I am; writing up again!

I left my packing until the last minute. My excuse being that I had things to do until the last minute. Mostly just slacking off. Although I did clean the rats' cage (oh I have two rats btw! but more of that in another thread on another day)

In the end I just flung about 90% of the clean clothes I could find in my brown "leather" bag to cover a range of weathers. I didn't trust the forecast you see. I was right not to. Anyway I counted on Limey to make up the shortfall, which she did. Just as well, because I managed not to pack toothbrush and toothpaste!

I'll try not to duplicate the photos I sent from my p[hone to Carruthers. But I trust you not to be too mad at me if I do.

Otley to Leeds and I realised I'd also forgotten my earplugs.
This was a disaster. I HATE travelling without them, listening to other people's yap and their constant picnics and the repeated tannoy announcements which I can never quite make out. That's okay Sundae, deep breath, you have a Boots giftcard [thank you Godfather Peter] you can buy en route.

Leeds bus station to Leeds railway station. MOG this bag is heavy.
So I didn't detour via Boots. So I suffered...
First train was from Leeds to Carlisle. No seat booked as it was only a two carriage train. I was pleased to be on it, as it was the first connection hit - yay me.

I was quite excited at crossing the Ribblehead Viaduct, but as Limey and Carruthers noted afterwards, it's more exciting from outside the train! The little stations are lovely though, and my book sat unread for much of this section.

Then Carlisle station, to change. Carruthers wasn't just posting my photos, he was also my support line. He looked up my changes, noted the platforms, sent me station plans, all so I didn't end up in tears. What an everyday hero.

I splashed out on a panini in the "bistro" on the station platform. It was so grim. When we ordered paninis on the station on our way to Peckham, despite the place being the size of a cupboard, they were put in a proper panini press. This was taken out of a plastic wrapper and microwaved, making it limp, soggy and too hot to hold. I felt brave enough to take it back. I still shudder when I think of it. The guy serving was SO unimpressed with me. \/\/hatever....

Carlisle station
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Neither of these passengers were yapping on.
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Sundae • Jul 4, 2015 7:02 am
Onto an Intercity train for the next leg to Glasgow Central.
Seat booked.
Some bugger was sat in it.

This made me feel extremely uncomfortable. I could have asked him to move, but there were other seats available, and I would have had to sit with people who knew I'd made a fuss for the rest of the trip.

So I went and sat in a different seat, but I fumed internally.
It upset me. I know, I know - it's absolutely nothing in the scheme of things. And it wasn't personal - he may have been on the train since London, he may have simply misread his own ticket. This is all connected to my present inability to put things in perspective, that's all.

Anyway. This was the shortest and easiest part of the journey, so I didn't have to suffer for long. Less than two hours later I was decanted in Caledonia and back to a familiar station. Again, the changes allowed plenty of time, so I spent a little £ on a "thank you in advance" prize for the Limey's. Guess who forgot Mr Limey is (very successfully) managing diabetes :facepalm:
Sundae • Jul 4, 2015 7:18 am
Glasgow Central to Ardrossan Harbour - the most familiar part of the trip (aside from the initial bus ride from home!)
I knew I had no worries here, although I did worry of course, as I had a large bag and what if the train was full and would people expect me to stand rather than take up an extra seat and I couldn't leave my bag in the luggage because it held all my favourite clothes and and and.

It was fine.

Onto the ferry, which I have already photographed a number of times.
Sat on the Observation Deck watching Limey come closer and closer. Arran I mean. I didn't really see Limey until we disembarked. And Mr Limey too. I was chauffeured back to Chez Limey to a roast chicken dinner. Nom nom nom.

True to form, I subjected the poor Limeys to my version of culture by making them watch a DVD. Not a horror this time - Limes still shudders at the mention of Utopia. I can't actually remember what it was now. Which is awful, I know. It would not have been high culture, I can tell you that at least :lol:

Lovely comfortable bed and cats and sleeps and tea and cake...
Sundae • Jul 4, 2015 7:33 am
Next morning, cooked breakfast!
Every day in fact, cooked breakfast!
I don't think the Limes eat this every day. And in fact they were always healthy variations. But it was wonderful to me, who can go for five days without a hot meal.

And off we went to Arran Heritage Museum.
I was staggered that we [by which I mean Limey] had to pay to get in. I am spoiled by London, Leeds and even Aylesbury, where museums are fully funded and free. It was jolly good though.

There was quite a substantial and moving section on Arran's involvement in the World Wars. I wish I could do it justice. I know there are a number of people here in the Cellar who would have been fascinated. Even as a pedestrian observer I was interested.
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Ships featured too, obviously given this is an island.
It doesn't have the smuggler/ wreck connections of a place like the Scilly Isles (where the prayer used to be something along the lines of "save the souls of those who sail, but should they wreck, let it be here") but the maritime history is still strong.
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There is a Smithy, a room devoted to pre-recorded history, the Clearances, a recreation of various rooms of their time including a whole cottage (these islanders must have been teeny-tiny) and a geology exhibit.
limey • Jul 4, 2015 9:03 am
[Withnail and I]

Sent by thought transference
Sundae • Jul 4, 2015 11:27 am
limey;932547 wrote:
[Withnail and I]

Thank you!

In truth I remembered as soon as I had a chance to think.
Hiatus in my transcript and memory loss due to being bored senseless by someone who showed total disregard of the fact I was trying to use the computer, and regaled me with her personal history. Worse, because I've heard most of it twice already...

Anyway, back to the museum.
There were proper olde worlde farming implements, but I liked the look of the tractors more. Limes offered to take a pic of me on this tractor, but sadly it was infested with children every time we were together. I only caught this shot of it empty because for some reason everyone decided to come and look at the little schoolroom when we were in there.
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You couldn't sit on this one, but I thought it worth including. It still looks useful.
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A gorgeous, shallow pebble-based burn runs behind the museum.
I could so picnic there (except the tearoom... well, that's to follow)
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Sundae • Jul 4, 2015 11:35 am
Waiting for my milkshake to bring all the boys to my yard.
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Sod it then. Here come the girls! Much more fun
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Our whole motley crew.
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Sundae • Jul 4, 2015 11:51 am
And lunch. Wow. People come to the museum just for lunch and I can see why.
Carlisle-crap-Bistro-train-station-crappy could make a fortune if they sold this food, instead of the soggy muck they dished up.

When we arrived we were the only ones there, but apparently Tuesdays tend to be hit and miss. Limey says it's extremely popular. Not hard to work out why. Varied and interesting menu for such a small place. Table service with a smile. It's probably not licensed (didn't look) but you don't go to a museum to get lathered up anyway.

I went for the most boring and basic. But it was a million times better than the expensive club sandwich my Support Worker bought me in Leeds. Toasted mozzarella, ham and red onion.
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The Limes went for something along the lines of Coronation [curried] Chicken baguette. Both declared it very good. All made to order - Mr Limey didn't want cashew nuts on his, so he didn't have them. No peeling food out of plastic wrappers here.
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We were offered dessert. I said No of course. Then Limes read out the Specials from the board behind me and as soon as she said there was a strawberry pavlova I caved in like a meringue. It was delicious.
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Mr Limey demurred, but Limey had the Award Winning rice pudding. Well, it's award winning now, as Limey voted it the best rice pudding she's ever had. It was coconut, lime and... ginger? She will elucidate. Not my bag, but apparently a wonder of its kind. And I have to say it smelled divine.
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xoxoxoBruce • Jul 4, 2015 11:53 am
Sundae;932552 wrote:
Waiting for my milkshake to bring all the boys to my yard.
But when they came, they hogged the tractor so limey couldn't take your picture. :haha:
Sundae • Jul 4, 2015 11:55 am
xoxoxoBruce;932556 wrote:
But when they came, they hogged the tractor so limey couldn't take your picture. :haha:

Kids, you can't kill them and you wouldn't want to eat them...



















I wouldn't have complained if there were beefy Scots farmers on the tractor ;)
xoxoxoBruce • Jul 4, 2015 12:19 pm
The tour package from the Limey/Carruthers travel service is quite extraordinary. :notworthy
Sundae • Jul 4, 2015 12:26 pm
The museum (shoulda linked before) is just outside of Brodick. So we went there afterwards. It's the largest town on the island, and the main port.

I decided to linger, going back later by bus via Lamlash and Whiting Bay. Or vice versa.
In truth my photos might mix all three places up; I'm wearing the same clothes so I can only go by the order in which I took them.
If so, apologies to Limey and anyone who might happen in here who knows the island better than I do. It's not that much of a stretch; that's how we snagged Carruthers after all (that and saving my life has rendered him responsible for me in perpetuity).

Oh, Brodick is where I met the ape.
I was actually playing with a red squirrel puppet for a while. This chap appealed to me, and of course the match with my hair was noted immediately and I was requested to pose. Well, you only have to ask me once. Or not even. Then we left him behind.
DanaC • Jul 4, 2015 12:27 pm
oof. I could go for that mozarella ham sarnie.
Sundae • Jul 5, 2015 8:11 am
More pics from the same day.

Horses on the beach.
I loved the tiny rider on the tiny pony.
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Holy Isle.
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This is the right way up!
Greenery growing in a wall.
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You have seen my backside, but this is nicerer.
An advert outside a cafe in Whiting Bay (I think!) showing what this place can look like when it's really Summer....
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Sundae • Jul 5, 2015 8:17 am
Another wall shot. Holly! They need to get that seen to, it's a tree. Trees have a habit of wrecking masonry...
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And me, in case you forgot.
This is definitely Lamlash. I know because the seafront there is a bone of contention according to the Arran Banner (local newspaper). This expanse of lawn may not be there in thirty years time, due to erosion.
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Sundae • Jul 5, 2015 8:30 am
And on to another day!
My birfday!! I was really very spoiled this year. I had a card from across the Atlantic which arrived on the actual day (a miracle of timing) as well as a little funding for the trip sent to my hosts - I'm sure they made appropriate thanks.
I also had a beautiful knitted collar/ scarf from Limey, some chutney from the cats and my ape!!! It turned out there was a little jiggery-pokery behind the scenes, and Mr Limey purchased said primate right under my nose.
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Off to Machrie Moor to remember Brianna.
It was supposed to be hot as your hat, but on Arran the sunlight gave up and died about halfway through our walk. It was humid though. I took her a stone which was pretty much heart-shaped. There were more people around this year, so no poems or singing.

I had a quiet moment and I'm sure Limey did too.

It's not her grave after all, it's a public place.
But it's where I think of her resting. I'd give anything to have her there with me in person instead.
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Sundae • Jul 5, 2015 8:42 am
Then off to Blackwaterfoot, to the Kinloch Hotel for lunch.
It was, in fact, the place Limey took me when I visited after hearing of Claudette's death. So I remember her there too.
This was a more pleasant occasion of course, although Mr Limey was feeling a bit crook - we assume just because of the humidity, because he perked up just fine in the end.

I had an open sandwich of vegetable ragu with chorizo.
The flavours were lovely, but I had assumed the bread would be toasted. If it was, it wasn't very well toasted, so by halfway through the bread was soggy enough to be a bit unpleasant. So I just ate the topping. Which was lovely in itself.
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Mr Limey had the Man Vs Food style large lasagne.
It looked and smelled amazing, although I could not have tackled it myself.
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Limey had a pot of mussels.
I had previously been tempted - I do love me some mussels. But they came in a Thai broth, which I was wary of. I like them as Frog intended...
She reported that they were very good; so good she didn't even touch the two bread rolls which came with it.
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No dessert this time. We all rolled out of there so full it would simply have been impossible.
Sundae • Jul 5, 2015 8:46 am
We dropped of Mr Limey and then hoyed off to the nearest beach for birthday beach fun.
It was marvellous. Despite the greyed out skies and sea breeze it was still warm. Warm enough for a sundress and flipflops and paddling, and you can't ask for much more than that.

I pretended I was scared of jellyfish (I am, I just didn't really believe they were there).
And sea snakes and sea spiders. But really I just don't like the feeling of seaweed on my ankles. It makes me think of phlegm.
Limey was very patient with my silliness, whether she believed it or not.

I prefer to eat seaweed than have it touch my feet.
I'm sure there's something important psychologically there...
Sundae • Jul 5, 2015 9:04 am
# It's such a perfect day, I'm glad I spent it with you... #

What a wonderful birthday.
Many thanks to all here (and not, but I've thanked them where they can access it) who helped. From good wishes, practical help, financial help and cards and presents and all. Never did find out who sent my t-shirt.
And obviously especial thanks to my hosts, who looked after me so superbly, and put up with all my oddities.

The Limes had to go out for something previously arranged, so I stuffed myself on remarkable artisan sourdough bread - made in Blackwaterfoot - local cheese and lashings of Schloer. I also stuffed my brain with really mindless reality television. If I want to watch something worthwhile I go to the library and watch it via the internet. If someone gifts me an evening of satellite TV on a large screen I consider it a free pass to the lowest common denominator.

I enjoyed.

I think the cats did too. Just for the record.

Off to Brodick the next day...
Sundae • Jul 5, 2015 9:12 am
I admit I made a mistake.
I mentioned Crazy Golf in a fairly indifferent way. I even mildly disparaged the course I saw. Mr Limey admitted he preferred pitch n putt (which I loathe) so I let the subject drop.

I was wrong.
With two such genial hosts I could have pushed. Because the truth is I LOVE crazy golf. This is my only regret from my holiday; I didn't get to play in Brodick.

Okay, it's out there now, I don't have to mention it again.
[COLOR="White"]But yes, it is eating away at my soul.[/COLOR]
Pitch and putt.
Not my idea of fun.
Too hard to cheat and I'm rubbish at it.
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Crazy Golf.
Love it. Comes from the 'rents I'm afraid. And my bro and his wife have an ongoing competition waged around the world on these courses.
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Oh wait, did you forget what I looked like? Never fear... you're only ever a few posts away from a selfie. I have a note from my Mum which says I'm allowed to. (Actually it just says "Lovely photos, thank you" but that'll do, right?)
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And my hair absolutely does not look like straw. I mean when did you ever see lilac straw?
Sundae • Jul 5, 2015 9:37 am
I went to Brodick early, on the bus. Limey was undertaking an heroic amount of work - squeezing it in early and late in order to make me a priority. The Limes had a treat in store for me later in the day, but I wanted to eat up all the time available doing and seeing things.

Also, I'm solitary by nature. Although I was not in any way distressed at being cheek by jowl with the Limes and cats, I was aware that having a houseguest 24/7 (and I was only one in a long chain) does have an impact on your privacy as a couple.

So that's why I went early, and met them later.
All I really did was wander, take photos, read in the sunshine, take photos and impress young Scotswomen with my hair. No, really. THREE people complimented me on it. One actually crossing the road in order to do so.

Anyway, enough about me. No, really.
Gratuitous shots of Brodick instead.
Go there, it's lovely.
Sundae • Jul 5, 2015 9:46 am
What was the planned trip, Sundae? I hear you ask.
We were off on the Waverley. That's the Wiki link, but the bottom line is it's the last seagoing passenger-carrying paddle steamer in the world.

'Nuff said.

This isn't the actual ship. It's a model.
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Some additional info, also from the Heritage Museum.
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Scenes from a boat.[ATTACH]52338[/ATTACH][ATTACH]52339[/ATTACH]
Griff • Jul 5, 2015 9:56 am
So much beauty.
Sundae • Jul 5, 2015 9:57 am
A pair of reprobates I just happened to bump into.
They look happy though.
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Chug-chug! We're off!
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Wood is the order of the day.
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Well, that and rope.
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Sundae • Jul 5, 2015 10:03 am
As Dickie Attenborough said in Jurassic Park "no expense spared!"
For a reasonably brief trip (two hours) there were probably more facilities than you get on your average Channel crossing. And all a heck of a lot more attractive too.
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Not that people were partaking; aside from me snapping off snaps, everyone was pretty much on deck. Well, that's the point of the trip anyway. Even if you've done it countless times and are taking a virgin along...
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Carruthers • Jul 5, 2015 10:48 am
Thanks for the great write up, Cherry.

AAA+ duly awarded. :thumb:
Sundae • Jul 5, 2015 12:28 pm
The Waverley plies its paddly trade round Holy Isle, which is a Bhuddist retreat these days. It doesn't stop there, although they do allow day visitors with only minor restrictions.
It's worth seeing the isle closer than you do from the shore.
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I wish I'd taken my mini binoculars (found them on the side in the kitchen when I got back). They're really just pastel pink opera glasses, bought to perve over David Tennant and John Barrowman on stage. But they may have helped me make sense of the sporadic and hard to hear commentary. Limey assures me that the herd of wild zombies was more likely to be ponies.

The machinery. I didn't even notice the dolphins until Limey pointed them out. When you see how the ?pistons? rise up and down in a circular motion it really does put you in mind of them though. And it was warm in there...
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It was a pleasure to be out on the water anyway. Even if the weather turned on us (it did, and SO quickly!)
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And always a pleasure to be in such good company.
Yes, this shot was slightly posed. But not in a tribute to Titanic way. It was a spontaneous expression I asked them to hold while I took a photo. It filled me with love and hope that I'm not unloveable.
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Sundae • Jul 5, 2015 12:39 pm
And that was me more or less done.
I cooked pork with mushrooms and creme fraiche to earn my keep. Was duly complimented. I thought it was yummy too.

Then I had to sleep from all the exertion...
Only to wake after a night of dreaming of missed connections and unpacked bags and all that and everything.

We travelled to the ferry together and I was bought breakfast as a final farewell.
I think I held it together okay. I was so distressed at the idea of coming back here again, all I wanted to do was chain myself to the car and demand to go with them to Fife.
I leaked a little at the eyes when I had my goodbye hugs, but I saved my real tears until after they'd gone.

I didn't even cry properly until I reached Keighley station. I've been there before, so I knew I was on "home" turf. Then I gave myself over to the grief. I had to cover my face with a tissue and pretend to be coughing.
But in a way a good thing happened in Leeds. At the bus station I bumped into a really, REALLY boring man, who knows me as a friend of an acquaintance. So all the way back to Otley I was just yawning into my hand and wishing he would shut his cakehole, instead of eating myself up inside.

And anyway, I got back and the toilet hadn't flooded, and my Landlord hadn't served me with an eviction notice, and the bailiffs hadn't called and my rats were alive and well with some of their food (their least favourite, but still edible) uneaten and still plenty of water. AND they hadn't decided to kick their new hideout from the top floor into the basement, which is a wonder. I have Bernard Cribbins rats in that sense.

The End.
classicman • Jul 5, 2015 2:44 pm
That looks fantastic! Happy B-Day to you. The Limey's continue to impress.
limey • Jul 5, 2015 3:30 pm
Excellent report! I almost feel as though I was there!

Sent by thought transference
fargon • Jul 5, 2015 4:08 pm
^WSS^
infinite monkey • Jul 5, 2015 8:16 pm
All of these pictures are great, love the boys/girls ones. It's nice to see Mr and Mrs Limey too! I'm glad you had a nice time!
glatt • Jul 6, 2015 9:32 am
What an awesome trip!