Springy Delights
Driving my delightful son home along the Fort William By-pass one morning after a night out in town he said “Is that a whale?”
I scanned the empty loch - “dearie me. What were you drinking last night?”
Later that day on a very low tide, I walked the dog under the pier…..
Turns out he wasn’t hallucinating - it kinda WAS a whale. And I’d never noticed it before!!!
After a really inspiring talk at the Roybridge Hall on the subject of Creag Meagaidh Nature Reserve, given by Rory Richardson who is the Reserve Manager, Billy and I went for a wee drive with the plan to buy some venison from them on the way back.
What they have achieved in terms of conservation and community involvement and a fantastic place to visit is truly impressive. Rory’s enthusiasm is infectious
. https://youtu.be/TXeNojy4nQg?si=PWOzU-IEfwafeRNt
We decided to drive through the Centre of Scotland, lunch at the Newtonmore Grill and then call in for the very good priced venison from the Reserve.
And here is the view from the centre of Scotland between the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea.
And here is the view of Courr stuck at ground level in the Grill while Jane gets the Penthouse…again.
Instead of sleeping in a tent under a railway bridge next to a very large puddle and dining at the Newtonmore Grill as I did when I turned 60, l decided this years birthday treat would be a little more upmarket but would be a solo trip. I adored my adventure with Running Girl last year but she doesn’t do luxury - brings her out in a rash. So I booked 2 nights in a hotel across the road from The Clutha in Glasgow. No schedule, no joint decisions to be made. Just make it up as I go along. Ride buses, stroll, watch, listen. Art exhibitions, Bridget Jones, wine at The Clutha, whisky at The Scotia.
I asked the artist if he was going to incorporate the art work already there. He said
“Naw. There’s rules. Once ye start ye need to completely cover the original work. And ye need tae be sure yer work’ll be better than theirs. But if someone has spoilt the work wi’ something like a wee cock an baws, ye can paint ower the whole thing……..jist in case yer wanting tae dae some yersel’.”
He did a good job. I stopped for a long look at the next one….
I don’t think anyone is going to paint over THIS one. There was a man and woman standing admiring it next to me. And because this is Glasgow, of course I went to The Clutha for a glass of wine with them before we went to our respective cinema viewings.
My date with Bridget Jones was just a little later than their film and we arranged to meet at The Scotia afterwards before they caught their bus home.
Now this was bliss. 5 people in the cinema and I didn’t have to negotiate what film to watch. Last time I ate a tub of popcorn sitting next to Spook he threatened to divorce me.
After another glass of wine at The Scotia and 2 drams whilst listening to a rock band playing covers, I was just one dram short of Pogo dancing to the Buzzcocks so they had to safely walk me the 4 paces back to my hotel. So much fun.
Courr wasn’t impressed by my absence and didn’t think it was fun at all.
Back to normal life The Mobile Librarian alerted us to the fact that she was in the area. Would we like to peruse her wares and she could talk us through some possible reading matter? She has trained in such discourse so it was a good offer.
The Librarian had a range of Self Help books she recommended. I chose one on How to Pogo Dance in later Life (Without Injury). Billy chose one on how to convert a Mobile Library into a Campervan.
When the weather turned amazingly good, we abandoned books.
Meanwhile, way out West at Doolin on Irelands Wild Atlantic Coastline……
Our Meg and Rhua were having a moment.
March has brought dark,wet and cold days, but far more bright and sunny ones. I love March.
Happy Spring.