04 July 2009 - The Pineapple

Today we headed over towards Airth to see the Pineapple. You can see how it got its name.







Afterwards we took a wander down to the pond and passed some interesting fungi along the way.



When we got to the "pond", we realised it could do with some remedial work.

28 June 2009 - Doune Castle

With today being a typical drizzly Scottish day, we decided to head off to Doune Castle and imagine we were in the Monty Python & the Holy Grail film. Unfortunately we forgot our coconuts.

27 June 2009 - Falkirk Wheel

The kids have been busy digging a hold in the garden.



After that hard work though, we headed over to the Falkirk Wheel which had some large stone sculptures all over the place.









And this is the Falkirk Wheel.



But the small people were more interested in the play park...

...and Santas Grotto - but he's away for the summer.



The other side of the Falkirk Wheel.



And more sculptures.



This one being a living sculpture.

03 May 2009 - Open Studios North Fife

Today we headed off around Fife to have a look round some of the studios that were participating in the Open Studios North Fife event where you could see artists working and their art. First stop was Auchtermuchty where we had a look round the Lucy Moose studio, the blacksmiths, Marie Louise Wrightson and a random gallery we found.

Next stop was Giffordtown where we had a look round the studios of Ian Ledward and Pat Holland. Amber liked the free jelly beans more than the art.

After that we went to Gauldry to see Liz Rowleys stained glass studio, it was very good but due to it being so busy we didn't get the chance to make our own panel.

Final stop before a quick snack break was Newport-on-Tay where we had a look at Susan Bashams work. Her gallery was on the banks of the river.





Final stop of the studio tour was Adrienne McStays studio which had some amazing wooden sculptures.

To round off the day and to keep Amber quiet we finished the day off by going to Kingsbarns to relax on the beach.

25 April 2009 - Loch Lubnaig

This evening we headed over to Loch Lubnaig.

25 April 2009 - Sheep part 2

Once again, Amber tries to make friends with sheep, though this time they were on their side of the fence.

20 April 2009 - How to know your laptop is broken.

19 April 2009 - Culross / Alloa Tower

Today we headed out to see a couple of National Trust properties, first stop was Culross Palace. We'd seen the gardens already last month but now it was open we were able to look round inside it too.

The gardens again.



Culross Palace.



Another view.



After that, we headed over to Alloa to see the Alloa Tower.



When we got home we found we had visitors at the cottage.



And here you can just make out on the left hand side of the picture Amber on all fours wearing her cycling helmet trying to make friends with the sheep while they edge away further and further to the right.

13 April 2009 - Whitstable

Today we went to Whitstable to see my friend Charlotte - she was celebrating her birthday with a weekend by the sea.

First stop though was the harbour where we had mackerel in a bun for lunch.



Then when we met up with Charlotte, Amber made a picture of her in the sand.



This is the back of Stag Cottage which is on the sea front. From the back it looks like it'll fall down with the slightest gust of wind, from the front it was much nicer (but I didn't take a pic of that). Interesting story though on their website. www.stagcottage.co.uk

11 April 2009 - Wimbledon

Today we were up early and off to the Barbican to see the Le Corbusier exhibition. It was very good and we enjoyed looking at all the models and seeing what Paris could have looked like if his vision had been allowed to come to fruition.

Next stop was Wimbledon Village for a late lunch.



Another street in Wimbledon.



Road crossing - for horses, not humans.