We had hoped it would be another gorgeous day yester-day as we had planned a field trip in place of Don's usual golf outing. Alas, it was not to be. It didn't rain but we had cloudy skies all day, a damp feeling in the air, and occasional misty drizzles. Still, we took off after breakfast for Lake of Menteith, the only lake in Scotland (all the rest are lochs).
It was only about an hour-and-a-half of driving on scenic back roads most of the way. For one stretch, we were beside a huge estate which had an ancient stone wall that ran for miles with acres and acres of enormous rhodendrons blooming in a profusion of pinks, reds, and purples. Soon also rode for a while alongside the gently flowing River Menteith before turning off to head toward the lake.
There is a small island in the lake on which are the ruins of an old priory. Boats ferry people to and from the island but only one boat was operating yesterday. We waited for quite some time in a misty drizzle before deciding that we'd come back on a nicer day (and perhaps when both boats were in use). We explored the hotel (just on the other side of the church in the photo above) restaurant and dining room (the latter overlooks the water). In the lounge we asked for directions to Nick Nairn's Cooking School which we knew was on the lake but which wasn't signposted.
Nick Nairn, one of Scotland's top chefs, has been a regular guest chef on the TV programme "Ready, Steady, Cook!" which we used to watch faithfully every afternoon. For years he operated fancy and high-priced restaurants but now runs his cooking school, writes cookbooks promoting fresh local produce, helps raise his little girl, and is one of the three presenters of a new BBC TV programme called "Landward" about the Scottish Isles and its land, from mountain climbing to farming and many other land-related topics.
A cookery class was in session when we got to the school. We had thought they ran a farm food shop, but the only items we saw in the shop were cooking implements, gadgets, aprons, and cookery books (one of which we already have). We browsed the shop for a few minutes, chatting with a young woman who was ironing a basketfull of aprons. The road that led to the cooking school passed the charming cottage you see in the second photo above.
All was quiet on the Lake of Menteith. Every glimpse we got of the lake from its wooded shore was of the peaceful water with fishermen out in small boats. It was probably a good day for fishing. It wasn't a particularly wonderful day for sight-seeing but it was good to just get away for a while. Don had the brilliant idea of bringing Wendy and Jami back there next week, hopefully on a sunny day.
We stopped to do a shop at Sainsburys in Stirling before driving on home. At 6 we were due at the home of Jean and David Anderson, who live around the corner from us, to deliver the quilt I made for their grandson. They were entertaining weekend guests out in their summer house, a spacious detached conservatory with glass on 3 sides and an entire roof of glass. There are wonderful views of the hills and the Dundas monument from the conservatory. Over wine we visited with the four of them for a while (after the initial oohing and aahing about the quilt) and had a most enjoyable time.
Today I am washing clothes and making bean soup as our weather is staying overcast and has turned cooler. Sadly the forecast is for several days of rain and the high temperatures only getting up to the mid-50s. We are desperately hoping the good weather will return for Wendy and Jami's visit.
I was to join a new patchwork group that is starting up in Crieff today but after thinking it through, I have decided that rather than join another group where most of the members are creating traditional bed quilts by hand, I will look into joining a group that meets on Tuesdays in Dunblane. This group is made up of women who excel at designing and making art quilts. I have sorely missed the regular stimulation that comes with belonging to such a group and believe my work has suffered somewhat as a result. I can tell that I am loosing my edge and feel that I must take steps to get myself back on track. The group has suspended for the summer but Jane, who is a member of the So and Sews, is a member of that group, so I will phone her to chat about it.
The new Crieff group also has a number of members who will be brand new to patchwork. They have asked if I will be willing to teach some workshops once the group gets well established and has some funds in the kitty. I have said that I will and realize I don't need to be a member of the group to serve in that function.
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