Monday, May 05, 2008

Spring has Sprung

and the swallows have come back. This morning we went down towards Girvan and stopped off for an early coffee at Dowhill Farm Shop which sells the best pineapple fruit cake in the world. The birds were fluttering among the eaves of the old farm buildings with that peculiar excitement with which they seem to greet their old haunts when they return, for all the world as if they're delighted to be back. And we're certainly glad to see them.
Arran was just emerging from the morning mist and Ailsa Craig was floating on its own cloud, like Tir Nan Og, in the distance. We were taking photographs as inspiration for paintings so you'll probably see some of them on here in due course. The whins are in golden, coconut scented bloom and the hedgerows are full of bluebells - it really is an idyllic time of year. For the first time ever, we walked down towards the lighthouse at Turnberry, which was built on top of Robert the Bruce's castle (well, one of them anyway!) - you can just see the remains in the picture. It involves a pleasant walk across one of the most famous golf courses in the world, and you get the distinct feeling that the right to roam is an ever so slightly unwelcome concept for some of the golfers - but the path is a good one and access is through a well made wooden style so the hotel is certainly amenable to civilized walkers, which is what we were!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed my walk in Scotland with you I love bluebells I miss them.
Hugs Mary.

Anonymous said...

Is it just my imagination or have the whins been really strongly scented this year? Walking the dogs has been a heady experience this last little while. I think I have been more keen than they have!

Catherine Czerkawska said...

I think you're right - the amazing scent of coconut makes you feel quite drunk! I love it! Like several pinacoladas all at once!
Catherine

Marion said...

Hello,

I like your blog very much. The pictures from Scotland are wonderful.

Yours,

Marion, Germany

Catherine Czerkawska said...

Thank you so much Marion - very glad that you are enjoying it.
Good wishes, Catherine