General Chat

Huia, I can't remember your blog, can you put it up again after you've loaded your new photos, please?

Stephen, if I ever see your castle,it'll be the once with the icicles on the window! :-D

Sorry to hear about your Mum and Dad Linda.

Hope the painting goes ok Mo.

When are you off on hols again Marilyn? It must be time for an escape to the sun!

Morning All.

Had to have my bath before Stevey grabbed his binoculars :-D

Maddie you have just proved to me that your posh !....PARLOUR !!!!!!
I haven't seen that word since I read Catherine Cookson books.

I haven't got a parlour....but I bet Stevey will in that castle of his :-)

Rita ....I must admit BB is rubbish really ....but somehow it entertains me no end , I'm intrigued as to how the house mates behave and I'll tell you what I have learnt a lot !! I bet none of them would know how to lead a normal life ....its all mind boggling as to how they live...not one of them can make a bed or keep the house tidy :-S

Pat..... Its a couple of weeks before I board that big bird ....and I do need to chase that sun.

Linda...... I think I'll be looking for a residential home soon as my dad & Step mother are a worry to both my brother & sisters especially as we all go away such a lot .....but they have said in the past * WE do not want to go to a home* So just what can you you do ? he's nearly 97yrs & she's 98yrs , we have to visit them twice a week and phone most days.......they wont spend their money on a home help, we do all the chores if and when needed.

Huia......I was wondering how your Holiday went, your forget-me-not is much bigger than the ones in England ours are very tiny flowers and where yours is blue in the middle ours is white then blue petals.

Waves to ~~~~~~~~~~~ Jean X

Afternoon everyone

Stephen tut, tut, you are a naughty boy, hope Mrs Stephen doesn't find out what you've been up to with your binoculars!

Been doing extra hours at the shop, did yesterday afternoon and evening, it's getting very busy. Son has interview for temp work there, we take on a lot of extra people leading up to Christmas, it's our busiest time.

Huia pleased you had a good time, the flowers are pretty.

<3

Afternoon everyone,
I started to do some of my packing! I've ordered the taxi.A part of me wishes I was going to Tenerife instead. That's where I've gone for the last four years but when I came back last year I really felt the cold. It snowed the week after I got back. That put me off going again in November. Thomas Cook don't go the the hotel that I went to anymore and I'm a person who is very set in my ways- I'd always be going to Tenerife until I'm a little old lady and there are other places in the world to see. I'm going to Paris on the 21st Oct. for the w/e as well. Never been there.
The only good thing about going to Scotland. I'll feel warm when I get home :-)

wooohooo

now now whos being rude on how lovely thread :-| :-| :-| :-| :-| :-| :-|

well chilly here today but nice fresh air comeing in the back door

Hello Pat

hope you have a good time in Scotland,

I haven't been to Tenerife in years, it was my first holiday abroad, went with a friend, at the tender age of 18. We went to the North part, the southern end hadn't been developed then.

Paris is nice, been a couple of times for short breaks, one was with a trip to Disney.

Hello Shelly

<3

Pat,
There are loads of good things about coming to Scotland .

1. I live here. :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

2. There are far less English folk up here :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

3. The sheep are friendly ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)

4. We have at least two days in the year when it's dry and warm
. It's just your luck if you pick the right days :-S :-S :-S :-S :-S :-S :-S :-S :

5. The Exchange Rate is currently very good.

6. Your GB Passport will be valid.

7. Most folk have a great sense of humour......you've got to have one when
you think about the neighbours we have.

8. The Scots love everyone <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Especially after they have had a few drams.

Seriously......I'm sure you will have a good time. 'Fluffy Paws' will be on stand-by just in case you need him. ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)

Pat.

When you're in Aberfoyle seek out the Baillie Nicol Jarvie Tree and Poker.and also the Mort Safes that are lying outside the Church at the far end of the car park adjacent to the Woollen Mill.

In Kilmahog look for Hamish The Highland Bull.

Ask the Bus Driver if he can let you out at Brig o Turk to find the tree that swallowed a bicycle........it's fascinating..

You should enjoy your visit to Lock Katrine, just round the corner from your hotel. It's really lovely.

Hope you manage to visit Luss.....a lovely Highland Village on the shore of Loch Lomond.

Just a wee walk from your Hotel is the Trossachs Church, it's really worth going to see. The location is fantastic.

Queen Victoria and Sir Walter Scott loved the Trossachs area....I'm sure you will.

Yes Stephen I do go to Luss. I've just been on the website and had a look at the itinery. I've got a mini road atlas so I know where I'm going! My geography of Scotland is suspect to say the least. :-S
I'm looking forward to it.
One of the girls at work really likes Scotland. L & G were doing a special deal in that if you booked a holiday before a certain date and by a certain date then they paid the insurance. I'm going again in June next year staying in Arrochar wherever that is.

Pat,
I think I told you this before. The hill behind your hotel is called Ben Venue.
That was the first hill I ever climbed way back in April 1962.

If you look to the left on the main road outside the hotel you will see a smallish hill that is really 'volcano' like. It is called Ben A'an. I did my rock climbing training on that hill and spent many a happy day there.

If you walk down the hotel drive and cross the bridge that is on the left over the stream. I spent many a night camping on that spot..

Yep ! You will be walking in my footsteps :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

Ok, Stephen when I'm there I'll make sure that I look at all the hills around me!

Sniffs, and Tuts.

Well I am horrified that my innocent comments should be taken so despairingly. To think that a well brought up young gel should be treated to a double entendre.

Shame on your Mr Barr, I am very upset now. I may even Report you for being cruel and heartless. pmsl

Yes Marilyn the song about the Parlour. My Dad was old enough to visit the Music Halls, and often used to sing little ditties he had picked up there. He went to Collins Music Hall in Islington. By the by, it is now Blackwells Book shop. So one kind of learning, to another.

Work was manic again, we are slowly cranking up to Christmas, all the stock is in the warehouse, and it is selling already.

I dont like to think about Christmas until the last week in November, my birthday comes first. lol

Had me din-dins [make something of that Stephen] so will doss down in from of the tv ready for Downton Abbey. I like watching the nobs and toffs. Go on Stephen, you know you cannot resist a little light banter.

See ya later.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ to everyone.

:-)

I never got into Downton Abbey and it's a bit late now!

Pat,
Thought I'd 'copy and paste' this info for you. To reach the Goblins Cave. You take the path behind the Hotel and walk through the trees for about 30mins or so. This will give you an insite into a wee bit of 'wild' Scotland.
I have slept out a few times in the Cave area and must say it felt a bit strange now and again. And I don't believe in Spooks. or Goblins


"Trossachs" was originally the name of a small woodland glen between lochs Achray and Katrine but the name is now used generally to refer to the wider area of wooded glens and hills with quiet lochs, lying to the east of Ben Lomond and across to Callander. The National Park Authority has given the name 'Trossachs' to the scenic triangle bounded by the head of Loch Katrine, Aberfoyle and Callander and north to Strathyre and Balquhidder.

The Trossachs was the haunt of the highland caterans who hid in its secret glens, and after whom Loch Katrine is reputed to be named - though some say it was named after a lady of that name! Rob Roy MacGregor brought his 'lifted' cattle through the 'Bealach nam Bo' (or ‘pass of the cattle’) on the south side of Loch Katrine and the Trossachs Pass through which the modern access road now leads.

On the slopes above the south shore is a cave named 'Coire na Uriusgean' ('Goblin's cave') and apart from ghosts and goblins, is also reputed to be one of the hiding places of the old highland rustlers

Maddie,

In the door and onto the couch......what a woman :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

Thanks Stephen,
That was interesting reading about the Trossachs.
I don't think I'll be doing any camping out though!

Pat,
More info for you.......Couldn't miss this chap out.
I used to take my children to the Fairy Hill and now I take my Grandchildren.

Rev. Kirks grave is to be found in the churchyard.......but they don't know if there is a body in residence. :-S :-S :-S :-S :-S :-S :-S :-S :-S :-S

The Reverend Kirk

Robert Kirk, 7th son of the minister of Aberfoyle was born in 1644AD. He had a fascination and belief in the magical world of Fairies. Robert also became a minister and after preaching at Balquhidder he came to the Aberfoyle ministry. He should have been remembered as the person who provided the first translation to Gaelic of the book of Psalms, however it was the publication of his book "The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns, and Fairies" in 1861 which was to fire the imagination of historians as the Reverend Robert Kirk disappeared in mysterious circumstances.

Legend (the pen and ink of historians) has it that the inhabitants of the Secret Commonwealth, namely Fairies and the like were furious at the Reverend for disclosing all their secrets and they planned revenge. Daily Robert Kirk would walk from the manse to Doon Hill, one day in May 1692 he did not return. Legend tells us that at Doon hill the Fairies appeared and took him to the underground world of the Fairies. The pine tree that still exists at the summit of Doon Hill, the only evergreen on this forested hill is said to contain his imprisoned spirit.

Another part of the legend states that somehow the Reverends wife was given one chance to retrieve her husband from the Fairy kingdom. She was told that he would appear to her once during a service at the Old Kirk. When this happened she was to throw a knife at him. In the event she could not bring herself to throw the knife and so lost her husband forever.

Stephen I'm coming up on the plane to wash your mouth out with carbolic.

Straight onto the couch indeed. I will have you know I came in, admired the paintwork, and then cooked dinner. Admired the paintwork a bit more, and poured meself a drink. lol

It's a very pale green colour, like sorbet. Very pretty. The place is like a tip, cos we have moved all the furniture out into another room, but, it will be lovely when it is done........................lol.

Night night All.
:-)

Maddie,
I've gone green with envy at your new paint job. :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

Time for shower. supper then bed.

I don't feel 100% and I'm a bit off colour ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)