RHS Bridgewater

On the way South for the IronMan Colin and Cherry stopped for the afternoon at RHS Bridgewater. It was looking very well with the walled garden and the areas near the visitor centre looking in great shape. 

 

Foxlake Swims

With IronMan date approaching this week I headed out a couple of times to the small Foxlake in Dunbar for an evening outdoor swim in my hired wetsuit. I was pretty trepidatious about the cold but it turned out to be pretty pleasant temperature wise and more enjoyable that being in an indoor pool. Swam Tuesday and Thursday doing 4 laps and 6 laps of the 300m loop.  

Dumfries House & Garden of Cosmic Speculation

 On Thursday afternoon (26 May) we set off by car for Dumfries House. We had booked a room and dinner at the Lodge. We had a very large and luxurious room and dinner was very good. Lovely gardens just outside our door which we explored briefly that evening.

The next day we had a nice breakfast and then explored the extensive grounds of Dumfries House. Rhododendrons were in full bloom and in very plentiful supply throughout the grounds.

The woodland valley garden near the lodge was particularly fine. We wandered up to the House with its formal gardens and mazes and then to the Queen Elizabeth walled garden. This latter had lots of fruit and veg and looked worth a visit in July as it was still a bit too early for most it.

In the afternoon we headed on for a swim at the New Cumnock Outdoor Pool. We were slightly fearful of how cold it might be but it was toasty hot. Quite a nice experience - work repeating.

Finally we headed on the our overnight stop of the Auldgirth Inn. Not quite as luxurious as the night before but still pretty good. Dinner was quite good - the chef trying very hard for a gourmet style menu and coming close but not quite nailing the quality.

Saturday morning was a short drive to the Garden of Cosmic Speculation. It opens just one day and year. It is the former house and gardens of Charles Jencks who has done the landscape features at the Edinburgh Gallery of Modern Art and at Jupiter Artland. A fun interesting walk around the various artworks some of which were needing a bit of care and attention.

We headed back home around lunchtime.

Liverpool - Day 3

Another visit to the Brass Balance on Sunday morning and then a trip out to view the Williamson Tunnels. A low key organisation the Friends of Williamson's Tunnels (as opposed to the Williamson Heritage Centre) showed us around the underground caverns they had excavated. A little overlong but a fun visit.

After this we visited the Philharmonic Dining Rooms for our Sunday lunch.

and then got on the tourist hop on - hop off bus and visited the Cathedral before stopping at the Baltic Zone - and old brewery area taken over by mini golf and bars.

In the evening we headed to the Glen Affric Brewery and Tap Room for drinks and finally to a very quiet Hornblowers for final drinks and pool.

I had work calls and onward travel to London on the Monday.

Liverpool - Day 2

After breakfast at Wetherspoons we got the underground into town and had a wee wander around the city centre before getting on a Beatles Bus tour. This was really interesting and enjoyable and gave a great view of different parts of the City you probably wouldn't otherwise see. I'm pictured at the gates of Strawberry Field.

On return we visited the Cavern Club. 

and visited a few more bars in central Liverpool and Sue's Bar in Birkenhead before calling it a day.

Liverpool - Day 1

Annual lads getaway this year to Liverpool, staying at the Birkenhead Premier Inn. The team this year was me, Warren, Tim, Mark and Glen. Ian was a late call off with CoVid. 

I arrived just after lunchtime after a fairly pleasant train journey from Edinburgh. Checked in early without problem at the Premier Inn.

We then walked into Birkenhead centre and on the Gerry Marsden Ferry across the Mersey. The boat took an indirect route to view some sights with a commentary over the speakers.

We went for a look around the Museum of Liverpool on the waterfront before heading off to get a train to Aintree where we spend the evening at the races. I had a couple of unsuccessful bets before losing interest with Warren on a roll winning ever bet.

We had some drinks in Liverpool city centre at the Head of Steam then got the last train back to Birkenhead and a reasonably early night around midnight.

France Holiday - Day 10 - London - Dear Evan Hansen

The Eurostar pre-boarding experience in Paris wasn't good and we got on the train just in time after a very slow process of passport and baggage checks. 

In London Cherry visited the Camley Street Natural Park whilst Colin did some gym work. A quick dinner and Pizza Express before going to the theatre to watch Dear Evan Hansen.

Train home the next morning.

France Holiday - Day 9 - Return to Paris

A drive back to Aix TGV station and then 3.25 hr train journey to Paris, staying at the IBIS styles at 52 Avenue Ledru Rollin (this one worth booking again). We decided it would be nice to revisit the Coulee Verte - the old raised railway line now a floral walkway.

We had very tasty savoury crepes for dinner at Crêperie Le Goéland d'Aligre.

France Holiday - Day 8 - Grimaud (Old and New)

We returned to Grimaud the next morning for a walk up to the Castle and a wander through the old village centre.

Then a short drive to the Port of Grimaud - a series of waterfront developments in the 70's and 80's seeking create a mini Venice. Stopped here for a very nice healthy lunch.

We then headed along the coast to Sainte-Maxime having concluded that St Tropez would be just too congested to be worth a visit. We stopped for some reading/drawing time in the village before heading back through busy traffic to the hotel.

In the evening we had a very nice meal out in Cogolin at Chez Nous.

France Holiday - Day 8 - Domaine de Rayol

We drove on today towards our final stop at the IBIS Golfe de St Tropez which was a long way from St Tropez in a small town called Cogolin. The hotel was again functional but not the nicest location.

Before getting there however we headed to the botanic garden at Domaine de Rayol and had a nice leisurely wander around.

By the time we got to the Cafe just at opening time every seat was taken so we wandered off to the village of Rayol where were knew there was a small market. We bought some fruit flavoured honey. We then were lucky to get a seat at the very busy restaurant and enjoyed the special menu for the local festival. Very nice indeed.

After getting to the hotel and relaxing for a bit we had a short wander into Grimaud in the expectation of a proper look the next day.  

France Holiday - Day 7 - Calanques

A lovely hike in the calanques from Cassis. We started reasonably early but it proved to be an incredibly popular route. We walked along the North side of Calanque de Port-Miou having done the South side 2 days earlier to arrive at Calanque de Port Pin. From there it was a bit of a dull slog uphill inland to a high cross point above Calanque en Vau. There was the option to head down to that cove or as we did take a high loop that returns to Calanque de Port Pin. There were some stunning views on this high path.

After a bit of R&R time back at the hotel we heading down into La Ciotat for dinner in the evening. Cherry had a very nice Lamb Tagine.

France Holiday - Day 6 - Saint-Cyr-Sur-Mer, Calanque de Port D'Alon & Parc Du Mugel

Our legs were feeling the miles walked in previous days so the aim today was to drive to various locations and keep the walking to a minimum. We drove eastwards along the med coast. First stop was Saint-Cyr-Sur-Mer which was very pleasant and seemed to be a quieter and more relaxed Med town. We strolled briefly along the beachfront, sat for a while then picked up some nice filled baguettes and dessert from the very busy local bakery.

We drove onwards to Calanque de Port D'Alon and stopped for a morning coffee at the single restaurant located in the pretty cove.

We had a short wander along the coast heading further east and stopped for our picnic lunch when we found a spot with stunning views across the next bay.

We then got back to the car and headed onwards towards Bandol but found the car park on the sea front full and roads all crammed and every parking spot for miles around taken. This was Easter Weekend but traffic and busy roads in the afternoon definitely a bit of a problem in this part of the world. We headed homewards via the inland route.

After a short break we headed out for an evening walk around Parc du Mugel. This was a really nice garden with a nice mix of botanic garden style planting and wilder provencal terrain.

We had dinner at Les Minots by La Ciotat harbour which was really excellent. Colin had the steak and Cherry the pigeon.

France Holiday - Day 5 - Cassis

A short drive this morning to the coast and arrived in Cassis reasonable early on Friday morning. Wandered around the port and town centre area and came across a lovely lively market with lots of fresh food and vegetables.

After a nice coffee and some time for Cherry to sketch we headed for a walk out along the nearest calanque. At first along fairly busy roads then out to the headland and then along the edge of Calanque de Port-Miou.

Pretty tired from our walk we headed to our hotel which was an Ibis at the outskirts of La Ciotat - actually in the middle of an industrial estate near the motorway - think Premier Inn style. We had booked easily cancellable hotels for this trip rather than focus on the nicest places given all the uncertainties about travel. The places we stayed were all clean and quiet but not terribly well located.

In the evening we drove into La Ciotat and found a restaurant to eat at the sea front. Cherry had Ceasar Salad and Colin a very nice sea bream. 

France Holiday - Day 4 - Mont Sainte-Victoire

Drove to this iconic mountain just east of Aix-en-Provence for some hiking. Colin and Cherry chose separate routes - one low, one high. Weather was perfect and even a little too hot early on. The summit climb was pretty tough to start with before I got into my rhythm. A monastery near the summit and then a large cross marking the summit. Great views and a very pleasant but pretty challenging hike.

After eating self made sandwiches we drove on to municipal swimming pool in Aix and both had a proper swim session in the busy 50 m pool.

After than another wander around the town centre we dined at Les Petit Bistrot on Cr Mirabeau - Colin had a nice piece of salmon. 

 

France Holiday - Day 3 - Aix en Provence

With the rain pouring down on Paris we decided on an Uber from the hotel to Gare de Lyon. It took around 30 minutes and worked well as an alternative to the hour long walking alternative. We were in Standard Class this time on the TGV to Aix as the price difference was large and the difference in comfort we had seen last time was quite small. Happy with this choice for the reasonably speedy journey down South.

We picked up our hire car without incident at the TGV station and then drove to our Novotel hotel (Pont-de-l'Arc Fenouillères) on the outskirts of Aix. 

We did a pleasant 30 minute stroll into town and had a good wander around the town centre. Stopping for drinks in a central square and then dinner at Chez Laurette (Colin had lamb tagine). Took an Uber back to the hotel afterwards.

 

France Holiday - Day 2 - Paris

After a good breakfast at the Pullman we arrived at St Pancras in good time for our 10.22 train to Paris. Queues were enormous and it wasn't a great experience going through the various checks of passports, Covid Vaccination Passport and luggage scanning and then waiting in the crowded waiting area. The train journey in the Standard Premium cabin was very nice with plenty of space and a nice little meal.

In Paris we were staying at an IBIS near the station (122, rue La Fayette) and got checked in quickly. We headed out for a wander around the Montmartre area of the city just NW of the station and hotel. Sacre Coeur was a bit busy but the quieter areas round about were quite pleasant.

A nice dinner at Electric Paris just a few steps away from the hotel. The hotel room was small but fine. Fairly comfy bed and quiet.

France Holiday - Day 1 - London

First class seats on the 09.30 LNER train to Kings Cross. After early threats of a late train we got off on time and enjoyed a relaxed journey down to London. Quickly checked in to our room at the Pullman Hotel a short walk from the station.

Enjoyed a pleasant self-guided walking tour of Clerkenwell. Not the big sights of London but still an interesting mix of architecture, industry and history. 

We finished the tour in Islington and paused for a nice beer & ginger beer at The Three Johns before walking onwards to Granary Square and a very nice dinner at Granary Square Brasserie. Cherry enthused about the Crispy Duck Salad and the Baked Miso Aubergine. Colin enjoyed the Grilled Asparagus and the Rabbit and Langoustine Pie.

Jedburgh Hills

A drive out to Jedburgh to find some quiet roads and hills to cycle on. A nice series of 5 punchy hills in cold but clear weather proved a very enjoyable morning out. Just 22 miles and 918m climb over just over 2 hours. Pictured is the pretty village of Lanton.

Also did 30 mins easy running afterwards as part of Triathlon training plan.

Foxlake 13K

The final run in the east lothian winter trail series. Another marvellous clear sunny day. My running performance was again not great after having had a pretty heavy training week - the first of my triathlon prep plan. It was still a nice trot around a lovely course.

After the race I made the most of the nice weather for a slow cycle round the course route with an extension into Dunbar. 

Pole to Pole 16k Race Coldingham and St Abbs

Another generally nice race. A little bit too much tarmac in the early stages and a few pinch points with queues but very nice section along the rugged coastline. I started very slower but warmed up nicely in the second and felt reasonable strong at the end.

 

Orienteering Planning at Craigmillar Castle

I've been quietly working away on orienteering courses at Craigmillar Castle Park over the past couple of months. It is a very nice areas especially in winter when any brambles are subdued and the forest areas are relatively clean and runnable. It has some nice pockets of attractive forest and some complex contour features. The event was held on Saturday and we enjoyed perfect weather and around 8 participants. It was a long hard day putting out controls and collecting them at the end but nice to have helped put on a successful event.

Harvest Moon Trail Half Marathon

Glorious day on the East Lothian coast for this delightful trail race. Lots of variety with the run going through farmland, dunes, along the beach and through a river twice. My running wasn't so good with legs feeling pretty heavy and it was a real struggle to keep moving over the last 3 miles. Worst run performance in a very long time - around 2 hrs 12 min to complete.