A long walk around the house. It’s been quite a time since I last visited the interior of the house. Then the main reason for the visit, lunch. Lunch was good, bit slow on the service, and rather pricey. Those wanting to feel full and bloated after the meal would also be disappointed.

Wednesday our ‘his and hers’ iPads arrived, white with pink cover for rosemary, black and blue cover for Steve.

Disaster with holiday plans. Should really book them with the office. We were going off the France for a couple of weeks, looks like I am now working in Cumbria. Rosemary not best pleased with my organisation. Any way, I have rather a backlog of pictures to process from the last holiday.

Lunch was at the New Inn Gloucester, where a hearty buffet was served with a pint of Adnams Mild.  After lunch we had a tour of the newly restored Blackfriars, a Dominican abbey dating back to 1269.  Interesting room was the library, when the monks sat next to the windows transcribing books.  The window openings were cut to maximize the amount of light illuminating their desks.

The final outing for the day was Westbury Court Water Garden, a national trust garden.  The garden was laid out to look like a series of Dutch canals.  Here there was a magnificent Holm Oak.

We then made our way to Speech House Hotel in Coleford where we were to spend two nights.  After dinner we were entertained by Christina giving as a talk about verderers in the forest.

Saturday was a lovely dry day, and started off with a walk through the nearby Sculpture Trail in the forest.  Odd and rather peculiar was the verdict of most of us.   Would not give many of the exhibits house room.  Lunch back at the hotel, and then off to see Goodrich Castle.  One of the many castles built to keep the Welsh under control.  Spent quite a time here being guided around the ruin.

The drive back passed through Symonds Yat, with a fantastic view of the River Wye, and a twitcher’s paradise.   Masses of people there with their spotting scopes and cameras trying to catch the elusive peregrine falcons.  Managed to get a picture of a boring old buzzard.

Sunday and we had a tour of Clearwell Caves, an old iron mine which has operated since prehistoric times, up until the second world war.  The caves have also been used for filming scenes from the BBC drama Merlin, and Dr Who.

The last stop was Lydney Park for lunch and a tour around their gardens.  Spectacular valley setting for rhododendrons, and a great view of the now defunct nuclear power station at Berkeley.

More pictures are available here.  I suggest you also check out the links in the posting for more details.

The Edinburgh Crags

Wednesday night in Edinburgh, the rain stopped and the sun came out to play.  Even managed to capture a picture of the sun on the Crags through my hotel bedroom window.  So with the dry weather, and the festival, it was time to go out and play.  First, a quick stop to fuel up with some food, from a kebab shop on the bridges.  Must admit the humus tasted of nothing,  not even adding politically incorrect salt helped.

The Pleasance Courtyard

Ah well, off the the Pleasance Courtyard where I managed to get a ticket for Greg Davies.  He was funny, telling the story of his life and the influences of other people on his life.  As is usual he picked on a few people from the front row to help him.  Despite foolishly sitting in the front row, I was bypassed.  Not so the blonde, busty lady sitting near by.  She had to help him with his story, which she amply did.

I managed to squeeze one more set in afterwards where I saw the AAA Stand-Up late.  This was three stand up comics Erich McElroy, Ryan McDonnell and Steve Allen.   Not quite so good, and the American Erich McElroy was not at all funny.

I want to announce my Edinburgh Gallery.

Rosemary and I went to the 50th Wedding Anniversary of her uncle and aunt.  The lunch time meal was held at The Chalk Lane Hotel, Epsom.  After an excellent meal we decamped to their house for cake and a whole other meal.

http://www.blasdale.com/blog/picture-albums/blasdale-picture-gallery-2010/2010-david-and-joan-50th/

The drive to Inverness was uneventful, except for the police car parked on the motorway bridge with speed camera.  The speeding ticket has not arrived, so rekon I have got away with it.  That evening some of went out an ate the Great British Menu, curry.

The next day some site seeing.  Looked around Cawdor castle, the Clava Cairns and  Culloden where we whipped the Scots.

http://www.blasdale.com/blog/picture-albums/blasdale-picture-gallery-2010/2010-scotland-culloden/

The evening was party night, where we met many of the Hossacks.

http://www.blasdale.com/blog/picture-albums/blasdale-picture-gallery-2010/2010-scotland-party/

One more day in Inverness, the Sunday saw a few of us taking a boat trip on Loch Ness to Urquhart castle in the almost rain and then a good meal in a local restaurant converted from one of the many churches in Inverness that have fallen from use.  I might say a far better use of the premises.

http://www.blasdale.com/blog/picture-albums/blasdale-picture-gallery-2010/2010-scotland-urquhart-castle/

Monday saw us heading to Tomintoul where we were to stay in a converted barn for the next 5 days.  When we tried to buy food, it was suggested the nearest place was Inverness.  Why had we not visited Tesco as we left Inverness?  During the 5 days we toad a steam train, walked around the Glenlivet estate, and tried some of the Speyside whiskies.

http://www.blasdale.com/blog/picture-albums/blasdale-picture-gallery-2010/2010-scotland-glenbogle/

Finally we  traveled to Helensburgh  for a couple of nights.  The original intention was to stay with some ex colleagues (Mary and Ed) in a B&B owned by a women who had been a customer.  Alas she had to go to hospital, so Rosemary and I stayed in Helensburgh (Loch Lomand appeared full) for a couple of years.  I had stayed there in 1972 during the enterprise championships.

You may wonder about the pictures of the trees on the gallery, I took a picture of this tree in the exact same spot in 1972.

Thought I would add a photograph of the asparagus bed we picked a few weeks ago.

I’ve had a cappuccino, and a a pain au chocolate, now holding off on my sandwiches until later.  Have been playing with face book, trying to get my blog published there.  Looks like I may have it working now.  Next lets get twitter and buzz working.

Monday

Today ate at Hanams, a Kurdish restaurant  which serves no alcohol.  Yes the whole day went by without a drop of alcohol passing my lips. I went to Hanams several years ago when it was on Lothian Road.  The restaurant has moved closer and is now close to the Royal Mile and the castle.

Tuesday

Strange things happen.  I joined Linkedin a few months ago, and up pops someone who Rosemary and I saw when on holiday to Jordan in 2006.  I had an invite to visit Alistair and Jane in their home just south of Edinburgh.  I had a lovely evening. 

Wednesday

Hanams again.

Thursday

Petit Paris, and their post 7.00 meal.  Had the works, with wine.  Afraid no change out of £30.

Friday

Back home again, managed to get back for the dessert and cheese course of a dinner party we had been invited to in the village.