Vast have been our peregrinations of late; to wit a weekend with the Folk Club in Blairgowrie and a sojourn south to Peebles, thence to make the acquaintance of Marco, Bendrago and Pearly Popstar.

We enjoyed some happy pottering in Kirriemuir, saw Marsh Harriers at Loch of Kinnordy, and nearly an Osprey but it turned out to be a Woodpigeon.  Staff at the Angus Hotel were very helpful and the food was good.

Our stay in Peebles was at the Hydro, which is obviously undergoing a massive upgrade.  I had read some negative comments but I cannot say that the work in anyway impacted our stay, and I had lovely swims each morning with the sun streaming in the windows of the spa rooms.  The main reason for our visit was to meet the alpacas at Innerleithen, and what beauties they were,  Paul would have smuggled two home if he could.  Followed that up with a visit to Dawyck Botanic Garden,  where we walked among the giants of the arboretum and some freshly flowering rhododendrons.  That brought back memories of walking through the woods in Cambusbarron, up to Polmaise Castle where the remains of the formal gardens were still highlighted by a range of cultivars.    We had to go back to work for a few days but then found ourselves up Vane Hill by Loch Leven. looking down on the advancing hailstorm.  Oh and the reds are still there.

The weather brought this to mind:-

When chapmen billies leave the street,
And drouthy neibors, neibors meet,
As market days are wearing late,
An’ folk begin to tak the gate;
While we sit bousing at the nappy,
And getting fou and unco happy,
We think na on the lang Scots miles,
The mosses, waters, slaps, and styles,
That lie between us and our hame,
Where sits our sulky sullen dame.
Gathering her brows like gathering storm,
Nursing her wrath to keep it warm.

from Tam O’Shanter by Robert Burns