Fast on the heels of our June break in Glendaruel we headed back up north with Kathryn, a friend of Liz's from her time working in NHS hospitals in Leicester. Ideally we'd have had a little longer between our trips but Kathryn's availability drove the timing. We picked her up along the A1M after dodging a road closure that would have spelled disaster for the trip!
Note for the weary traveller - KFC at a service station in the UK at 8pm - just don't. 40 minutes to get 3 at best average bits of fast food from the worlds most inefficient staff. Rant over....
The car, as ever, was full partly because there were three adults in the car and partly because we want to make use of every trip to take stuff up. In fairness Kathryn didn't know what to pack for a week in Scotland so brought at least 3 seasons worth of kit. This time the car had the record player, amplifier, large speakers, and some records to entertain us in lieu of a TV, together with a treat that John had been eying for years - a 'Solo' firepit. Having bought several relatively cheap fire pits, BBQs and the like over the years John really wanted to go for something a load better. His Yorkshire mindedness has resulted in him procrastinating since forever. Liz tipped him over the edge, so the Solo 'Ranger', together with BBQ grill pan attachment, was loaded into the car having arrived at Leamington literally 2 hours before we set off!
After record temperatures in June, the July week's weather looked a little mixed (back to normal for Scotland), so a little planning around the heavy July showers was needed. That's life and you don't get such beautiful green scenery without rain!
Most things you adjust around the weather, the Shinty is not one of those things - it's Saturday afternoon at the pitch in Glendaruel, come rain or shine. We really wanted to watch a whole game and make the most of venison burgers being provided at the BBQ! We all gave it a big thumbs up - delicious!
Sunday was going to be the best day of the week: wall to wall sunshine with a light breeze, so schedule The Beach. Although we've been several times now, Kilbride Bay is the best beach we've found and on this day it delivered. No need to pitch up in the sand dunes, it was warm enough to throw the blanket down in the middle of the beach, with less than half a dozen other family groups. At about half a mile wide and quarter of a mile out to the sea - now close to low tide, the amount of sand available was spectacular.
Liz and Kathryn were in the sea for about an hour, alternating between swimming and just lying in the shallow wavelets chit chatting. As the beach is such a shallow gradient it allows the sea to get nice and toasty, but John made himself happy with a snooze on the blanket. A real tonic, especially as living in Leamington for over 20 years is about the furthest place in the UK from a beach.
After the swimming and the beach we drove round the end of the peninsula, called in at the Hayshed Cafe with their handsome chickens and delicious coffee and cakes. We also explored the shingle spit of land there which goes out into the Kyles of Bute just in time to see the Waverley (only the last paddle steamer in the world!) cruise past on its Sunday afternoon tour from Glasgow round the Kyles.
After tea it was time for some outdoor fire and it has to be said, it really was one of the highlights of the week to be able to huddle round a fire outside, in the dusk (evenings are still longer in Western Scotland at this time of year) and talk or sing absolute rubbish until the wee small hours. The first night we just and enjoyed the flames and some melty marshmallows. £300 for a fire pit and a great BBQ that will last a long-time - not bad value!
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