Stormy weather

 Another storm is rolling in as I write...but today started with a beautiful sky

The second parcel that I was waiting for arrived just after 1...and of course as I stepped out of the house on the way to the bus stop it started raining!

It stopped as the bus arrived in town, thankfully, but my coat was rather wet..and still was when I arrived home just before 4!! Only the outer layer thankfully.

With the rain gone, parcel posted, fresh food shopping done, I could pause and appreciate...

Then over the bridge and turn off Sandgate street on the high street.

A high street with many boarded up shops and sad buildings.

I must come back one early morning in the summer to get better pictures of the town, "warts and all"

But here is the Grain Exchange..one renovated building with the ground floor used for exhibitions and small fairs

But the block just before it also needs attention.

The old photos in the windows show the place as it was

There is hope that Newmarket Street which runs across from the Sandgate to High street will have its old buildings restored to their former glory..you can see where it meets the High street by The Wool Sak.

Presents for grandies bought, I just caught the bus home in time ! 

Arriving to a phone call to say that the other executors to Pirate's will have okayed the payment of his Celebration expenses..too late to go back into town..and to save time I'll return to town tomorrow and get the cheque straight in my bank account! Better than waiting for it to arrive in the post.

I arrived home in enough daylight..with the help of streetlights at the end..to prune some of the bushes in the front garden where the birds have eaten all the berries. "Green waste"  4 weekly collection tomorrow with the weekly recycling....I'll put them out by the kerb if the wind isn't too strong!.

The end of the Lang Mile

 Continued....the end of the Lang Scots Mile is by the Citadels... Oliver Cromwell's construction...and the sports centre with swimming pool built by it on the site of the old fishmarket on the southern quayside of the river Ayr.

Ayr is still a working port and harbour, to boats. Not all commercial

Then looking at towers from there into the town centre..

Topped by the obligatory gull!

Ayr Walk

 The day started cold and wet...and stayed that way!!

I had yet more paperwork to take to our solicitor...and more certificates...I bought a couple more copies of our marriage certificate, all these places demand proper original copies..they do eventually return but waiting would cause even more delays to sorting financial and legal matters. 

The solicitor's office was at lunch, so I went for a walk...

Once family houses in Wellington Square, now offices and some flats.

The courts..with the South Ayrshire council offices behind 

A long view of the other side of the square..a garden with seats and flower beds in the grass in the middle 

Council gate, one of a pair at the entrance to the quadrangle between the courts and the council 

Going along the road...

with a nice lobby floor

Round the corner..

And one getting some tlc..I will have to have a wander with a camera around this part of town on a nicer day...

Once a venue for dances...now Pirate Pete's, a wet weather play centre..

Not much of a view of Arran today..

And a bit of history..

So building on our green spaces is nothing new...and here's an idea for some more walking or cycling..

We rode north from here up the coastal path as far as Ardrossan once..

I must do that again, and this time go over on the ferry!

The weather turned muggy mid afternoon...and now at six pm we have a thunderstorm..which should clear the air nicely .

Op day +1 , progress

It rained really heavily...again...last night, and was still at it at breakfast time...but I worked out that going by bus was preferable as at every destination, the distance travelled on foot was shorter! So the car went to the garage..and by their entrance gate is the bus stop!!

The rain had eased, thankfully.. another reason for bus travel, apart from taking a rest from driving, and using the car less...is getting a view of the countryside either side for a change!!

Back to the dentist's surgery to see the hygienist..and I passed with flying colours..relief. 

Then a bit of a wander around before lunch...I always leave half an hour between teeth cleaning and food and vice versa to allow my mouth to do it's natural thing...it works.

The Auld Brig...and M&S behind it

Entrance to the yard of the Black Bull, oldest pub in the Newtown area of Ayr, by one end of the auld brig.

Puns galore here...at the other end of town is "Ayr Guitar"...

And the obligatory seagull at the bus station...called Steven, with his girlfriend....

Next bus , 15 minutes ride to the hospital door, through a sharp rain shower...and of course when I reached Pirate, the sun was streaming in through the windows!!

He is recovering slowly but steadily from the op. A good sign? He is asking for two books tomorrow!! I might add a couple of crosswords...

It was good to sit and chat..

Back into town , and only ten minutes wait for the bus back home.

By which time it was decidedly chilly, having been pleasant all day, despite the showers. So nothing got done in the garden....but I did finish the orange and blueberry marmalade.

It is the colour that a good blood orange should be, but just made with Seville Oranges and blueberries..it has a tangy bite which balances the sweetness nicely...and I like the zested peel instead of sliced and chopped peel.

Thankyou all, fellow bloggers for your kind words and compliments and suggestions.  You are a great help, to taking a deep breath and carrying on...and remembering to rest as well!

Gone

 

I went into Ayr by bus after lunch....even the bingo has left town.

Ghost signs

 By the Auld Brig in Ayr.

We were there yesterday, a few last minute things plus a dental appointment for Pirate...and the dentist did this re check on his work for free... thankfully!!

Today it is blowing a hoolie here..yellow weather warning and all, with added rain.

No reason to be out then...just packing and getting the house ready for our house sitters.

We are so glad this time that the house will not be empty.