Kirkmichael Gala Day

 Thankfully it turned out for the first Gala Day in the village for twenty years!

 the Gala King and Queen...and their first job was to judge the fancy dress

 My stall....

 and the owls...

 off-duty

 dance preparation...

 all ages...but no boys this time...

 Course for the Wooly Jumper sheepstakes.....

 and a thoroughly bemused sheepdog!....

The racing involved a handler with sheepnuts in a bucket and four large sheep chasing him!

It was a long and enjoyable day, apart from the over-loud DJ and music...I did lose sales being right next to him,unfortunately.   Next year he'll be in a far corner of the field!

On to next Saturday's Gala Day in the next village of Crosshill.  I had good sales there last year,so here's hoping.....

icy walking

 After the first mile we called into the village community stores and cafe for a coffee. The manager was there on her own and was busy cooking!  Usually we have two on duty.  I served in the shop while she cooked.  After coffee and cake, and as the shop quietened down,we carried on with our walk in the winter sun.

decorations up!!

Only ten days to the Winter Solstice...just after 5.00 pm on the 21st of December....then gradually more daylight!!!!

We're feeling the lack of daylight...a certain lethargy, combined with the panic of not enough light or energy to do things.

We enjoyed an evening out last night, with Kirkmichael Gardening Club. They had a drinks and snacks and socializing 'do' in the village community shop and cafe.
Looking forward to trips out with them next year!

walking on

As it was frosty this morning I walked to the village community shop to buy a newspaper. Two miles in all, and by the time I was back home the sky was clouding over.

after lunch, a trip to Prestwick and Ayr for shopping...by which time the weather had turned dreich..not worth a photograph!!

The Pirate was up on his feet and walking around today, but he still isn't ready to come home...tomorrow maybe, or even Tuesday.... slow but steady recovery is the aim

Still it was hard to come home alone again.

My heart was lifted by the sight of a hare casually loping by as I left the hospital car park...a good omen for tonight's full moon. (and the Pirate was born in the Year of the Rabbit...or rather Hare!!)   As I arrived home the tawny owls were calling to each other across the farmyard.

day out continued

We surprised the Pirate's daughter with supper out in the Kirkmichael Arms..finished off with a chocolate fudge birthday cake topped with brandy chocolate truffles.
 I think that Isi Nimmo from Jock's Cafe in the Kirkmichael Community Shop excelled all expectations with that cake!!

Today, Sunday, we took daughter to Glasgow airport for her journey back home.
We look forward to seeing her again!

As we were already in Glasgow....ok, Paisley...how many airports are really where they say they are?!!..we went to watch friends getting muddy as they competed in cyclo cross races in Strathclyde Park near Motherwell.  Now I remember why I don't compete in this discipline.

Homeward bound by four in the afternoon, we avoided traffic jams by heading South a little and going across country via Muirkirk.  Some would call it bleak, but it feels open restful and welcoming to us.

The skies were cold blue, yellow and peachy colours with high mares tail clouds in wispy patterns.

We arrived home a little after sunset, to the light of a half moon and the stars.  It feels like anothrer freezing night outside, as we have supper in front of a wood fire in the slove.

Night all!

day out

 Today started leisurely...then was delayed by snow and hail showers!

This was not a day for the bikes, so we ventured forth in what The Pirate calls "the Tin Overcoat"!

We went to the trig point on top of the Carrick Hills to show the Pirate's daughter the view...of squalls coming over the sea to Ayr.

 Looking towards to top, there were some beautiful cloud formations.

Down to Maybole Shore again and this time we could go on the beach.

weathered rock on the beach

 Thence to the visitor centre at Culzean Castle for much needed coffee and cake to warm us after the windy walk by the sea.

We investigated the second-hand bookshop (open every day!) and found a treasure trove of old Ordnance Survey maps...

Then to the Swan Pond, snack bar unfortunately closed...

 with pond....(and a few ducks and swans as well as these)

 and pagoda, which will be 200 years old next year.

 Early on, they kept monkeys here..and the handrails are tail-shaped

Then back to Kirkmichael and Jock's Cafe in the community shop for a late lunch.

And it is only almost half-past six, plenty of time to have more adventures....