Doors and doorways, Thornhill, D&G

 The last two of the post office..no longer open, but nice to see the brass shining!

We stop in Thornhill for a leg stretch...it's an hour away from home...both on our journeys out and back.

Aberfeldy..Scotland

 

After our ride on Caird Park velodrome in Dundee, we headed for Aberfeldy.

Just to say that we had been there..now we have been to both!..the other is near Whanganui!!

We had a pot of tea in the Three Lemons, which is in a restored tweed and woollens emporium... beautifully done...and good value and good service too.

Lovely apron...good writing too!

Busy as ever!

 Yesterday we had an early start and headed for Dundee again, not quite missing the traffic congestion through Glasgow.

Showers were forecast, but we didn't expect a hail shower as we were unpacking our bikes!

Thus time I rode the track session, just steady riding for me for about 45 minutes, then the hail started again! The other three ride a little faster most of the time and longer. Then a takeaway cuppa..and the craic lasted as long as the riding!

We decided not to come straight back down the main roads, and had a little detour round small roads and lanes, via Cupar Angus and coming into Perth at Scone.

Down the main road nearly to Stirling, then across via Doune to Fintry. There we had intended going over the Crow Road to Lennoxtown to see a friend in his bikeshop...road closed for three weeks..so we had to go around the end of the big hill not over it! But....road closed signs....but again...traffic coming towards us..ok, carry on....

We weren't supposed to go that way....a quarter of the width of the road had been washed out ! It was safe enough to go through.

Fresh coffee and biscuits were very welcome when we arrived...and more talk and buying tyres for me passed the time to avoid the evening rush hour!

With more long driving coming in the future I need to get back in practice to stay safe...we were both well tired...but it was good to see the landscape for real and to see friends too.

Today was a late start..catch up on housework after yesterday, and get plants out in the new bed at last...just broad beans and parsnip, and thinking where the beans and peas will go.

I managed to finish a small linoblock...of a sunset...

And then we had a magenta and peach sunset....not that this tablet sees it as that!

More garden work

 Just tidying and weeding a garden in Dumfries...but staying in a cottage that the garden's owners also have, right by the sea...by Scotland's second oldest lighthouse...and you can sometimes see England!! 

It is almost level with Silloth on the English side..

Take a break Wednesday

Packing up and cleaning today, and off in the road by 10am.
We followed the back road to Aviemore, one we didn't manage to ride over..it was a bit too far for my fitness level..but it will be a good ride next time.
A steady drive to Ballinluig and sandwiches outside at a cafe there, before carrying on home. Our paths diverged at Perth, not too far on from there.
A shop stop on the further side of Glasgow, then onto smaller quieter roads to finish the journey. Almost 200 miles each way, but really worth it, riding and walking with friends , no TV, clean fresh air, no passing traffic..

Then a welcome home from the garden....

Take a break Tuesday

It was a beautiful morning..until 6.30am!!
Then the clouds rolled in for a while, but no rain until we decided to go out in the bikes anyway!! Our friends went to Loch Garten by car then walked the dog, we rode over, and saw them just before they arrived back at the car park! Cue sunshine! We regrouped for a coffee and a cream tea in Nethy Bridge, before returning to base for lunch.
We are all having a relaxing afternoon, having decided against going shopping!
The dog is having another walk as she was getting too interested in log sawing and splitting. The 'boys' have been dealing with the firewood, now Pirate has his feet up as the grass is being mowed. Makes a good change.
I will start cooking rice and mixed veges in a minute, our contribution to supper.