Des res

 

Ok, just to surprise me Blogger has put the pics in the old reverse order!! So read them from the bottom.

Des res for our local robin.... Pirate's early birthday present....and he got it level!

It is in between his shed and my workshop.

The rest of Sunday

 After our picnic lunch we carried on to Portpatrick, the far end of the A77 and initially intended as the main port for traffic to Ireland....until they realised that the harbour had insufficient shelter from storms and they moved to Stranraer....and have since moved the port up the mainland coast to Cairnryan as Stranraer needed a lot of dredging maintenance to keep it open. Cairnryan has deep water berths.

We headed straight for the far end of the harbour through the town crammed with tourists and motorbikers, to the monthly market (1st Sunday every month) held by the lifeboat station.

We caught up with our friends the maker of Pirate's bench, manning his stand with wife and spaniel. Their day had nearly done...the market finishes at 3pm..and when Pirate tried to buy a Robin nest box....he gave it to him as an early birthday present!!

We had intended to have a bike ride next..but couldn't find a parking space out in the lanes heading up to the North Rhin of Galloway...and it started looking very hilly... so we just enjoyed the countryside instead.

Not realising how far the northern tip was, we went on. And on. Then decided to turn back to Stranraer...had we carried on to Kilcolm we would have found the cottage where son in law's mother's grandfather died....my daughter received a copy of his death certificate yesterday...He was an Agricultural Salesman originally from Ireland...so now she has his parents' names to research....

But we turned short of there and found this....

Built on an 2500 year old hill fort...a folly tower to remember a local member of parliament in the mid 1800s.

We could see Ireland

Cambelltown

Ailsa Craig and Arran 

Pity it was so misty!

A steady drive home, and thought maybe of a chip supper...but in Girvan our favourite chip shop and cafe had a queue out and round the corner!

So home for supper instead.

Glen Luce Tractors!!

 On the recommendation of our woodman friend we drove down to Glen Luce for an annual tractor show....the above is a report on their Spring rally.

We arrived at 12.30...a little later than planned (it had started at 11) on a bright hot sunny day..and the village street was lined the full length one side with parked cars( and no parking cones on the other side).

Luckily we found a space as we retraced our way through, with only a quarter mile to walk to the showground, a memorial park/ playing field.

It was full! Row upon row of tractors, a small arena, a food tent, crafts and information and selling stalls.

And transport for those from further away

All colours, sizes and ages of tractors...mostly working...when the tractor run left the field for half an hour, there were hardly any left !

Pirate had a grand time as he started working with a Standard Fordson at age 9...not ideal, but he was there and the work needed done!

And of course the stationary engines, putt-putting away! I prefer those that are doing something!

Our woodman friend had a stall there...all his wooden mushrooms had sold in ten minutes and the chopping boards were selling steadily..an imaginative use of offcuts, and a business line for his daughter to join in on too.

A beautiful piece of elm wood, similar to the ones he supplied for Pirate's bench.

Then back down the high street after a picnic lunch under the trees surrounding the showfield.

Mates

 Pirate and Uncle's dog Bert....real mates!

The combination of windblown hair and being backlit by the sunshine didn't do pirate any favours...but it was priceless seeing them together.

Here's to the next time. 

Uncle

 We spent the day with my uncle and his dog travelling in his camper van (envy!!!)

Lunch in the Coo Shed, a trip up to see Pirate's seat... unfortunately with added cleggs...

The camera angle makes my spare tyre look even worse...

Then a walk in the woods with a cool off swim for Bert the dog.

I have seen hands like that before...my Dad's. ❤️

Friends and relly

 Pirate has got his head around the shelf unit design today..but then we had interruptions!

Neighbour around for a cuppa...half a dozen phone calls...then out to Dumfries House for lunch at the cafe with friends on their way home from near Dumfries to the Isle of Lewis..with a stop in Stirling tonight.

We haven't seen them for ages..and it is our turn to go and stay with them when we can.

Lunch, a walk in the arboretum and walled garden followed by ice-cream..perfect!

A quick foray into Cumnock for posting and shopping then home.

We were just recovering when there was a knock at the door......

My uncle!!! In a newer camper van....with a new dog!!!

He likes travelling around..based outside Colchester in a small village where he used to run the village stores and post office until 18 years ago...he is now a young 82!!

No warning.. because my phone number was on his old phone......

Lunch out tomorrow..and a ride in the van!!