More WordPress frustration: so here is the first batch of photos:

Shoe exhibition – no photos inside unfortunately!!   

 John and a very big pot!

In the ceramics rooms.

  
The glass exhibits.

On a London day that started grey and threatened and did become wet, we visited the V&A, literally down the stree and around the corner.  I first visited here over twenty years ago, and as I’ve become more interested in arts and crafts, islamic and asian art and textiles, I’ve become even more interested in coming back.

We arrived in London from Edinburgh on Sunday afternoon.  Traffic was mad – we got stuck in a heavy slow-moving traffic in Hyde Park getting to South Kensington from Kings Cross.  But the apartment is great – tiny, with an interesting staircase up to the sleeping area (see below) but very functional.  There’s even art on the ceiling!

So tonight, after spending a wet day safely inside the dry of the Victoria and Albert Museum (all kinds of decorative arts – I loved it and John was along for the ride – including the shoe exhibition!), we are having some fresh pasta and wine at home.

After a couple of days with Liz and Ray in Dollar, we headed off to Elderslie to see Jeanette and Andrew.  As Elderslie is only two train stops (about 15 minutes) from Glasgow, we  headed off into the city for some sightseeing.  

Firstly, we went to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.   They’ve done a good job presenting Scottish art and design, some lovely impressionist paintings and random objects from around what was then the empire.  And there’s a marvellous Dali painting of Christ on the Cross. 

After a morning there, we walked down Sauchiehall Street and into the shopping area of central Glasgow, admiring the architecture.  Unlike Edinburgh New Town, Glasgow isn’t coherently one style, but as it was the ‘second city’ of the British Empire, it has some marvellous Victorian buildings which have been cleaned up and restored.

The next day was Saturday, and so along with what seemed to be the rest of Glasgow, we went shopping!   Had a  great morning checking out the shops, and some fun people watching over lunch as a wedding party assembled (see the piper below) in the bar where we were having lunch (prior to heading next door for the event) and we mingled in George Square with the rally for the first anniversary of the referendum vote on independence.  It seems fair to say that issue is not over in Scotland.   As well as ‘Yes’ supporters, all the fringe  political groups were there: socialists, anarchists, communists, protesters against austerity, as well there  being as rides for the kids, music and stand-up comedians. 

Below are a few shots from over the two days: Kelvin Grove Art Museum, outside and inside, shopping on Buchanan Street, the Gallery of Modern  Art, the Rally,the wedding piper.

While we were with Liz and Ray in Dollar, Liz suggested we go and see The Kelpies, the newest ‘attraction’ near Falkirk, about half an hour from Dollar. 

They are amazing: 30 metres high (a distraction as you drive along the motorway!), built of steel.  The story is that they represent the horse’s role in agriculture and industry in Scotland, and the kelpies name reflects mythical transforming beasts with the strength and endurance of 10 horses.  They are placed in a new park next to the Forth and Clyde Canal. So new the visitors centre is still being finished.  

Took a cab to Edinburgh airport to collect our hire car.  Turned out to be a Mercedes hatch, a lot to learn.

Good run up the motorway stopping just after the Dollar turnoff for lunch at Baxters.  Arrived in Dollar early afternoon.

On Wednesday we went to the village to the Post Office to send some items home.  Then to the chemist for some more dressings for Lynne’s blisters.

Then off to Falkirk to see the kelpies, giant steel sculptures of the heads of two horses. A very big new tourist attraction!  We then went to Bridge of Allan for lunch.  Lynne had a beer at the local brewery and John bought some local beers for Dollar and Glasgow.  Then back to Dollar on the A91.

We were picked up by Brenda from Tasting Scotland at 8.30 for a Scottish food tour.  First stop was Hugh Grierson’s organic Aberdeen Angus beef property.  His wife Sacha took us in hand showing us over the property.  They have the cattle, pigs, turkeys and chickens.  They had s butcher shop on site which we went through and have an honesty box for road sale of the eggs.

Sacha then cooked a tasting line up of fillet, rump, rib fillet, sirloin and spider steak. Really interesting to see and compare each cut.  She had recently been filmed with a famous Scottish chef doing a program for Balvenie scotch whisky. So we had Balvenie with our steak tasting.  It went very well.

Then off to Dunkeld to a salmon smokehouse and shop.  We took a walk around the village before going through the smokehouse and then tasted some cold and hot smoked salmon.  Rob advised us we had a new Prime Minister!

Then off to Gloagburn farm shop for a cheese and oatcake tasting and an explanation from the owner of the development of the farm, shop and the range of oat products they produced.  Some interesting cheeses and the range of products in the shop was fantastic including meat, flours, cheeses, wine and scotch.

Brenda then provided us with a dram to sip on the way back to Edinburgh.  We got back about 5.30 pm. We to a Thai restaurant for dinner in the new town.

Edinburgh started late on the Sunday morning and so did we.  First off to get some medical supplies for Lynne’s blistered heels and a couple of items from an outdoor store.  After lunch in the Dome we went down the up market George Street for some shopping for Lynne.  John also found time to do a whiskey tasting flight on the Royal Mile.

Found a spot for dinner, Fishers, where Lynne had some lovely langoustine.  John had some grouse in revenge for all the grouse who laughed at us while we slugged our way around the moors.

We took the bus in the rain from Robin Hoods Bay to  Scarborough railway station.  After a short wait got the train to York where we were to transfer to the train to Edinburgh.  Our carriage was occupied by a group of girls heading for York for a big day and night out, light frocks and high heels with 4 four bottles of fizz which they started on the train.  Look out York!

Got to Edinburgh around 4.30 pm Ssturday and quickly moved across the road to our hotel the Scotsman.  Had a very good meal in the hotel that night including a dram!