Benches: 30ish
When you walk as much as we are, you begin to appreciate things you might have taken for granted in the past. For me, it's benches. I've found it very helpful to be able to get off my feet periodically while we're walking. We read one blog by a guy who stopped every hour for ten minutes and got off his feet. Now I'm sure he just sat down where ever he found himself. I prefer to sit on something. Rock, wall, log. I can make do, but the best is a real bench. You can usually find one in a church yard, but it's really nice when you come across them along your path. In the last few weeks in northern England there has been a dearth of benches. But since entering Scotland, we have found that benches are plentiful. We've come across them along trails, in towns and along roads. It's awesome!
Along one short stretch of the River Tweed in Peebles, we counted 17 benches; these Scottish people really know how to live!
On our way out of Traquair House this morning we passed the Bear Gates.
They were last closed when Bonnie Prince Charlie passed through them in 1745 and will not be opened again until a Stuart once again sits on the Scottish Throne.
From Traquair we followed the River Tweed to Peebles, a lovely town with a lot of benches and churches.
We've noticed that the Scottish churches have their towers at one corner of the nave end, as opposed to the English ones with the one big tower over the whole nave end.
We stopped in Peebles for tea, then it was a short 3 miles to Cringletie House.
Our second fancy old house in a row. This one was built in 1861 to replace the one that was built in 1666. It's been a hotel for over 40 years. The current owners took over in 2003 and did significant spiffing up.
Here I am knitting in the lounge. This evening we had a great dinner. Tasting menu with wine flights for Al. Now it's late so only a short blog today.
Tomorrow we head to Penicuik. We are going to be staying at the home of Hilary and Brian Watt, a couple we met way back at the end of March. They were staying at Soulton Hall in Wem when we were and we quickly discovered that our route would take us near their home. After checking schedules and routes, they graciously invited us for dinner and to spend the night!
*looking around*
ReplyDeletehas anyone else noticed a certain "bench fetish" that dawn and al appear to have developed over this trip? ;-]
beautiful place - and the name Cringletie is a giant WIN!
hugs, julie
Is it just me or are the Scott's nicer than the Brits? I know I was young but I thought Scotland was nicer than England. Being invited into people's homes and plentiful benches seems very scottish. Let me know if he offers you guys scotch. Is the run of the mill scotch in Scotland Johnny red, glenlivit, or glenfiddich like here or is it something we don't usually see. Also ask if they are fans of Stuart adamson
ReplyDeleteBruce
I think the truth is that the Scots are really nice to everyone - except the English - they really don't like us at all!
DeleteIt's a well known fact that, if the English are playing in any International game (be it rugby, football or, frankly, anything) the Scots will support the opposition and never England!
We can live with it - we just thrash them at rugby and move on!
Yay, Dawn; glad to see you brought some knitting!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cozy sitting room with the fireplace and cushy chairs! What are you knitting? I'm almost done with my owl sweater! Yippee!! And no major rip outs (so far). Just have to knit a stretchy bind-off but now need to find a video to see how to do that!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're in Scotland and hoping the Scots don't have all the crazy names of places that the Brits do! Can't tell you how much trouble I had reading them out loud to Kent. If they ever heard my pronunciations they'd lock me up in their darkest dungeon! Sure gave Kent a source of enjoyment though! :0)
Julie W