It was cold but dry, and actually quite sunny most of the time so we managed a couple of walks.
First up was the Dunmore Pineapple. I hadn't really taken in that this was a National Trust for Scotland property although it is, and as far as that goes it's more than time they did something about the approach road which was abysmal. Honestly I must have got about 750 steps recorded on my watch without getting out of the car. It was muddy underfoot so we had to abandon our idea of walking through the woodlands, but as they're full of rhododendrons it's probably best left until spring anyway. We did however see the building, walk through the walled garden, do the top of the woodland walk and also visited the curling pond which our walks book blithely assured us was 'worth the detour.' Possibly in the summer ....But you know, fresh air, a bit of exercise, out of the house. All the stuff that's good for you.
The day before that had been a daft day indeed. A craft shop in a local village was having a closing down sale of the Everything must go - 50p' variety so we decided to go, and then the plan was to carry on to the Hobbycraft store in Falkirk where I could pick up some blank cards ( yes I know, I thought I would never need more blank cards in my life, but it turns out I've made more than I thought. I'd even used up some of the aperture ones I originally bought for putting cross stitch in. I also thought they might have some Christmas themed paper packs and washi tape on sale. Well there was nothing that really caught my eye in the sale, it had started at 10 o' clock and we didn't get there until 11, and obviously it had been a popular event; many shelves were empty by that stage. We got back into the car and were half way to Falkirk when I discovered I had left my phone at home and I needed it at Hobbycraft because the loyalty app thig is on there. Since they don't give you a physical card there was nothing for it but to go back home and then set out for Falkirk again. I'm sorry to say it was an expedition of mixed success; there was no Christmas paper or washi tape and I had to settle for white cards instead of my preferred cream. I did get a pack of red card and I also picked up some Christmas ribbon, so not a total loss. I can certainly make a start on the cards for next Christmas.
Also during the Daft days the OH had a Big Birthday and considering how Big it was I splashed out and bought him a birthday cake from Betty's. This was extremely considerate of me since a) Bettys is humongously expensive and b) I regard any fruit cake not topped with marzipan and icing as a missed opportunity. But he prefers crystallised fruit so crystallised fruit was what he got.
Our second walk was round Loch Airthrey at Stirling University which we have done before but which is a) lovely, b) quite close and c) just about the right length for us. We saw a couple of squirrels ( nothing to write home about as we have three squirrels who spend half their time in the oak tree right in front of our house, lots and lots of water birds - well mainly ducks and swans to be fair , with a scattering of seagulls, and generally enjoyed ourselves. Son no 2 was with us and so we even got a photo of the two of us together ( a rare thing) out of it.
Yesterday we went over to a friend's house for the afternoon; lively conversation, coffee and stollen. A perfect way to spend New Year's Eve.
And here we are in 2026. Happy new Year to everyone who is reading this; may it be a kind one to us all.
Tomorrow I must face up to the horror that is the wool stats for December!
Love the look of that cake! Mum used to make me one like that every year
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