Tuesday 19 April 2011

We're back!....

...and we had a really lovely holiday.

The weather was great, mostly. It only rained once and that didn't stop what we had planned for that day. We knew we would love the cottage as we have been there twice before. Two years ago and four years ago. It was the first time my brother and his family had been there though, but I'm pretty sure they would go back, as would we, again.

Seven boys under one roof wasn't as chaotic as you might think either!

I thought I'd share some of my favourite photos and some of what we did over the next few days, rather than try and cram it into the one post.



Sunday was really, really warm and sunny. Much warmer than you would expect for this time of year.



Our holiday cottage was about 20 minutes drive from Lairg, and that's where we went to church. We were all invited to have lunch with the minister and his family.

Slight tangent here - the last time we were up here I got talking to the minister's wife, we were the same age and expecting babies at about the same time (a month later), and she said, 'Don't you remember me? We were at church camp together'  - we had been, when we were 10!

Back to this holiday.

Before lunch we had a wander through the village, where the boys met this friendly 'local'.






Lairg sits in a beautiful spot on Loch Shin.






Here's another local.










Alasdair was so excited to see lots of 'mehs'.





Calum loved the eagle.





Daddy tried a spot of deer riding.






Then we went back for lunch. It was such a lovely day that we all agreed we should eat outside. The manse is right next to the church, and since there was no garden furniture we helped get some tables and chairs out of the church hall.







There was a lovely 'garden party' feel to the whole afternoon.


So that was Sunday.


Monday, we met up with my husband's uncle (my father in law and all his ancestors are from this part of the world, but more of that in another post).

On Monday evening we headed off for an evening stroll around the gorge near the cottage. 






The walk takes you up and up to the top of the gorge...











....where you get this view of the waterfall,



(I couldn't decide which was best!)





and then down alongside the river till you get to a calmer spot.......




...where a carved bear waits for you!


Before heading back to the cottage there had to be time for a spot of stone throwing.






Then once at the cottage it was time to chop some wood for the stove and fire.







OK, one more day in tonight's post.


Tuesday was quite a chilled day, and we went to a different forest for a walk.


It was very civilised. 

We stopped for a picnic lunch in the middle of the forest and the boys got to indulge in some more stone throwing, as well as log throwing and hiding in the trees.

 









Then it was time to hit the trail again......




.......before heading back to the cottage to spend the rest of the afternoon playing snooker.



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6 comments:

  1. Looks like a wonderful vacation! Getting to spend so much time outside had to be grand! And in such great company! I think it's amazing that the pastor's wife knew you from so long ago! So fun! I'm looking forward to the rest of the pictures, Kirsteen! Thanks for sharing them!

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  2. Well, I didn't actually mean "SOOO" long ago...It can't have been so long since you were 10!

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  3. Hehehe, thanks Keri, I know what you meant :0)

    For the record, it was just a little over 20 years ago!

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  4. What a lovely looking place, Kirsteen. I have to comment on your brother - he is your father's *double*. Wow!

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  5. Anne, he gets that ALL the time, although actually my youngest brother is even MORE like my dad!

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  6. Love seeing your photos - sounds like we both had a fabulous time away!!!

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