We are in Glasgow having a lovely time catching up with family. It is so good to see everyone after not seeing them for 14 months. Erin is now 17 Rachel is 15 it is hard to believe it is 16 years since Darren and family left Australia.
We have had a fantastic trip the last couple of months visiting so many places but It is also special to be in one place for a while with family.
Despite the rain we had a great day in Glasgow with the girls, have driven around Scotland sightseeing, shopping and generally having a great time.
So proud of Darren who graduated this week from Bournemouth University with a Master of Science Degree (with merit) in Building Conservation. Whilst the degree was issued by Bournemouth University, he actually studied at the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum. The museum is based around a collection of fifty or so historic buildings, relocated to the one location. His usual classroom was a fifteenth century village hall! |
We celebrated Darren's birthday at Tropeiro Brazilian restaurant, a unique experience. The menu offers up to twelve different cuts of meat – beef, pork, lamb, chicken and a sumptuous buffet of gourmet salads, and a variety of side dishes.
The mouth-watering meats are cooked on an open fire and carved at the tableside. With each of the different cuts being such a succulent experience, you just can’t help but indulge yourself. Each bite is a freshly carved slice of meat with sealed in juices and flavours. We all really enjoyed our night here.
The mouth-watering meats are cooked on an open fire and carved at the tableside. With each of the different cuts being such a succulent experience, you just can’t help but indulge yourself. Each bite is a freshly carved slice of meat with sealed in juices and flavours. We all really enjoyed our night here.
Callander is located within the Trossachs, an area of sparkling Lochs, majestic mountains and beautiful Glens. It is a lovely village with a great main street full of the most interesting shops, there are great buys at the Woollen Mills outlets. There are the usual souvenir shops and really good pub food at several of the Hotels in the Village. You will also find the typical Scottish tea rooms with delicious scones, pastries and other traditional local food. It is probably our favourite place in Scotland along with Oban. Every time we visit our family we spend time in this area.
We had the most beautiful sunny day, not a cloud in the sky, unusual for Scotland at this time of year: So following Darren's suggestion, we drove to Pollok Country Park.
The Park is rich in rural history formerly being part of the Old Pollok Estate. Pollok House built in 1752 is one of Glasgow's most elegant family homes and has been the ancestral home to the Maxwell Family who have lived in Pollok since 1269. The house contains an outstanding collection of Spanish art.
Within the park there is also a walled garden, the Old Stable Courtyard and a Water Driven Sawmill, a play park, a mountain bike circuit, a wildlife garden, woodland walks, riverside walks and Highland cattle. The gardens and park were stunning in the autumn colours. The park was voted Best Park in Britain 2007 and Europe's Best Park 2008.
The Park is rich in rural history formerly being part of the Old Pollok Estate. Pollok House built in 1752 is one of Glasgow's most elegant family homes and has been the ancestral home to the Maxwell Family who have lived in Pollok since 1269. The house contains an outstanding collection of Spanish art.
Within the park there is also a walled garden, the Old Stable Courtyard and a Water Driven Sawmill, a play park, a mountain bike circuit, a wildlife garden, woodland walks, riverside walks and Highland cattle. The gardens and park were stunning in the autumn colours. The park was voted Best Park in Britain 2007 and Europe's Best Park 2008.