12 April 2010

We are now in Bladdershaw Cottage, Largoward, Fife Scotland with our friends, Juli and Colin, who are on holiday here from Geneva. We arrived in Scotland a day and a half ago after a lengthy trip from Paris via Frankfurt. Our plane from Paris was canceled due to technical difficulties, then we were transferred to a later flight which meant we missed our connection in Frankfurt; but then we managed to get a later flight to Edinburgh which then got delayed because the wind in Frankfurt closed one of the runways - after 12 hours we finally made it to sunny and friendly Scotland.

The weather here is stunning - blue skies, sunshine and little/no wind. The snows have melted on the mountain peaks and life is returning to the plants - fern fronds unfurling, spring buds unfolding and the ground is soft but dry underfoot. We are staying in a gorgeous bluestone house that Juli and Colin are housesitting for their friends - it is in a beautiful location in a tiny village amidst farming land. It is very like being in Glenlyon - quiet, gentle and you can hear lots of birds twittering. Yesterday we enjoyed our breakfast outdoors in the sun with the fresh air. We then went on to explore a little of the famous town of St Andrews and then cruised through the country lanes and hedgerows to the historic town on Falkland, where Mary, Queen of Scots spent a lot of time. Here, we met friends of Juli and Colin: Morag and Ian - We walked up the hill overlooking the town alongside the brook and waterfall that runs through the town. It was fabulous to be outdoors, to walk on soft and natural ground, hear the pigeons cooing, be in the forest and have the gentle sun rays warm your face and body. After this we went to the organic farm at the Pillars of Hercules for a scrumptious and healthy lunch!

Last night we cooked the most amazing dinner at home and were joined by some more friends of Juli and Colin: Aimee and Ali. Between us we can dressed crab, Palestinian olives, goat's cheese for entrée; this was then followed by a baked Atlantic salmon (3.7kg) accompanied by roast potatoes, pumpkin and sweet potato and sir fried greens. Yummy!!!! And, to make it perfect we rounded off this gastronomic delight with homemade chocolate and lemon mousse and biscotti. Food was accompanied by French champagne and Heathcote shiraz!

Tomorrow holds further adventures and gastronomic delights………………………