foraging

Foraging trip near Dundar followed by dinner with the ingredients we foraged at Wedgewood.

 

Benderloch and swimming

When we went to Oban, we actually stayed 30 mins drive outside Oban in a tiny place called Benderlock. We were in a little cottage, 5 mins walk from an amazing beach where I convinced dad to go for a couple of swims. And I think he might be a convert to cold water swimming. Thought in a settling like this it is not hard.

 

Skydiving

July has been pretty busy. I finished my job at Tesco and got to spend some time at home in between. The weather wasn't as hoped but we managed to head out to the river and for lunch and a few walks. One of the main reasons for going home was Dad's 70th birthday. And instead of doing something normal, he wanted to go skydiving. So we all went.

Signing in.

Mom was not going to go up in a plane, let alone jump out of one! So jumping, it was myself, my dad, my sister, brother-in-law and one of dad's friends who was also 70th year. We were split in runs, so Dad and I went first, Craig and Uncle Jim second, and Kerry was on the third flight. We all decided to have the video packages (who knew if we were going to do this again?).

On the way up.

Dad jumped first

He's off.

Then my turn.

It was an experience.

Oddly I wasn't nervous jumping (my fitbit says my heart rate got up to a massive 90 bpm) - maybe because I was firmly attached to someone who knew what they were doing. We did free-fall for about 45 seconds and were falling at about 120 mph, hence the wonderful face lift photos. :)

When he pulled the shoot, that hurt. I had straps around the top of my legs, my shoulders and across the chest, and damn the legs straps hurt. It was very pretty coming down but I totally screwed the landing. You are supposed to lift your legs up and land on your butt. But thanks to the straps my legs were numb and didn't go up. So I landed on my knees. I had some impressive bruises for the next few weeks. Though not as bad as my brother-in-law who go a huge bruise on his thigh from the straps.

Dad was glad he did it, but like me, not over-keen on doing it again.

After the skydiving, we all went back to Kerry and Craig's house for dinner. She had done some decorating and got a cake for dad. He was very happy with it all.

Happy with the giant balloons.

The awesome cake.

Dad was very happy with his cake and apparently it was a very good red velvet. He had a great time. So did I, though it took quite some time to get over the bruises and aches. 

Lauriston Castle

Clare's flight back to London wasn't until about 6 that evening so after a lazy morning we drove over to Lauriston Castle which is on the airport side of Edinburgh. You can't actually go into the castle but the grounds are lovely. They are small but worth a walk around and there is a very nice tea shop (with cake!).

Nice little country house.

View from the bottom of the garden over the forth of firth.

The sun came out. Finally!

Cake

Cake with a view

They have a small japanese garden which is very peaceful. Though it was a Monday which helped.

On the Japanese pond bridge

Beautiful maple

 we spend a few hours wondering and enjoying cake before I had to drop Clare off at the airport. :( Looking forward to her next trip.