All over the place, UK. November-2024.
Not sure quite what triggered it all, but parkrun was the pivot point for this whole excursion. This year Saint Andrew’s Day fell on a Saturday so it seemed like a cunning plan to do Saint Andrew’s parkrun on his day. The rest of the road trip fell in place around that with two bands that we wanted to see playing convenient locations and dates that weekend.
Thursday 28 November: Newcastle via Carlisle hi-fi shop.
Our indulgently expensive hi-Fi (Naim Akurate) had decided to die mid-software update so was in need of a hi-fi doctor. Also our NAS drive (Network Accessible Storage) on which we store all our music had been fried, we suspect by a thunderstorm. Setting up a new NAS drive and cloning our backup drive onto the new server is a technical task best done by someone who’s done it before. So we went via Peter Tyson in Carlisle to drop off the boxes.
That evening we went to see Martin Harley for the sixth time! He was supported by Mark Lewis on upright base to add extra depth and richness. The Cluny 2 counts under the category of intimate venue, nowhere is very far from the stage.
The plus side of going to Newcastle for this gig is that we got to dine pre-concert at the excellent Cook House restaurant just minutes from the venue. Creative, interesting and very tasty food.
If you get a chance, do go see this man. Brilliant guitarist, brilliant entertainment! Blog: Martin Harley at Cluny 2 2024.
Friday 29 November: Newcastle to Broughty Ferry.
For the parkrun we wanted to stay in St Andrew’s itself using home exchange but the nearest available was half an hour away at Broughty Ferry - still a free stay is a bargain.
Our route took us over “the silvery Tay” recalling the inimitable lines of the poet William McGonagall:
Beautiful Railway Bridge of the Silv'ry Tay!
Alas! I am very sorry to say
That ninety lives have been taken away
On the last Sabbath day of 1879,
Which will be remember'd for a very long time.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_McGonagall#Tay_Bridge_Disaster.
A tasty supper in Bruach who were able to fit us in when several other restaurants we wanted to try were full.
Saturday 30 November: A short trip out and back - Broughty Ferry to St Andrew’s parkrun.
I had planned to do my 250th parkrun at Penrith the week before but the snowy weather had other ideas and it was cancelled. The St Andrew’s event was already in the schedule so this was now the location for my milestone.
The obligatory photo by the name tent sporting my orange 250th baseball cap, a present from parkrun friends Tim and Sue.
First outing for my birthday present from Mary: Brooks parkrun edition road shoes that I had been saving since September for this occasion.
I was very happy with my time of 28:37 especially with a grumbling Achille’s heel. I also achieved 1st in my age category VM70-74 and there were 7 in my age category! I achieved an age-graded score of 63.19%. Not bad for an old man. It's now official: 250 parkruns - it’s on the parkrun website (A3228002).
After lunch a short walk along the beach to Broughty Castle and an excellent little museum then back again with view of both bridges across the Tay.
That night we had a fabulous meal at Sandbanks Brasserie. Although the restaurant had been recommended to us by our host and we had read good reviews, we were definitely not expecting food of this quality! Sandbanks matched the quality of our favourite local Lake District restaurants at a much lower price. We opted for the tasting menu (nine small courses) with matching wine flight and loved it all.
The restaurant was very good at adapting or substituting Mary’s dishes to take into account her lactose intolerance. They also provided matching wines that were interesting (e.g. first tasting of a lovely Bulgarian Pinot Noir) and great matches for the food.
Sunday 01 December: Broughty Ferry to Edinburgh via St Andrews and Dalmeny.
We broke the journey to Edinburgh by going via St Andrews to see the sights (Castle, Cathedral and lunch). We got into the castle for free using our English Heritage membership as there is a reciprocal agreement. Complete with drawbridge.
Next a stroll round the ruins of the cathedral.
A tasty light lunch at The Bothy - 'Cullen Skink" for me and "Venison and Stornaway Black Pudding Scotch Eggs" for Mary.
After lunch we drove to Dalmeny, dumped the car at the train station car park (free and more convenient than the park-and-rides). We then took a short train ride into Edinburgh for that evening’s concert and overnight stay. We dined in the excellent Mother India before the show then off to Bannerman’s where Brave Rival played a fine selection of rock for two solid hours. A small venue packed into the sub-basement of Edinburgh’s underground streets.
Blog: Brive Rival at Bannerman's.
Monday 02 December: from Edinburgh to
- Dalmeny station to pick up the car
- Erskine to drop off the in-laws Christmas presents.
- Cross Keys Hotel, New Galloway to pick up Mary’s purse that she left there last week!
- Scenic route with cloud-bow to Gretna Outlet Village to return an M&S purchase
- Penrith for a quiet evening in. Hurrah!
It is not often you see a cloud-bow, at least we are pretty sure that's what it was.
Finally back home after a very long day's driving. The driver deserves a G&T!!
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