Celebrating

James and I are both very fond of Knockinaam Lodge; this weekend was our third visit. The first time must have been about ten years ago when I took James there as a surprise, and the second time was five years ago when we went there with Heather and Ewan. The hotel has a beautiful setting with its own beach, and there is a very pretty coastal walk into Portpatrick which takes just over an hour. We then went for a drink at the Harbour Hotel before returning in plenty of time for dinner. The hotel has a Michelin star and the meal was absolutely delicious. It was a set menu, starting with yellow carrot and coriander soup and then salmon fillet with a bonne femme sauce. The main course was slow cooked beef with puréed shallots and dessert was either rhubarb soufflé (James) or a selection of cheeses (me). It was all very simple and beautifully cooked, and the service was excellent. However the best thing about the meal was the surprise card we were given while sitting in the bar before dinner. It was from Jamie, Ally and Davie and the message was "To Mum and Dad, Happy 30th Anniversary, Enjoy your dinner on us, from the boys." We were so touched by their generosity and kindness. After dinner we had coffee in the lounge. Perhaps I shouldn't have had three cups of coffee after the cheese board, because I was wide awake for hours, pacing around the bedroom long after James had gone to sleep! As a result I was rather tired in the morning. 

Back in Cambuslang Jamie, Ally and Davie took Grandma out for tea to Fratelli's which I thought was very sweet of them. Apparently she was on good form and they all enjoyed the meal. Jamie tried to pay but Grandma insisted on treating them; Jamie said that she was "like a bill paying ninja!"

In the morning we strolled around the beach and gardens - I do hope we get the chance to go back again. Instead of going straight home we stopped off at Girvan and took a boat trip to Ailsa Craig, something we have never got round to doing although we have passed it by car or on foot many times throughout our lives. The waves were rather choppy and we got well splashed, but it was a great wee trip. It took more than an hour to reach the rock and then we circumnavigated it slowly, very close to the shore. Curling stones are still quarried there and it is a volcanic plug, close up you can see all the basalt columns, it's amazing. There are thousands of seabirds; we saw lots of guillemots, some gannets and even a few puffins. 

And now we are back home; James, Ally, Cat and Davie are watching The Avengers Assemble, which is not really my cup of tea although I'm kind of half watching it. It has been a very lovely and celebratory weekend.