Loch of the Beautiful Tresses

Heather and Ewan arrived to visit us on Friday. It was great to see them and we were especially impressed that they had driven north straight from the airport after their holiday in Rome! Naturally, I was keen to show them a good time after their fabulous time in the eternal city, so I had done a bit of research into fun things to do. So on Saturday morning we headed to Kylescu and went on a boat trip along Glencoul and Loch Beag to Scotland’s highest waterfall, Eas a’ Chual Aluinn (which is also Great Britain’s highest waterfall!) which has a 200 metre sheer drop. Its name means Loch of the Beautiful Tresses. The weather was pleasant and sunny and we saw a sea eagle as well as plenty of seals on the little islands in the loch. It was all very beautiful with mountains and rocks around the loch, including part of the Moine Thrust where you can clearly see that the much older rocks have moved on top of the newer rocks, not that they are all that new of course! The waterfall can best be seen from the head of the loch, otherwise you have to walk for a boggy six miles to reach it! It did look impressive, although it’s not right beside the loch, I would love to see it closer up. On the way back to the slipway, the boat was heading into the breeze to it was a bit cooler, but still not too cold. 

We then had an delicious lunch at the Kylescu hotel, really excellent food, sitting at a table with marvellous views over the water. On the way back to Ullapool we stopped at Knockan Crag, another geological marvel, where we clambered on a scarily (to me!) exposed path right up to the top of the crags. I think that I have been up there a long time ago but oh boy I had forgotten how amazing the views are of the lochs way below and the mountains behind them. Luckily the way back down seemed less rough and steep, and soon we were back in the cottage for pasta puttanesca (my old Delia Smith recipe and highly complimented by our guests!) and a convivial evening. 

Catching Up

We have had a lovely week in Ullapool. Last Tuesday Alison & Hugh came through to visit us and have lunch, and we went for a walk around the village to look at the new building works at the front. The road at the front (Shore Street) is being widened. I have my doubts about this because I feel that the current narrow road, although inconvenient at busy times, limits the speed of the traffic because the cars have to negotiate around each other. I hope that this new wider road does not encourage speeding, but all the local people seem very happy about it so what do I know? It was great to see Alison and Hugh; we haven’t seen them since Hugh and Lucy’s wedding so we had lots to talk about. 

On Wednesday afternoon I drove back down to Cambuslang and stayed there overnight because I was meeting Libby, Maggie, Wendy and Helen in Ardrossan on Thursday lunchtime. A long way to go for a lunch, but it had been arranged before our trip to Ullapool was definite, and I don’t mind a drive. And indeed we had a convivial and delightful lunch at Cecchini’s, and it was absolutely great to catch up with the girls. I set off for the five hour drive back north to Ullapool at about half past three and was pleased to find that it was an easy, pleasant journey with no hold-ups. I listened to an audiobook during the drive and stopped at Perth Marks & Spencer’s to do a small grocery shopping and have a bite to eat in the café. I stopped again at Inverness Tesco to pick up a few items that I had forgotten, and it was a good opportunity to stretch my legs. I arrived back in (Ullapool) in the dark just before 10 pm. The roads had been fairly quiet on my drive but it was interesting to see various large vehicles carrying diggers and other building equipment, and wide loads of building supplies all being moved around the Highland roads in the twilight and darkness. I presume that it’s a quieter and better time to transport them, but it was strange to see; I didn’t realise that all of this goes on in the evenings. 

A Visit and the Funeral

This week has been a run up to the Queen’s funeral, but it hasn’t been all about the Queen at Casa Anderson! In fact the main event of our week was Margaret’s visit from America. It was absolutely lovely to see her, and the first night of her visit coincided with Cat spending the night on her way to Rosa’s wedding, so we all had a pleasant chat. The next morning Margaret and I went for a swim and a spa at David Lloyd; we had a proper chat about everything under the sun since we haven’t seen each other since last year. Later we went out for a walk in the west end with James and the three of us had dinner at Brel in Ashton Lane and then churros at Loop and Scoop on Great Western Road. It was an excellent evening. 

In the morning Margaret and I went for a walk around Cambuslang, revisiting many old familiar places from our childhood including Margaret’s former home in Brownside Road, and then had a coffee at Costa. I was very sad to say goodbye to her but it was a really lovely visit.

Last night we had a pleasant dinner with Marjory and Forrest at Luciano’s in Burnside, and then set off northwards to Ullapool at about half past eight. The reason for this was that we were keen to be in Ullapool when the royal funeral commenced this morning. The cats were amazed to be loaded into the car, they had not anticipated an evening journey. The roads were nice and quiet and we made good time. 

So it was rather nice to wake up in the morning with the journey behind us. It was a historic occasion; the first State funeral since that of Winston Churchill in 1965 (which I definitely remember seeing on our black and white television even though I was only two years old!) We had the television on for the funeral coverage all day but although we watched the services at Westminster Abbey and St George’s Chapel at Windsor, I didn’t watch the whole procession going through the countryside to Windsor Castle. It was still a long time to watch television though, and when it was over James and I went for a refreshing walk around the village before dinner time. 

The images which will stay with me from today:

The sailors pulling the coffin along on its gun carriage.

The Queen’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren walking along behind her coffin and attending the service.

So many world leaders turning out to pat their respects to our Queen; Biden, Macron, Trudeau, Ardern and many more. 

The eight young men of 1st Battalion of the Grenadier Guards doing a stalwart job of carrying the heavy lead-lined coffin up and down the steps at Westminster and Windsor.

Emma the pony and two of her beloved corgis being brought out as the cortège arrived at Windsor.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte being so very well-behaved at St George’s Chapel. 

And the piper’s lament fading into the distance at the end of the service. Rest in Peace. 

The Queue

This last week has been very much about saying goodbye to the Queen. Of course we have also done plenty of other things, but the knowledge that she has been lying in state has always been in the background. Even more so because not one but TWO of our boys joined that massive queue to pay their respects to the Queen. Needless to say Jamie, having the valid excuse of being in New Zealand, was not one of them!

Alasdair was first; he joined it in Bermondsey and queued for eight hours from 6 p.m. on Thursday until just after 2 a.m. on Friday morning, messaging us all the way with updates on his progress. The route went along the riverside then crossed the river at Lambeth Bridge before going into a set of zigzags as it approached Westminster Hall. He let us know that he needed to switch his phone off as he was about to go through security. I was watching the live feed on television but was nervous that I wouldn’t spot him, however Cat (who had gone to bed) came back downstairs just as Ally appeared on the steps at the back of Westminster Hall and pointed him out instantly. He looked so sweet in his grey suit with black tie, with his coat over his arm. We were both excited as we watched him walk past the Queen’s coffin, respectfully bowing his head as he passed, and I took some photos of the screen to send to him.

Later on Friday morning David arrived from Manchester to join the queue. It was much longer by then; he joined it in Southwark Park at 9.45 a.m. which was lucky because it was closed for six hours not long after he joined, to give it a chance to go down a bit. He ended up queueing for fourteen-and-a-half hours! Like Ally, he updated us with his progress, and told us that he was enjoying the friendly atmosphere of the crowd. He had brought his kindle as well as his phone and headphones to help to pass the time but he found that there was so much to look at and people were chatting, so he didn’t need them. I got the message that he was nearly there just before midnight, and at quarter past midnight on Saturday I saw him on the live feed, walking down the steps into the hall. This time the camera, which had been fixed immobile on the whole room when Ally walked through, was zooming around all over the place. Luckily when Davie passed the coffin and bowed his head the camera was recording a close up of the side he was on, so I got some good photos of the screen, but if the camera had homed in on the other side I wouldn’t have seen him at all! 

I was very proud of Ally and Davie for their commitment and respect. 

Queen of the People

The British are extremely good at ceremonies, and the late Queen’s procession today from Buckingham Palace to lie in state at Westminster Hall was no exception. The procession was led by mounted police, the Household Cavalry and the Grenadier and Scots Guards. Seven black horses pulled the open gun carriage bearing her coffin, and she was followed on the forty minute journey by her four children walking behind the gun carriage, with grandsons William and Harry behind them as well as members of her household. The coffin was draped with the Royal Standard and on top of it, sitting on a cushion, was the Imperial State Crown, lined in purple and sparkling with jewels. It was really beautiful and it was sad that she will never wear it again. 

You could hear Big Ben tolling mournfully and guns being fired from Hyde Park every 60 seconds. I was very proud that Cat was one of the many people who were lining the streets to watch the Queen go by. On arrival at Westminster Hall the Queen’s coffin was carried inside by six young soldiers, and placed carefully on a plinth, where she will lie in state for four days until her funeral on Monday. And after a short service, members of the public, some of whom had started queueing days ago, were allowed into the hall and started filing past the coffin. This was the part that moved me most. The people walked past quietly and solemnly, pausing to bow their heads towards her, some making the sign of the cross. It made me realise that the Queen didn’t just head up the Royals or the Armed Forces, she was the Queen of the people of the country, and many of these people were standing in miles long queues, just to pay their respects and to say farewell. Of course I’m aware that many people are not keen on the monarchy, and I respect their opinions, but now is not the time for debate. It’s the time, for those who wish to do so, to reflect on the long and dedicated reign of the Queen. 

Manchester sunshine

We have had another excellent day in Manchester. We met Davie and Chanel at Salford Quays for a coffee sitting outside The Alchemist. Our table overlooked the canal and it was rather idyllic sitting in the sunshine. We had booked some tickets for a musical boat trip as part of a celebratory event called “We invented the Weekend.” (Apparently the two day weekend was indeed first established in Manchester.) However the event was cancelled due to the Queen’s death. This reminded me of a story my Mum told; she and her mother and younger siblings had saved up for a special weekend at the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle, County Down in February 1952. It was their favourite hotel and their first visit there since her father had died in 1946. However King George VI died on the Wednesday before they went. As a result the hotel was draped in black, the atmosphere was sombre, and the dinner dance, to which they had been looking forward, was cancelled. They were so disappointed. 

Our cancellation today was much less serious, although it must have been very disappointing for the organisers. And in fact the Sunday Roast lunch that we had booked was not cancelled because the food had already been purchased. Also its aim was to raise money for Manchester’s Eat Well organisation, who provide meals for people who are living in poverty, so they didn’t want to let them down. So at 12 noon we strolled across to Media City Open Centre and had a huge and delicious roast with all the trimmings. James, Davie and Chanel had roast beef and I had nut roast. Then we all had sticky toffee pudding; we felt so full! 

The only solution was to go for a walk, so we switched from the Ship Canal to the Bridgewater Canal and walked along the towpath all the way to Castlefield, about five-and-a-half km. Castlefield is another very smart example of Manchester’s urban regeneration, with some lovely flats with balconies overlooking the canal, and nice bars and restaurants. We had drinks outside a pub called The Wharf, busy on this sunny Sunday afternoon, and then took a tram back to Salford. What an excellent day! 

King Charles III

The news is currently dominated by the Queen’s death and also the accession of the new Charles III. The former Prince of Wales has never been a favourite of mine (not that he knows or would care!) I won’t hash over all the well known details but I feel that he was careless and foolish when he was a younger man, and his poor decisions hurt others. But he has got older and has settled down with Camilla, and I am not in the business of judging anybody. So I suppose I’m ok with him becoming King at the age of 73, although it feels strange to have a King. And Camilla is his Queen consort. I’m not really ok with that, especially as Charles promised that she would remain Duchess of Cornwall when he became King. However they have now been married a long time, and (no doubt after much persuasion by Charles) the Queen stated at the Jubilee that it was her wish for Camilla to become Queen consort, so it was bound to happen. 

Queen Elizabeth’s funeral will be on Monday 19th September, which would have been my Mum’s 91st birthday. The Royals are the main news story just now and I expect that will continue until after the funeral. There has been news footage of various Royal personages greeting the crowds at various Royal residences; notably Princes William and Harry and their wives temporarily put aside their differences this evening to do a walkabout outside Windsor Castle. King Charles has made a broadcast to the nation, and has been confirmed as King by the government, although he became King the moment that his mother died. 

The Queen herself is still at Balmoral and will be taken by car to Edinburgh tomorrow. 

Meanwhile we are in Manchester visiting Davie and Chanel. The weather is mild and sunny and we have been having a lovely time. We have been for a pleasant walk along a canal at Bridgewater, and this evening we had dinner at Zizzi’s in the Trafford Centre and then went to see a film, See How They Run. I thoroughly enjoyed it; it was funny and witty and quirky. It was stuffed with well-known luvvies, and Sam Rockwell and Saoirse Ronan were particularly good.