Nice places to stop off at.....

[Dormouse]

We have been to Eyemouth several times. 3 of them as family get togethers in the Gunsgreen Merchant's House. A lovely area.

[Dormouse]

Here is an unusual picture from Eyemouth harbour. Does anyone recognise it?

[NewcastleFalcon]

Here is an unusual picture from Eyemouth harbour. Does anyone recognise it?

Story about a new red bridge from 3rd March 2020
https://www.eyemouth-harbour.co.uk/new- ... ly-opened/

Regards Neil

[Dormouse]

The trip to Mallaig on the "Harry Potter" steam train throws up a quandary when a whole squad of tourists all alight at the same time. How do you all get a good look round in peace and quiet and where do you get a nice meal without queuing 20 deep. Firstly, you can't avoid the camera hogging throngs so you take your chances when you get them. Pure luck no one was in shot!

For us, we climbed up Davies Braes to the Chlachain Inn for a peaceful drink or three, along with soup and a sandwich. If we had been staying longer we would have done the seafood proper justice but 2 hours in Mallaig is just not long enough.

I had Cullen Skink and my wife had Ham and Potato soup with a sandwich. I won't show the Banofee tart - it didn't last long enough to photo!

[Dormouse]

Ok. I will show you the Banofee tart.

Here is a shot of the open lounge around which the tables are set.

Now this is what I call comfortable and relaxing.

[white exec]

Lunchtime food and drink rarely disappointed in the Highlands - except the beer, that is, which was too often S&N or McEwan's. Have fond memories of breakfasts of Mallaig kippers, fresh salmon baps at Killin, and - eons ago - a lengthy, full 'silver service' evening meal at the Gairloch Hotel, where experienced waiters wafted in and out almost unseen.

On another occasion, September heavy rain kept us somewhat ensconced in a bar at Spean Bridge, not far from our rented log cabin. The shelf full of malts looked promising, and we paid for a tot each. Obviously enjoyed, the publican offered us each another, and joined us in it. Still raining, several more followed. After a good deal of chat, it got late, and we asked for the bill. He said he'd not hear if it, and wished us both a good night. A one-off...

[Dormouse]

Lunchtime food and drink rarely disappointed in the Highlands - except the beer, that is, which was too often S&N or McEwan's. Have fond memories of breakfasts of Mallaig kippers, fresh salmon baps at Killin, and - eons ago - a lengthy, full 'silver service' evening meal at the Gairloch Hotel, where experienced waiters wafted in and out almost unseen.

On another occasion, September heavy rain kept us somewhat ensconced in a bar at Spean Bridge, not far from our rented log cabin. The shelf full of malts looked promising, and we paid for a tot each. Obviously enjoyed, the publican offered us each another, and joined us in it. Still raining, several more followed. After a good deal of chat, it got late, and we asked for the bill. He said he'd not hear if it, and wished us both a good night. A one-off...

I agree with the beer issue. Funnily enough, almost 44 years ago to 3 days, on our honeymoon we ended up in a Hotel in Cromer. After dinner we had decided to have a quiet evening and not do the bar thing but watch the telly instead. So, brand new wife goes off in search of a couple of beers. Twenty minutes later, still no wife or beers. There she was sitting on a bar stool, second spirit about to be finished. So, next thing the barman gives her another (different) drink. On enquiring about the state of play I was informed that the barman and the chef (co owners) had discovered we were newly weds and were only going to have a quiet drink! Chef, who had worked in several hotels in Scotland, had said that Scottish Women could drink men under the table to Barman. New Wife agreed. Barman said she could have all her drinks free if she could drink her way along the Spirit gantry. Big Mistake! Word spread and the bar filled up. Owner's wives joined in a bit later. By 3.00 in the morning owners and us finally called it quits. At 8.00 we both went down for breakfast and found our table in the middle of the room. Chef had a thumping head and Barman wasn't much better. Wife ordered full English. Apparently, Barman had now lost his second bet! We stayed a second night (and both paid for all our drinks this time).

[Dormouse]

Now, I know a lot of people will be sceptical about blow hards like me but I view it as their problem not mine. After all, I was there and they weren't.

The second night was magic. We were told to come down for dinner at 8.00 pm. Our table was in the middle of the dining room again and we were served Chef's own special Stuffed Boneless Duck. All the residents were still seated and waited until we started our meal to a round of applause. We all met up in the bar afterwards and another good going night finished at 2.00 am as Barman and Chef were dragged to bed by their wives. In the morning we settled our bill and I asked for the recipe for the Duck and between the ingredients, my notes and quizzing the Chef, I still cook a mean Stuffed Boneless Duck to this day. Wife chatted with Wives who said their bar takings the last two nights were the highest they had ever had. However, they were very worried that Chef and Barman couldn't last the pace if we stayed any longer! We went back many years later to discover the Hotel was now rental apartments. Shame.

[Dormouse]

Here is an unusual picture from Eyemouth harbour. Does anyone recognise it?

Apparently, the old bridge is now being called the "wee red briggie".

[NewcastleFalcon]

Story about a new red bridge from 3rd March 2020
https://www.eyemouth-harbour.co.uk/new- ... ly-opened/

I take it the new red replaced the old red and the old red is now gone.



Regards Neil

[Dormouse]

Amazing what the investment in a wind turbine service area for the harbour board can achieve. Boost tourism! The hint is in the "authorised forklifts" bit.

[NewcastleFalcon]

Things you may miss if you visit a place and don't know about them.

Top end of Leyburn, North Yorks, 100 yards up a sunny side street and you end up at "The Shawl" and its gorgeous view over Wensleydale.

View from the Shawl Leyburn

REgards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

Where's this then?

REgards Neil

[mickthemaverick]

Horncliffe?

[NewcastleFalcon]

Horncliffe?

Not Horncliffe but there is a chain bridge in one of the pics, but a footbridge only.

The major clue if you know your borders rugby is the colour of the posts on the middle picture, of one of the many practice pitches at various parts of the town.

Regards Neil