Monday 25 August 2025

We nearly missed breakfast today. We’re on weekend time, where breakfast goes to 10.00 am. So, arriving at 8.55 am, we were surprised when chef took in the pastries and the surly waitress did not ask if we wanted the cooked crap. You see, its Monday and breakfast finishes at 9.00 am. Not to worry. We managed cereal, fruit and yoghurt and toasted a few pieces of the brown bread to use with the smoked salmon at lunchtime. They went into the puffer jacket pocket.

Our route today took us along the West coast to Ayr, where we stopped for lunch. In 40 knot, howling Atlantic wind, we managed to have some excellent smoked salmon on brown toast for lunch, sitting in the car. Then on to the Lighthouse at Corsewall for tonight.

The lighthouse, which is still working, was built in 1815, with the founding stone laid on June 18. A date that has gone down in infamy if you’re a Bonapartist. We are staying in the lighthouse keeper’s cottage at the base of the lighthouse. Good, clean and comfy room with a private bathroom down the hall. The dinner, bed and breakfast deal is to celebrate Lady P’s birthday, even though it’s tomorrow.

I think I have mentioned our struggle with Scottish cuisine. The fish and chips generally have been excellent but it’s not good to eat that every day. Is it? And, so far we have not been able to get venison – Scottish or otherwise, nor trout – likewise, on any menu. We are getting very close to the border, so tonight may be a surprise. 

Another observation is that you can get great Guinness in the pubs and the Scottish national beer – Tennent’s, is rather good. Plus, there isn’t a strong whisky drinking mob in the pubs. The bar maids are more than happy to put ice in it. I reckon they’d put Coke or diesel in it if you asked.

Dinner tonight however, was exceptional. There is certainly some talent in the kitchen. We did learn that the owner’s son, who is the head chef, was previously at some flash place in Kent and it clearly showed.

After our negronis in the reception space, we moved to dinner in the dining room. Champagne to start to acknowledge the birthday, then the dinner package. An amuse of mushrooms on canape toasts was followed by taramasalata of whipped cod roe, smoked salmon and crab with torn bread topping. Flashy had the Balmoral chicken – a boudin of chicken and haggis wrapped in pancetta with a whisky sauce. A smooth broccoli soup followed. Their extensive wine list delivered a Bordeaux white and a Rioja tinto to accompany the fish course -sole, creamed leeks and potato pave and the venison loin with beetroot fondant, artichoke puree, dark chocolate ganache with a red wine and juniper jus. Dessert of mochaccino mousse was pretty rich but the caramelised pineapple with coconut ice cream was refreshing. The Grand Marnier and Cointreau digestives completed the dinner.

Tuesday 26 August 2025

A mid morning departure to Windermere was uneventful and we arrived at our BnB ‘The Dozy Deer,' in the afternoon. The sun was shining and it was low 20’s.The poms were out in their shorts. Some were almost topless and a few were turning a nice shade of red. The town was packed. Lady P tried to entice Flashy on a 4 mile walk to the Lake. He agreed but noticed that the walk was all down hill, meaning that the walk back would be all up hill. After a very short distance, he applied Rule 4 and stopped at the pub, leaving Lady P to march off, see the Lake, pat the dog and return to rescue him from another wine.

With the town so full, we decided to see if we could book the local Tapas Bar for dinner. Luckily, we could and did.

Wednesday 27 August 2025

After a comfortable night, we made a 7.00 am departure for Wales. Here the signs are strangely enough in Welsh. What’s this then? Llanfairpwllgwynogyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. It is the local railway station near Bangor, where we are staying. We have a very cute cottage with two bedrooms upstairs and a small kitchen, lounge and bathroom downstairs. We met our delightful host but no sign of the cat. Apparently, it is possible that she will turn up during our occupancy. There is a cat flap and we will leave food and water out. What more can you do for a cat?

We drove past “The Church Of Mary In The Hollow Of The White Hazel Near The Fierce Whirlpool And The Church Of The Tysilio By The Red Cave,” railway station and on to Tesco for a sandwich (pretty good) and some shopping for dinner tonight.

Corsewall Lighthouse
Taramasalada.
Venison
Sole
The birthday girl.
Never trust a skinny chef (far left)
The railway station

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