Awoke this morning to the sound of water... it was 7:30 and mum was already up. I asked if it was rain, turned out it was the kettle coming to a boil!
After a fruitless search for a biscuit to accompany the tea (& coffee for mum), we settled on the hotel-provided "brownie." It was actually more like a chocolate cookie but any port in a storm.
Speaking of storms, as predicted, the rain also came this morning. Didn't seem too heavy from our window and people on the street were walking about without umbrellas. Oh well we thought, it was to be expected and if the weatherman was right about it coming, maybe he'd also be right about it being gone before lunch.
We had checked the train schedule last night and knew the trains to Wemyss Bay ran every hour on the 50s. It was 8:40 before we were ready to leave the room so we made a mad dash for the station (1 block up the road) to get our tickets. 10pounds and a frantic walk later we thought we were in luck. We hopped on board and took a seat. After a few minutes though we were escorted off the train... seems the train to Wemyss Bay had just left! Couldn't believe it, they really run on time. Thought I was in Japan for a second.
An hour to kill so Costa Coffee was on the agenda, right after a visit to Thornton's. Lots of great things in for Easter but all too big to carry back to the States. Giant chocolate bunnies, ducks and eggs. We settled instead for a white coffee and a cup of tea. Split a lemon and orange muffin for good measure.
The ride to Wemyss Bay isn't long and after passing miles and miles of trash along the railway (still not sure how it gets there) we arrived. Bought our tickets for the ferry to Rothesay which wasn't leaving for another 30 minutes and made our way up to the main road. We soon discovered the SeaView cafe is still in existence and the place was packed. Mum had a roll and sausage while I had a roll and sausage and onion. Delicious! Clearly the case from our pictures as you see.
By now it was just after 12 and the rain was nearly stopped. It was never much of a rain anyway, just a few drops. I had forgotten my umbrella in the room and it was just as well. Got on the boat and stood on the deck, near the front. Half way across the rain had stopped completely and our attention turned to a couple of dogs wearing well-fitted coats. One was a greyhound, on sedatives (more later) and the other a whippet. Skye & Tinker. Cute dogs and very friendly. Seems they are used to making the crossing. Tinker was very friendly and wasted no time jumping on me for a scratch behind the ear. Skye on the other hand gets nervous and needs a dog Valium to keep her calm. She looked a bit loopy to me. When we arrived, it took the help of an older couple to get them off the boat. Seemed Skye wasn't quite ready to go.
Off the boat and ready for a walk around "the island." Up the road near the castle and a not-so-quick stop into Woolworths. Another 10pounds later and we've got hard candies, crisps and a few chocolate bars. Why, I've got no idea. After that we walked all along the front, both sides. Got as far as the Glenburn Hotel and had to turn back as the ferry was already coming in. We strolled briskly (!) back for the boat since the next one wouldn't be in for another hour & a half. They tell us one boat is out of commission at the moment.
Back on dry land and it's on the bus for a ride into Largs. Couldn't believe it was 5pounds for the 2 of us. The same as a round trip ferry ride to Rothesay! Got into Largs around 3:30 and had to start by looking for shirts for dad in his favorite shop. Sorry to report that they've still got their winter-wear in at the moment and our search was unsuccessful. Well, at least for Dad.. I on the other hand did find a nice sweatshirt!
Walked through the town and browsed in the windows. Passed Greggs and a sausage roll with my name on it so we stopped in. After nearly a 15 minute wait (crazy clerk) we were stuffing our faces with piping-hot sausage rolls. I guess by now it must seem to you like we're eating an awful lot. The portions are small and we're walking a lot so it burns off quickly!
Found ourselves in Morrisons which used to be Safeway and began the hunt for Oxtail soup. Despite our efforts however, there was none to be had. It seems they've discontinued it. I can't imagine why...!?! More biscuits, including some for tomorrow morning's tea and back down the road we headed. Walked all along the front, past the Green Shutters, a new kids play area, the dog park and finally to the curve just before the "pencil." Met lots of cute dogs along the way including Poppy, a 2-year old springer spaniel that chased a stick like you wouldn't believe, including into what must be freezing water. As always, the dogs were off their leashes, running about, playing peacefully with the other dogs and coming at their master's request. Certainly Orson would have been as well-behaved.... ?!?
Nearly 7 now and we've walked back into town. Decided that dinner was in order and we settled on the Brisbane House Hotel. A glass of Pinot Grigio for mum and a McEwans for me while we lounged in the front room and became unsuspecting models for the new owners remodeling plans. Seems the hotel has been sold and they're on an ambitious adventure to modernize the place. Which reminds me, Nardini's ice cream shop just in front is closed as well. They are turning the place into retirement apartments. Anyhow, back to the food. Can you guess what we had? At least one had fish & chips you say? No surprise I suppose. Make that 2 now for the trip. I had the steak pie. An unusual choice for me and only after a tongue lashing from mum for choosing the risotto did I pick it. It was very good, even though it included mushrooms.
Decided to take the train back to Glasgow from Largs this time. Not a bad choice. The train was empty and the ride not too long (~ 50 mins). Got back at nearly 9... stopped in at Marks & Spencers for a bottle of wine (eat and drink, eat and drink... maybe that is all we're doing!).
Just heard tomorrow's forecast on the news... Glasgow is meant to be sunny and 12C (55F). Outlook for Saturday and Sunday is good as well. Not sure what tomorrow will hold. Maybe a trip to Edinburgh. I'd still like to see Rosslyn Chapel, even though it was in DaVinci Code and is probably now nothing more than a tourist trap.
Until the next chronicle....
After a fruitless search for a biscuit to accompany the tea (& coffee for mum), we settled on the hotel-provided "brownie." It was actually more like a chocolate cookie but any port in a storm.
Speaking of storms, as predicted, the rain also came this morning. Didn't seem too heavy from our window and people on the street were walking about without umbrellas. Oh well we thought, it was to be expected and if the weatherman was right about it coming, maybe he'd also be right about it being gone before lunch.
We had checked the train schedule last night and knew the trains to Wemyss Bay ran every hour on the 50s. It was 8:40 before we were ready to leave the room so we made a mad dash for the station (1 block up the road) to get our tickets. 10pounds and a frantic walk later we thought we were in luck. We hopped on board and took a seat. After a few minutes though we were escorted off the train... seems the train to Wemyss Bay had just left! Couldn't believe it, they really run on time. Thought I was in Japan for a second.
An hour to kill so Costa Coffee was on the agenda, right after a visit to Thornton's. Lots of great things in for Easter but all too big to carry back to the States. Giant chocolate bunnies, ducks and eggs. We settled instead for a white coffee and a cup of tea. Split a lemon and orange muffin for good measure.
The ride to Wemyss Bay isn't long and after passing miles and miles of trash along the railway (still not sure how it gets there) we arrived. Bought our tickets for the ferry to Rothesay which wasn't leaving for another 30 minutes and made our way up to the main road. We soon discovered the SeaView cafe is still in existence and the place was packed. Mum had a roll and sausage while I had a roll and sausage and onion. Delicious! Clearly the case from our pictures as you see.
By now it was just after 12 and the rain was nearly stopped. It was never much of a rain anyway, just a few drops. I had forgotten my umbrella in the room and it was just as well. Got on the boat and stood on the deck, near the front. Half way across the rain had stopped completely and our attention turned to a couple of dogs wearing well-fitted coats. One was a greyhound, on sedatives (more later) and the other a whippet. Skye & Tinker. Cute dogs and very friendly. Seems they are used to making the crossing. Tinker was very friendly and wasted no time jumping on me for a scratch behind the ear. Skye on the other hand gets nervous and needs a dog Valium to keep her calm. She looked a bit loopy to me. When we arrived, it took the help of an older couple to get them off the boat. Seemed Skye wasn't quite ready to go.
Off the boat and ready for a walk around "the island." Up the road near the castle and a not-so-quick stop into Woolworths. Another 10pounds later and we've got hard candies, crisps and a few chocolate bars. Why, I've got no idea. After that we walked all along the front, both sides. Got as far as the Glenburn Hotel and had to turn back as the ferry was already coming in. We strolled briskly (!) back for the boat since the next one wouldn't be in for another hour & a half. They tell us one boat is out of commission at the moment.
Back on dry land and it's on the bus for a ride into Largs. Couldn't believe it was 5pounds for the 2 of us. The same as a round trip ferry ride to Rothesay! Got into Largs around 3:30 and had to start by looking for shirts for dad in his favorite shop. Sorry to report that they've still got their winter-wear in at the moment and our search was unsuccessful. Well, at least for Dad.. I on the other hand did find a nice sweatshirt!
Walked through the town and browsed in the windows. Passed Greggs and a sausage roll with my name on it so we stopped in. After nearly a 15 minute wait (crazy clerk) we were stuffing our faces with piping-hot sausage rolls. I guess by now it must seem to you like we're eating an awful lot. The portions are small and we're walking a lot so it burns off quickly!
Found ourselves in Morrisons which used to be Safeway and began the hunt for Oxtail soup. Despite our efforts however, there was none to be had. It seems they've discontinued it. I can't imagine why...!?! More biscuits, including some for tomorrow morning's tea and back down the road we headed. Walked all along the front, past the Green Shutters, a new kids play area, the dog park and finally to the curve just before the "pencil." Met lots of cute dogs along the way including Poppy, a 2-year old springer spaniel that chased a stick like you wouldn't believe, including into what must be freezing water. As always, the dogs were off their leashes, running about, playing peacefully with the other dogs and coming at their master's request. Certainly Orson would have been as well-behaved.... ?!?
Nearly 7 now and we've walked back into town. Decided that dinner was in order and we settled on the Brisbane House Hotel. A glass of Pinot Grigio for mum and a McEwans for me while we lounged in the front room and became unsuspecting models for the new owners remodeling plans. Seems the hotel has been sold and they're on an ambitious adventure to modernize the place. Which reminds me, Nardini's ice cream shop just in front is closed as well. They are turning the place into retirement apartments. Anyhow, back to the food. Can you guess what we had? At least one had fish & chips you say? No surprise I suppose. Make that 2 now for the trip. I had the steak pie. An unusual choice for me and only after a tongue lashing from mum for choosing the risotto did I pick it. It was very good, even though it included mushrooms.
Decided to take the train back to Glasgow from Largs this time. Not a bad choice. The train was empty and the ride not too long (~ 50 mins). Got back at nearly 9... stopped in at Marks & Spencers for a bottle of wine (eat and drink, eat and drink... maybe that is all we're doing!).
Just heard tomorrow's forecast on the news... Glasgow is meant to be sunny and 12C (55F). Outlook for Saturday and Sunday is good as well. Not sure what tomorrow will hold. Maybe a trip to Edinburgh. I'd still like to see Rosslyn Chapel, even though it was in DaVinci Code and is probably now nothing more than a tourist trap.
Until the next chronicle....
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