Friday 14 June 2013

Flat Susan on the Trail of Scottish Culture

Evening Everyone,

Happy Friday to you all.

I'm a bit late in joining in with Annie's Friday Smile over at A Stitch In Time but I've been busy doing the final clean up - am I the only one that cleans the house before going on holiday? - and deciding what to pack ... will it rain or will it shine? Decisions, decisions, decisions!  And then there's Andy, Murray that is. Phew! He certainly knows how to keep this fan on the edge of her seat ... the EM kept saying, 'calm down, woman, you'll give yourself a heart attack!' :))

So what about the Friday Smile, you're thinking???  I'm getting to it. The sun struggled through long enough yesterday afternoon for us to take Flat Susan down to Alloway and the Burns Heritage Centre for a quick visit. (If you have no idea what I'm blethering on about and who Flat Susan is, check out my previous post for an explanation of sorts :) Here's a few photos from the trip.
Overlooking the Brig o' Doon which famously featured in Burns' poem, Tam o' Shanter ... there's a fearsome scene where Tam is on horseback and is being chased by Nannie the witch and he only just escapes her by crossing the bridge. Today, it more often provides the backdrop to many a wedding photo. 
The Burns Monument
The Auld Kirk (the old church) Alloway, where Burns' father is buried
The newer kirk, Alloway Parish Church - a popular wedding venue too
Poet's Walk - the wall is topped with hundreds of gowans (white daisies)
And finally, it wouldn't be a trip to Burns country without a shot of this chap, the wee, sleekit, cowran, tim'rous beastie from To A Mouse. He's not so wee, actually this statue is enormous!
However, as you can see Flat Susan was totally unfazed by his size, happy to make his acquaintance!

That's my smiles for this week. Hope you like them too. 

I'm off now, on my jollies, but I've scheduled a post or two, which may be of interest to you, for the time I'm gone. 

I wish you all an enjoyable weekend - with some decent weather too - and a great week ahead.

And in the meantime, happy crafting,

15 comments:

Lynn Holland said...

Thanks for the day trip and the company of flat Susan I enjoyed heehee

Annie said...

Fab photos Elizabeth....looks like FS had a lovely time.
Hugs,
Annie x

Carol said...

I always have to clean before I go away - nice to come home to! What with the cleaning and the packing you end up REALLY, REALLY needing a holiday.
Thank you for taking us on your trip, love the "wee timorous beastie".
Have a lovely holiday and thank you for the smiles.
Carol xx

Gill Edwards said...

a lovely trip round Scotland Elizabeth and its lovely to see flat Susan again. She has a busier social life than mine.
Lovely pics

Gill x

Helen said...

Lovely to see FS's latest adventures. Looking forward to the next instalment.

scrappymo! said...

How nice of you to take Flat Susan for an outing...enjoy yourself...we know she will.

Thanks for the fab pictures...it is always so fun to see other places!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the lovely pics, I love the mouse statue.
No, you're not the only one to clean before a holiday - I like to come back to a clean and tidy house. It means I'm always exhausted by the time I actually get on holiday and within an hour of us returning it's messy again!!Have a lovely holiday X

JoZart Designs said...

Lovely interesting post and you are certainly giving FS the tour! SHe loves animals and was so good with the horses that the wee beastie would be a treat to her.
Love Jo x
Tell FS I miss her but it's good to share all she's up to. Don't forget the haggis... she loves to try different foods wherever she goes.

Twiglet said...

Fab photos - I bet FS could write a book about her encounter with the giant Mousie! x Jo

Caro said...

How lovely to see flat Susan's continued adventures! Beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing. Caro x (#11)

Rita said...

Hi Elizabeth. Great pictures with Flat Susan. Enjoy your holiday and I look forward to seeing some beautiful pictures. Hugs Rita xxx

Anne said...

Enjoyed your post Elizabeth. Like you I also have to make sure the house is clean and tidy before going away. Have fun with Flat Susan and DH of course :-) Anne x

Sandra H said...

Oh that FS dosen't half get around Elizabeth and what places she visited too! brilliant photos enjoy your weekend xx

Neet said...

Don't know how I missed this post. Thank you for taking Flat Susan along on your travels and for providing us with this bit of history.
Hugs, Neet xx

Laura said...

Just catching up with the last few weeks smiles
Goodness that is a big mouse!!