Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Do You Want To Come To Scotland Today?

Just 15 miles from my cottage is Scotland and it's such a gorgeous day today that I thought I would take you all for a trip there. Seat belts on and be prepared for some stunning scenery.
trip to scotland
The minute you cross this point the landscape and the architecture changes because you are now in Scotland.
trip to scotland
The hills are dotted with bright yellow gorse and dead volcanoes scatter the landscape.
trip to scotland
Now this is Jedburgh and this was the home of Mary Queen of Scots. Not very big is it? Then Queen Elizabeth didn't much like her did she?
trip to scotland
She must have been very small just look at her front door it's tiny.
trip to scotland
This is the remains of Jedburgh Abbey which looks as though it has given birth to another abbey (look to the bottom right)
trip to scotland
An Indian elephant in Scotland. You may ask and I'll tell you - this is in the window of an Indian restaurant. No time to stop we have to go to Melrose which is a gem of a town.
trip to scotland
Melrose Abbey sitting behind the blossom trees. I love the pink stone don't you?
trip to scotland
Harvey's surname is Roll so if you put my first name with his you nearly get this. Looks crazy to me.
trip to scotland
Now here is a lesson in how not to do graphics. Such a sin to put such an ugly sign in such a beautiful Art Nouveau frame. Off with their heads.
trip to scotland
Melrose is dominated by this big hill and it keeps the wind from the town. In fact I'm getting a bit hot I need to go into the shade.
trip to scotland
Two identical window displays on the shady side of the street. I love the layouts.
trip to scotland
trip to scotland
Melrose and lots of the Border towns are filled with secret alleys with little delights in them like this Garden Shop. Well we had better set off back now. I'll drive.
trip to scotland
Ooh look we are back in England. There was a time hundreds of years ago that only the very brave would cross these borders as these were debatable lands and the Scots and the English just did not get on. You look out for them and I'll make a dash for it.
trip to scotland
Oh and I forgot to mention I picked these up in an amazing little antique shop whilst you lot were having a cup of tea and a Scottish pancake in that lovely little cafe.
These are for my new extension. They are both original Georgian balustrades and the one on the left even has some of its original paint on it. This will be left exactly as it is.

7 comments:

crabapple said...

very nice!! I really enjoyed seeing a bit of Scotland...thanks!

Parisbreakfasts said...

OH MY
OH MY
OH MY
Can we go on another trip soon please?
I LOVED this trip!!!!!!
So scenic..very quaint yet..yet very beautiful
BIG MERCI!!
More please

Anonymous said...

Great sense of humour Di, I love the Art Nouveau frame (sacrilegious what they did with the sign)! I need to go and explore Scotland soon!

Anonymous said...

Why do you do this to me? It's a rainy evening and I miss Scotland so much....
;-)

Anonymous said...

Dear Di Roll(o),
Thanks for letting us come along! I've never been to Scotland before.
Simply ADORE the identical windows. They have an Asian feel, which I would not have expected to see. Like Mary's pad and will have to agree with you on that sign. It's tragic.
Fun to think you are there and can so easily share with me.
I truly appreciate this and
you.
xo
Constance

Anonymous said...

I love when you take us on trips. I have never been to Scotland and have never seen the English country side. This is as close as I get to traveling. But I'm making notes and bookmarking all over the place for the time when...

Deb @ Beholder's Eye said...

Ooh, nostalgia trip! I lived on di rollow ice cream when I was living in Edinburgh (and pregnant - my craving). Yummy!!