Autumn days

October is a busy month in the Wallace household as Sharon goes full throttle for the fund raising Help Whip Cancer Pampered Chef shows. It is traditionally the peak period for PC sales anyway, so there are plenty of hosts to be coached, shows to be delivered, kit to be washed and, hopefully, orders to be entered. Generally I'm passed the baton to overseeing the boys' feeding, ferrying and readying for bed as soon as I'm in the door. There are late nights and no long lies and just not enough hours in the day to get a good balance of family life, rest and work. Usually it is productive though and we just make the effort to do what we can as a family.

With a burst of decent weather emerging at the start of the month, I took the boys out for a castle double header weekend. On the Saturday we headed east to Dirleton Castle, a first for us all. It has the longest herbaceous border in the world, apparently, and it was an interesting combination of castle and gardens that kept the boys amused, along with the playpark outside the castle walls. We lunched in the Inn across the road from the castle, but the food was pretty average. Taking the four of them, hungry, into a busy lunchtime eaterie can be a challenge and you want it to be worth your while. This probably wasn't. A raid on a supermarket would have been a better option.

We rounded off the day in North Berwick, with a pik'n'mix, rather than ice-creams, the treat of choice. I doled out the items one by one (else Rowan and Angus would have them all stuffed down their throats before we had gone ten yards) as we sat and watched a yacht race out in the bay then walked round to the quay and headland. It was good to catch some sea air and the boys were predictably dozy on the drive home.

On the Sunday I drove across to Fife, to Aberdour Castle. Once more, the boys had a good run about and we moved on to the playpark afterwards. I was plagued by demands for a drink and something to eat. Sometimes the boys just don't seem to get the fact that continually saying "I'm thirsty!" or "I'm hungry!" when I'm driving and have explained there is no drinks or food in the car, does not make for a happy father. I am aware I cannot conjure provisions out of thin air whilst driving along a motorway and imploring me to do so will not change that fact!

Finn is eight

The dark-haired boy is eight. Finn had a midweek birthday this year so he was at school but opened his presents beforehand. He and his brothers have been up a little too smartly since school restarted, but, to their credit, have been getting dressed and getting their own cereal, albeit a little messily.

I left work smartly, picked up Angus and drove to Straiton, to Frankie & Benny's which was Finn's preferred location for his birthday tea. Brodie was invited too. The boys mostly had pizza while I enjoyed a gammon steak with chips and fried egg. Always a gluten-free favourite in a rather gluten-intensive eatery such as F & B's. We got Finn a new bike for his birthday, a blue Trax mountain bike with six gears, as he has been cycling well on his old bike which has no gear and two broken pedals. Maybe he deserved a new one!

Amongst his other presents, and with his birthday money, Finn favoured science kits - making slime and volcanoes and the like. He's burnt a few patches on the back lawn, I've noticed! His party was at Gymtastic in Penicuik, the current favourite with Rowan and Sean as it features rings, trampoline, parallel bars, a vault and a rope swing as well as lots and lots of foam for jumping, diving, somersaulting and falling into. Angus had a great time launching himself off the vault into the foam, working up his usual sweat. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and Sharon's two-tone birthday chocolate and Victoria sponge cake.

I also had a nice Saturday day out with the wee two, which gave Rowan the chance to be the leader for a change. We drove up to Loch Leven and got the boat across to the castle, reprising Angus's second birthday day out. Angus and Rowan had fun chasing a grouse in the castle grounds. We tried to eat at Loch Leven's Larder but it was too busy so we headed to the Inn at Scotlandwell instead. More gammon for me and macaroni cheese for the boys. We completed our circuit of the loch, arriving back at Kinross for a play at the park there, Angus loving the slide and managing to negotiate the web. Rowan had a great time in "the spinny thing", enticing Angus in too.

A damp day at Crichton Castle

As the cold, wet summer progressed, we decided to get wrapped up and head out on a castle trip with Adrian, who is still staying through in Glasgow with Brian, doing the odd job to keep himself ticking over while seeking other opportunities. Unfortunately the economic climate has been as gloomy as the meteorological one and there aren't many openings for qualified furniture craftsmen at the moment.

Anyway, we headed over to Crichton for a castle runaraound, exploring and playing hide and seek. Here is a video of the trip.

As my writing of blog entries has become increasingly sporadic, I may choose to put up more of these "video blog" entries instead. We shall see. Perhaps I should just write less detail!

Auchenlarie break

The boys were desperate to get on their Easter break, after passing the first week of their school holiday. I picked up my new car from the Patersons and decided to break it in with a drive down to Dumfries and Galloway, taking Sean with me, while Sharon made the journey in the Sharan with the rest of the lads.

We were staying at Auchenlarie Holiday Park or, more precisely, across the road from the park, in a luxury lodge that had three bedrooms and, most importantly from the boys' perspective, a hot-tub! Auchenlarie is about two miles past Gatehouse of Fleet on a site that slopes fairly steeply down to the sea. The centre of the park was across the busy A75 and down the hill. This is where the swimming pool, leisure centre and bar/restaurant were located, along with the entertainment. We weren't quite brave enough to partake of the entertainment although Sharon witnessed some real "entertainment" as she made her way back from the gym one evening - a right barney going on. We did venture into the restaurant on the first evening, which was fine, had a swim on the last day and the smaller boys were in the soft play a couple of times too.

The boys were able to practice their cycling on the wooden deck and farm road by our lodge ("Lilac Lodge") and we were in the hot tub on a few occasions. The first time I though Angus was going to come out cooked! Given the general greyness of the weather, it was most pleasant to sit in the heated tub with a view south towards the Isle of Man, watching a variety of shower clouds scythe across the Irish Sea.

There was plenty for us to get on with despite the indifferent weather. First off we headed to Cream of Galloway. This featured a great go-kart course. I took Rowan, who, true to daredevil form, was standing up, yelling, as we plunged down steep inclines towards low-roofed tunnels, so he could bump his helmeted head off the tunnel roof. Sharon took Angus, who similarly had a great time as a passenger. Sean went on his own but struggled on the climbs and Finn abstained, as is Finn's way. Sean did "down the hatch", as did I, a disconcerting feet-first barrel plunge in which you feel you are dropping out the sky before it levels off and you crawl out in an undignified manner. Sean also did the Flying Fox and we all went on the 3-D maze and other adventure playground parts. Lunch was tasty too, local burgers and ice-cream.

We went to the RSPB centre at Mersehead for a scavenger hunt where, once again, Finn impressed with his knowledge of birds and their calls. Despite the long drive to get there we had a great time looking for the items on the hunt, Sean and I jogging on to the beach when it looked as though we were going to run out of time.

Another day was spent at Mabie Farm Park south of Dumfries, where we met Rachael Ridley and her son Owen. In between the showers the boys looked at the animals and played in the indoors barn but the highlights were the hay barn, where the boys were swinging on ropes and jumping off bales while having hay fights with Sharon and Rachael (don't think it did my asthma much good), and the grass slide. I apparently went airborne, which I can ratify with the thump my coccyx received. Even Finn joined in, no doubt shamed that his younger brothers were quite prepared to get on their shovels and slide down. Afterwards, we drive around the Southerness peninsula with its stunning views south to Cumbria, to Rockcliffe. The boys had dozed off and were grumpy to a man, so I undertook the short but interesting walk through the woods to Kippford - just in time for the rain to come tipping down! I was soaked and had little opportunity to enjoy the views. Sharon drove round to Kippford to join me at the Anchor Hotel where we had a great, relaxed dinner in the back room with lots of other families and everyone in fine form. Definitely one of the highlights of the week.

But there's more! I took the boys to Cardoness Castle in Gatehouse of Fleet and we went to the local market in Creetown where we gave the boys some money to spend and watched as they made their choices round the various stalls. Finn, bless him, spent his last 50p on a cake for his Mammy. He can be so mean at times, to Rowan especially, but at other times he is the most generous of the boys. Late one afternoon I drove along to Newton Stewart with Finn and Rowan, to a real old-fashioned cinema, to see The Muppets. It was actually quite an enjoyable film.

My outing with Sean to play golf at a nine-hole course at Tongland near Kirkcudbright wasn't quite such a success however. Sean was fairly hopeless. He probably managed a generous 16 at the first par three hole and it went downhill from there (his golf, as well as the course). My investment in their lessons at Swanston is looking like a sunk cost. I suspect the next term will be their last, as Finn isn't that keen either. They seem to enjoy it with their pals (after moaning about having to go), but neither is showing any interest whatsoever in the sport, or any sport for that matter.

Another day we drove towards Castle Douglas to visit Threave Castle. This required a fairly lengthy walk to the River Dee where the castle sits on an island and has to be reached by boat. Once we got there one of the week's frequent showers darkened the horizon and swept in. We retreated to what little shelter the ruined castle offered as the rain teemed down.

A big treat for the boys was our visit to the Cocoa Bean Company at Twynholm. Entry to this place gets them into a chocolate workshop where they get to make chocolate things and decorate them. It was funny to see them all troop in, from Sean down to Angus, dressed in their aprons and hairnets. It's fair to say they loved it. Rowan could hardly keep his face out of the chocolate!

On our last day we packed up then drove back to Mersehead for a family fun day, meeting up with Jane Wilson and Molly, John and George. Once again we had a great day there, making our way to the beach this time. I really enjoyed supervising the creation of our beach art, a red kite. We joined the RSPB, on a whim rather. The nearest RSPB reserve to us is Vane Farm by Loch Leven in Fife, so I suspect we won't get the use of RSPB membership that we do from the Historic Scotland membership. But Sean's competitive streak won't let Finn be the bird expert in the house and anything we can do to get us all outdoors has to be a good thing.

We had a great week in Dumfries and Galloway despite the indifferent weather. We spent a fair bit but there's lots for the kids too and plenty they'd go back and do again. And with better weather there are lots more walks and beaches to explore. I'm sure we'll be back.

Micnic at Stirling Castle

Despite it being January, we've managed a couple of picnics in the last wee while. Or "micnics" as Angus was calling them. As well as "natto" for tomato. But aside from these amusing little variations - "please a somethin else?" is a favourite adopted by his "brudders" when looking for more food at the table - his speech is coming on very well. He can roll his R's better that Rowan. And interestingly, Rowan doesn't seem to be a "brudder" - whereas Sean and Finn collectively are. However, Rowan is included in the call of "come on boys, dinner time!"

Anyway, on Sunday 8th we joined the Patersons for a circular walk around the reservoir at Harelaw. Angus, to his credit, did very well, plodding manfully for 40 minutes of the 50 minute circuit, his finger in his mouth for the last while and eventually a request to be lifted was granted. Rowan was complaining within minutes of leaving the car. Admittedly there was a cold wind cutting across an otherwise mild day. Rowan doesn't do cold. Sharon was waiting back at the car with our soup and sandwiches which perked Angus up no end. He likes his grub!

This Sunday we took two cars up the M9 to Stirling on a cold and frosty lunchtime. We had the picnic first this time, to fortify ourselves for a Castle visit, making first use of the passes purchased for the boys' Christmases by Nana and Papa who were also in attendance. Rowan went into meltdown after his picnic, weeping uncontrollably that he was too cold (he had taken off his duffle coat as it was getting in his way when eating his soup and he refused to put it back on) and wailing all the way into the castle. His record at Stirling Castle is not good. On the first visit he had a similar tantrum towards the end of the visit, and last time he fell off a cannon on to his face.

With Rowan eventually subdued, we had a good wander through the newly refurbished parts of the castle before treating the boys to hot chocolate. The surrounding plains were draped in low-lying fog and our vantage point afforded some spectacular views.

Sean and Finn spent most of their savings last week with the purchase of an iPod Touch (4th generation) each. I spent Friday night setting them up and they barely lifted their heads on Saturday as they explored its setting and features, pausing only to ask me to download some free game or other. Rowan isn't too put out as he'll now get even more of the Nintendo DSi to himself. Angus, despite often sitting grasping a Wii controller if the others are playing on the Wii, isn't yet seduced by the digital world, although the speed with which he has gone from having no interest in TV to pestering us constantly - "my watch a movie?" - suggests he won't be far behind.

Fringe finale

I finally got out for another round of golf yesterday after two previous attempts had been thwarted by the ongoing rainy summer. I returned to Craigielaw to play a fourball with two recently retired Lifers, Kenny Hunter and Keith Young, and Derek. Perhaps surprisingly, to me, Kenny and I won quite comfortably, 5&4. It was a decent afternoon, a bit breezy, and I scored as well as I have this year, without hitting my irons that well. I did hole a monster putt on the 8th for a par and hit 4 or 5 pars all told, probably shooting about 20 over par with three double bogeys at the finish. My bunker play was reasonably good and my putting was sound. At least I've got a few more rounds in this year than the last couple of years.

Sunday was very cold and autumnal. I took the boys out to Blackness Castle to use the last of our Historic Scotland ticket before it expired. The leaves were blowing off the trees and the wind was fairly whistling through the nooks and crannies of the castle by the firth. The lads were in good form though, running about and generally expending energy, which is the whole point of getting them out the house. Sharon was expending energy too, on another 13.1 mile run, this time round Arthur's Seat. She felt a lot better doing it this week than last and was pleased with her efforts. In the afternoon, the rain tipped down once more.

On Saturday we had taken the boys into town, parking near the Pleasance and having a wander around the main Fringe venues. Sharon and I went to see Rich Hall the night before and he was very good, as lugubrious and disparaging as ever with a good sense of the ridiculous thrown in ("Cork man drowns!"). The rest of the Fringe was in its death throes after three weeks of stamina-sapping shows. We had ice-cream in the Pleasance, let the boys run about then made our way up to Bristo Square for burgers by the Underbelly, a great big upside down inflated cow of a venue. I sometimes forget the boys are hardly in the city itself and wonder if they really know they live in one of the premier cities of the UK.

Before our show, Sharon and I were at Iglu which is one of our favourite Edinburgh restaurants these days, helped by the fact that it has a good understanding of what is required for gluten-free cooking. Mussels and then venison for me while Sharon had duck. All very tasty. August has been a busy month, with Sharon in pursuit of points for the Pampered Chef trip next year, so it was good to have a night out, just her and me.

Linlithgow-go

Notwithstanding my comments about swimming lessons, we had a great family swim this evening. It's been a long time since we've all headed to the pool and Loanhead is a good location as it has a trainer pool that Rowan and Angus can splash about in as well as the bigger pool. Angus was launching himself in with abandon, with the usual amount of water swallowing and cuoching and spluttering and looks of surprise that he can't actually breathe underwater. He was up for the elephant slide into the big pool however, and came flynig down that into the water a few times, to be caught by me or Sharon.

Rowan, to his credit, was doing some good lying on his back, with and without armbands, and was very nearly floating on his own at one stage. Sean and Finn just had a carry on, loving to be chased in the water. Tired boys going to bed, although Sean is becomnig an increasingly late bird these days.

It's the February week. Given the week's enforced break caused by the snow in December, the Christmas holidays and now this week off, it feels like they've been off more than at school this winter.

We had a great family afternoon at Linlithgow Palace and policies at the weekend. Sharon hadn't been before and was impressed by its interior. There were no pigeons lurking in the dark interiors to scare Sean this time. We had a good time climbing up twisty towers and navigating our way around the rooms. Carrying Angus was a hard job though! Outside we strolled round the loch to a nearby playpark. I'd put the camera away which was a shame as the site of all four boys piling down the slide after one another was one to behold. It was good to get out and get some fresh air.