Summer time.

 

Do any of you remember the song that went like this...  "Summer time when the living is easy"?

 Not sure who the singer was, but I am certain he didn't live in Scotland and wasn't looking after children during their school holidays! 

Fortunately, whenever I have been involved in looking after my grand-kiddies over the summer, the sun has been shining.

Yes shining! I know ... well I did say fortunately! and I have the photos to show for it.

This summer has flagged up so many memories for me of the times when I spent my summers with my gran in various places, visiting relatives around Scotland. 

We stayed on Islay - flew there;  Appin - by train and bus; Inveraray - by car; Stornaway - ferried and some really remote places that didn't even have a name, and I have no idea how we got there.

Strange how memories surface unexpectedly... and yes, I remember idyllic sunny summers, although I also can recall wellingtons being the go-to form of footwear.

So my summer has gone swimmingly, thanks for asking. By that, I mean I have swam a fair bit myself,  have taken the grandchildren to the pool at Seamill Hydro and The Portal in Irvine but our best swimming experiences were at the Auchrannie Hotel on Arran...

Blue sky view of Goatfell from the bedroom

 ... where we stayed for a couple of days and swam twice a day! Played havoc with my hair, but it was worth it.

 No photos poolside... but here are the kiddies and their food... yep, food was a highlight too.

Murphy and Rosie tucking into two healthy starters... their choice, honest.

It was a delight to see them eating so well. I am thinking that two swims a day can give you a bit of and appetite.

Another highlight was when Jodie, our waitress, joined in with our I-spy game. She was a bit of an expert..

However we did also have a traditional summer treat, an ice cream.

... they soooo deserved it, as they had walked miles. 

Literally miles... from Auchrannie, over the golf course to the shops for a football! 

... as you do, when football is your main passion. Murphy's that is, not mine.

More about ice cream later, as we also had a couple of days experience of the Edinburgh Festival staying with my friend Grainne, known to the kids as Aunty G!

Grazie mille Auntie G, what a wonderful time we had...

Festival treats...

Lots to see, lots to do... posing, that was Rosie... eating, that was both

and always smiling, well... nearly always.

Choc sauce. choc ice cream combo

on tram at the end of the stay.

Now, I wonder what is going to happen next month...