Big Day

Very long, full day today. The forecast was good so we thought we'd be smart and get an early start on the rest of the traffic and have a big day out in the Trossachs. All was going swimmingly until the tyre on the car decided to explode about 10 minutes from home. We changed the wheel but managed to muck it up, so had to call the AA anyway - hopeless! Still, he arrived within 5 minutes and managed to keep most of his patronising comments to himself, so a good result really.

Quick dash back home to swap for the other car (dodgy exhaust, but 5 working tyres) and then off again.

We went to the Lake of Menteith where you cross by ferry to a little island to see Inchmahome Priory, founded in 1238. It's very well preserved, probably a result of its isolation. There are ospreys in the area and we even saw one catch a fish. The Priory has been important in Scottish history at various points, and there's more here if you're interested.

Then on to the David Marshall Centre overlooking Aberfoyle where they have loads of trails, hides and wildlife. We were lucky enough to spot a red squirrel from one of the hides - very cute. I was trying to figure out if I'd seen one before, but I suppose when I was little we didn't have grey squirrels where I was growing up - so if I saw a red one it was just a squirrel, nothing special. Really brings home how quickly they've gone downhill. Mr B had never seen one before today, and even the kids seemed reasonably impressed - and they certainly impressed us with keeping quiet in the hide.

A little tour along Loch Ard next, with a nice walk on the lochside. That's where the photo above is taken. Then home for curry.

I am too exhausted to do anything else so will put some photos on flickr tomorrow.