Roscoea cautleiodes

A relative of ginger, but hardy.

We've been staying in an AirBnb which was a bedroom (with ensuite) and use of kitchen - which is, of course, actually what the whole ethos of the brand was originally about.  But being the antisocial creatures that we are - a trait that I think has been exacerbated by the isolation forced on us over the last 2 years - we are not able to relax into this, and tend to feel we are imposing.  So we were packed and out fairly early, ready for coffee and breakfast.  So early, in fact, that when we arrived outside the Botanic Gardens, they were still shut.  It did mean that we got a parking place close to the entrance.  We sat in the car and ate fruit till opening time.

After breakfast, we had an enjoyable walk round the extensive gardens, until we had had a surfeit of plants.  Then a late lunch, and a leisurely drive to Dunblane.

When booking somewhere for us to pass the time between seeing ArcLight and Mr A in Edinburgh, and the start of a previously booked week in Mull, I wanted to find somewhere on the West coast, or at least more into the Highlands.  But it was very short notice, and the little that was available was outrageously expensive.  So I widened the search, and found a self catering apartment belonging to a hotel in Dunblane at an affordable price.  So that's where we're staying for the next 6 nights.  An interesting apartment, just across the road from the cathedral.  I was worried we may be entertained by regular chimes from the church clock, but it has stopped at 17 minutes to 3.

The kitchen is well supplied - we could feed 2 dozen.  There's a spacious lounge and dining room with enough seating for at least 8 (see extras).  But there's no cupboard/wardrobe storage in the bedroom.  Still, we're enjoying the ability to spread ourselves out - we have a large three seater couch each!