Day 12: Shopping for jumpers in a heatwave

(and other interesting tales)

This morning started cloudy and cool and for a while we thought the imported heat we brought from Italy had moved on.  Frank and I walked down to the shop to get the paper just in case something besides Wimbeldon happened yesterday.  Apparently not:  of the 14 daily papers (yes, that says fourteen) in the shop, every one had the same basic photo of Andy kissing the trophy with headlines touting the victory and calling for his knighthood.  If Egypt actually imploded yesterday, we wouldn’t have found out about it from today’s papers.

A quick breakfast (rolls with sausage and/or egg) and some showers followed.  Before we headed out, we got a quick visit from our landlord Anne who lives in the house above us.  In case I haven’t described the Laurels in much detail, it’s basically a granny flat fitted out in the basement of a big house.  The proprieter lives upstairs in the main house and we finally got to meet her as she was away for most the weekend.  As we have nothing but good things to say about the accommodation, it was a quick and friendly visit and then we were off to see Frank’s mum.

Helen was very chipper this morning and in good spirits so we had another lovely visit and a quick cup of tea thanks to my niece Amy.  We then headed into town to take care of errands.  First, we had to stop in the tattoo shop so Gillian could talk to the tattoo artist and book her appointment.  Yup, that’s what she’s using her birthday money for.  And she’s 18.  And I’ll be there with the anticeptic wipes and kleenex when it’s done and she realizes it hurts.  {sigh} More fun for me was a stop in Waterstones to get books I can’t get at home.  I scored one Camila Lackberg book that’s translated into English but not yet in the US plus a new Dawn French and Sue Townsend book.  Thank goodness for the empty case we brought with us. We’re going to need it…..

After the trip to Callander today.  Even though we were just there on Saturday with Gran, she wasn’t up for a wander around so we didn’t visit any of the shops.  Today, though, Gillian had a mission:  cheap wool jumpers to take with her to Vermont in the fall.  There are woolen mill shops galore in Callander for us to explore – after some lunch.  We had a lovely bar lunch at the Riverside Inn, mostly because they have a beer garden that overlooks the River Teith.  By the time we were done with lunch, we were sweltering.  Yesterday was officially the hottest day of the year in Britain – until today I’m certain.  We were wearing jeans and T-shirts but the sun was scorching and we were melting.  Which made the idea of going into shops to try on wool clothing a little absurd.  But we did.  Or Gillian did.  In several shops.  And though there aren’t as many outlet shops as I remember and they don’t seem to have quite the great deals that I recall, we did get two very nice lambswool Vnecks for 17 pounds each.  So the winter wardrobe collection has begun.

The final stop was to be Bridge of Allan for two very important items.  First, we noticed yesterday that the window of the butcher (which was shut on Sunday) was advertising gluten free square sausage.  Woo hoo!  Normally I can’t eat it because it’s made with rusks but we hurried back from Callander to get some for my morning roll tomorrow.  Only to find that they shut early on a Monday…. 😦

Oh well, on the the art gallery next door where we had seen a painting by Frank’s pal Allison Young (remember the old girlfriend we met in M&S?) and it was one that was small enough that we can easily get it home.  So we scored on the art but not on the sausage which I’m sure I can live with.  Then we headed back to the flat for a wee while as I had to take a conference call.  Yes, I know I am on holiday but apparently Congressional stupidity doesn’t take a vacation so there was a little work to be done.

Then back to Bridge of Allan for the best treat of the day:  Gluten free fish and chips!  The Allanwater Cafe does all gluten free fish on Mondays.  They change the oil in the fryers on Sunday night so all the fish is done in GF batter on Monday.  I was in heaven, greasy, salty, heaven.  Still couldn’t have any vinegar as all they have her is malt vinegar (and trust me, I have looked *everywhere* for regular distilled or spirit vinegar as they call it here and it is not to be found.) but that’s okay.  I have to confess that Paulino’s on the Glasgow Road does much nicer chips but I can only get the chicken supper there so being able to have fish was quite a treat!  We got takeout and sat at a picnic table by the Allan Water and enjoyed our supper.

Then home again – but not for long.  The long days here are driving Frank mad and he can’t abide sitting in the flat when it’s still light out (which it is until well after 10pm) so we wandered into town for a drink at No. 2 Baker Street where they have a nice selection of cask ales – and Duncan is keen to try as many as he can!  Just a wee Martini and lemonade for me and Gillian and it really is time to head home – even if it is still light out.  Tomorrow is going to be a long day:  we head north to find whiskey!

Steps: 17, 840 or 7.68 miles (but I need to get more in or run more cuz the clothes are feeling a tad snug!)