Robert Burns: Ayr and Alloway: Day 6

The city of Ayr, population 47,000, is situated on the Firth of Clyde, just across from the Isle of Arran.

We enjoyed some time on the beach.  Tom even braved a wade in the waters.....not as cold as The Bay of Fundy!

There is a paved promenade along the beach frequented by cyclists, skateboarders, walkers, runners, and many dogs.

Beach Shot

We saw a few jellyfish.....I think.

We walked a couple of miles to Alloway, the birthplace of Robert Burns.

We visited the remains of the "auld kirk" where Robert Burns' father is buried.

Some of the tombstones in the graveyard at The Auld Kirk have an hourglass carved onto them.  It is said that an upright hourglass indicates death by natural causes while an hourglass on its side represents death by sinister means.

We crossed the Brig o Doon, built in the 15th century and featured in Burns' poem, Tam O'Shanter.

We met some Burns' characters, such as Nannie from Tam O'Shanter..

...and the mouse from "To a Mousie", the Burns poem from which John Steinbeck borrowed a line to title his novella, Of Mice and Men.

We stroĺled down Poet's Path...and

...through the Burns Gardens.

We marvelled at the stone fences with no mortar...

...and met a straw man riding a straw horse.

We visited the Burns Cottage where Robert was born on January 25th, 1759.  Burns died at the age of 37 and a half having reputedly lived a rather wild life enjoying women and drink!  Long speculated that Robbie died of alcoholism or venereal disease, recent historians have determined that he most likely died of heart disease.  Although he authored many 

books, poems, and hymns, his greatest hit is probably "Auld Lang Syne."

And just as we were leaving Alloway, we happened upon a wedding complete with tartan, bagpipes, and these four little bridal attendants.

Until Next Time...

Out and About Glasgow: Day Two in Scotland

We are staying at The Alexander Thomson Hotel in the heart of Glasgow.

 

It is on Argyle Street, the name of the street we first lived on in Fredericton.
 

It is one block away from Central Station.
 

And just around the corner from Frasers Department store, Oliver, Jarrett, and Kim.
 

There is a lingerie store, Silks and Secrets, right next door, which saved us traipsing around the city looking for such items.  (as if.)
 

A hearty breakfast is served in the main dining room.  Our room is an adequate size, with a kettle, teabags, cookies and a TV.  We have access to The American Crime Channel which has back-to-back Law and Order as well as Matlock and Murder She Wrote.  No, we are not spending all our time watching TV, but we do have a touch of jetlag and sore feet.
 

Today we visited Provand's Lordship which is the oldest house in Glasgow, built in 1471 for the Bishop of Glasgow.
 

We walked across the Bridge of Sighs which leads to The Glasgow Necropolis.  The bridge is said to be the separation between time and eternity.
 

Tom sighed on the Bridge of Sighs.
 

The Glasgow Necropolis is the final resting place of many business people and entrepreneurs of Glasgow.
 

We also visited Glasgow Cathedral with its impressive stained glass, architecture, and history.
 

This picture of Tom in front of a doorway in the 1471 house shows how the stature of the Scot has changed over the last 500 years.  It was at least a foot too short for him.
On a serious note, Tom is finding his time in Glasgow to be quite emotional, walking the streets that his father probably walked before immigrating to Canada.  Tom's father died when Tom was only 8 so he knows very little of his father's background and history.  He does know he was born in Glasgow.
 

The leaves are changing here in Glasgow.  I am loving the temperature....cool and fresh-- a hot flasher 's dream. 
 

Here is Robert Burns in George Square.  I am having techy issues with my blog (should have brought my tablet) so I end this post with a Robert Burns quote that speaks to my tech issues......"the best-laid plans of mice and men, gang aft agley..."

Until Next Time....