Sunday in Perthshire

Terrible night.  Woke at 2 and lay, tossing and turning for hours.  too hot, too cold, stress related stuff, messages from #1 son and worry. 

Finally up just after 9.  It looked better outside.  It was possible to see the snow covered hills and then the heavens opened and it was very wet.  however, after a bit of discussion we decided to stick to Plan A and drove to Kinnoull Hill via the scenic route through Madderely.  The weather did clear so there were great views on the way and it stayed dry as we walked the kilometre up the hill.  Unfortunately when we got to the top the dark clouds and resulted in rain and it was blowing a hooley.  We didn't stay long, making sure the dogs didn't fall off the precipitous cliff. There were great views down the Tay though. 

Back to the car and on to stage 2, lunch at Gleneagles (Hotel that is).  Like the Hydro yesterday it was busy with many, many families and children.  L took a while to make an appointment for a tan and I read S on S.  Then we made our way to eat.  Too much food and slow, but excellent service from Giancarlo our Italian waiter, meant we nearly missed out on stage 3: Innerpeffray Library.

What a marvellous place, Scotland's oldest lending library.  We walked through a carpet of snowdrops and although it was half an hour before closing we had a great visit.  It opened today after the winter and we were visitors 2 and 3.  I thoroughly recommend it.  You can handle the books, see the lending registers, talk to the Keeper of Books who has a tied house next door and one of the volunteers.  And there were lovely views across the Earn to Crieff.

Then back through huge roadside puddles (it had been sleeting earlier) to Kinnaird, coffee and cake and the drive home.  126 miles this week-end.

Now home alone, recovering and still angry and sad and upset and really concerned about the news from yesterday.  I'll recover.  

Happy St David's Day!