What a week! Utterly fantastic. I’ve had a total blast over the last few days. In the last few days I’ve been scoffing some fantastic food, walking a few walks and sitting in Airports but importantly it’s been with a wonderful friend in Falkirk.
The story begins on Thursday afternoon. Over to Bristol airport for a flight with easyJet to Edinburgh Due to fly out at 3.45pm but being easyJet, the flight didn’t leave until two hours later at 5.45pm. Fantastic start but an hour’s flight later and I was waiting for Alex L to pick me up at the airport.
There was no real plan for the weekend, except for a trip out to see the Loch’s and of course The Kelpies.
The magnificent Kelpies
In Scottish folklore, a kelpie is a dangerous shape-shifting water creature that can appear on land as a horse. The kelpie appears to their human victims as a grey or white horse, entices them to ride on their back, then carries them down to a watery grave. (Source: Visit Scotland)
Standing at 100ft tall and weighing more than 300 tonnes each, the magical Kelpies are a man-made wonder and a feat of engineering. The works of art, created by artist Andy Scott, have become iconic on the landscape after being modelled on real-life icons of times gone by — Clydesdale horses Duke and Baron. The Kelpies represent the lineage of the heavy horse of Scottish industry and economy, pulling the wagons, ploughs, barges and coalships that shaped the geographical layout of Falkirk.
They are breath taking, really breath taking. You can seen them from the Motorway which runs right next to them and it’s a fantastic sight as you speed past.
Friday in Falkirk.
So, foodwise last week was really bad but what the smeg, I was on holiday. Alex cooked a fantastic lamb curry on the Thursday evening. When I walked in, the smell in the house was delicious. She also introduced me to Haggis Pakora. I’m going to need to go to Morrisons to see if they stock them down here but they were absolutely banging.
Friday morning started with a full Scottish breakfast. Haggis, Tattie Scones, Bacon, Egg, Beans and Square Sausage! Mostly air-fried which cut out a few of the syns, however all of that was undone by a trip out to the local. Spent the afternoon in the Wheatsheaf pub (Falkirk’s oldest!) It was a very wet day so we had to spend a lot of time in there to dry off! Lots of beers later and we found ourselves in the Grill Pit takeaway. Normally I wouldn’t mention it or give it a second thought but it was Formula One themed and that was amazing! One Yas Marina Shawarma kebab and Smash ‘n Crash burger later and we were back home.
Loch Venachar
Saturday
Saturday was a bit of a hangover recovery day. It was an afternoon out up to the Monroe’s and the Lochs in The Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. We parked up at Loch Achray and went for a little walk along its banks. Lots of tents pitched at the waters edge where campers were sat out enjoying the little bit of sun and the calm waters of the Loch.
Alex had a bit of a surprise for me here. She wasn’t too sure if it was open but thankfully it was! A small farm has opened a tiny little and extremely popular Ice Cream stand. A beautiful vanilla ice-cream really helped with the hangover sweats. Alex had a blueberry swirl ice-cream all home made and I think it was made with goats milk.
Scotland’s best kept secret.
We got back to the car and headed home. On the way, Alex suggested we stop at a little tea room for a cuppa. The Brig o’ Turk tearoom is celebrating 100 years and it’s cakes are legendary. We stopped for a scone and a cup of tea. Surrounded by wasps and putting the cream, then jam on the scone they were absolutely delicious.
A short drive home took us via a local chippy for a fish supper. Love that, it’s so Scottish! Alex had Haddock which seems to be the norm up there. I had cod which seems to be more of a southern thing. There were some looks when I didn’t have a piece of haddock! They had to cook one fresh. I was absolutely amazed at the number of people in and out of the shop. There was a big production line behind the counter and it worked like a Henry Ford factory line!
Their menu was quite impressive too. lots of haggis based dishes!
Cream Scones in Brig o’ Turk
Sunday
This was Kelpies Day. Just a short walk from Alex’s house along a section of the Forth and Clyde Canal. A few steps again and these impressive structures heave into view.
Alex had booked a tour which was absolutely fascinating and that took us inside the Kelpie itself. I can recommend that if you do get there that you sign up for the tour. The history and story of the area and the Kelpies themselves is impressive.
We decided after all that walking that we deserved a Carvery and had a lovely one in a place called The Boardwalk. It was close to the Falkirk Wheel but we didn’t have much time to go there and it was a bit dreich so we decided to get back home and get ready for my trip home.
The trip home was something else. Not only was I delayed on the way out, there was a massive delay on the way back too. I arrived at the airport in plenty of time for the flight. I already knew that it was delayed. My flight was at 9:15pm. It eventually left at 12:45am. I didn’t get home until 3am. I could have driven home in that time.
The flight however didn’t spoil the weekend. It was the best weekend that I’ve spent for such a long time and I must send my eternal thanks to my wonderful chum Alex L. I can’t wait to go back and see you again.
The tale of the scale.
So after everything that transpired over the weekend. The food, the booze, the walking and the splendid Alex I was most surprised when the scales of doom registered a 2lb loss. I was so shocked I almost fell off!
My week has been full of bad grub so I don’t understand how I’ve managed to lose anything! I thought a gain was genuinely on the cards.
I suspect that there has been a Slimming World Woosh this week and that has helped me. Either that or being rather happy is very conducive to losing weight!
Scotland’s finest…
I think of Scotland and I think of the almighty Simple Minds. Classics from Don’t You (Forget about me) to utter bangers like Street Fighting Years. Have some!
Next week on Fatboy Slimmer.
It’s nowhere nearly as exciting as this last week has been. The weather has turned and it’s a bit shitty out there. I’m hoping that I can get a walk or two in. Doesn’t have to be far and who knows, there may be ice-cream at the end of it!
I’m helping a mate with a move on Saturday so that should be a bit strenuous. I’m going to try and be good but judging from this weeks results then that’s not always necessary!
Anyway. Thanks for reading my drivel again.
Have a good week.
