Canal Cycling

We went for a long cycle today along the canal. We parked at my friend's house (they were out) because it's near the canal and then went out for about an hour. I was on the tag-along behind Daddy's bike and helped most of the time which made it much easier for Daddy. We went as far as the wee island with the little castle and then turned to come back. When we turned back the wind was in our faces and Daddy found it very difficult - even with me helping, we were getting slower and slower as Daddy got hungrier and hungrier and I almost thought we wouldn't make it back to the car but Mummy came to the rescue (better late than never!). Even though Mummy was pulling me while riding Daddy's bike we were still faster than Daddy on Mummy's bike - I'll take emergency rations for Daddy next time.

Here's a (phone) photo of us on the viaduct. I obeyed the rules and got off the bike but Mummy was showing her rebellious side and continued cycling.

First Day at School

So it was today, and I want to go everyday! It was great. I was a wee bit nervous when we first went there but the teacher was very nice and I got over it right away. I met my buddy - a primary six boy that played with me and showed me around. And I look so cute in my uniform, right?!

Bruce Festival 2009

It was the Bruce Festival in Dunfermline this weekend and I don't know who was more excited - me or Daddy. I know that he was really worried we might not get to go if the rain didn't let up a little.

But we made it on Sunday and it stayed fair (and quite sunny at times) the whole time. We saw both jousting displays and I again took part in the Kid's Battle, defeating all the clansman and taking time to tell the top man that I have a knight's costume at home! At one point us kids were told to make sure we stand our ground and not run away, then the boss said "CHARGE!" and all the kids ran. Except me! I did exactly as I was told and held my ground. It was a bit boring until one of the clansman came over to fight me and I beat her (yes, it was a lady) to the ground!

As usual, the jousting was fantastic and the knights were amazing. I was so excited when Mummy and I saw them coming towards the arena, I had to haul Mummy back to Daddy to make sure there was no chance of us missing them putting on their display. Will West was there again with his amazing blue armour. Mummy and Daddy think it's the coolest armour ever. This time Toby Capwell wasn't there so both knights were English and Mummy and Daddy didn't have to feel bad about hoping the knight in the blue armour would win! So it was Will West and Graham Turner. Will held a three point lead from yesterday but didn't do too well today - finished two points behind Graham overall and lost again - third year in a row for him!

Daddy took 1 hundred, 2 million, 1 thousands photos so here are some of the best and there's a link to them all in the Links panel on the right.

West Sands

We were at St Andrews yesterday. I do love the beach at St Andrews and so do Mummy and Daddy. When we arrived it was lunch time so we went to our usual St Andrews eatery - 1 Golf Place. We get great service and lovely food. And Daddy never complains about the price! After that we had a wander up the high street because Mummy wanted to have a look in Bonkers for a watch for me. But I wasn't overly impressed by the watch so I got a great pencil case for school (did you realise I start school a week on Tuesday?). Then it was into Luvians for Ice Cream. Daddy made me capitalise the Ice Cream because Luvians sells the best ice cream in the world. I got a chocolate cone with chocolate ice cream with chocolate sprinkles and a chocolate flake. I didn't finish it because... It was TOO MUCH CHOCOLATE for me. There's something I bet you never thought you'd hear?! Still managed to get it all over my hands and face though! And progress shown by only getting one small splash on my top!

After the Ice Cream, it was off to the beach - which, after all, was the whole point of the visit. We moved the car to the car park at the beach and luckily got the last space then went down to the sand with the castle making equipment. Where Daddy spent a while building a sand castle and Mummy and me played in the surf. Daddy joined us when the castle was finished and we played for ages. Luckily Daddy and me had sun tan lotion on because it was a very hot and sunny day. Mummy doesn't burn so she didn't wear any... Which she regretted last night as the back of her shoulders were burnt! Poor, silly Mummy.

Only mobile phone images again so sorry for the quality. Daddy did bring the good camera but decided not to take it down to the beach and when Mummy dropped his phone in the sand he was very glad it wasn't his nice camera!

Highland Wildlife Park

We went to the Highland Wildlife Park while at Granny and Grandpa's this week. It's quite different from the last time we were there. The last time it was really just animals which were native to the highlands of Scotland, it's now more of an extension of Edinburgh Zoo. Making use of the space they have there to give (in my opinion) better homes to some of the animals.

They have Amur Tigers who have 3 cubs and they're absolutely amazing in a lovely large wooded enclosure. They look really happy and relaxed - not like the pacing tigers I saw cooped up in Edinburgh's enclosure.


They've also got Snow Monkeys with their own large lake to swim in; Red Pandas (which you can see even when they're not being fed (again - not like Edinburgh) and several other non-Scottish (but interesting) animals. They're also getting Mercedes, the polar bear, from Edinburgh Zoo next month and she has a lovely large enclosure at Kincraig - can't wait to go back and see her.

Doune Castle

We went to Doune Castle on the way to Granny and Grandpa's on Sunday. It was good. Interesting because there was going to be a wedding there that day so a lot of folk about with nice skirts on - and that was the guys!

We had a good look around - thankfully there just early enough to see all of the castle, a short time later they were closing half of the castle that the wedding was in. You get all the way up to the roof of the castle and a few of the floors are still fully roofed, it's quite intact. But... it's the first castle we've been to that hasn't really delivered (apart from Edinburgh - but it has the one o'clock gun!). It's a fairly impressive castle from the outside but there's really not a great deal of exploring to do when you're in. It's also quite out of the way for us so I doubt we'll be back again. Shame really. Still, nothing stopped us from the required sword-fight!

Bungy!

They've had these great bungy things at the shopping centre during the summer holidays and Mummy and Daddy finally took me for a go. To be fair, I really wasn't too keen when I first saw them but I'm glad I went. I want to go back but I think they're finished now - need to watch out for them returning.