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We bought a plot of land in Gullane and decided to build a "Murphy". The plot had been part of the garden of the large house next door and came with hard-won permission to build a conventional house of their architect's design. Richard was having none of that though, so he drew us a Murphy and two years later building was finally able to begin. While the lengthy planning, costing and building warrant processes took place we watched the plot transition through the seasons a number of times. The small, single-storey house takes on the form of a "long house" with all the rooms in a line, off a central corridor. Langskail is Norse for "long house" and is also the name of the house in which Kim was brought up so was a fitting name for us to use. Read Richard's blurb here: www.richardmurphyarchitects.com/House-at-Gullane. The East Lothian planners appreciated the quality of the design, stating in their summing up, "its contemporary architectural design would enrich the diverse architectural character of Broadgait and the wider area".
Taking advantage of still being in Edinburgh, we were witness to a piece of history and soaked up the friendly but respectful atmosphere on the Royal Mile for the Queen's coffin's procession from Holyrood to St Giles' Cathedral.
A very cool conversion of an old agricultural building near the foot of Liberton Brae. Three new houses with great views west to the Braids and Blackford Hill. We pass by on one of our many walks from Clackmae.
A great cycling holiday to Brittany and Normandy with a bit of walking about thrown in between the bike rides. Superb weather, roads and galettes all the way. We can’t wait to do it again. Overnights, in chronological order, in The English Channel (1), Dinon (1), Audierne (1), Carnac (2), Vannes (2) and Bayeux (2).
Perfect weather for walking the seven hills of Edinburgh today, starting and ending in Liberton. Blackford Hill, Arthur's Seat, Calton Hill, Castle Rock, Corstorphine Hill, Craiglockhart East, Braid Hills. With Julie and Douglas.
A walking tour of the sites of the old curling ponds of southern Edinburgh. Only one had any proper visible physical evidence of its existence.
Or "Boots, Boobs and Brose" as Kim wanted to call it. I had the two eastern-most Mamores, Sgurr Eilde Mor and Binnein Beag, still to bag in order to complete this set, so we decided to try an evening walk in and high camp, setting up the hillwalk for the following morning. It was all a bit of an experiment in carrying heavy packs as we'd never wild camped before - always camping fairly close to the car or the microlight in the past which of course isn't really wild camping at all. Anyway, we had chilly air and a stiff wind on top but offset by great under foot conditions and visibility, giving us a super outing in the hills. The photos are all just mobile snaps because I'd decided to save weight by not taking a proper camera. That was a mistake, in hindsight. A wee, experimental video of the trip: youtu.be/Ba4HrQjf66g
Ironically, as we're in the middle of the architectural project of our lives, we toured with bases at Fort William and Aviemore. Both have so much in common - horrible architecture, big mountains, skiing, mountain biking, rail network connection and even a steam train each, and yet Aviemore just works and is a cool place to be, but Fort William is still so grim. Anyway, they set us up well for more tandeming and Munro bagging as we chased the weather, with reasonable success, once again. Three tandem rides, two camps, two swims, three Munro ticks, one actual tick, one wasp sting and a million midge bites - all the ingredients of another fine Scottish holiday.
Back on Mull again for the first time in three years for a superb bar meal at Glenforsa as usual. Home the next day via Bute for a wander and lunch.
Final, unbagged Munro in the Glenshee area. That's that section complete now, 30-odd years on.
Yet another lockdown week, but a more interesting one thanks to a decent dump snow lasting six days and stretching right down to the sea.
A sunny Autumn jolly to a very warm welcome at the Troutbeck strip near Blencathra in the Lake District for lunch.
http://graemeritchie.com/