What a wonderful surprise!

Last night Eileen went along to the unveiling of a new section of the Alloway Tunnel art project and posted these pics. this morning and asked if we recognized any of the people featured. Imagine our surprise to see us up there alongside Ada. Turns out the family had us featured as a 50th wedding anniversary present and it took the artist the time since then to finish this section. Immortalized!

Family gathering...

It was good to catch up with Richard, who is also over from France, last night in Kilmarnock along with the rest of the immediate family.

With brothers Johnny and Richard plus sister Sally. Only sibling missing was big sis Mary who we have all visited over the last couple of days.

It was great listening to stories from our past with Johnny particularly showing an excellent recollection even down to naming every neighbour on the street where we were brought up and there were many!  

Do you think these three might be brothers?

Thoughts of course also turned to absent siblings Billy and Robert and our parents. 

Like this!

 

Make mine a double Jim...

We are in Scotland for a double 'special' birthday celebration for both Rose (Tuesday) and Eileen (Wednesday). We got together on Saturday with Rose's lovely family for a birthday lunch on Saturday in Edinburgh which was followed by the party proper.

Ada was on hand to greet us as we arrived...

and to pose with cousin May!

 

Papa Jim and Grandad Jim.

Best 'til last ?

Paul captured this great pic of Arran yesterday as we walked into town along the shorefront on what had been the best (only) full day of good weather we have had in the two weeks we have been here, we are heading up to Glasgow today to catch our return flight to Alicante to continue our Spanish road-trip...we will not miss the Scottish weather! This has been our view pretty much since we arrived!

Here are a couple of my own photos from yesterday.

In spite of the weather we have had a lovely time here in Ayr with family, with as ever Eileen's generous hosting.

Sister time...

 

Spent yesterday afternoon in Poitiers before dropping off Sally at the airport for her return home after what was too short a visit.

Magic moments...

 

A walk around the chateau at Le Grand-Pressigny

Ada reflecting on her visit!

A visit to Montresor...

 

We did a visit to Montresor yesterday where Ada was really impressed by the exhibition of Gemmail, 'Art of Glass and Light' on the upper floor of the Halle des Cardeux even though it was a wee bit dark for her. 

We also had entertainment from a marching brass band who gave us a repertoire that included 'Scotland the brave' for their 'European Fete' event.  

Michael took the time to translate the items on the 'Legend trail' for Ada to understand and ponder.

Fortunately the cloudy sky dispersed  to reveal a lovely afternoon with the village looking its beautiful best.

Birthday boy!

 

For Michael's birthday yesterday we headed over to the Auberge de la Source in Saint Flovier for lunch then dropped him Rose and Ada of at the gardens in Descartes while we did a bit of shopping, then out for the evening to a concert at La Taverne before ending the day in our courtyard...a good day!

Ladies with attitude!

La chorale Tous en coeur pour le patrimoine

Fun at Lulu Parc...