I ♥ Pie...(and Scotland)

 If a holiday could be judged by weight gain alone this one would be right up there....6lbs in 7 days - impressed?

The house in the hills did not disappoint, and neither did the scenery. Despite having lived in Edinburgh for a while, The Borders are unfamiliar territory for us.

We stayed near West Linton, a pretty little conservation village in Peebleshire, about half an hour south of Edinburgh.

It has some interesting architecture and enough shops to save traveling any further afield.

Our house was literally in the middle of nowhere - just how we like it. There was tons of space inside (the boys were delighted to find a game cube) and acres outside.

(link to cottage website here)

....with the most amazing views

There was also a stream in the valley within the gardens - where a den was built...natch. 

Not many pictures from me - I was too busy with the hooks!

The balcony would be a wonderful spot to read a book in the warmer months - for us it served as a launch pad for a paper plane competition:

Cleggy won...he loaded his plane with gravel.

...and was also a good spot for a family photo - here's me and my mum (right) with our respective little sisters!

Unfortunately there was NO SNOW - but it didn't stop us making use of the sledge...

(G Kisby and Granny, you might want to look away NOW)

te he - she loved it!

 

Of course we LOVED having our favourite girl Mabel with us - she is getting more entertaining by the day!

We didn't visit Edinburgh this time but did have a lovely day out in Peebles. It's worth a trip if you're in the area - nice independent shops to mooch around.

 We had a great day when the Edinburgh cousins 

joined our holiday

And had a story telling evening on our last night. Everyone took part in writing - there were no rules except that it should be no more than 500 words. 

We sat around the fire with the lights off while Cleggy read each story out without identifying the author. Great fun, and a now a new tradition! (I'm already thinking about my next one!)

We took a trip to Ayr on 'the way' home to visit the West Coast rellies (great to see you all and meet baby Poppy!)

Finally - Nelly and G Kisby discovered a service station to rival our long time favourite, Tebay! 

This place (The Rheged Discovery centre) is amazing - a few minutes from j40 on the M6 near Penrith,if you're passing!

Yes...Alfie DID wear that hoody every day for a week....

It has a great outdoor play area, a deli type food hall, wonderful cafes, some brilliant shops (independent toys shops and clothes such as Joules/Noa Noa/Seasalt) an exhibition area (currently the story of wool - if only we'd had more time....the whole centre was decorated in wool bunting etc) a 3D cinema and a craft area for kids.  What more could you ask for on a journey stop?!

ALL service stations should look like this.

Yes...I did suggest Cleggy hook that Airstream up to the Volvo and we just get off....

 Holiday roundup over - apart from to show and tell the one purchase we made (other than haggis and pie):

a HUGE new clock from a lovely shop called Time and Tide in Peebles. It's given us the push we need to paint the lounge (following my disastrous attempt to 'wipe' the walls!)

...in fact I can spy some paint out already....

fee x