In the Key of Low

This trip to Moffat has started out kinda funky.  The credit card, the burn, the uncomplicated waterworks, feeling jet-lagged like we're hungover which we are not.  So aside from my trip to Thornhill and a dinner party, the rest of the day for me was low key.

Maureen was here at 10:00 a.m. as promised with Max!  Max is her daughter (Stacy of Ken and Stacy)'s black Labrador.  A beautiful, shiny, happy and feisty Black Lab just itchin' for a walk with Gordon up into the woods.  And Gordon was happy to oblige.  So as Maureen and I headed off for a half day of shopping, Gordon took off down Dundanion Place with one very happy Max.

So in yesterday's post I told you Thornhill is located off the Motorway north to Glasgow.  Silly me.  Of course Maureen would know the special secret back road and off we went south on the Dumfries Road.  "Er, Maureen?"...."Yes" says Maureen....."I thought you said we were going to Thornhill?"  "Oh yes, we are, but I'm just taking the back road."  Maureen is an excellent driver driving a 5-speed Subaru at frightening speeds on skinny little back roads.  It's best to just sit back and try to relax.  So off we went for a 40 minute drive along, really, single lane roads that are technically 2 lanes at blinding speed and we arrive in the tiny town of Thornhill after passing through some of the most beautiful scenery and past gorgeous old stone homes and hotels.  Scotland has some of the most lovely countryside....very similar to Virginia.

In Thornhill our first stop was a coffee shop for a little pick me up.  A tiny little store front which didn't look like much but stepping inside I found a huge, open and high arched ceiling space with clerestory windows.  Looking around I determined that it was an old church stripped of it's religious architecture with the exception of the choir loft.  A lovely space with displays of beautiful merchandise supplied by very talented local vendors;  lovely soft woolens, tea services, art, soaps, tea towels and aprons and hammered brass containers.  AND a counter in the back making delicious coffees and serving homemade scones and pastries.  "I'll have a skinny latte and a fruit scone please!"

 Shopping in Thornhill is unlike most places in Scotland with possibly the exception of Glasgow or Edinburgh but without the crowds of the big cities.  There are really only a half dozen shops or so but the main draw is a shop know as Boutique 101.  But we started at another unique boutique called Voila!  Mostly I find styles in Scotland a bit too preppy or too grunge or too, I don't know, farmie or just plain old fashion.  Long plaid skirts, button front shirts, button front cardigans, practical flat shoes.  I must be looking in the wrong shops because Thornhill has completely changed my opinion.  Anyway.  I always bring a gift for Maureen and this year I chose a soft cape with faux fur collar and cuffs : 

She loves it and wants to wear it to a very chi-chi luncheon on Tuesday in Edinburgh so she was after a dress or skirt and blouse.  We found 3 skirts a sweater and a shell to wear under the sweater.  She's going to look fabulous and NO ONE in Scotland will have her look!  She was thrilled and we headed home by 1:00.

After a quick lie down for me - still adjusting to sleep deprivation and antibiotics - I prepped for dinner and prepared to greet our guests at 6:00 pm.  While in the kitchen we spied a new cat in the neighborhood sneaking into our backyard.

When I went out the back door to say "hello kitty" she darted away over the back garden fence obviously surprised to find someone in the usually vacant house.

For dinner we had fresh organic baby greens with a little watercress and chopped basil growing on our windowsill, roasted grapes and Cumberland sausages, and mashed potatoes and fresh baked Ciabatta bread.  Dessert was pear cake from the brilliant baker, Julie, down at the deli with Mackey's vanilla ice cream (Gordon's favorite) and a cheese plate a little later.  There was much discussion of politics in Moffat, politics in Scotland/England and, of course, U.S. politics.  Seems even the conservative party here in Scotland support Obama, being a bit terrified about what's coming out of Romney's mouth!  But who isn't?  (oops not meaning to go political here)

So it's tucky-tuck for me now.  I'm still rather dragging around but intend to feel better tomorrow.  I'd like to workout or walk the hills tomorrow before going to Maureen's for lunch and then the three of us will sit and watch the Ryder Cup finals.  A low key day  to be sure.