The weekend so far

I'm feeling a bit home sick...and I haven't even left yet.

Such a beautiful weekend...and it is not over. Hope you're having a nice one.

PS -Ramadan Kareem my Muslim friends.

seriously good cupcakes

Seriously...best yet!

I used this Martha Stewart recipe for the nectarine cupcakes. I think they were extra special because I used the best vanilla ever from Ndali in Uganda. Ndali is one of my favourite places; I've gone time and time again and I hope to go back sooner rather than later!

On my mind

 

The first funerals were held today. Norway, we are all thinking about you.

Sky, land and loch

Which is which?

A grey night over the water.

In Inverary

We have had a such great weather recently, even if it was grey every day now for the rest of my summer I wouldn't care. (Good job too-as that may happen!)

On one of these beautiful days, my parents and I were tourists in our own 'neighbourhood' and drove to Inverary for a wander and dinner.

The 'Rest and Be Thankful'.

I really fancied mussels for my dinner, but you can't eat them outside here. Apparently the seagulls enjoy them so much they snatch them out of the bowls, drop them on the ground to smash the shell, leaving the mussel free for them to eat! I had fish instead.

I love Inverary and all the black and white buildings-I always look forward to visiting when I am back in the holidays.

We are sailing.

Morning coffee before we set sail.

A bit more from my wee sail with the Nesbitt family up the Gareloch, the Clyde and Loch Long.

Cove

When I wasn't busy at the winch, I did quite a good job at not letting out yelps of fear. I always forget that, really, I just like being on the water when there is no wind and possibly even more when the boat is roped to the buoy! Consdering I have been sailing quite a few times, I still have no idea what to do, I just always make sure I am in a 'ready position' to jump into the water if the boat capsizes..! I do know that the boat in the photo above is goose-winging though..!(not ready for any sort of sailing badge-so don't test me!)We did a bit of that too.

We waved at the Waverly- you have to look REALLY closely!

Mum and Dad were also invited for a sail, Mum was quite enthusiastic at first and looked out her stripy nauticail T-shirt, then remembered that she found the crossing on a ferry a bit stressful! She decided to enjoy the sunshine with Dad on dry land instead.

Mum got a photo of us sailing down the loch!

We really were so lucky, the wind gave us some good sails, we enjoyed some beer as we sat in the sun, ate great food, sang a bit of Rod and took lots of photos! What more could you ask for?

Images from the weekend

 

A sunny weekend in Scotland. Walking, a short run, a long run (16km), ice lollies, time with Kerry, wine, a wee bit of sailing and sunburn. Good times! (ohh...and more baking!)

Happy Friday!

Cherry and coconut cupcakes adapted from here then my Dad and I took our glasses for our walk to have sundowners by the shore. Happy Friday!

Grey days and cupcakes

A grey afternoon in Scotland - perfect for trying out a new strawberry and coconut cake recipe from my new Jo Pratt book.Mmmm.

(PS -remember to vote (for me!) for the best in travel category here. Thanks!)

Holiday snaps

I've had to make a big girl decision and pull out of the New York City marathon this year due to the cost (boooooo) - but I am going to keep running so that I can keep eating what I bake! Today I made these Martha Stewart carrot cupcakes! The Nairobi marathon is at the end of October...that is quite a few cakes.

(PS-to vote for my blog in the Best in Travel category for FTLOB, please click here then 'like' me. Thanks!)

My day

(PS- I used a fantastic recipe from chirpy bird's blog for the buns then made a honey and cinnamon icing.)