2 day break to Carnoustie. September 2015

We stayed in the Carnoustie Golf Hotel

which was opened by one of my heros.

The signal box is still manned today

I used to stand on this bridge over 60 years ago and watch the steam trains thunder by.

A nice floral tribute on the platform

A lovely clean well maintained station

The towns oldest golf shop

Golfers enjoying a refreshment on the lawns

Found a Wetherspoons in Arbroath

Large rocks are used on the shore as land protection from some serious erosion.

On Monday of this week Anne and I travelled by train to Carnoustie using our over "50s"concession fare. (£10) We stayed at the magnificent Carnoustie golf and spa hotel situated on the famous links. This was a journey full of reminiscing for me as I used to go there on holiday every year with my parents as a very young boy..Arriving on a very warm sunny day we quickly checked in the to the hotel before venturing out to explore all my childhood memories like standing on the railway bridge at the station to watch large dirty steam locomotives travel pass emitting all the smoke and steam onto my nice new clothes.Later we joined lots of golfers out on the lawn of the local clubhouse for a wee swallie in the sunshine,what a super way to spend a Monday afternoon. On Tuesday we used our bus passes to go  Montrose in the morning and Arbroath in the afternoon ,the smell of smokies cooking away on the fires filled the air all around the harbour. On Wednesday we took the train home to end a great couple of days full of excellent food taken in the ambience of a lovely hotel.

Manchester city break. January 2015

Let the bus do the driving

Britannia Hotel

Manchesters answer to the London Eye.

Some very grand architecture.

to some very futuristic

This old water pump

was proudly made in Kilmarnock.

Some of the exhibits

in the museum of science and industry.

Manchesters media city.

Anne and I have just returned from a most enjoyable city break in Manchester . Arriving by coach on Monday we checked into the Britannia Hotel which is situated right in the city centre before our next important mission  to discover the locations of our nearest branch of Wetherspoons.On Tuesday we went to the Science and Industry museum which is built around 5 very large warehouses each containing different exhibits from all parts of the local industries.Next was a visit to a Lowry museum showing  pictures of match stick men which I am told he is famous for. Attached to this museum is a factory outlet shopping centre so a visit there was essential for one person in this famous duo. Next  a tour round Media City which for an additional cost you could visit the set of Coronation Street not an option either of us were keen to do.In the evening we went to Wetherspoons Paramount for dinner and a few refreshments to round off a very pleasant day out. On Wednesday the coach left at 11.00AM and by 4.00PM we were home in Ayr after a snowy windy drive up the M6  motorway thank goodness neither of us were driving. Later on last night the road conditions for that journey were described as treacherous so we were very fortunate to make it home with the minimum of disruption.