Where's the Next Adventure?

I've written previously about our walks along one part of the Water of Leith, between Stockbridge, Dean Village and the surrounding area, but there is more than just that section to do and it's just as easy to walk from our home in Stockbridge (or anywhere along the Water of Leith Walkway) right over to Leith. We've done this particular section several times as well and from our starting point it's simply a case of heading in the opposite direction from the route that takes you towards Dean Village. From Stockbridge the route to Leith is clearly signposted, as are the routes to the other parts of the city you can reach, you can't get lost! The first part of the walk takes you through a semi wooded area and, as you'd expect, alongside the Water of Leith. As the route widens, after walking through a little of the Canonmills area of the city, you'll find yourself walking through more of a park than a walkway alongside the river. Eventually you end up close ...

Doors Open Day: The Cottage, West Princes Street Gardens

My final Doors Open Day visit of the last open weekend at the end of September was to the sweet little cottage in West Princes Street Gardens, somewhere I've always been very curious about. As you can see from the photo below it's quite small so to visit here you needed to book a slot. I always leave these things to the last minute and assumed I probably wouldn't be lucky but I managed to get a slot on the Sunday so finally I could see inside somewhere I walk past everyday on my way to work. In the morning when I pass it the lights are often on on the upstairs level (which I now know to be offices) it always looks homely, warm and inviting, especially now the temperatures are dropping. The cottage was built in 1868 and was originally the Head Gardener's house. The lower level has been restored to its original Victorian style with the space including a kitchen and dining room. Upstairs, as I said, are now modern offices and are the home of The Quaich Project, what ...

Loose Village, Kent

As I've said in other recent posts since coming back to the UK from Singapore we've been staying back in Kent in my old hometown. Although Maidstone is really just another town like many others around the UK and, in my opinion, nothing very special, around it are some beautiful villages and lovely countryside. My parents live close to the village of Loose, pronounced like lose, so when the weather has been kind we've gone on quite a few walks in the village and close by. If I'm honest I'm probably walking parts I've never done before or at least not since I was a young child. Loose is a special place for me as I have a lot of childhood memories associated with it. These range from links to the church from my primary school days as well as my involvement in the Brownies and Guides when I was growing up. Loose church was the place I learnt to ring church bells and did so there (and other churches in the area) for many years from my early teens. I also associate...

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