Dear Auntie Bessie,
Writing this postcard looking at Lochranza castle.
Having a fabulous time on Arran. Weather changeable but fine.
Children have spent lots of time on the beach and we
have all enjoyed the walks. Lots of places to have a nice
cup of tea. Really good spa resort with lovely swimming
pool. Some good shops. David likes the whisky shop and I
like Arran Aromatics. Great place for a relaxing holiday.
Wish you were here!
Lots of love
Tracey
I can imagine just that sort of postcard setting off across the water to the mainland. I have mentioned that Arran is a holiday island and I thought it might be helpful to flesh that out a little. Let us take an imaginary 'Parker' family but let us use some of my facebook friends names! Daddy David, Mummy Tracey and children Janet (9) and Kevin (14).
The Parker family are booked for a week at the Auchrannie Spa Resort
They arrive on the 3.15pm ferry that gets in just before 4.15 and they drive off the ferry to the resort which is only a short distance away. They check in and dump bags before going to the Cruize bar armed with lots of holiday flyers. They plan their week in an attempt to please everyone. Kevin is the first to state his holiday demands. He has come to Arran to climb, gorge scramble and mountain bike. Arran Adventure can more than sort Kevin out and the others might tag along as well. Janet is certainly up for a bit of sea kayaking but she is also keen to do a little bit of shopping.
Brodick is the main settlement and has a range of good quality shops and somewhere to have a coffee. But other vilages have their attractions as well. Janet choses to visit Bunty's in Brodick before walking the length of the seafront to explore the other shops. Mummy Tracey will join Janet on her shopping spree but insists they also visit Inspirations to get a good postcard to send to Auntie Bessie.
The whole family agree a trip to the museum would be interesting and that the reviews of their tearoom make it worth a visit.
But what about Daddy David? What would he like to do. He is into his history so a visit to Brodick Castle run by the National Trust seems a good place to start. As they finish their drinks they all agree that they should try and fit in a walk once a day and look forward to walks up Glen Sannox, Glen Ashdale and (weather permitting) Goat Fell the highest mountain on the island. They also think that eating out in the evening would be a real treat and plan to visit Coast in Whiting Bay and the Kildonan Hotel right on the beach in Kildonan.
As they head back to their room to get ready for dinner Daddy David says we really must remember to send a postcard to Auntie Bessie. You know what she can be like?
I do hope the Parker family had a lovely family holiday.
This little exercise on my blog post is the first 'Postcard from Arran'. I will be running a number of these throughout the year to give potential visitors a taste of what the island offers. I hope to cover as many of the local businesses as possible. There is great variety on the island and I truly believe it is an excellent family destination. That said it is equally good for couples, solo travellers and even (yes) stag and hen weekends. I have started with destinations that I know but this is a good exercise for me because I shall have to be out and about visiting places I have not been before. It is a tough life but someone has to do it.....
Today has seen us watch white stuff turn to wet stuff and back again so I guess we have had some snow. It is not good enough though and must try harder if us islanders are to be impressed. I remember one Christmas morning a few years back when we all awoke to the island covered in a carpet of virgin snow. It was truly magical. So, we know the snow can do it without the need for my wheelbarrow!
Home school sees us deep in a comparison of EU nations in terms of population size, GDP per capita and the like. Really interesting to see the comparisons and to see who is doing better in GDP than we are. Not that difficult, sadly.
I have some news that requires me to jump up and down again but I will save that until tomorrow. Speak very soon. xx
Picture is of another view of Lochranza at the north end of the island.
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