We arrived in Dalry at the "New" railway station and crossed the River Rye twice as we made our way through the twisty streets of the old town. Our goal: Langside Farm B&B, which we thought would be north of city center, somewhat. Almost 2 miles later, we ran out of town on the north end and, wondering if our thoughts were correct, stopped in at the Dalry Inn to ask directions, taking note of the menu as a possible stop to return for supper later. The woman at the front desk said, "Oh, yes, the farm is up there," when we asked if the road to Langside Farm was at the next turning of the Largs Road.
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Feeling reassured and after a long walk up hill, on the two lane road, we spied the B&B with Nick and his toolbox in the front yard, mending something, as owners of homes must surely do from time to time. "Hello, Nick," we called, as to a friend, for we had communicated by email enough that we felt as though we were returning to a friend's home, rather than seeing it for the first time. Langside Farm, sitting on the west side of the road, enveloped by a light blue sky, complete with house dog, Cocoa.
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We had arrived! And none too soon ~ this had been a long...and rewarding walk.
Our room upstairs remains, to this day, our favorite of our 3 week journey. Warm, rich, organic, simply yummy. Swallow, a room with peachy colors that Elise and Nick named after the swallows that fly up from Southern Africa to spend their summers in the Garnock Valley.
We were invited downstairs for tea (oh, yes!) and biscuits and other superb munchies. We quickly became fast friends, sharing our views on subjects far and wide, including Jean's family history in the area. Before we knew it, at their suggestion, we were off on a quest to find Camp Hill, the home of Jean's Munn ancestors of the 18th century.
Our room upstairs remains, to this day, our favorite of our 3 week journey. Warm, rich, organic, simply yummy. Swallow, a room with peachy colors that Elise and Nick named after the swallows that fly up from Southern Africa to spend their summers in the Garnock Valley.
We were invited downstairs for tea (oh, yes!) and biscuits and other superb munchies. We quickly became fast friends, sharing our views on subjects far and wide, including Jean's family history in the area. Before we knew it, at their suggestion, we were off on a quest to find Camp Hill, the home of Jean's Munn ancestors of the 18th century.
We stopped at a likely looking farmstead, and talked to the friendly resident, who told us that North Camp-hill, the likely site of the Munn residence, was under the waters of the Camp-hill Reservoir, constructed in 1845.
Good enough...we stood in the countryside of ancestral lands once more...and wondered at our fortune.
Returning to Langside, and ready to accept their kind offer for a ride into Dalry for our dinner, Nick suggested, instead, that we all share a dinner together. Flowing like a piece of music, we did just that: off to coastal Largs, Cocoa the dog in the back of the car, for a fine meal at The George. Elise and I enjoyed a gin and tonic and Michael and Nick drank Guinness. Superb food, rich conversation, heads nodding in agreement as we talked of life.
Upon return, the night still available for a wee bit of tea (passing on the scrumptious dessert chocolates), we sat together for a while longer. We were blessed with the generosity and graciousness, as well as the intelligence of our hosts.
Returning to Langside, and ready to accept their kind offer for a ride into Dalry for our dinner, Nick suggested, instead, that we all share a dinner together. Flowing like a piece of music, we did just that: off to coastal Largs, Cocoa the dog in the back of the car, for a fine meal at The George. Elise and I enjoyed a gin and tonic and Michael and Nick drank Guinness. Superb food, rich conversation, heads nodding in agreement as we talked of life.
Upon return, the night still available for a wee bit of tea (passing on the scrumptious dessert chocolates), we sat together for a while longer. We were blessed with the generosity and graciousness, as well as the intelligence of our hosts.