Day Six

23 July 2014

Portinscale, Lake District – Prestwick, Scotland

Accommodation:  Bay House, Prestwick

Weather – sunny

Temperature – 26

The weather gods have really turned it on for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.  Today was a hot day by UK standards and we are lapping up the sunshine while it lasts!

Before we left Portinscale we drove around Derwent Water.  It was a perfect timing as the lake was like glass and postcard perfect.  We were pleased we stayed in Portinscale just outside Keswick as it wasn’t busy but close enough to walk into Keswick for restaurants and shopping.

Derwent Water - can't get better than this!  Perfect weather.

 

The jetty at Keswick.

 

It was a long drive to Prestwick, by UK standards anyway, three hours in total.  As this took up a good portion of the day we went directly to the very interesting Robert Burns Birthplace Museum at Alloway just a little south of Ayr and only a few kilometres from our accommodation.

Welcome to Scotland.....woohoo!

 

The museum is scattered over four areas:  the main museum with exhibits of Robert Burns’ writings and life;  the gardens with Robert Burns’ statue;  the kirk (church) and the old house the poet was born in.  We walked the streets with our map finding the various areas of tribute.

A sculpture commemorating 'To a Mouse" on the walk from the museum to the cottage where Robert Burns was born.

The cot bed where Burns was born as well as three of his siblings.  The little nighties are lit from within and the names and birthdates embroidered on them.

The tourist outside Robert Burns childhood home.

 

Unfortunately, he only lived for 37 years succumbing to heart disease caused by rheumatic fever in his teens.   One of his most notable poems is Auld Lang Syne put to music after he died.  Another poem, Scots Wha Hae, is one many Scots believe should be their national anthem and is used by the pro ýes’ Scottish independence group.

The Auld Kirk where Burns' parents are buried.

The huge monument erected in 1820 - 1822.  The gardens are in full bloom.

 Weird tree in garden......took my fancy!

 

Not only was Robert Burns a prolific poet but also a father of thirteen children – nine by his French wife and four by three mistresses.  His children included two sets of twins.  Only three children survived until adulthood.  I’ll let the photos do the talking today and you will see what a terrific tribute this centre is to Scotland’s famous son.

O my Luve's like a red, red rose,
That's newly sprung in June:
O my Luve's like the melodie,
That's sweetly play'd in tune.

 

We reached our Prestwick accommodation about 5pm so we had a bit of a break before setting out for dinner.  It’s now time to settle back and watch the Commonwealth Games – and we had some excitement with the  Red Arrows jets flying over us.