Menootanabootery; Just A Bit More

The last two Thursdays, I've covered the day trip to Balfron with Aitch. On Monday, she posted about the part where we visited the kirk and found her grandparents' headstone. It really was extra-special, and I heartily recommend you go to read it from her side. Aitch also got several lovely photos from inside the church building, which we were privileged to visit. That was thanks to a timely chat with the Session Clerk, a certain Mr Armstrong. Had we been ten minutes later, we may well have missed him. Aitch didn't include a link to the church website, which I do HERE NOW. As we nattered with Mr A, we had the sense that this was a thriving and active community. That site furthers that sense. There is access to all their online services performed during the COVID lockdowns. I picked a couple at random and found them warm and refreshing. As good as some podcasts that are out there. I don't think you would regret your 25-30 minutes spent if you are so inclined.

I did get a couple of decent window shots. As you will see from Aitch's photos, the interior is very much of the Presbyterian style; simple, one might say borderline austere. But there was a warmth and feeling of Love in the ambience.

As I mentioned last time, the sun broke through and brightened our time in the village, which meant that we could freely walk the churchyard without fear of sodden feet. We may not have lingered and looked as thoroughly as we did, had it not been for that burst of bright light! 

Although several are in quite some disrepair, there were some mighty fine markers. Indeed, as we entered the yard, there was a warning to avoid walking by those where possible due to the risk of being flattened by one collapsing! We did have a jolly good walk around, splitting up to cover the maximum area in minimum time. While it would have been a thrill to have discovered the stone myself, nothing could have delighted me more than for Aitch to be the discoverer of her target... the very best and most personal 'geocache' she is likely to have! Honestly, I could feel her elation, which also lifted my spirits right to the top of that tower. There was even a Blackbird singing its lungs out as we were there as if heralding the connection made. 

We sat and enjoyed the almost summer conditions for a few moments, then Aitch realised there was a cache right there to be found... when she read out the clue, I knew I had seen the relevant stone and just had to recall in which direction. It only took a couple of minutes, and there it was. So I think that was four geocaches added to all the fun and games of the day.

As we headed around to the car for our picnic, we again passed the mighty oak that marks the village's original centre and meeting place. Somehow, it is still managing to sprout some fresh greenery!

After our picnic - and another hunt for a geocache by the playing field up behind the church - we went back to farewell Mac1 et al., then decided to head back toward the Hutch. Other villages on the list can be visited on another trip. We were both quite tired and, to some degree, emotionally exhausted (in the most positive sense). Aitch said more than once that her day had been made with the find, and that would do her fine. So we took the full circle scenic route back, across the Erskine Bridge, along the Clyde, and back with the ferry. As we came by Longbank, the air was fresh and clear, so we stopped to get a decent shot of Dumbarton Rock and Castle, with which I will sign off this post about the spontaneous visit and outing!