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Ginger and Scotch

Learn to Make Asian Noodles at Home. Create, Bond, Transform.

Under a Rowan Tree

Wed, Jun 19, 2013 | 4 Comments

posted in: Europe, Travels | tagged as: dunbar, europe, Scotland

  • 2
Dunbar garden - poppies

Lovely Poppies

I haven’t finished writing about my China trip yet but that will have to wait as Scotch, Wee Scotch and I are now on our annual family vacation to Scotland visiting Scotch’s family.

We arrived in Edinburgh last night about 8:00pm and the first thing I noticed was that it was still bright as day out! Sunset in Dubai is a little after 7:00pm at the moment but in Scotland, the sun did not set until 10:01pm last night. We were tired and jet-lagged with the three-hour time difference but it felt wrong to go to bed while the sun was still up in full force.

As soon as the sun set though, Scotch and I made a beeline for bed and dreamland.

This morning, we had a leisurely day hanging out in Scotch’s parents home in sunny Dunbar, getting over jet lag, and reacquainting ourselves with their cozy and comfy cottage.

Wee Scotch loved running around the lush garden with the grandparents (more affectionately known as “Papa” and “Rara”), making pretend tea in the little house built for the grandchildren (see photo below), and helping to fill all the bird feeders.

Dunbar Garden - chives

Flowering Chives

Well-loved and tended for, the garden in late spring is blooming with beautiful flowers and herbs.

Walking into the stoney garden path from the kitchen, I couldn’t help but admire the magnificent blue blooms of a Ceanothus tree which contrasted perfectly with the droopy yellow seed pods of an adjacent Laburnum tree.

With barely 3 hours of late afternoon sun in our Dubai balcony and the laborious and constant need for watering our plants in the desert heat, Scotch and I have given up growing anything on that balcony. So to be surrounded by such prolific plants in all their late spring glory was just amazing and…peaceful.

I envied my in-laws veg garden with this great big bay tree towering over plantings of tomatoes, zucchini, leeks, baby lettuces, rocket, fennel, gooseberries, raspberries, and strawberries. While we we there they also planted peas with Wee Scotch’s help who kept asking if the carrots were ready to be dug up from the garden. He has a great memory and remembered the carrots from our last visit in October.

Dunbar Garden - skipping

Wee Scotch skipping tripping in the garden

On this bright sunny day, the sun’s rays provided plenty of warmth to sip our mid-morning coffee and tea underneath the branches of a Rowan tree that Scotch’s dad estimated to be at least 70 years old. Apparently, it is bad luck to cut down a Rowan tree because it is believed to guard against evil spirits.

Next to my garden seat was a barrel of herbs – spearmint, peppermint, chives (bright purple-pink flowers), thyme flowering violet, fennel, and curly parsley. Scattered around the garden there were also rosemary, spearmint and peppermint – the leaves of which I plucked and threw into my tea for a minty flavor.

That spot by the Rowan tree was also perfect for further taking in the natural beauty of the place – I think my favorite were the bright orange Poppies and the bright red Peony roses.

Dunbar Garden - by Rowan tree

Under a Rowan Tree

In the afternoon, we had lunch with a salad of baby lettuces and rocket straight from the garden – it was a perfect first day in Scotland so far.

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About Sandy

I’m Sandy (aka “Ginger”), married to “Scotch” (not his real name).
 
I believe that it’s not just noodles we are creating, but memories, traditions, and a sense of pride.
  
I believe in slowing down, relishing time spent with our children and loved ones, and bonding through shared noodle-making experiences.  Read more...

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  1. IshitaUnblogged says

    Sun, Jun 30, 2013 at 9:10 pm

    So nice… hopped onto the blog to read about your China post, and here you are already in Scotland! So green:)

    Reply
    • ginger says

      Sun, Jul 14, 2013 at 4:33 am

      I’m so blog backlogged! Will return to China shorty…

      Reply
  2. nadia says

    Fri, Jun 21, 2013 at 4:21 pm

    Sunset at 10:01 pm! I’m SO grateful for our 7 pm sunset here, specially since Ramadan is around the corner. I can’t imagine how to manage if I’d have to wait till 10 pm to break my fast.

    Your in-laws’ garden is so beautiful!

    Reply
    • ginger says

      Sat, Jun 22, 2013 at 1:07 am

      I can imagine the late sunset being very difficult with Ramadan!

      Reply

About Me

Homemade Chinese Noodles From ScratchI’m Sandy (aka “Ginger”), married to “Scotch” (yes, he’s Scottish).

I believe that it’s not just noodles we are creating, but memories, traditions, and a sense of pride.

I believe in slowing down, relishing time spent with our children and loved ones, and bonding through shared noodle-making experiences.  Read more…

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