Speaking as One of the 97.5%...

[endlessrarities]

The main item on the regional Scottish news last night was the latest breathtaking revelation from some medical research group.  Evidently, 97.5% of Scots live an unhealthy lifestyle.

We should all be shocked and appalled.  We should be hanging our heads in shame, because we're quite literally the sick men (and women!) of Europe.

Now, I'm afraid I'm going to be treating this pronouncement with a huge pinch of salt (ohmygod!  Think of the SODIUM!!!).  The criteria which define an unhealthy lifestyle are as follows (and I'll measure my own rating alongside):-

1)  Smoking.  Nope, I don't do that.  Not guilty.

2) Alcohol.  We're not talking over 14 units a week here.  We're talking about ANY alcohol.  Alright, I admit it.  I'm guilty.  But I'm very much a continental style drinker.  A glass of red wine with dinner most nights, and maybe tonight I'll indulge in a glass of freezing cold Hoegarden while I sit on the patio, because it's the weekend, and it's summer, and - hallelujah! - the sun is out and it's a lovely day.  This of course means I've blown it.  I am officially unhealthy. Oh dear...

3) Insufficient exercise.  Yep, I'd say I don't do enough of that, either,  Okay, I try and exercise 4 days out of 7, but I still consider myself unfit, in that I can't do a 10 mile time trial in 25 minutes like I always wanted to.  Ah well....

4)  Unhealthy diet.  Less than 5 portions of fruit & veg per day, & too much junk food.  I've failed here.  I think I average 3 portions fruit/veg a day, and I like the odd cake, fancy coffee and salty crisp or snack.  Gulp!!

5)  Overweight.  Unfortunately, I fall into this category, too.  I'm 3 stone over my ideal racing weight (!) and 1 stone over what I'd really like to be as a normal human being. 

Okay, so my halo's slipped on 4 out of the 5 categories.  I'm a National Disgrace.  So let me fill you in now with how this National Disgrace spent her Saturday. 

We made the most of the day.  We had a bike run.  Not the usual 19 miles down the cycle track and back, but 33 miles around the Ayrshire back roads.  For the second time of the year, I dusted down my road bike, and what a joy it was to be reunited with it!  If you ride a bike, then if you've never tried a good road bike, you've never lived.  Mountain bikes are leaden, like the Highland ponies beloved of pony trekking centres.  Road bikes are like thoroughbreds.  They're twitchy, vibrant.  They feel like they're alive.

Of course it was hard work.  Charging up and down the cycle track is no match for rolling over the North Ayrshire hills.  Our destination was Dalgarven Mill.  It has its origins in the medieval period, when it was one of several mills attached to Kilwinning Abbey, though the buildings which currently occupy the site are 19th century. 

Kilwinning Abbey is worthy of mention in its own right.  It was founded in the 12th century by Hugh de Moreville, father of a somewhat dubious de Moreville who became notorious for his part in the murder of a rather famous Archbishop of Canterbury, later canonised.  Today's an important day for Kilwinning.  It's an annual festival known as 'Shooting of the Papingo', where local archers gather to try and shoot a target hanging from the abbey tower.  Back in the early days (the 16th century or early) they used a parrot in a cage.  Hence the name. 

But I digress.  I'm sure you'll be hearing a whole lot more of Kilwinning Abbey in future posts...  

Dalgarven Mill is one of those rare things.  An ailing industrial building of 19th century date which has been successfully restored by a dedicated owner, whose family were the millers for generations.  It now functions as a working mill, museum of country life and museum of costume.  Here's a view:-
 

 

The coffee shop is a favourite destination of ours in the summer when we go out on the bikes.  The cakes are very good!  And they do a lovely 'Miller's Lunch' with soup followed by oatcakes & cheese.  Oh, darn it!  I'm not supposed to eat any of this stuff.  It's unhealthy, and reinforces my stereotype as a National Disgrace!

The larger 19th century farm complex still survives and it's similarly well-maintained:-
 

One of the former farm buildings is now a rather nice antique shop, which I regularly visit.  I have a birthday coming up, and I've been saving up my pennies, too, so today I indulged in a couple of pieces by Charlotte Rhead.  Her stuff is beautiful - tube-lined like Moorcroft, with a lustrous glaze.  The designs are very 1930s - like Clarice Cliff but in pastels...  Naturally, I couldn't carry home a vase and a bowl on the bike, so I'll have to come and get them some other time.

And the scenery on the way home was spectacular.  You know, North Ayrshire really doesn't sell itself at all well as a tourist destination.  It's That Place You Drive Through To Get From Prestwick Airport To The Highlands.  It doesn't do itself any favours, either, by welcoming visitors into the area with a big sign saying 'Welcome to North Ayrshire, Gateway to Arran'.

But it is well worth spending a couple of days in the area, as part of a longer Scottish holiday.  Largs, West Kilbride and Seamill are probably the best places for accomodation, if you ever consider it.  Here's a view of the scenery on the road coming back from Dalgarven Mill to Howwood:-
 

 

 

And there's not an 'England' flag in sight!  When all you get on the national media is wall-to-wall football, it's quite refreshing to get away from it for a while.  So if there's any English soccer refugees out there, here's my suggestion.  Next time the World Cup hits town, come and take your holidays in Scotland!
 

Comments

[bellakara.livejournal.com]

You certainly had a lovely day for your cycle ride. You'll need to take photos of those pieces you bought when you get the opportunity. I'm familiar with Clarice Cliff.

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

I personally prefer Charlotte Rhead to Claris Cliff. I think the pastel shades she uses are particularly lovely!

[treenahasthaal.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a lovely day - you should have stopped by... : )

You know, I lived here all my life and never visted Dalgarven Mill. I'm a shamed...

Oh, and I am definitely one of the 97.5% I drink alcohol- just finished a glass - I don't exercise enough, I'm over weight and, guess what, I'm having a curry tonight!!

I do eat a ton of veg though! : ) Sometimes more than 5 portions a day!

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

You must go and take the boys. They'd probably really like it.

Oh, and if they want to volunteer for the Kilwinning dig, let me know, and I'll pass on the details to the relevant persons...

Junior diggers will be most welcome!

Enjoy your curry! I am cooking a Golden Mushroom Tart with potato salad which will not score very highly in the Healthy Food stakes. I raise a glass (of red wine!) and salute your curry!!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I think most people of most nationalities would fail that test.

What was Hugh de Moreville doing in Scotland- running away?

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

Believe it or not, he had extensive lands in Ayrshire.

That's the beauty of feudal Britain - all these bigwigs had lands here, there and everywhere!

[red-trillium.livejournal.com]

Hi, I'm a friend of Bellakara & Ysabetwordsmith. Bellakara recently suggested I friend you as I'd posted some thoughts about history and preservation/restoration after a recent trip. I've added you to my friends page, don't feel obliged but you're welcome to add me back.

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

Hello!

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed the glimpse of a part of Scotland I've never visited. It looks to be a delightful corner of the world.

Re healthy lifestyle, I have to say that despite my 12 mile walk yesterday over the Welsh mountains, I also fit into that unhealthy 97.5% of the population. I am one stone overweight and, after the walk, we had fish and chips! The horror! And we had a glass of wine! :)

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

A 12 mile walk in the Welsh mountains followed by fish-and-chips sounds like a splendid day out!!

Whenever we visit the Lakes, we'll always blow a productive day (6 mile walk to a summit and back, or a low level walk of 10 miles or so) with a three course meal at a yummy restaurant in Grasmere (and a beer in Tweedies bar beforehand).

Unfortunately, there's quite a few cycle tourists and walkers who obviously enjoy their food a little too much - myself included!! But hey, compared with the sedentary majority, I think we're doing rather well. I think I was born to be a blimp, but because I'm determined to stay healthy, so far I've staved off blimpdom and hopefully I will continue to do so...

When I get lectured about my 'unhealthy' lifestyle to this extent, I just get irritated and bloody-minded. Now, where's my red wine...