Tolquhon Castle

I love birthdays!  I know a lot of you don’t, but I definitely do.  I really look forward to other people’s birthdays and love to try to make them special, especially for my little family.  So, Josh took the day off for his birthday (31 May), and since it was gorgeous outside, we decided to see a new castle that our Historic Scotland Pass would gain us entry to.  I was surprised to hear that Tolquhon Castle was only 30 minutes away, in a direction we haven’t traveled much.  We made use of Rachel’s interactive Scottish castle map (isn’t it amazing to even live in a place that would require an interactive castle map?!) and saw that they loved this ruin.  We packed a picnic and headed out.

The castle was fab! We love this kind of ruins- still something impressive to see, a great location and view, lots of things to climb on, but not too dangerous.  Luke was a little less daring than his big sister, but we had a great time and loved enjoying a warmer day.  The funny thing was that we are so used to having to leave early in the morning to get back for Rebekah’s preschool and Luke down for a nap, that we headed out too soon for a 30-min drive, and ended up picnicking at 10:30!  The kids loved the picnic table on the lawn, though, and lo and behold a very friendly kitty sauntered up and was rewarded with many less than gentle pats and rubs.  I was amused at having to teach the kids to rub the kitty in the same direction as the hair lies…how else would they know that?

Things I liked about Tolquhon:

• Its pronunciation- ignore the “qu” and say [tol-hoon].  Thanks, Christy and Rachel, for this info!
• Quick drive from Aberdeen.
• Great site and grounds.
• Lots to see and climb on, and not too dangerous for little ones.
• There is a small gift shop with very friendly staff that is also equipped with a public toilet.
• You can picnic on the grass, or at a table.
• Easy parking.

Tolquhon Castle

Beks LOVED playing here!

Interior of the ruins

Evidence that Rebekah is not claustrophobic like I am!

A birthday squeeze for Daddy!

View from the castle

Interior

My boy

Sassy

Just thought this was funny- love my jazz hands.

My boy laughs a lot.

Both were DELIGHTED to find a kitty!

An impromptu hat...if you think Luke didn't about kill himself to get out of his car seat to steal it, you are quite wrong.

As for the rest of Josh’s 34th birthday…

After we got back from the castle, we took Rebekah to nursery and put Luke down for a nap.  Josh and I just sat together o the couch, both working intermittently on our computers, but we mostly just caught up with each other and then  got ready for dinner.  Josh made delicious burgers, while I finished up the chocolate bread pudding, coconut cream pie, and German potato salad.

See his laptop? Josh is meticulous about recipes.

We had the chocolate bread pudding with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream....yes, a little decadent- especially since we had coconut cream pie with toasted coconut and whipped cream, too.

BBQing...kids playing in the patch of sun.

If you think ill of me for “making” my husband grill his own birthday meal, you need to know that I more than happily offered to make him anything he wanted- this is what he chose.  Rather than wallow in hurt feelings, I made his requested desserts and German potato salad.  Sadly, I went a little heavy on the vanilla and almond extract on the bread pudding, and it overpowered the chocolate flavor…that was Josh’s opinion anyway.  I thought it was amazing….but then, I’m not as much a chocolate person.  Figures.

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