A Beautiful Day in Nairn
Today saw scattered showers but more frequent bursts of sunshine, and the air was cool but not too windy, and good to go out in.
Our eldest had gone with friends to the cinema, while the youngest had gone to the community centre for a birthday party, so we wandered around with our middle child, Skye, who’s seven years old.
First stop was the aquaria shop in Fishtown – someone I know who works there said they now had a range of reptiles, so I decided we should visit. The array of fish are beautiful in themselves, but the turtles and crayfish really add to the sense of the exotic. The various lizards and tiny snake make the whole shop like a mini-zoo and a place of wonderment.
Next was the cafe at the harbour, where seeing that they made the effort to make vegetarian food, I made the effort to order some of it – very nice. 
I’d completely forgotten about Nairn Sailing Club’s open-day, but it’s was hard to feel disappointed even though we’d missed it – something about the area felt alive and it was easy to tap into.
The Sandancer is finally open, so I visited it for the first time, having fun with the 2p machines where you have to try and win a stack off the edge (one of my childhood dreams was to have one of those in my bedroom as a grown up – the flipper ones are the best!).
Nairn felt awake – it felt like a real seaside town again.
We walked along the beach – hardly anyone else on it – but the sea still had an azure glint to it – it’s amazing to see the different colours the waters of the Moray Firth takes on in different conditions – this evening it’s a glassy silver with a hint of metallic blue.
It was disappointing to see some dog dirt and litter on the beach – I hope the Highland Council make regular sweeps of the area, and if not, something they ought to start doing. Even still, the littering of driftwood and logs in the sand always adds a wild quality to the beach, giving a sense of freedom and remoteness, especially looking out to rugged Sutherland Coast, and the mountains rising from the east.
The kids always enjoy the play park, but it was heartening to see that a part of it is being rebuilt – a former climbing frame is now being replaced with a wooden ship to play in. Julie thought it looked like there was less play for children on it, but I pointed out that it just invited them to engage their imaginations while running up and down and exploring it – if it hadn’t have been fenced off while being finished, I would have played on it, too.
The tea rooms were busy, and cricketers were playing on the links.
I can’t remember ever seeing Nairn County playing before – perhaps I visit at the wrong times – but the sight of the game give a wonderful feeling of an older and innocent Britain, when cricket played on the village green was a more common sense. Nairn felt quaint and idyllic.
The benches arrayed around the cricket pitch may not have been well used (except by the clouds of midges claiming it as their territory) but it was a great idea, and we showed out respect by sitting down a moment to watch a batsman hit a couple of fours.
Walking across the links I saw the Troolie and realised I’d never really noticed it before – the small plaque explaining its existence and hinting of mischievous mysteries of the past.
And then, only a few steps further on, the Poets Spring – dry and stuffed with rubbish (HC!!) – and again, a plaque that suggested a deeper and more entertaining story behind it’s setting. It showed Nairn as a place that has enjoyed character through its history.
And then it was back to the community centre – new and well used: there were two birthday parties being held there this afternoon, and plenty of tourism and events information on. I discovered whitewater rafting takes place nearby, and that Shaolin Monks will be at Eden Court soon. And will have to book into T’ai Chi and Yoga soon…
Walking back to Lochloy Road, the bridge over the River Nairn always entertains with its view, and then home for a cuppa.
Some days just feel special – I know my children all enjoyed it, especially Skye who went on our adventure around Nairn with us, even though she didn’t feel too well.
I came away relaxed, knowing more about the place, and valuing where I live a little more.
Some days are just really nice. Today was just a beautiful day in Nairn.
Comments
Leave a Reply
Visited 1480 times, 1 so far today