Fun in Dunfermline

Today we make our departure from Dunfermline after Marty returns from the plant, which generally closes around noon.
True to form, the lovely proprietors had no problem with me hanging out in this lovely sitting room until Marty can come and pick me up.  The resident cat doesn't seem to have an issue with my presence either.  Last evening, he even strutted over to me and mewed a few times while making his way to the front of the fire to warm up a bit.

Unfortunately, he turned his head just as I was shooting the photo.

Interestingly enough, I'm allergic to cats, but this one hasn't bothered me a bit.  But he has been keeping his distance, and these people have a crew that comes in every day and cleans this place like my spring cleaning, so the chance of cat hair floating around is nil.

One of the features of this lovely room, is a small bar set up.

After Marty and I returned from a late dinner, we came into the room to warm up by the fire (remember...arctic blast).  Jim bounced into the room, and asked if we'd like a drink.  Well, it didn't take long for us to warm up after sipping some wonderful drinks, which Jim ended up giving us "on the house".  Did I mention how great these people are?  

Of course I did, but it certainly is worth stating it again.

I thought I'd have a bit of fun with this blog and share some items that I found to be amusing.  Of course, you may not have my sense of humor, but I'll risk it anyway.

I decided to tour the little museum in the Pittencrieff house and found myself following the children's mascot,  Calum the cockroach, who was great at giving out simple explanations for complicated geological subjects.  Much of it was rather interesting.  Did you know that the grey squirrel is not indigenous to Scotland?  They were brought here from the US.  And now they are outnumbering the red squirrel.  

This seems to be of some local concern according to Calum.  There is some speculation that the grey squirrel population is higher because these creatures  are not as discerning in what they eat, so their survival chances are better.  

All I have to say about that theory is that I didn't see any red squirrels getting into line for the peanut handouts.  Perhaps red squirrels don't enjoy peanuts and don't realize that beggars can't be choosy.  

Perhaps red squirrels are more tasty to foxes.  Who really knows?  I didn't spot one red squirrel while walking through the park, but nearly every bend that I took had grey squirrels in numbers.

Now let's move onto another subject:  Snails.

Did you know that snails have 25,600 teeth?

I don't know what your first reaction would be, but mine was wondering who in the world would take the time to count them?  Considering the size of a snail's mouth, I can't help but wonder if someone lost count.
And, they can sleep for 3 to 4 years without eating and drinking.  Can't figure out who is watching them that entire time to see if one of those little eyes pop open.

And, last, but not least, snails have no ears or nose, which may explain the extended sleeping time since no noises or smells would be waking them up.

Pittencrieff house has beautiful gardens which include a conservatory.  Inside I spotted a banana tree:

Some beautiful flower beds

Something called a donkey tail

which is apparently very fragile according to the sign.

Then there was this:

Socanum Mammosum, also known as the Nipple Fruit, Fox Face or Titty Fruit.
I'm not really sure who did the translating here.  It could be that great Scot sense of humor coming through.  If any of you readers know otherwise, please feel free to pass on the info.
All I know is that I laughed out loud when I read the description.  Luckily, I was alone in the building at the time.

Walking outside brought a truly spectacular view as the sun popped out.

And, now, just a few words about the Scottish language.  Most people presume that because the Scots speak English, that the language is the same.  But I suddenly realized that the Scots have a language of their own, and that I should be making every attempt to learn it since I'm walking around this country.

On my first day out at the Abbot House Museum, I learned that Fee is not a Scottish woman's name.  It is actually Fay, but pronounced Fee.

We will be traveling later today to Perth.  That is pronounced Pear-th.

And, we hope to see Scone castle.  And even though those tasty, melt in your mouth delights are pronounced as we would say it, I was politely corrected and told that the castle name is Scoon.

So, I have a wee bit problem with the language.  But no worries.  I'm still gavin a grand time.