A Polka Dot Sky

 Wearing: DIY dress, Topshop shoes

Summer is most definitely here! I'm enjoying the freedom so much. There have been lots of sunny days and already countless bicycle rides with Louis. Wimbledon is back, I'm reunited with my pals and I even managed to snap up a great job for the summer season. Even number years are always good and I can already tell that this summer is going to be a cracker. Aside from all the working and summer shindigs, I've been practicing my sewing with my new brother machine. One of my summer goals is to make at least 4 dresses and this is my first. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. I spent hours in the fabric shop and finally settled on this light blue, polka dot fabric. Usually I make dresses by following a pattern and with the invaluable assistance of my mother dearest. This time, however, I was without both. Instead I followed the tutorial of The Pineneedle Collective. Her video, here,  is so helpful and well put together. I made a few alterations in places but pretty much followed all of her instructions to the tee. I'd really recommend checking her tutorials out if you are new to sewing. They have helped me save both money on patterns and time deciding what to make. Hopefully i'll have another summer dress made by the end of next week. If I stopped watching so much Once Upon a Time I'd get my sewing done a lot faster. Hope your summer is going swell! 

Loch Lomond

By yon bonnie banks an' by yon bonnie braes

Whaur the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond

Whaur me an' my true love will ne'er meet again

On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomon'.

Chorus:

O ye'll tak' the high road, and Ah'll tak' the low road

And Ah'll be in Scotlan' afore ye

Fir me an' my true love will ne'er meet again

On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomon'.

'Twas there that we perted in yon shady glen

On the steep, steep sides o' Ben Lomon'

Whaur in (soft) purple hue, the hielan hills we view

An' the moon comin' oot in the gloamin’.

Chorus

The wee birdies sing an' the wild flouers spring

An' in sunshine the waters are sleeping

But the broken heart it kens, nae second spring again

Tho' the waeful may cease frae their greeting.

Chorus

Last weekend was an absolute scorcher. Instead of sleeping in we took full advantage of the unusually sunny weather and caught the morning train from Glasgow Queen Street to Balloch. From the station it's only a short 5 minute walk to the Loch Lomond just behind the Lomond Shores Shopping Centre. The original plan was to head from Balloch, around the Loch to Luss. Unfortunately, my walking boots and thick socks were way too uncomfortable in the summer heat for a 8 mile walk. Instead, plan B. We grabbed some lunch in Dug Cafe. I scoffed down the best chocolate cake I've had in a long time and the Eton mess cake looked so tempting. Fully fueled we set off on a shorter walk around Balloch House/Castle and it's grounds. The whole area was teaming with families, no doubt making up for the wet bank holiday just passed. We sunbathed (and got burnt), ate yummy ice cream and hummed Loch Lomond. By the end of the day I was ready for bed. Every year I forget how sleepy the sun makes me. I do wish summer siestas were a tradition here. Surely I'm not the only one who's energy is drained by the 'evil day star'?

Forth Clyde Canal

While in Glasgow for a short while, I've been exploring the area by going for runs and cycle rides. On Friday the weather was absolutely lush. It finally felt like summer and I didn't need to worry about weather waterproofs for once. Initially I set off for a short cycle ride. However, this somehow turned into a 21 mile cycle. I followed the track alongside the Forth Clyde Canal. Unlike some canals, the route was well suited to all kinds of bikes as it was fairly flat and well maintained. As you can see from the photos, it doesn't take long to escape the city's buzz and reach some stunning views of the fells to the North. I believe the canal runs the whole way to Edinburgh and I'm hoping to cycle those 60 odd miles by the end of summer. For now though, my legs need a well deserved rest.