4GS: Well said. However, I do not presume that everyone is �of the faith.� So I try to be tempered in my suggestions. Pollianna may have been to Schul on Saturday, or is fasting at present, or has lit candles and made offerings today. We live in such a beautifully diverse world and often people�s spirituality is discovered on a mountain peak, or in a forest. I myself have just returned. Excellent day! Not a dropped host, not a bit of spilled wine, and not a single row among the tea ladies over who was going to make my tea today! Ahhhhhh paradise!
Pollianna: My favourite place to eat in the area is at the Seamill Hydro in West Kilbride. But I always refer to Saltcoats as my destination as it�s �the� train stop. I remember one dark winter I had the misfortune of disembarking the last train of the evening, having come from Glasgow. I was the only person who got off, and when the train left, I realised there were virtually no lights at the station. I literally could not see my hand in front of my face! I was afraid to move as I didn�t know when I would touch the edge of the platform, nor did I know which way would take me towards civilisation. I chuckle now about it, but at the time, it was quite intimidating. I remember blindly rummaging through my baggage, feeling for my toiletry kit, where I knew I had a small pen torch. Had it not been for that dull bit of light, I quite seriously would have never moved until some good Samaritan came along to rescue me!
That was a long time ago and things have certainly changed now. But the reward at the end was my arrival at the Seamill�and sitting down to a lovely Scottish beef dinner at the hotel.
Others in the area are: The Paramount Marine (in Troon), and Montgreenen Mansion House Ayrshire.
Have a wonderful journey. And may all your journeys be happy ones!
Fr Bill