Jane_Elizabeth's Qype profile

This is a great branch of this well known store, absolutely full of large numbers of cut-price books (probably the best value you'll find anywhere), greetings cards, stationery, toys, DVDs (including low-priced box sets) and so much more. It's also very good for craft-making things and art supplies. At the moment it's a good place to go for stocking-fillers and other Christmas gifts, plus wrapping paper, sellotape and other useful items. Found in the Piazza Shopping Mall which is under cover and easy to find, close to the centre of town.

I enjoyed a browse around this fairly small branch of this store the other day. There is a good range of clothes in very attractive colours, especially winter wear at this time of year of course. Clothes start at size 12 (which is a shame from my point of view as I need a 10 in tops). There are some great bargains on coats and knitwear and I liked the hats and scarves - good for gifts too. The staff seemed very helpful and friendly, full of the Christmas spirit!!

Pretty much the same as the other, small, branches of this store with a good range of vitamins and minerals, herbal supplements, 'health drinks', bags of nuts, snacks, confectionery, chilled foods (including many of the Redwood range), packet mixes, tinned beans - and much more besides. I called in yesterday to buy one of the delicious Dutch apple cakes which I buy in H&B from time to time, plus some vegetable pates and spreads. The service was friendly and I'm sure I'll call in there again the next time I'm in the town.

A large multi-story car park which I used yesterday. It isn't far from the shopping centre - perhaps 5 or 10 minutes on foot. I thought it was a bit pricey - I was there for 5 hours which cost me £5 - rather a shock after Kilmarnock where the car parks are relatively cheap! I found it a little confusing inside as it wasn't always clear which way you could go - which were the 'up' ramps and which the 'down'. The machine where one pays on return doesn't take £20 notes or give change so it took me ages to scrape together enough cash! Another thing which annoyed me was that I could only get back via the main entrance/exit - there are three or four doors around the outside but they were all locked (probably fire escapes which only open from the inside). I shall try one of the other car parks next time...        

I had lunch here yesterday and enjoyed it very much.

There's a good choice of light meals and snacks with some vegetarian options available too. There are breakfasts (served all day I think), macaroni cheese, lasagne, scampi, baked potatoes, burgers (including vegetarian), hot rolls, toasties, soup + sandwich deal, and more. I opted for a baked potato with cheese and coleslaw and it must be the most substantial one I've ever had - a huge potato with a mountain of cheese and coleslaw on top, plus an imaginative side salad with really gorgeous dressing, and crisps - a very hearty meal and excellent value. My husband loved his sandwiches and said they tasted really fresh and delicious.

The coffees are good (there's a great choice of drinks, both hot and cold) and there are lovely desserts and cakes - seen behind glass at the counter. At present you can choose a 'Winter Special' which consists of any of the cakes with coffee, tea or hot chocolate for only £2.80. You can also have a bowl of their famous 'award-winning' ice cream.

There's a wooden floor and attractive blue and cream decor. The soft background music was very varied as the radio was tuned to a local station. I shall give a 5 star rating because the food was so good and the service was friendly. If I have any gripe at all it's that the tables are too close together and, as a result, it had an overcrowded 'feel' yesterday when nearly full. However, I shall definitely go back there for lunch the next time I'm in Largs!

This war memorial stands in the attractive public gardens opposite the post office and overlooking the water. It is carved in grey granite in the 'mercat cross style' by Robert Gray, sculptors of Glasgow, and commemorates the residents of Cumbrae who were killed or missing in World War I (42) and World War II (19). It was unveiled on the 15th October 1922.

I have read that this is identical in design to the Newton Mearns War Memorial in Glasgow by the same sculptors.

There was a re-dedication ceremony at the memorial in May 2012.

I have seen this memorial many times on visits to the island but without knowing many details until I read about it recently.

This impressive old house was built by the architect E. A. Lansdowne of Newport in 1893–94 and was one the last of the large country manors to be built in Wales.

Surprisingly, it was once used as a police training centre, and then, until 1996, for conferences. After this, in 2007, the Vale of Glamorgan Council gave £1.4 million to renovate the walls and roof, and, in 2012 the house began to be fully restored. It is due to finally open to the public in March 2013.

Until a short while ago, when I left Wales, my husband and I used to often visit the formal gardens in front of Dyffryn House in the spring and summer. It's a pity the house wasn't open to the public then but I'm delighted to hear that it should be soon!

I walked past this many times before I knew what it was so, as usual, I did some reading!

Captain Scott’s expedition to the Antarctic set out from Roath Dock in 1910 aboard the ship Terra Nova. Cardiff was chosen as the departure point owing to the huge contribution of the city to the expedition’s financing.

This relationship was also responsible for the elegant Scott Memorial at the south end of Roath Park Lake. The lake was emptied in 1914 so that foundations for the tower could be built. It was completed in 1915 and in 1918 it was officially presented to the Cardiff.

The plaque on the promenade side of the Memorial reads:

To the memory of
Captain R. F. Scott C.V.O. D.S.O. , R.N.
and his faithful companions
Captain L. E. G. Oates, Lieut. H. R. Bowers R.I.M.,
Dr. E. A. Wilson and Petty Officer Edgar Evans R.N.
who sailed in the S.S. Terra Nova from the Port of Cardiff
June 15th 1910, to locate the South Pole; and, in pursuit of
that great and successful scientific task, laid down their
lives in the Antarctic Regions. March 1912.
“Britons all, and very gallant gentlemen”.
Erected and presented to the City of Cardiff by
F. C. Bowring Esq., J.P.
1915.

Kenny Hunter (born 1962) works at the Glasgow Sculpture Studios in Maryhill although he is originally from Edinburgh. He has won many prestigious awards and exhibited throughout the UK and many parts of Europe.

This lovely building is a prominent landmark in Galashiels, found at the top of Bank Street. It dates from 1867, having been built by Robert Hall & Co. From 1924-27 there were substantial additions by the architect, R.S. Lorimer, chiefly consisting of Scottish Renaissance-style buildings including the clock tower, war memorial and a three storey extension.

The building is mainly used as the burgh chambers and the rest of it houses the council offices. I can't write much about the interior as I haven't been inside but I have read it is very beautiful (fine entrance hall, quality timber panelling, decorative wrought iron work, painted panel depicting the town motto, 'Sour Plums', brass ram light fittings and a mural of Pan). The basement was once used as a police station and apparently some evidence of the cells remains. 

My photo was taken from the guest house where we stayed a while ago - really a lovely view of the Burgh Chambers from there and some of the attractive surrounding countryside.