Ayr We Go Again!

Advantages: Beautiful scenery, lovely people good base to visit other cities
Disadvantages: Scottish parliament let the area down in terms of funding, despite it's heritage value

...I have always been drawn to Scotland, partly because my grandparents were Scots. We had many holidays in places like Newton Stewart when I was growing up, but when I decided to take my own family on a "pilgrimage" about seven years ago, it had to be Burns Country we visited (my Dad was born on Burns night, so it was only fair to see what all the fuss was about). We now go to Ayrshire at least once a year, occasionally twice or more. Ayr and the surrounding areas has everything you could wish for in a holiday destination. The countryside is both spectacular and soothing, but you are never far away from something to do if you wish. It is also uncannily warm at times due to the gulf currents arount the coast. The area is steeped in history, and not just the 18th century Burns period. You can go from various castles (including...

Alslad36 19.09.2006 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Ayr (Scotland)

Something in the Ayre

Advantages: Very good value; excellent service; stylish decor
Disadvantages: Slightly lacking in atmosphere

...at £10.95 as well as Ayre Jalfrezi at £8.95. We both decided that the third possibility, Ayre Delight at £8.95, was the ideal one as it was a reasonable price and not quite as hot as the jalfrezi. The Ayre Delight consisted of chunks of fish, large pieces of tomato, green pepper, onion, ginger, and garlic. The medium hot sauce sounded just right. We each also ordered plain rice at £1.40 a portion. We didn't have to wait long for our two Ayre Delight dishes, which were served on a hot plate with the bowls of rice on the table. The portions were so generous that I couldn't finish mine, but this was only because of the quantity as we both really enjoyed our first taste of ayre. I must admit that I didn't really notice a taste of ginger, but the fish was delicious as were the vegetables. The sauce, as I mentioned, was medium hot and just...

denella 17.01.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of The Spice Merchants, Southsea

Move over Pam Ayres, theres a new girl in town

Advantages: -
Disadvantages: -

......

michaird 02.08.2002 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Poetry

Abandon disbelief at the door

Advantages: A fairly decent thriller
Disadvantages: Some mistakes in the details, dull characters, unlikely scenarios

...when the second book opens. I didn't read the books in sequence and I strongly suspect that by reading them out of order you will learn what happens in the first. I have ensured that in this review I have not given away anything that would spoil either book. Although I have mentioned what happens to the American this is an early event in the story and the cover blurb gives away virtually everything. If you do read this book, don't read the cover blurb! This period of history is one that fascinates me and I found myself drawn into the story immediately. Pam Jenoff, an American with a Masters in History, manages to weave a high level of detail into the telling of the story and it feels quite unforced. From the beginning I found myself thrown into post-war Europe and the plight of displaced people, some gravely ill, sent to resettlement...

fizzytom 01.02.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of The Diplomat's Wife - Pam Jenoff

Do you want the high road or the low one

Advantages: Lochs, scenery,
Disadvantages: not suitable for wheelchair

...Ayr: an agricultural market town in the south west of Scotland, boasting a population of around 48,000. Scotland was one of those places on my ‘must visit’ list, so when we found Haven holidays had a campsite there we decided to take the plunge and visit the much talked about beauty of Scotland. We stayed just outside of Ayr at the Haven Craig Tara camp; a few minutes on the bus or taxi would take you into the town centre. I was under the impression that the further north you went, the cheaper things become. How wrong could I been, prices are no cheaper, and indeed some are even more expensive than my hometown in Suffolk. Still I digress. Ayr is a pleasant enough town, with old building over looking the shoppers in the bustling streets below. The town offers a whole host of both local and national shops! To...

dabmim 15.08.2001 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Ayr (Scotland)

Good playgound, poor farm

Advantages: Lots to do for hyperactive kids
Disadvantages: The animals don't seem happy

...Heads of Ayr Park Farm is located in Ayrshire, Scotland on the A719. As the name suggests there are animals at the park, but there?s more to it than just animals. Opening Hours and Admission The park is open from Easter to October, from 10am to 5 pm. It costs £8 for an adult, £6.20 for a child or £30 for a family ticket (5 people). Facilities There are lots of different things to do at the Farm; firstly there are the animals which include; camels, Shetland ponies, wallabies, otters, skunks, lemurs and emus, plus a few more. After sedately walking around and looking at the wildlife, it?s time to liven things up a bit. The park has plenty of different activities for children; there are trampolines, jumping pillows (which are huge cushions of air, similar to bouncy castles but without the walls), a huge sandpit, climbing...

Fiver29 26.06.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Heads Of Ayr Farm, Scotland

And gie's a hand o' thine!

Advantages: Fresh Sea Air
Disadvantages: Too many tourists on Hot days

...I am sure that I read somewhere that there was a challenge to write about your home town, or maybe I imagined it. Anyway, I noticed there was remarkably little about my Home Town - Royal Burgh of Ayr on Ciao, and thought I would dip back into my Ciao travel writing days of old, and share a little information with you. Location and Getting There --------------------------------- Ayr is situated on the West Coast of Scotland. From the England/Scotland border around the Gretna area, Ayr will take about 1 ¾ hours via road, using the M74 and A70. You can take the tourist route up the west coast from the border, but you need to leave quite a bit longer for that. If travelling by Train, the express from Glasgow runs every half hour, from early morning until late at night, and takes one hour. The good people ay Ryanair also offer...

helencbradshaw 12.11.2003 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Ayr (Scotland)

Ayrshire what a revelation.

Advantages: Scenery, friendly people and empty roads
Disadvantages: May be too quiet for some

.... The rest of the building has a gift shop selling the usual mix of pottery, prints, glassware, sweets etc and a restaurant. Stopped in Ayr for a look round the many shops. I felt the town had a rather ?faded? feel as though it was struggling to survive but we enjoyed a look around the Department stores and bought presents to take home with us. On the way home we stopped by the Electric Brae which is an optical illusion on the road. Although we read the description of the Electric Brae we did not discover the secret of the illusion despite putting the car into neutral down the hill. We were not sure what to expect although we guessed that we should feel that the car was going uphill when it was in reality going down. I?d love to know how it works so any enlightenment would be appreciated Friday - Our last day exploring and we decided...

gardenguru1 08.10.2004 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Ayr (Scotland)

Ayr Campus

Advantages: excellent staff and teaching methods, good learning facilities
Disadvantages: poor accommodation, poor union

...This opinion is based on my experiences aas a student at the university's Ayr campus. Many people have criticised the University of Paisley, particularly because of the damning report that placed it 99th out of 99 in the best universities poll. This is completely unfair in terms of the Ayr Campus. The Ayr campus is becoming a large part of the university with one of their most successful courses - "Media - Theory and Production" being based at Ayr. Talk of moving this course to the main campus was put to an end when the new head of the university claimed he was commited to keeping the course at Ayr. The small size of the campus means it is very comfortable to study at, and you cna get to know most of the people around you, even those of different courses. When I studied at Glasgow University before, the main concern was that I...

djsteven 25.04.2002 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Paisley University

Entirely Keen On Enterkine

Advantages: Luxury, peace, quiet and Solitude.
Disadvantages: A lot dearer than Travelodge !

...My cynical friends will no doubt hint that my enthusiasm over Enterkine Hotel is all to do with my stay being a freebie. And my kindest friends will affirm - with some accuracy - that I would never have stayed there, if I had been required to pay the whole bill myself. But let me assure you that this glowing report is an honest review of a great 3 day break we have just spent in this little piece of Ayrshire luxury. It was so good, I'll go back as soon as I can afford it.! - all contributions gratefully received.! 1 Location, location, location. +++++++++++++++++++++++ Geographically, the hotel is located close to Prestwick Airport, a few miles from the town of Ayr, and within an easy hour's drive of Glasgow International Airport. More technically, it is situated just outside of the village of Annbank on the road to...

trevorbrock 31.08.2006 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Enterkine Hotel, Ayr