Len and Ivy Shervell's grandchildren all together in Scotland - Monday 29th Sept - Saturday 4th Oct 2025

Len Shervell (1892-1959) and his wife Ivy (1898-1975) had two daughters Joan and Gwen, who each had three children. None of these six had ever had any other 1st cousins as both Joan's and Gwen's husband were only children. Sometimes we gather together for a day on a canal with lunch but this year everyone came to Scotland to Wendy's home on the Kyles of Bute. All parents and grandparents are long gone now and the cousins are all over 60 years old so we appreciate some time together to talk about 'the olden days' and also our families as they grow and even grow their own families. Only Helen doesn't have grandchildren at the moment, although it was lovely to see all the cousins and some of their families at Helen's eldest daughter's wedding in August, just a few weeks ago.

The Cousins

Joan's children: Roger, Catherine and Helen and Gwen's children: Wendy, Peter and Andrew

A minibus was picked up from Paisley on the Saturday before everyone started arriving so that when we went out for the day it was in one vehicle and guided tours could be given for those that weren't asleep as we travelled. Andrew and Helen, coming up from London, arrived first late afternoon on the Monday to Wendy and her husband Ray, whilst Catherine, Roger and Catherine's husband Dave arrived from Hampshire and South Wales together a couple of hours later. Peter would be travelling up on the Tuesday and arrived late morning. Andrew and his dogs would stay with Wendy and Ray whilst everyone else was in a holiday let a mile up the road.

Tuesday 30th Sep

Tuesday was a lazy day to spend at Wendy and Ray's home for everyone to catch up. Lunch was an easy buffet so that we could have our photographs taken by Fiki, who lives just along the road and offered to help us capture this time together. Peter had also arrived by this time. 

The photos were splendid and we greatly appreciated the time Fiki gave to us, especially as she is very busy as she is a fulltime carer for an elderly lady who lives just up the road.

The evening meal had been prepared ready to cook by Helen. Very nice! Made it so easy to enjoy our time together. Desserts by us (oh, ok COOK made them) and Ray rolled out the Japanese Whisky I had brought back to make sure the evening ended well. Everyone had to try both whiskies and see which they preferred, cask strength or not.

Wednesday 1st Oct

Wednesday was a trip to the Isle of Bute and Mount Stuart. Everyone enjoyed the trip and thought that Mount Stuart was one of the best properties to be visited that they had ever been to. Easy to park close by, thanks to Roger's Blue Badge that worked for the minibus and all us old fogeys. 

Stopped for lunch in the Mount Stuart Café and managed to get a table where we could all sit together. Dogs for a walk afterwards and then we went exploring the Isle of Bute together. Home for a meal that Catherine had made and brought with her to heat up. I am getting away with it lightly.

Thursday 2nd Oct

Wendy had a voucher for a rib excursion on Loch Lomond for 10 people, hence the idea in the first place for making at a 'cousins' trip. This had been booked for this date months in advance so we had to go but the weather was truly appalling, even for the west coast of Scotland. Not only a dreich day but lashing rain. Extra waterproofs were found but it was still not nearly as pleasant as I had hoped it might be on the water. We drove the hour and a half to Loch Lomond, ensuring we were there a little early to park and find our way to the rib. Pouring rain. 

A good 90 minute ride on the rib on Loch Lomond, helped by the owner of the rib who was driving and guiding with interesting snippets on what we were seeing. We then made our way back to the minibus and along to the Duck Bay Hotel for a late lunch, drying out as we ate. A lovely relaxed afternoon eating a delicious meal and talking some more. When we left there to make our way home we did a detour to Tighnabruaich to take in the viewpoint and see both the West Kyles and the East Kyles. By the time we got back no one wanted anything more to eat, we all just wanted to dry out and relax so that's what happened this evening. Peter was leaving early in the morning as he had to get back so we said goodbye then.

Friday 3rd Oct

We had a relaxed start and were going to go to Benmore Gardens. Still a very wet day but we'd brave it. However, when we got there we found that it was closed because the weather was so bad they thought it was a risk to open as trees might fall on visitors. Decided to go and find a nice café to have something to eat and thought we would try the The Blairmore Café, even though this is a tiny place and there were still 7 of us without Peter. They managed to get us a table very quickly and the food was ordered, again another delicious meal. These few days seem to be all about eating, drinking and talking. Excellent. 

We went for a drive to show a number of other places around this area but stayed in the car mostly as no one wanted to get as wet as yesterday. A real shame about the weather, this part of Scotland can be idyllic in the sunshine. 

We were back fairly early and it's a thing that some of the locals meet in The Colintraive Bar on a Friday evening at about 6pm so, as it was the last evening, we went to join them. A lovely evening and again, no food required apparently so I got off really lightly. Snacks at ours but everyone was packing ready for the off in the morning. 

The next day everyone was off to get back to London, Newport, South Wales and Hampshire and for us to take the minibus back to Paisley. Sorry to see everyone go. It has been a great few days and we all decided that, at the ages we are, we ought to do a few days every year somewhere nice. Probably somewhere where everyone can get to more easily thaan our remote edge of the UK. We'd love to have you back though.