When I was growing up in Denny in the 60s and 70s most folk didn't go on holiday like they do today and going abroad was almost unheard of. Day trips to places like Butlins at Ayr or Callander were popular as were "mystery tours" on Alexander's buses which would take to exotic places like Aberdour and Aberfoyle. For those who did go away for a holiday places like North Berwick, Portobello, Burntisland, Ayr and St Andrews were popular. Mind you there was never "all inclusive" at these places and visits were in guest houses with formidable land ladies serving plain food at specific times . My own first holiday was to such a guest house in Aberdeen. Booking holidays or bus/rail trips were done through Mathies shop at Denny Cross. For anyone reading this under the age of 40, there were no PCs, smart phones or Internet. If you wanted to book a train or bus you went in to Mathies where the lovely Mr and Mrs Mathie would phone Britsh Rail or the bus station for you and if they managed to get an answer they booked your seat for you. For those staying in Denny,  holidays were brilliant. I would go up the Glen or Castle Rankine with two slices of plain bread with Lurpak butter, strawberry jam and a bottle of water. Pure heaven! In Denny and Dunipace the paddling pools were great on a hot day. The paddling pool in Sawers avenue was always my favourite. Some swam in the Caron but given the pollution I never plucked up the courage do that but paddling in the Toll burn was great. Those days are long past but they were happy days and days that I'm sure many who read this will remember them with the fondness that I do.