Hello Again!

Don't have much time - very expensive here to use the internet. Well, other than driving every direction but upside down, we are having a wonderful time in the highlands. I enjoyed Thurso very much - a very coastal village. It was very relaxing. Then we drove to Gairloch - a 7 hour drive - it was a very long day. Here is where we were introduced to "Passing Places" - 1 lane highways with a little side to opass cars - made for very interesting driving. Also, cattle grids - if you went over them too fast, well watch out - our car, Maeve, might become a rocket launcher. ;-) Gairloch is another costal town - only we stayed in Melvaig in the lighthouse. It was very serene there - with nothing to do but walk around the lighthouse. We think we saw dolphins, but are not quite sure. **ADD IN - one thing to note - on the drive to the lighthouse, the roads were 1 lane, on cliffs it seems - glad that D was driving - I thought I was going to be sick several times on the way - little bridges to drive over, turns where you can not see if someone is coming the other way - and not many passing places. Once we arrived at the Lighthouse, it was very serene. There were sheep and chickens all over the place. Since the drive was very long, we decided that we were have dinner there at the lighthouse (I was really hoping that it wasn't chicken or mutton on the menu - don't thinkg I could have eaten it if it was after seeing the sheep and the chickens running around the yard earlier). Neither one of us wanted really to make the drive back into town to get groceries after the drive up there... Dinner was a little expensive, but so worth it. It was the first full meal we had in over a week. We got seated with these Dutch ladies - they were so funny! They had taken a 15 hour ferry ride to get to Scotland, and were just going to places day by day - where ever they wanted to go. Because there wasn't much to do - we were a little isolated, we walked around on the cliffs - and no, I didn't get too close to the edge! Waited for sunset - again, around 23:00 - and walked back. I met the cat Bobbit, and it was then that I was feeling a little homesick for Mischief. The owner called her huge - but she was half the size of Mischief. they also had a dog name Charlie - I think - also called Arthur - they had a new kitten called Merlin. The ladies that were running the hostel were very nice - reminded me a little of my girl guide leader Mrs. Crowe. The rooms in the lighthouse were very nice - no bunkbeds that night! We each got 2 comforters and 2 pillows - so comfy! We shut the light off, then D suddenly says - "I don't know if I could sleep with the light.." The lighthouse was a working lighthouse, so we could see the light travelling around the room.

The next morning, onto the Isle of Skye - it was very beautiful. It was my day to drive - onto more twists and turns! I drove over the Skye bridge without incident... ;-P Our hostel was right by the sea with a beautiful view. (again, not much to do but walk around the farm a bit... no pubs in sight, Mama G ;-) We were staying at a farm house called Flora MacDonald. We had a room to ourselves that night as well. We went down to the end of the Isle - then went to the Clan Donald house to tour it a little - the gardens were absolutely beautiful - even if they did have mutant rhubarb there! (the rhubarb in some places were taller than me!) Since there wasn't much to do, we went to bed kind of early - ok, I made D stay up until atleast 22:00 - she was ready for bed @ 21:30! I was so sure that if she went to bed early, that she would wake up @ 5am - but the joke was on me that morning! D got up (I though) @ 7am - I thought she was getting up to take her shower, so I got up, looked out the window, and noticed the sun was just rising (clue #1). Since the sun was coming up so late comparitively on this isle, I thought it was a little weird that @ 7am that the sun was just rising - but we were further south, so I didn't think anything of it. Because it was so beautiful, I decided to walk to the end of the lane and take a picture. Went a little into a farmer's field, but nobody seemed to be up, so I took my pictures. It was a beautiful sunrise. Walked back to our little cabin hostel, and sad on the front porch for a little while, waiting, for D to get out of the shower (clue #2). So I waited for 30 minutes, and when D didn't come out, I went in. It was then that I realized that it was only 05:30!!!!! I said screw taking a shower now, and went back to bed. D got up at her normal time of 7 am... ;-)

We drove to Fort William today - it rained most of the way. Nice drive. Queen Maeve, the warrior car, performed quite well on the inclines and declines - what fun!!!

Yes, we have see quite a few sheep on the highway - all the lambs are out on the highway - had to watch for passing places and sheep at the same time - what fun!

It was raining when we arrived - so I decided not to go to Ben Nevis that day. We had been on the go for so long, it was nice to take a little time off from touring. The hostel invites that kind of atmosphere. Since the owner screwed up on our reservation (he forgot we were coming) we ended up with a family room in the hostel - a double bed bunk bed! I got the top bunk (it was my turn) but what luxury it seemed! So once we got settled, went shopping for pizza (a little different from the pasta that we were having... ;-) and came back to eat. Because this was a holiday weekend, there were a lot of families there. But that's ok. Since this hostel was licensed, we decided to head down to the common room - aka pub - and chatted with the staff for a little while. It was then that Harry and his companion (don't remember his name right now) joined up. They had been walking for the past 3 days - 28 miles a day for 2 days, and 14 miles the last day - but they ended up in the wrong place. They paid a fisherman 40 quid to get a ride on a boat back to Fort William. They were so tired, but not tired enough to have a couple of pints. Harry was quite the character. At then end of each day of their walk in the highlands, they somehow found a pub to have a couple of pints. I had a little trouble understanding their Glasgowigen accent, but they were fun anyway. D and I headed up to our room around midnight, and around 2 (I think) Harry headed up to his room (he was in the bunk room next to ours). A couple of minutes later, we hear this big crash, and this voice saying "I'm okay" in a very heavy Scottish brogue. D and I laughed about that for the rest of the trip. It still brings a smile to my face today.

gotta go - write more later...

Day 7 - Inverness to Thurso

I got to drive again today! Yay! Woke up realy early this morning - 7am really early? Anyway, got up, showered, had breakfast, and hit the road. Was a little sad to see the Inverness hostel go, but onwards and literally upwards! Hit the road (fueled up the car - great little car - have gone over 250 miles at this point, and it was only at half tank!) The driving up to Thurso was a little... um.... topsy turvy? Not my driving, but the roads!!!! Jenn- you will appreciate this - 13% road grades!! And very tight turns... Up and down all along the coast - it was so lovely. A lot of farms along the way - BIG cows and a lot of sheep. It was such a nice drive - up down around - we went to John O'Groats, had lunch there - John O'Groats is the "end of the road" in Scotland - it's the most North-East point of Scotland. (for those of you following along on my map, look at the top right hand corner) It was sunny on one side, then cloudy on the other. Spent a little time walking around, doing a little shopping - it was just so lovely. Got back into the car, and drove to Thurso. Thurso is such a - yes, I'll say it again - LOVELY town. On the sea shore, the town has lots of old buildings. We walked around, did a little shopping, then went grocery shopping at the Co-Op. Back to the hostel as it looks like rain, and, lo and behold! Lisa is here! She's the Aussie we met in Stirling. We're running into the same group of people from time to time - it's nice at this point to see another familiar face.

Anyway, laundry is - pardon the pun... - dirt cheap here, so off to do laundry. Going to try to upload pictures tonight - but no guarantees....

**ADD IN - D and I walked through Thurso again at night - it was 22:30 and the sun wasn't showing any signs of going down. So we went to the beach - there were 4 dudes surfing! We stayed on the beach for over an hour, waiting for the sun to go down, got some pictures, and walked back to the hostel. Spent a little time talking to Lisa - wished her well on her journey... who knows, we might meet up with her again when we go to Australia in 5 years....

*no Jamie found**

Day 4 5 & 6 - Inverness

No internet access at the last hostel - so I'm a little late posting this... ;-) Drive from Stirling to Inverness was interesting. Went through a lot of mountains - the heather is not out yet, so the hills look a little brown, but it was still a lovely drive. The Scottish Broom is out in full though - lovely yellow flower all over the hills. I'm finally getting the hang of driving over here - of course, highway driving is a little easier. However, getting the hang of the traffic circles is a little tougher.... ;-) But I've got the hang of everything now.... even driving on the wrong side of the road... getting used to that too... have to watch it when I get home!

Arrived in Inverness - lovely city. Parked at a Safeway, and walked up to the hostel (well, ok - we walked in circles a little bit to find the place, but we eventually found it). The hostel was in the middle of some old row housing - it was on the second floor of course, up some steep narrow stairs - our room was on the third floor. I'm starting to wonder about my luggage choice, but too little too late now.... Anyway, we also had to find parking. Parking was actually cheap in Inverness - £3.00 per day - compared to the £36 pounds we paid in Edinburgh for 2 days, this was quite cheap! The parking lot was not too far from the hostel, and it was a relatively flat - no hills to chug up and down. The hostel was really nice. We met up with an Aussie couple we had met in Stirling. After we got settled in the hostel, we went grocery shopping at the Safeway. Food prices weren't too bad, we got a lot for a little (watching pences very carefully...). Spent a little time walking around the city, then went to bed. This hostel was very nice and clean.

Day 2 in Inverness - we went to the Culloden Battlefields. We found it the first time too! (great navigating D!) The site was a little overwhelming - so much emotion on the battlefield were so many men lost their lives fighting for what they believed in. We walked the fields for about 2 hours. One thing to note about the fields - they are using Hebridian sheep to keep the brush on the fields down. Every now and then you would see this dark brown sheep munching away at the grass.... interesting... Anyway, after Culloden, we went to Clava Cairns. Interesting that these stone burial fields have lasted over 2,000 years. There were 3 stone circles, and it was very powerful. Sat in the car after that and had lunch. This dog came up to us - she looked like a sheep dog. She came up to say hello, then went on her way. Drove back to Inverness, and walked up and down the picturesque town of Iverness - did a little shopping (bought postcards and stamps mostly...). Went back to the hostel to make pasta (a favourite it seems... ;-)). Spent a little time in the common room - it was a great mix of people - some people from Australia, couple of guys from Poland (big flirts!!!!) and a Canadian who was staying there for a few months. After some conversation the cards came out (whoo-hoo!) Played UNO for a little while (Aussie rules are much different....) then decided to call it a night - we had a big day ahead of us tomorrow.

Day 6 - Happy Birthday to me, Happy birthday to me... we stayed in Inverness (Carbisdale Castle unfortunately didn't happen for my birthday, but it will later on in the trip). D and I had planned on doing a Loch Ness tour - we could get a discount because we were staying at the hostel, but their had to be room on the tour, and we had to be there for 10 AM. We arrived a little early - then D surprised me for my birthday - she bought a full day tour of Loch Ness for my birthday. It was a lovely surprise. It was a beautiful day (a little nippy, but 'tis ok). We started the tour on a bus - drove around a little of Inverness - saw the loch for the first time (anxiously looking for Nessie, of course) It was so beautiful - the perfect sunny day. We stopped along the side of the road, took a couple of pictures, took a pink granite stone from the beach, and went back on the bus. We then stopped at a shop where we could buy souvenirs. I should mention the tour bus driver. Tony has dedicated his life, it seems, to researching the loch ness monster. He had all sorts of facts, and faked photos of the monster- only to reveal that they now believe that the "monster" is in fact a very large sturgeon fish. So much for the mystery! ;-) Anyway, after the souvenir shop, we went to a Loch Ness exihibition tour. Again, gave a little history, and the research they are currently doing in proving the theory of the "monster". A lot of sonar is currently being used to discover the truth. After the exhibition, we were dropped off at Urquhart Castle. This castle is in ruins because the Jacobites blew it up so that the English would not use it. The castle has had some repairs to it, but you can definately picture what it used to be like. After the castle tour we went on a lovely boat ride down Loch Ness (all the time searching for Nessie, or course). We ended back up in Inverness. By the time we got back, it was past 1800, so we were a little hungry. We went out to eat, the restaurant was called "Castle Restaurant" - it was like a greasy spoon diner - but it was my choice to eat there, as this is what I wanted. Had curried chicken and rice, with a huge side of "chips" - it appears that all meals come with a side of chips here. (even D - she ordered a pasta dish, and got a side of chips with it!). Wanted a quiet night, so we walked around Inverness a little, and went back to the hostel. Both of us got a little sunburned that day - don't know how, but somehow it got through my sunblock!!! Spend a quiet night at the hostel - I really didn't feel like going out and celebrating. This trip is really all of the celebrating I need at the moment.

One thing to note here - in Inverness it doesn't get dark until after 2300 - and the sun rises at 0440!!!! And it's not even the longest day of the year yet!!!! Anyway, spend some time outside, as it was still pretty sunny @ 2130 - writing in my travel diary with a cup of tea, contemplating life a little.... went to bed

*no Jamie found*

Ok! new Day! Day 3 - onto to Stirling!

Woke up at around 8am - D was already up and showered.... but it felt good to sleep. Got showered - finally met the girls in the dorm (previously they had been out or already sleeping when D and I came in for the night) They were from Holland - it was nice to talk to them - was probably the first real conversation I'd had with anybody in the hostel. Those girls were going to Vancouver next year, so D and I gave them a few tourist tips.

Anyway, met up with the boys from Hamilton again - still partying from the night before! Wished them well and left. Went for breakfast at the cafe across the street. Back to the hostel, trekked our suitcase/backpacks down all those flights of stairs (see photo!). After trekking to the car, we were finally able to set out. Steph and Beth had given us some pointers from the night before on how to get out of the city. Well, as soon as we turned the corner from the car park, D realized we were in trouble (she's pretty good with the being on the left hand side of the road thing - probably a good thing that she was driving today... :-P ) Well, after making a wrong turn (or shall I say adventurous turn?) I was trying to figure out on the map where to make another turn when this taxi cab driver asks us if she can help us. She was SO NICE! She gave us great directions and we were on our way to the M-9 highway to Stirling.

Once in Stirling we had a little problem. We had a general idea of where we were going, but not the exact location. After successfully navigating a couple of the traffic circles, we became a little confused, and ended up on the wrong side of the street. Well, we stopped and asked for directions at a pub. They were really nice and gave us directions. One elderly gentleman at the pub said that he would go with us - works well for us, and for him as he needed to get back downtown. He never did give us his name.... hmm... oh well... Anyway, we arrived in Stirling! Found the hostel with no problems after the car was parked.

Got into the hostel and setted off for Stirling castle. - walked of course.... The castle was great - again another sunny day - no clouds or rain this time.... hmm... maybe my theory on Scottish weather is wrong.... anyway, this castle was more open - we were able to walk on the ramparts - the royal apartments were closed, but it was still nice.

Next on to the William Wallace Monument. OK - here's the story. On the MAP, it looked fairly close - after walking for 5 kms and getting no closer - took a picture from the side of the road and starting heading back. We needed to get some food, so we stopped at the local grocery store - a very interesting and very different. We spent £8 - but that is $20 in CDN funds - and we didn't buy that much. hmm... and the produce is all cellophane wrapped... make me appreciate more what we have at home.

Anyway, D and I are so exhausted from all the walked from the past few days that we have decided to stay in tonight. Go to bed early and head to Inverness in the morning.

Well, that was the plan anyway. So while D was typing updating her blog, I was talking to this girl Lisa from Australia. It was really interesting to talk to her. She was a "WULF" er - she came from Australia to Ireland to work on Organic farms in Ireland. She decided after 2 months to go to Scotland for a little holiday. WULFers don't get paid, they get food and accomodations and that's it. Anyway, so we just sat up and talked until 2300 - it was really nice.

Off to bed now!

*no Jamie found**

Great News! Just uploading my pictures now to the website - just remember to click on "show oldest first" and you will get them in order of my trip.

Well! so much has happened since I signed off yesterday. Where to begin? Can't believe that is only day 3 of 14 - time either goes really fast or really really slow.... guess I'm still a little jet lagged.

Yesterday Doris and I walked nearly 15 kms - I think. Well, after breakfast we walked to Edinburgh castle. The castle was neat - I didn't get there last time because of a little problem with passing out. It was nice to be able to see it. All the cobble stones, the great hall, the "royal" apartments etc etc etc. It was very cool. We spent a couple of hours at the castle - had a little problem finding the washrooms (the public "toilets" as they are called here) it appears that it got flooded out due to all of the rain. So we were on the lookout for a washroom - then went to the cafe and used the washroom there. (just a little side note - the weather - nice sunny, then windy, cold, sunny again, clouded over, etc etc etc). Was a little disappointed with the castle, but not everything can last from medieval times.

After Edinburgh castle, we went to Holyrood Palace (we walked - of course.... ;-)) Although we seemed to know where we were going, it appears we got a little off track. After trekking up and down the steep streets of Edinburgh, we finally arrived at Holyrood Palace - only to find that it was closed as a "dignitary" was staying there.... D was really upset - this was the one place she wanted to see in Edinburgh and it was closed. Took a couple of pictures through the gate. Then started the trek back to the hostel.

Haven't spoken much about the hostel. We were sleeping in dorm rooms - approximately 8 beds (4 bunk beds) to a room. The showers were right outside our room. Which was nice, except the other morning, it appears that I interrupted some nocturnal activities of a couple in the shower when I came in. That's the thing - anybody can walk in anytime..... just keep in mind that the whole floor is sharing that shower... so I'm getting used to changing behind wet shower curtains in the morning. ;-)

Ok - back to the day. Went back to the hostel - wrote a few postcards - kept up my journal - had a conversation with some "boys" from Hamilton. They were very intent on celebrating May 24 weekend in Edinburgh.

Met D's friend Steph for dinner @ 2100 at a nice restaurant called Guilano's. Steph brought her friend Beth as well. They are really nice ladies. Very good Italian food at the restaurant. The one thing I've noticed here is that when you're in a restaurant you have to ask for your bill - they don't bring it to you automatically. anyway, we sat in the restaurant until midnight - it was very nice to meet them.

Walked back to the hostel - notice a trend here? It was about 0:30 when our heads hit the pillow - very long day - lots of activity but it was good to sleep.

*no Jamie found*

Just a quick note this morning - sorry guys, no photos yet - have not found a place to download them.... yet - will be on the hunt over the next couple of days.

The weather here is so confusing. All day yesterday you could set your watch by it. 20 minutes hot sunshine, then it would cloud over and become very cold. Then, 20 minutes later it would "mist" - it doesn't rain here - it "mists" - then 20 minutes later hot sunshine. I swear I don't know what to wear here! I'll get the hang of it before I leave...

The other thing I forgot to mention yesterday was the people that we have encountered here. They have been so nice and accomodating. Every question we ask, it greeted with a smile - no "dumb tourist" expression here. Yesterday when we went for lunch, I asked the waiter the proper tip amount - something you don't think about I guess before you leave - anyway, the waiter said " for me, 55%, everybody else 10-15%" - gotta love their sense of humour.

I think I forgot to mention the hostel yesterday as well. It's an old hour with 5 floors - and guess where our rooms are? Of course, on the top floor - no elevator!!! I knew I brought too much stuff and the wrong suitcase when I was trying to drag that sucker up all those floors. A hostel employee took pity on us and took my suitcase, I grabbed D's knapsack and we made it up. Now that I've climbed the stairs a few times, it doesn't seem so bad. That first time though, it was a little tough... ;-)

Well, that's about it for now - D and I work up @ 5 am this morning (we went to bed @ 1800 last night - too exhausted to stay up any longer....) the only place that could possibly open early for breakfast (7am) was Starbucks Coffee - and we weren't interested in going there. So we made the trek to the car (a hike really - up and down all those hills!) got a few items, and came back here to make use of some time on the computer.

Well, it's close to 8 am - getting very hungry... time to see what's open for breakfast.

*no Jamie found*

Well, after a very long flight, we've finally arrived in Edinburgh. I left @ 1307 from my apartment yesterday, arrived in TO @ 3:15 - D's parents were very kind in giving us a lift to the airport. We made good time cause D's dad has a bit of a lead foot... ;-)

Since our flight did not leave until 18:55 - we had a lot of time to kill. So we stopped at the nearest pub in the airport, had a beer to relax... nursed that beer for 2 1/2 hours because it was so expensive! It was interesting watching all of the people coming and going.

Our flight did not leave until 19:30 - but we did all board before 18:55. It was a little frustrating because our seats were called last. Ok - the plane - very close quarters - not an inch separating the chairs. It was a very long, uncomfortable 6 1/2 hour flight. could not sleep - at all - too hot in the plane. they showed 2 bad movies - well, ones that should have been good, but weren't.... Once we finally arrived this morning @ 06:30 local time (1:30AM EST) we were feeling very tired. I could hardly keep my eyes open, but we had to drive from Glasgow to Edinburgh. OK - THE CAR!!!!! WOW!

When we booked the car rental in March - we knew we were getting a free upgrade - They gave us a Rover 25 - it is a beauty! We have yet to name her, but rest assured, it will happen. So D took the first leg of the drive - she drove from Glasgow to Edinburgh - but somehow, D and I got a little lost, and off course.... (par for the course for my vacations... ;-) We were somehow south of Edinburgh. We stopped at a gas station, and the attendant was very kind in giving us directions. We bought a map book to help us. So I got to drive at that point - In truth, I was VERY NERVOUS about re-learning to drive a standard, driving on the opposite side, and learning to shift with a different hand! So, I took the city route back into Edinburgh. Think I scared Doris a number of times. I'm not used to having to leave room on the left hand side, and let me tell you - the streets are VERY narrow. I think I nearly took a pedestrian out... but he was fine - I checked... ;-)

Well, what they don't tell you in those map books is where the CONSTRUCTION is. Ok - so we got a little lost the second time trying to find the hostel. BUT in our defense, every time we would navigate a street, it was either a one way, or the "round about" was under construction. Jolene - I think I know now where they got the idea for the traffic circle in Halifax - they are all over here!!!! So I think I've mastered the shifting in the standard now - except on hills - they leave no room behind you when waiting at a red light - good thing we've got insurance!!!

so when we found the hostel, was so wiped out I layed down for an hour. So so tired - was up for over 24 hours at this point. After the one hour - D and I went out for lunch at a place called Garfunkel's. Then we wandered the Royal Mile. Both of us are so tired right now, which is why sitting at the computer seemed liked a good idea right now.

Tomorrow it's Castle Edinburgh, and Holyrood Castle. After that, we are off to meet one of D's friends for supper. Sleep is all I can think of right now... so I'll sign off.

*no Jamie found*

T-Minus 19 hours.....

Well, it's midnight before I leave, and I can't sleep - at all. Too excited/nervous! The other thing is that Mischief threw up tonight as I was cleaning up, and this makes me very nervous leaving her for 2 weeks. I know that I'm leaving her in very capable hands, but it's still hard. They say that cats don't have facial expressions, but I swear she's been giving me dirty looks all night.

Well, almost packed - just the toiletries stuff to pack. I did about 12 loads of laundry today - amazing what loads those big washers can take at a laundry matt!

Anyway, I'll try to get some sleep... yeah right! Maybe I'll go find that Economics textbook - that always put me to sleep right away when trying to study... ;-)

Well, it's 6 days before I leave and I can't contain my excitement. However, I do have to get through a mountain of laundry before I go. *sigh* hop to it!