29 April - The Last Hill

Reluctantly we left our little room in the Chicken Shack Lodge to be taken on our last train ride from Stirling to Edinburgh.  We made friends with our taxi driver Peter after enjoying his little words of wisdom that we mostly could not understand.  In fact, we couldn’t understand most of those giving us directions and probably why we wondered around a lot.

Taxi Driver Peter - what a character

After getting back to Edinburgh we decided to make sure we would be able to get on the tram to the airport in the morning.  Lots of options for transportation here.  The most used are walking, then bus, then train and lastly by car (taxi).  Since the Scotch like to save money we realized that walking is always the most suggested option.  Also, lots of construction going on in Edinburgh which makes the roads impossible to maneuver and another reason that the pedestrians have taken over and challenge any car that even tries to drive through an intersection.  Apparently, a red no crossing light means “run” in front of the car that has the green signal.  We just continue to run with the crowd.

We had our final meal at our little favorite restaurant close to the hotel called The Italian Caffe which was more like anything you want besides Italian.  The 3 little waitresses were there early in the morning and late at night and so friendly.  Always a good meal at a fair price even if you were elbow to elbow with everyone.

We have a long journey home that will add 8 hours to our April 30.  Even though we will get into Portland at 9:35pm it will be 5:35am in Scotland and we will be zombies, but it will be good to be back in Oregon with everyone driving on the right side of the road and stopping at signals and no more roundabouts.  Hallelujah!

The contradiction of Edinburgh - 1700 buildings vs. new high rise construction alongside each other

 Just a few final words of advice for those of you who may want to travel to the United Kingdom.  GO FOR IT!!  It’s an amazingly beautiful island filled with the friendliest and kindest people.  We will be glad to share all our traveling expertise and show you over 1000 pictures.  But we also have wisdom to share for any one 75 years old and up.  If you have the urge to travel to these beautiful Scottish Isles or anywhere in this vast world, we recommend that you turn on your TV and watch the Rick Steve’s travelogue programs on the Discovery Channel while you lay in bed and eat chocolate or just pay for your grandkids to take the journey.  This is not a trip for those who are faint of heart, have bad knees, bad back or both, have no sense of direction, failing eyesight, can’t push two suitcases at the same time or just can’t understand the Scottish brogue.  And my final personal advice:  Don’t believe a word Rita says about me!

Why am I laughing?  The Scotsman just told me to keep my hands above his waist :-)  

27-28 April - Riding the Rails

Sorry about no blog yesterday.  Again, had some internet problems and hopefully I don’t encounter them again tonight.  This crazy hotel we are in will definitely not like how we rate them on Booking.com.  No receptionist, no phone in room, no toilet paper in bathroom, no shampoo, no elevator (and you know how much Rita loves to walk upstairs), one teabag to share and the heating system set on air-conditioning when it’s about 40 degrees out and not even a pen to write out our complaints.  Other than that, it is an OK place.  There’s the Highgate Restaurant next door that serves chicken that Rita keeps calling the “Chicken Shack”.  That’s where we have to go have our breakfast.  The waiter, the host and the chef run back and forth through the parking lost as the on call receptionist at the hotel.  It’s been an experience.

Back to the night of the 26^th. We stayed in a little cottage in Nairn run by Jane Fairweather.  OMG, what a sweetie.  She even came and picked us up at the train station.  The only thing is that the room was made for little leprechauns as it had teeny little chair and you almost fell to the floor when you sat on the toilet.  I was wondering if I was going to have to call for help.  Wonderful breakfast and then Jane drove us back to the train station after Rita asked her to drive us past the local golf course so I could take a picture of it for Ron.  Huh!  Like Jane is our tour guide.  Ron better love these pictures as we sped by so we could get to the train on time.

We have now decided that we are seasoned Train Travelers and ready to backpack across Europe.  We’ve got it down, we’ve figured out the time tables, how to hop off and on and get the Ticket Agent to give us all the info we need by telling him he is “wonderful”.  Flirting goes a long way here and they love an American accent.

We went from Nairn to Inverness and walked along the River Ness, went into little shops and took the On-Off Tour Bus.  Then back to the train station for our trip to Stirling where we are today. 

Scotland and most of Europe have it down with the trains.  All stations are in the middle of the city and you can go anywhere after you get off the train.  Simple and the trains are full.  We need to rethink driving our big old SUV’s or every kid have a car.  The countryside is amazing and if you get tired you can just look out the window and count sheep forever till you fall asleep.

Rita with some old friends at Stirling Castle. 

Today we went to the Stirling Castle.  I stupidly asked the taxi driver it he could take us all the way up the hill and he said, “where else do you think the castle is, we don’t build them underground.”  I told him they should try it sometime and maybe the could take the English by surprise and win.

I took over 200 pictures at the castle so won’t go on and on, but my favorite part was Queen Anne’s Garden.  It made me feel that there was some civility amongst the royalty and the need for a peaceful place.  They are still in the process of restoration, but they have done a magnificent job bringing the castle back to its once glory.  They say the Stirling is the heart of Scotland and I really felt it in that beautiful and peaceful castle. 

We are now back to our little Chicken Shack Annex Lodge.  Rita is watching boring English television.  We still can’t figure out their guide system so watch anything that pops up.  Right now, it’s a Pierrot mystery.  I’m eating Ritz crackers and cheese with a mini bottle of Chardonnay.  Tomorrow back to Edinburgh by train.  It was a fun 3-day adventure that was full of twists and turns, miles of walking and meeting some of the best people on earth.  

Along the River Ness in Inverness

A beautiful entrance to a cathedral in Nairn in the middle of  town.

Trains, Whiskey and Song

What a day!!  I really don’t know where to start.  We left Edinburgh via train for our final destination of the day in Nairn (next to Inverness).  Don’t ask why Nairn other than it sounded like a cool place when I was booking rooms5 months ago. It is a beautiful little village with all the little cobblestone homes and winding roads not wide enough for one car. 

We decided to get off at Pitlochry which was on our route to Inverness.  The Edradour Distillery is the smallest and oldest whiskey distillery in the world.  A larger well known distillery makes the same amount of whiskey in a week that Edradour makes in a year.  It was such a beautifully little hideaway up in the hills.  I took the 1-hour tour while Rita stayed at the little bar tasting room and had a cup of tea.  What a waste. 😊

The highlight of the day was the train ride from Pitlochry to Inverness.  We could hear the singing of some young men at the front of our coach.  The conductor went up front and I was thinking he was going to ask them to keep it down, but he joined in singing with them.   As he came back to our seats, he asked if we had any song requests for the guys.  I was laughing so bad that he said we could go up and join them.  Of course, I said “sure” and Rita just stared at me.  They were a delight.  Loud and off key and loving every minute.  I sat down behind them and started videoing them.  They got louder and more fun and more off key.  Of course, the 3 or 4 twelve packs of beer couldn’t be the reason.  The young woman beside me explained that this happens all the time especially on a Friday.  I’m still wondering where the eight are now and if they are getting more and more off key.  You can come over any time to watch the video.  Tried to download it onto blog but it would not work.

Pitlochry from the car ride up to the Distillery - Notice the sheep in the foreground.  They're everywhere.

Shops on main street of Pitlochry

Pitlochry Train Station

25 April - It's All Uphill

Our beautiful sunshine is now the dreary grey rainy weather that we were promised and I’m beginning to think Rita was right to think we needed rain boots.  For a city built on 7 hills there sure are a lot of puddles that form with just a little rain.  It does make me feel like Oregon, but this city is far from anything I’ve seen in Oregon or U.S. except in the movies.  It’s a walk back in history and I mean a “walk”.  People here walk everywhere quickly so when you ask how far something is it’s always a “10 minute” walk which translates to 30 min.  I think one of the pedestrian’s favorite pastimes is playing “chicken” at the crosswalks.  First you push the walk/stop button and then you run like crazy in front of the cars.  I finally figured out that if you run with the group that the cars will stop because they don’t want to be convicted of mass murder.  Don’t try it by yourself.

Rita and I “split up” today 😊.  She really wanted to go to St. Andrews Golf Course.  She promised her son Ron a picture.  It’s reputed to be the most beautiful and oldest golf course in the world.  She only got 3 pictures because her phone had not charged.  She said it was peaceful and as beautiful as described.  It’s set right up against the sea and has breathtaking views.  She does have a picture of herself with a very handsome Scotsman, kilt and all.  Both have a great smile.  Of course, no picture of the actual golf course.

I went the route of going to Edinburgh Castle….me and about 3,000 other tourists. Apparently, they get two million visitors a year.  It was a good thing Rita opted for the peaceful route as the castle is at the very highest hill in Edinburgh.  It is Impressive!  Again, our ancestors were a mean bunch of people.  Always killing off someone for various reasons.  Poor Queen Mary of Scots really had a lot to complain about.  Imagine your cousin having your head cut-off.  So much for family get togethers. 

One of the highlights today was the commentator on the bus on my bus tour.  He told so many detailed stories, but what really got to me was the way people lived 300 years ago.  It’s amazing any of us are here because those poor people lived through horrendous conditions.  No indoor plumbing meaning you had to go to the city well to get water and a “nasty bucket” for a bathroom which got tossed out the window at 10 am each morning.  I’ll just leave the rest of it to your imagination.

The one thing that caused me to some heartbreak was how the “Christians” of the day treated people who were not “Christians”.  He pointed out a beautiful church where they would bring people out of the church and torture them for various infractions such as stealing food and other high crimes.  It’s no wonder there are still hard feelings against “Christians”.  It just made me feel sad that the church in those days did not truly understand the meaning of representing Christ. 

 It’s late and I need to dry out my clothes and pack for tomorrow.  We are off for Inverness tomorrow via train so that will be another adventure in “what the heck are we doing”.   

I had to sneak to take this picture of Mary Queen of Scots - No pictures allowed inside the rooms

My favorite way to end - The bagpipes of Scotland

Entrance to Edinburgh Castle

Alive and Well

Sorry about not getting a post yesterday, but along with me, the wi-fi had a melt-down.  Not even the hotel IT genius could figure out why I could not get internet even with wi-fi.  Now it's Thursday morning here in Edinburgh and yesterday we had a day on the tour bus hopping off and on. I'll tell you all about it later today when my nerves are less rattled.


Love those socks!

Guarding Holyrood House  Palace - Home of the royal family - Harry can't get by me.

23 April - Good People Everywhere

On our journey from London to Edinburgh we have encountered the sweetest, most helpful and just good people.  Everyone is genuinely friendly and willing to help in any way they can.  Men jump up to take your bag and help you off and on a train.  Total strangers become your friend within 5 minutes.  Today Rita was talking to a young man from South Africa who made sure we had our bags secured and off the train.  I had a conversation with a family from New York with 3 young children.  What a great dad who totally engaged his 3 little boys.  Everyone wants to know about you and especially interested if you tell them we are from Oregon.  Some don’t know it’s on the West Coast as those who do visit the U.S. stay on the East Coast.  They totally understand my frustration with driving here as they share the same fear and frustration and tell me not to even attempt driving in Scotland.   Another thing we find is that children and dogs/cats come first.  Even the restaurants advertise that children and pets are welcome and often adults too.  Everything is set up for kids and the kids and parents just enjoy one another.  Haven’t run into a bratty kid yet.  Our last B&B had dog treats on a shelf for dog guests.  They even set up a special table in the lounge so that a couple with their dog could have private dining outside the Dining Room.  Now that is accommodating your guests.  Samson was lucky to get his dog food in the laundry room.  One thing about this trip is that it has renewed my faith in the goodness of people and that everyone wants the best for their families and others.

So happy to be on a comfortable stress free train

We got off to a lovely start today with one of the most beautifully served breakfast I’ve ever had.  We packed up our bags and found the Enterprise Car for Hire in the actual time – 13 minutes.  No dents, scratches or other signs of accident.  The entire 4 days we only used 1/4 tank of petrol traveling from Cardiff to Llanduno Junction – all the way from South to North Wales.  I would buy a Hyundai Hybrid anytime.  We were driven to train station and then we were off on a comfortable stress free 4-hour train ride to Edinburgh.  If I had driven, we would still be out on the road with me clutching the steering wheel.  Rita is already asleep at 8:30 pm and I plan on taking a Tylenol PM and pass out and be ready for day of touring the city…by bus.  Of course, it’s supposed to rain for the first time in 2 weeks.  Guess we need to be thankful for all the sunshine we had up till today.  One thing I am thankful for is a God who continues to send us people to show us His goodness and answers prayers. Rita is feeling much better and for that I am truly thankful.

Lovely fresh flowers on our breakfast table

The dining room in our B&B Clontarf House, llandudano Junction

Some of the scenery along the route - always sheep no matter where you go

One of the many train stations along our 4 hour journey - Preston, UK

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Just Stunning

Conwy from the top of Conwy Castle

Why our ancestors left this beautiful country is beyond me.  They have mountains, rivers, lakes, oceanside, forests, and curvy roads lined with stone fences.  I know I keep using the words incredible, awesome and now stunning, but this part of the world is where they should make movies or maybe they do.  If so, it would be of medieval times and fairytales.  They even have a little town her called Fairy Glen and it was picture book.  Wish I could have stopped and taken pictures but still have problem with taking pictures and clutching the steering wheel. 

First stop was the Conwy Castle in Conwy on the Irish Sea.  Lots of history with warring against the English.  As usual the Welsh used their ability to outtalk the English; “April 1^, 1401, whilst the castle’s garrison attended Good Friday Services at St, Mary’s Church, supporters of Gwain Glyndwr, disguised as carpenters, talked their way into the castle and killed the two guards left on watch.  This coup was a mighty boost for Glyndwr’s war against English rule, causing a wave of rebellion across Wales.”  I told you my ancestors were great talkers and loved to fight.

I would not have survived living in the Conwy Castle.  Once I made it to the stop landing my knees started to shake and had to hold on to the side of the walls.  Beautiful view of Conwy surrounded by the original stone wall and sea.  Then going down those narrow stair passages was an adventure.  It could be an “E” ride in Disneyland.  Bet most of you don’t remember Disney had A, B, C, D, E rides with “E” being the wildest and best.  Sadly, to say that Rita did not enjoy any of this adventure as she was still sleeping off her battle with her stomach bug.  Good thing, as there was no way she would have made it around those ramps and hidden rooms.

Llandudno Junction is right on the Irish Sea and it’s spectacular.  We have a great B&B and feel like we are in luxury.  Yes, we are sharing a queen bed 😊  I walked from the West promenade beach all the way to the other end and I was taken by the homes, hills and just the beauty of this place. Then I noticed on top of the hills and cliffs are MORE sheep.

Stone tunnel entrance to castle.  Notice 2 cars.  They take turns going through the one car width tunnel

There were 3 stained windows in the Chapel.  Loved this one

Partial interior of Conwy Castle

Our suite

Farewell little Blue Heidi - She had a great GPS with a wonderful English accent

Our B&B - The Clontarf House.  We're on second floor, left window

Tomorrow we are finally turning in little Blue Heidi and I will be one happy camper.  Then on to the Great Western Railway for Edinbourgh.