Left the farm before 6AM, back in Melfort just after 9AM. Found my passport immediately (exactly where I thought it should be and where I had searched 3 times earlier!) Got gas and was on the road by 9:20, back at the farm by 12:30 for lunch with Dianne. After that it was up on a ladder to pick apples from one tree before leaving around 2:30. Bypassed Calgary (more or less) and after a short stop for gas etc headed west on the old #1 highway. Called it quits for the night at Cochrane as dusk arrived and we were tired. There was already a tent on the site the campground gave us so they found us another in with the motor homes but with a piece of grass for the tent and much nearer ... read more

I'm on the train back to London, and Durham is the next stop. Train movement doesn't improve my keyboarding any! But with any luck I'll be in London at 12:17, and at my hotel by suppertime! That will involve another train ride, but in the morning I think the hotel has a shuttle to the Metro to Newcastle, a train to Hexhmairport. Yesterday I made it to a well known stop on Hadrian"s Wall about a half hour out of Newcastle. I took the Metro to Newcastle and was told to take a train to Hexham. Once there I found the information place closed (iut was Sunday). Since there were no signs, I folloed somepone's directions to the bus station which was sall, closed, and almost abandoned. One guy there said few buses run on Sunday. ... read more

This morning it was heavy overcast, and this afternoon it rained more and more, though it let up a bit this evening. I was busy in the archives searching for wills and intestate records. Between 2 & 4 I was in the General Registery Office searching death records. I ran out of time! Then I walked to Edinburgh Castle in the drizzle and toured it with the help of a audio headphone set. I didn't see everything but it was very interesting On the way back I got quite wet despite stops at a factory tartan place and some other shops on the "Royal Mile". I finally stopped at Bosten Bean company for yorkshire pudding and roast beef! I even found my hotel again without much effort. Of course, I'll be moving on tomorrow. Edinburgh has ... read more

I got lucky today. Iona was uncharacteristically sunny, and though the wind was strong and cool, it was a beautiful day. I had spent the night in my car, and that was a bit cool but OK. Got my ticket as soon as they opened, and then went shopping a bit, almost missing the ferry! It's a 45 minute ride to Mull, a large island in the Hebrides chain. Then we had a tour bus take us to the ferry port for Iona, and he was great - very knowledgeable and also quite a comedian! The second ferry ride, to Iona, is quite short. We arrived on schedule at 12:30, and its a short walk to the old abbey, passing other parts of the old community including a nunnery and gardens, as well as the cemetery ... read more

Greetings from the land of sheep and rabbits! So far I've caused no traffic accidents (but those roundabouts are scary!) and seen some beautiful country. The broom grass is in full bloom. I've explored lots of cemeteries and photographed lots of old churches and other buildings. Yesterday I was at the Battle of Culloden historic site, where 1500 Scots lost their lives in a few minutes trying to route a very superior English force (maybe my rebellious streak is in my genes?) I also travelled the coastline from near Inverness to Banff (saw the Banff Springs Hotel again) and on to Fraserburgh. I've been to two Scout meetings and one Cub meeting here in Fyvie and Banff. Today I worshipped at Fyvie Church of Scotland (Presbyterian) and had lunch at their hall after (tattie and leek ... read more