A week in Inverness. Sounds like I've won fifth prize in the local primary school raffle! But no, Inverness is quite a delightful place despite the very Scottish weather. It has rained every day for the last week but it only lasts a few minutes (but then again so does the sunshine!) which means it really hasn't stopped us doing anything or we have been a little wet but never soaked. I've walked the streets following the Inverness Town Walk which was really informative and really quite interesting. The Sanderson 'free walking' tours had finished the previous week and that probably would have been my preferred option but me as a 'tour guide' is only scary to others! Things appear to be closing down quite quickly now that Summer (?) is officially over. It hasn't impacted ... read more

That's the old teacher at the 'old schoolhouse'. You're looking at a tender, succulent and really quite unctuous beef cheek. Very nice dish and despite the fact we were both tired the meal went down very well. Can't afford to go back but it was good. In fact we've just eaten at the local pub and although you could have fired a cann in the restaurant the food there was pretty good as well. I had a lovely oven baked haddock. It's fish you find everywhere here, it is the fall back option for fish and chips, so it's a good firm, flaky fish that is easy to fillet. But today was walking in the wet day. The wind blew, the heavens opened and it was wild. I walked to a local landmark know as 'the ... read more

Ah, Ben Nevis! The magic of conquering the highest peak in the UK has lasted one day! Now that feeling has been utterly eliminated! I was happy taking just over 7 hours for the up and down, some runner did it in 70 minutes today! It was the annual Ben Nevis race and this guy has won the events for 8 consecutive years. We picked up a hitch hiker today who had competed in the event and he had the time of just over 90 minutes so my day's hike was sounding very, very average. He did look a bit stiff and weary and he was thankful for the lift but he had just run up and down Ben Nevis! It's compulsory to take gloves, a hat and a coat (last year the temp at the ... read more

Missed my ale pie last night. I know sad but true. My fault though as I noted that the pie came from a larger pie and I really wanted an individual one as I maintain that slices reheated go a little hard and dry around the edges. So the search goes on. Long ago have I given up on finding rabbit in any form so my holy grail is now a good ale pie (well not really. I haven't completely given up but I'm talking myself into it!). But the own brewed ales are very good and the pub itself is very good. As well as canine brews it is dog friendly and dogs are everywhere. There were 6 in just one of the areas here! We travelled to the north of the Lakes District near ... read more

Just increased my blog readership by 2, so that increases my audience by 50%. Sorry Vlad the maths is correct (and that's counting my mum who doesn't even have a computer, lap top or tablet)! Sad story but true. The 2 are two delightful ex Moscovites (are you ever an ex Moscovites or do you always remain a Moscovites?) who now live in London. We met them in Great Hucklow which did turn out to be pretty great. They stayed at the same pub and made the mistake of laughing at my jokes and listening to my stories and then the almost fatal error of offering to share a pint or two! There were terrific (anyone who laughs at my jokes has a well developed sense of humour!) and were indeed excellent company over evening meal ... read more