Bye Scotlnd.

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Hi All, As you can see I am now down in England just outside Oxford. Sitting on a boat on the Thames starting a boat trip around the area with Viv and Charlie. Everything looking good apart from the weather being a little cold and wet.

Anyway, we finished up in Scotland after a great trip that finished off with a great show at the Edinburgh Tattoo. On the way down from Nairn we stayed for 2 nights at the Hotel Athol, a magnificent old manor house in Pitlochry. As soon as we saw it Di and I knew that we had stayed there in '98 with Chris. It comes complete with a 9 hole pitch and putt that gave us a lot of fun when the 6 of us had a make shift game. Lots of laughs while the real golfers enjoyed having a chance to stretch their arms . A visit to a whisky distillery and a couple of walks as well. The girls decided to have a day off on the 2nd day while Charlie, Warwick and I took off with the bus to Crathes Castle, a very pretty place with lovely gardens. This trip took us past the Royal Balmoral castle were the Queen was in residence so you couldn't get near it to Balmoral. I got one photo from the road. When we returned to the hotel we found Di,Viv and Pam were enjoying a high tea in the lounge after walking around Pitlochry and having a good day. The next day off to Edinburgh for the last 2 days of our trip. On the way we had a visit to the great St Andrews Golf course which we all enjoyed, even the non golfers. Friday night a Scottish show with lots of pipes, singing, music and dancing. A good night. Saturday we toured around Edinburgh then enjoyed the Tattoo, which was magic. Certainly a must if you are there when it is on. So, sad goodbyes to Pam and Warwick, who left to start their journey back to NZ. We have had a fantastic few weeks with them cycling and seeing places that we haven't been before and created a lot of memories.

So Charlie, Viv, Di and I headed off driving into England to Hadrians wall for 4 days and then into the lake district for 4 days. Will catch up soon depending on the availability of wi-fi on the river. Pip/Rod

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Photos

Snack Time.
Waiting for a snack by the river.

I Wish.
Bought a ticket in this so I may get a phone call.
Yea Right!

Close???
This is the closest we got to Balmoral.

Tea Anyone?
Here they are. Having a high tea. Oh, your back. Oh.

Hi to Mike and Lydia.
Catch up time.

Talk About Travels
We all discuss were we have been and what we have been doing. Good to catch up with Lydia and Mike who have been traveling around for quite awhile.

A Grand Entrance.
Di at the top of the stairs to Hotel Athol.

Beautiful.
The Hotel Athol and the surrounds. Very old, very nice but a little worn.

Foundation Of A Family.
Viv and Di succeeded in finding past family at Clamis Castle. They even found a guy who lives in a house that was owned by a late uncle.

Here I Am.
So they were thrilled to get some info and will receive more from this guy Tommy.

Claims Castle.
Great Uncle was the gardener. Grandma did scotish dancing with the late Queen Mother.

Amazing, Inside and Out.
Lovely place to visit, lots of history.

Let Me In!!!
Di trys to retake the Castle. Let me in, I belong here.

The Great Pretender.
I pretend to be playing golf with these guys at St Andrews. Yea Right!!!

Hi, I Love Pip ers. He He.
Di stands beside a piper welcoming us to a Scottish Show.

Traveling Companions.
And I knew everyone of them by name. Once again, Yea Right!!!

Let The Tattoo Begin.
So good, so entertaining and it went so fast. Worth going to if ever I'm back. I loved it.

So Much Happening.
They come and go and then something else is happening.

Try a Panorama
So much colour and different things happening.