Blogs from Inverness-shire, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe - page 48

Geo: 57.1431, -4.68296We began this morning at 5:45 thanks to our trusty alarm clock, Rich. After getting ourselves in order, it was off to another Scottish breakfast at Mac Donald's. (Ahem.) Stand E was only a brief walk away and while waiting for our bus we explored another really old cemetery. We saw graves of people who were buried before America declared independence. The "newest" monument in the cemetery was a statue of Abraham Lincoln. It was strange.Upon boarding the bus, we met Bill, an animated and well-versed Scotsman (kilt included), who made our day a wonderful one. We headed north from Edinburgh into the Highlands and completely trumped the Friday the 13th garbage by enjoying a SUNNY day. From a distance, we passed Stirling Castle, where William Wallace turned back the English by destroying a ... read more

Well who’da thunk it’s nearly been a month since my last entry… geez time flys when your having fun. It’s been a few weekends of going out and discovering our one of our fave new cheap drinking spots (Berlin Bar) with hot Polish security guards, getting cheap haircuts (a lot shorter than I had asked for), dying our own hair (not since high school, the thangs ya do when your traveling, agh) didn’t turn out too badly though, and trying to get out of the hoose when it’s not raining!! You cannot go anywhere here without an umbrella. I,ve given up on thinking the weather’s going to be good just because the sun shines for half a day... if your lucky. It’s Friday night here and I,ve got the whole flat to myself. Just realized ... read more

On Monday 25th June I left my cosy hostel (big up for Travellers Oasis) my tip for Cairns is if you're prepared to go the far side of Cairns Central Shopping Central you'll get better comfort and peace at night for your money but still be in easy reach of where the action is. Took my final flights, first of all the sharp turn on take off from Cairns International, wish they did not insist on getting there 3 hours early, there is not a lot to do in their departure lounge. Had a short stop at Darwin, took in the heat in the only outside space I could find, the smokers area. Had the luxury of the emergency exit seats but this meant in the event of an emergency, I would have the responsibility ... read more

It's the 4th of July and we can't find any fireworks? I wonder why?? Today we slept in a little while and laid around the lodge, drank tea, read books, etc. We also went into Fort Augustus and watched the sailboats going from Loch Linnhe to Loch Ness on the locks. Instead of mules (like on the Erie canal song) the owners had to tow their own boats! Then we took a boat trip on Loch Ness. You'll never guess what we saw.......(check out the video in the corner)... read more

Well, we finally had a great weather day! And perfect timing - today we went out on Loch Ness and toured Urquhart Castle. The loch was very calm and it was very picturesque. We had about a 30 minute boat ride out to the castle, whic was built to protect the southeast part of the loch. It was built in the 12th century - mostly ruins now, but enough still to identify parts of the castle grounds. Also today we did laundry! Found a laundrette in town, staffed by a wonderful woman who helped us get everything done. (She even puts the soap powder in the washer!) Had a relaxing evening - Jeff and Allison had dinner at a small Italian restaurant in town while the kids stayed in and ordered room service. Tomorrow - ... read more