Edinburgh

 Vicky had a fun-filled, action packed, couple of days for us, starting with a visit to Edinburgh Castle. We parked up nearby, left Misty in the car, and waved bye bye to Kathy and Einar, who were off to the zoo to feed some penguins. We were some of the first into the castle, and spent a great couple of hours browsing around. I was excited to see the Crown Jewels, I love Crown Jewels. 

Meanwhile, at the zoo

After the castle we collected Misty then wandered through the park on Princes street and bought a spot of lunch.  A Stroll along the Royal Mile followed where Misty was very, very wary of a pink sheep.

Next we climbed Calton Hill. The war memorial at the top proved a little tricky for Ian to climb, but after a lot of hilarity and little help from his friends he finally made it. Once up, he and Alex posed for a photo shoot for GQ.

On the way back to the car we went via Greyfriars cemetery to visit Greyfriars Bobby’s grave. And all the graves made popular by J K Rowling.

 

We had just enough time to return to the house for coffee and a shower, before meeting Kathy and Einar near the zoo for a meal. Then back into town for Beauty and the Beast at the playhouse. While we were singing ‘kill the beast’, Ian and Alex went out for a nighttime run/cycle. 

After a good nights sleep we were up and at Em early again to visit the Royal Yacht Britannia, where we had expensive tea and cake.

No visit to Edinburgh is complete without a trip to the top of Arthur’s seat, Misty loved it.

 

We had just enough time to return for coffee and to leave Misty before a trip to The Real Mary Kings Close and to Spit on the Heart of Midlothian.

We struggled to find somewhere for tea. Alex had his eye on a mashed potato place,  but eventually we settled for a regular pub style restaurant. Back at the ranch it was time for an earlyish night. All this sightseeing takes it out of you.

The next day we departed Posh Williams, us by car and the rest by train (First Class) . It felt like we had been away forever, but we had really enjoyed our Scottish Sojourn. 

CHEERS

The road to Perth

 We slept well in Bunchrew, the only disturbance was Misty being sick then eating it. Ian arose to feed her leaving the door open. Misty leapt out to help him! Damn, the game is up. Thank god there’s only one day left. We tarried awhile breakfasting and chatting before Ian went off for a shower. Now, as you know, he can take a long time doing his ablutions, but even I was getting a little concerned this time. It transpires that he didn’t actually meet anyone on his travels, just felt the need to do some mopping. 

We were away before noon and on the road to Perth. As we reached Inverness the rain began to pour down. Nevertheless we parked up and went in search of scotch whiskey. We felt the need to buy some, we were in Scotland. A brisk walk in the rain over the river and back brought us past a whiskey shop, where Ian managed to get ‘the best value bottle in the shop’. Brewed somewhere in the western isles.

On our travels we had spotted a nice little brasserie by the river, so we deposited Misty back at the van and returned for lunch. I felt it was all very nice but Ian didn’t like the young lad serving us. He felt he served the people on the next table before us, even though they arrived after, and that they took too long to bring the soup. 

Back at the van we commenced the final leg of our motorhome journey, back to Perth. We had booked the Noah’s Ark campsite for our last night as we had to clean the van out, empty the toilet etc before returning by 11am. It was fine as a stopover, except for the rabbits, which Misty was keen to chase. 

We rose early on our final morning as Ian was keen to clean the van to within an inch of its life. It was only a 15 min journey to Dicksons of Perth where Big Dave came out to great us. ‘Lost a vent have we, tut tut. I’ll send you the bill.’ Everything else was well, and he even took us into his shed to show us the imbroglio 675 (or something like that). This model is the same as our little van but with a real, fixed, double bed! We took our leave of BD and our lovely little van and headed for Tesco where we had a long list of things to buy for the girls. We then called at Kinross services and had sausage sandwiches and coffee. While there, Ian got a message from big Dave. Apparently someone had welded the vent on causing strain on the poppers causing it to fall off. Not our fault, no payment required. Big Dave is a lovely fella! Also at Kinross I contacted Posh William, the owner of the Edinburgh house, to see if we could arrive early. No problem! Posh William is also very nice!

The Walters wing is the left, posh William is the rest

So, about 1:30, we rolled into Heritage Drive, our home for the next three nights. We bagged the best bedroom, unpacked, showered, put some washing on, and squirted beer onto the windows. We had an asignation with Vicky and Alex at 4.30 at the camera obscura. Before that, Vicky and Alex had been for a bit of whisky tasting 

The camera obscura is very dog friendly so we took Misty. Also has 98 steps! Amazingly Misty managed most of them with only a bit of carrying required.

As we walked to the restaurant Vicky had booked, we looked back over the castle. Some sunset.

Badger and co was also very dog friendly. We got a corner table where Misty could be well contained.

Just as we finished Einar and Kathy arrived and it was a short walk back to the car park. 

We all crammed into the car, six people, a dog, one large and two small suitcases, and three pairs of wellies. Camera obscura had assured me that I would get this heinously expensive car park cheap if I downloaded an app, got a code, and scanned something at the barrier. At the barrier we had so much fun. The code wouldn’t work, the ticket kept spitting itself back out, we were all shouting advice, ian was just shouting, we called the helpline which was just loud music, but the icing on the cake was when Ian’s seat started to fold itself in half. We were all crying with laughter. In the end we paid full price just to escape.

Back at the house the usual fight over bedrooms began, Ian and I having obviously already bagged ours, before a quick chill and catch-up then bed. Vicky had planned a long day for us tomorrow.

Problems

 As we awoke in Shieldaig the sky was heavy with rain. Our day of sun was over. Ian lifted Misty down to feed her as I lazed in bed. ‘Quick, pass the binocs, it’s a white tailed sea eagle.’ An exciting bird spot. We breakfasted on porridge before Ian went off to shower. While he was gone the nice owner came over for payment. I had the door open as Misty can’t get out, or can she? She can if she wants a fuss to be made of her! Maybe I’ll keep that secret. We had encountered a problem on arrival yesterday in that, although each pitch has its own water supply, our tiny little hose won’t reach it. We had already got on the blocks and connected the electric so couldn’t fill up. And now, this morning, it had run out. Oh well. We managed to get the washing up over to the hut and do it there. But in doing so I left my nice raincoat! Sigggggghhhhh!

Morning in Shieldaig. Note the beautiful vent

We decided to do everything before leaving, all the emptying and filling things. It seems like a good idea to take a chance when you can. The rain began just as we left. As predicted the road to Inverness, though still pretty, couldn’t match what had gone before. Although we did find a lovely waterfall, Rogie falls, where the salmon leap in august and September.

Back at the van the rain was getting heavier so we headed straight for the next campsite at Bunchrew on the Beauly Firth. We set up under a tree, maybe not the best idea but we’ll see. As Ian returned from a trip to the facilities he let out a yell and insisted I come outside. The cover for the fridge outlet has disappeared!! More problems. Apparently it’s Ok but we will have to pay for it. Ian is NOT happy. 

Ventless!

 

A will we, won’t we debate occurred as to whether we should do a cycle ride. The won’t we won, mainly because to get anywhere cycle friendly we would have to negotiate a busy road, and I do not like cycling on busy roads. So we took Misty for a walk along the Beauly Firth

The Kessock Bridge

Back at the ventless van we got the telly going (no mean feat) cooked up a fish pie (Tesco Finest) poured a glass of wine and had a quiz night. Mastermind, Only Connect (got hardly any), and University Challenge. 

Tomorrow we have to end up in Perth ready to hand the van back on Weds

Sunshine

 Morning dawned bright and sunny over the Ardmair camp site and the view that was lovely last night was stunning this morning. 

The paddle boarders were out again (did they even sleep?) heading for a distant island. All was well with the world. I forget to say that yesterday Misty found, and tried to eat, a jellyfish, a dead crab and her particular favourite, a dead seal. So we needed to be in top Misty watching form. We pottered about a bit till we felt we ought to leave, then Ian went off for a wash! He took a long time and it transpires he had met a teacher from Brighton who had packed his job in to cycle around Britain, clockwise. But he was going more slowly as he had done his knee in. He was on about week seven. After Ian came back we packed up, and he just had to do his back exercises and we were off. 11.30, pretty good for a Sunday.

We’re not sure if it’s because of the Sun, or just because of the location, but today’s drive seemed to be even more amazing than those we had seen before. 

We drove alongside Loch Broom for a good way before we stopped off at Corrieshalloch Gorge, the most impressive slot-gorge cut by glacial meltwater in Britain. The suspension bridge didn’t mention no jumping, not that Ian ever takes any notice if it does. 

The road then climbed up into the hills where we got a great view back towards Ullapool. 

For lunch we stopped alongside Little Loch Broom.

Hitting the coast again we gave Misty a swim on Little Gruinard beach. We met another dog who had never been on a beach before. Poor thing.

We drove through Poolewe and Gairloch, then alongside Loch Maree, under the imposing heights of Slioch (981), goodness knows how any Munro bagger gets up it! Specially with that Mount Doomesque cloud hanging over it. We also spotted a golden eagle, or we’re pretty darn sure we did!

Turning right at Kinlochewe we encountered a single track road with passing places AND other traffic. Up to now we’ve been virtually the only thing on them. Down Glen Torridon and alongside Loch Torridon until we came to virtually the end of the road at Shieldaig. 

Before leaving Ullapool I had phoned Shieldaig camping and cabins and managed to bag the last pitch. Ian was keen on loosey goosey again, but I like the luxury of electric. The pitch is on row two so not quite on the edge of the sea, but it’s a lovely little site. The owner told us of a nice walk along the headland which we did as the Sun was setting. 

 

He also told us of a nice pub, so leaving Misty home alone we ambled down to the Shieldaig Bar and coastal kitchen for a fishy based meal. I fancied the steak but when all the fish is locally caught what can you do? 

Tomorrow we head back across country to Inverness. I fear the picturesque part of our journey is over.