Monsterless Loch Ness
This journey took us along the world famous Loch Ness ( no sightings tho !)Loch Ness is the second largest Scottish loch by surface area at 56.4 km2 after Loch Lomond, but due to its great depth, it is the largest by volume. Its deepest point is 230m It contains more fresh water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined The lake villages are very popular and commercialized and I wasn’t all that impressed as we travelled the length of the Loch with views blocked by trees and thick ground cover
Away for a few Days !!
I will continue where left of in a few days as I am now hopitalised for a short while (busted blood vesels in me nose) hopefully in time for my Norwegian Cruise starting Friday
Along the very top of Scotland to Ullapool from J.o.G
This part of the trip has (for me) been the highlight of Scotland.Running along the very top end of Scotland among some of the best scenery I have had the pleasure of seeing in this wonderful world of ours.Although the weather was wet it didnt dampen our enthusiasm for exploring!!There are bridges of all shapes and sizes crossing water that cascades down the mountainsides,and yet a reservoir we crossed looked very empty!!Peat had been cut out at points all along the top and placed on palettes ready for drying and collection Scottish peat is used for fuel, horticulture and (very proudly) the Scottish malt whisky industry.The beaches are again pristine (maybe a little too cold for my liking tho !)
John O Groats the End of Scotland !!
John O’Groats is a small highland coastal village scattered over a large area and is mainly a rural farming community situated in an extreme location. There are two focal points in the village… the Post Office and Grocery store The name John o’ Groats has a particular resonance because it is often used as a starting or ending point for cycles, walks and charitable events to and from Land’s End (at the extreme south-western tip of the Cornish peninsula).ME and Annie have now also done this trip unbroken !!
Newtonmore in the Cairngorms
Newtonmore is at the heart of the Scottish Highlands and is the original Geographical Centre of Scotland making it the ideal place for long or short breaks or to explore the surrounding area much of which has also been used in the filming of Monarch of the Glen.Annie had her first taste of Scottish Food (Haggis) I declined the offer knowing exactly what they are made off !!Unique to the village are both the Wild Cat Trail and Wild Cat Experience (apparently they DO exist around here) I was feeling a little off colour here BUT it is well worth a visit just for the history !!
2 Auchencrow Scotland
Our first stay in Scotland is a pub named The Craw (this village had 3 houses,this pub NO shops etc but a great pub to stay) We had dinner here and Annie chatting up one of the rich farmers,who grows wheat and barley specifically for whiskey !!) On first appearance when arriving the pub seemed like something from a Freddy movie !!We had agreat night,food was good and the locals (gawd knows where they came from?) were pleasant t seems Ive lost all my stair climbing skills since I left the UK,I,m buggared goin up and down them now!probably why I moved in the first place Next blog NEWTONMOREOWN
We have decided to tour Scotland
Today being a Monday we made an impromptu decision to tour the magnificent Scotland,nothing planned,just take it as it comes !!From Blackpool our first stopover was in Thirsk and using the Internet we chose our hotel Angel Inn To reach this destination we travelled via the lovely old town of Skipton that being a Monday is also market day,with stalls set up around the town square.We have been here before so decided to move on thru to Ripon where one of my childhood memories are courtesy of Fountains Abbey (again we didnt stop because of time and Annie will see more ruins ( NO not me !!) along the way.Thirsk was only a stopover and we set off towards our next venue Auchencrow (passing by the Angel of the North,that sadly looks like a rusty piece of scrap to me) our first Scottish stop More on my next Blog
BLACkPOOL revisited 3
Part 3 is dedicated to all my friends and neighbours of years gone who lived in the BEST Blackpool streets ever namely Boothley and Fenton Rooads So to the big familes Halls/Oneills/Luxtons/Parkinsons/Rodaways and much more than I can remember it has been a pleasure knowing you all All those years we grew up together etc I can NOT remember getting into any fights !!
Me and Annie went for a ride to the top of Blackpool Tower and called into the Ballroom on the way.This area is fabulous and as young children we would play hide n seek in this place as it is full of nooks and crannies and has 4 levels !! The decor has to be seen to appreciate all the work and craftsmanship involved.After my first separation I used to take my eldest boy when he was a toddler to watch Reginald Dixon (he is an organ playing icon around the world) Our next blog will be about Fleetwood a neighbouring town
Next….Our brilliant trip around Scotland
Watch me play Didgeridoo
Geoffs Life After Work ! 