Looking for Nessie on Loch Ness, plus Glencoe and the Scottish Highlands

Posted on August 15, 2014 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Wednesday August 13th ~ On a day trip to the Highlands of Scotland

Warning:  This is a long post from an even longer 13 hour tour…

Map of the area we would be covering

Map of the area we would be covering

The wind was howling this morning and we hung onto our belonging as we headed out the door just after 7:00.  Rain gear and umbrellas at the ready, we realized that if we did not just get out there, regardless of the weather, that our time in Scotland would be gone without us getting to some of the things we had come all this way to see.

We chose Scotline Tours for todays excursion.  The price was reasonable and although a long 13+ hour day was ahead, we were excited to finally be getting to the Highlands area. Scotline offers several one day trips, but we chose the Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands journey for a couple of reasons: Continue reading →

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Day trip in a CAR to Mellerstain House with FRIENDS!!!

Posted on August 14, 2014 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Monday August 11 ~ Road trip in the Scottish countryside!

Charlie, Lise, Joanne, Tim (photo courtesy of Lise Brown)

Charlie, Lise, Joanne, Tim (photo courtesy of Lise Brown)

Now you might think that was a strange title for a post, and wonder why I was so excited about it.  But after being away from home for several months now, and being totally dependent upon local and hired transportation, and being just the two of us you may begin to understand why today was such a treat for us.

As much as I love Tim’s company (and I DO love his company, even 24/7), there is still a hole in our lives that can only be filled by sharing moments with friends and family.

We met Lise and Charlie on a Danube River cruise earlier this year.  I was unintentionally eavesdropping and overheard Charlie telling another passenger that he and his wife were traveling the world for the entire year.  My ears perked up and I knew that I had to meet this couple that were also following their dreams. Continue reading →

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Rainy days and Sundays always get me down

Posted on August 14, 2014 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Sunday August 10 ~ Stuck inside in Edinburgh

Abbey

Holyrood Abbey

Oh how it has rained, and rained today.  Without much effort, I talked Tim into simply staying inside where we are warm and dry.

The past couple of days we did get out for a few hours each day of walking and sightseeing. Where we are staying, is about a mile from the lower end of the Royal Mile so it takes us about a 15 minute walk to get to any of the “touristy” places.  Of course that translates into a 30 minute walk for me if I have my camera in my hand as I am often distracted or sidetracked by one more thing to take a picture of.   Continue reading →

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Edinburgh ~ Thistles, Stitches, Kilts and Swans

Posted on August 9, 2014 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Thursday August 7th ~ Edinburgh

The thistle is the symbol of Scottland

The thistle is the National Flower and symbol of Scotland

We have had several rainy days since arriving in Scotland and it is starting to take a toll on me.  I guess I really am more of a fair weather traveler than I realized.  It is hard for me to get motivated and excited to get out the door to explore when the sky is gray and drizzly.

The locals say, “If you don’t like the weather, wait a few minutes.”  And they are so right.  If nothing else, the weather is fluid here – in more ways than one!

Thankfully I don’t melt, my hair is short and straight, and I won’t rust.

Still I find myself glaring out the window, and when we do get a few nice rays of sunshine, we dart out the door to try to get our daily dose of Vitamin D.   Continue reading →

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Scottish Pride and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Posted on August 8, 2014 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Tuesday August 5 ~ Edinburgh

Tattoo Tickets

Tattoo Tickets

Billed as the “Event of the Year”, and weather in our favor, we took off for our evening on the town.  I had been a little nervous since we had purchased our tickets online and had not been able to make contact with the person we were supposed to get the tickets from. But a few hours before we had to leave our flat, Tim was finally able to reach the ticket office on the phone.

Sure enough, there had been a goof and our tickets had not been given to the courier for delivery that morning.  After a couple of back and forth calls, we arranged to meet someone at a hotel near the entrance to Edinburgh Castle which was the venue for the Tattoo.  So, an hour before show time, we finally had out tickets in hand!   Continue reading →

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What is it like to live in a total strangers home while they are gone?

Posted on August 5, 2014 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Monday August 4th ~ Edinburgh, Scotland

A lovely message greets us upon arrival

A lovely message greets us upon arrival

You may recall that back a few months ago we rented an apartment in Barcelona for two weeks using Airbnb.  That turned out wonderfully.  With the outrageously expensive hotel prices in Edinburgh during the festival, we decided to give it a try once again.

There was a BIG difference though this time around.  The apartment in Barcelona was purchased and used only as a furnished rental.  The flat we ended up choosing for Edinburgh was someones primary residence.  They simply rent it out whenever they are going to be on holiday themselves.

The location sounded interesting, located across the street from a large park and only a 10 minute walk would bring us to the start of the main tourist area ~ the Royal Mile.   Continue reading →

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What brought us to Edinburgh Scotland?

Posted on August 4, 2014 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Sunday August 3 ~ Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Last Wednesday we moved from the Lake District of England to Edinburgh, Scotland.  We have grown accustomed to the trains running fairly close to on-time, so were caught by surprise by what turned into a 2.5 hour delay.

Our first leg from Windermere to Oxenholme went smoothly.  As we sat in Oxenholme waiting for our connecting train, an announcement was made that the trains in both directions were halted due to a “trespasser on the line”.  We later found out that someone was on the bridge over the tracks threatening to jump and the police were on hand trying to talk him down.   Continue reading →

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The High Adventure Tour with The Mountain Goat, Black Sheep and Oreo Cows

Posted on August 3, 2014 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Tuesday July 29th ~ The Lake District, England

Sheep

Sheep marked with paint to determine who owns them

After our snafu with the booking the previous day, The Mountain Goat driver showed up right on time.  We were off to a great start on our second day trip with them.  Our first trip had been a couple of days earlier when we took the “Ten Lake Spectacular” trip.  Today we were signed up for the High Adventure tour.

Our driver, Malcolm, is chatty with an ongoing dialog about the history, geology and highlights along the drive.  He is well-informed, friendly and keeps us interested in what we are seeing.

Rock wall

Rock wall

When the land was first settled, the fields were full of rocks.  As they cleared the fields, the rocks were used to create both property borders and a means to keep their cattle, sheep or goats from roaming.  All built by hand, Continue reading →

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Windermere Lake Cruise, Lakeland Motor Museum and riding on an old Steam Locomotive

Posted on August 2, 2014 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Monday July 28th ~ Bowness-on-Windermere, England (Lake District)

Bowness-on-Windermere

Bowness-on-Windermere

Nice breakfast, camera in hand we waited curbside to be picked up for our all day tour.

And waited.

And waited.

After being so prompt the day before we decided we better give the company a call to make sure we had not been overlooked.  Sure enough, there had been a communication snag somewhere along the way and although our driver, Anne, from yesterdays tour had called to reserve our trip, it had not been logged.  The tour was now full and the bus already on the road.  Continue reading →

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England ~ The Lake District, Windermere, Castlerigg Stone Circles

Posted on July 27, 2014 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Sunday July 27th ~ The Lake District, England

Just a quick recap of how we got from Ireland to England.  On Friday we took the Ferry from Dublin to Holyhead, England and then four trains brought us all the way to Windermere which is to be our home base for five nights as we explore the Lake District.

Old English Hotel

Old England Hotel

The Old England Hotel is situated right on the lake.  It was a bit of a splurge for us to book here, but I’m so glad we did.  This is a lovely property.  The staff is helpful and courteous. The room is clean, roomy and the bed is one of the most comfortable we have had.  The shower is hot with good water pressure, with a separate bathtub.  We even have a view of the lake from our room!

Bowness Harbor

Bowness Harbor

We spent Saturday just walking around, enjoying the sunshine and getting familiar with the area along the lakes edge.  Instead of a walk-about, we did a stroll-about.  Taking our time, people watching, eating an ice cream cone, and feeding the swans and geese that are everywhere. Continue reading →

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