Shifting gears

I'm not sure what happened to the last two days. Well, that's not entirely true. What I know about the last two days is that I found it near impossible to get on the Internet. I am now on the Internet on a very gentle rocking and rolling 100 mph train en route to London. Of all places to find free Internet!

We said our good byes to Edinburgh. I'd come back just for that city! We bid farewell to about 12 of the group headed out in different directions, while the other 25 of us are on the train for London.

I'll catch us up on Saturday at another time, but just know that St Andrews was a wonderful stop for so very many reasons.

Tonight is Billy Elliott at the theatre. Tomorrow is the encounter with John Wesley!

Stay tuned!

Carolyn

A Distilling Experience!

Heeland Coos!

Saturday is always a very good day!

Well, it was so nice to wake up, go to breakfast, get on the bus, and not have to take our luggage along. Today way a mix of adventure and rest. Some of the group stayed in Inverness, most of the group headed out for an adventure. Two of those that stayed behind played golf, because they could!

Those on tour today got to visit Durnoch Cathedral! The place where Madona had her son christened.

 Then they were on to Dunrodin Castle. Absolutely incredible gardens, home of the Duke of Sutherland. The grounds and castle were absolutely amazing.

We also saw a wonderful falconry exhibition.

Once back in Inverness, many stayed in town for dinner, others returned to the hotel for food and a little rest.

Tomorrow it is onward and upward to a distillery and more religious sites!

Wish you were here!

Wish you were beautiful!

Oops, the weather is beautiful and wish you were here!

Carolyn

Always a learning moment!

So

I think I've figured out the photo problem. I tried to save weight and brought my ipad rather than my laptop. And it seems that I cannot post photos from my ipad. SO, you are going to have to wait until I get home to have the pictures added. THERE will be pictures! But not until after Oct 2nd!

Sorry.......

Carolyn

Friday in Scotland!

Well.........the hotel on the Isle of Skye was, well.........well.........well.......shall we say we are so very grateful we were only there for one night! The gang was off by 9:30 and headed north on Skye for some absolutely, and I'm talking here, absolutely beautiful scenery of munros(mountains over 3,500!!!!)and the cuillan mountain range. Water, water everywhere! Lunch in Portree then back down the mountains, off the island and on toward Loch Ness!

We actually spotted "Nessie" as he/she is called! But it was in a tourist attraction setting! Kind of like seeing the giant prairie dog in Kansas!

Several sightings of new and old castles continue. Scotland is the land of the clans and their castles. I think most of the money was spent on castles and not cathedrals. So our spiritual part today was singing, and praying, and thanking God for an amazing place to be.

Wish you were here! Well, that might not be true! 38 people are quite enough for the "comfort" stops!

Blessings
Carolyn

Oh My!

Well, I missed yesterday because we could not find the internet!  How does the internet get lost? It travels to Scotland.

We started the morning off in the rain.  And more rain, and then some more rain!  Most of the group got soaked!  Those with cotton pants or jeans on were shall we say....................in a lot of trouble for the day! The gortex people were fine! 

Two ferry rides and we reached Oban!  Wow!  Land!  Mussels!  Food!  And a warm place to settle before going back out into the rain!

 The coach carried us through the rain, through the beautiful countryside (have I mentioned that it is green here?) and finally to Invernary!

 We toured the Invernary Jail (stories about that from your friends or family.........not to be printed here!) and then to the Hotel.  Very nice hotel!  Very slow service!  But what else do we have to do?

A late departure at 9:30am made it feel like we are on vacation!  This morning the rain came along for moments, but nothing like yesterday.  We headed the coach toward the Isle of Skye via Locks, St Conans Church, Ft William for lunch, lots of OLD castles and more and more locks and lochs!

Finaly destination at the Isle of Skye staying at Kings  Arms, where it's a step back in time (and place!) circa Dick Van Dyke and single beds for all!  Dinner together as a group tonight and who knows what we might find as the "house" entertainment!  The St Andrew Pilgrims are having the time of our life!  Between the humor and singing of our guide, the interesting readings from the group leaders, and the Thrifty Nifty drawings on the bus.  Our only concern of the evening is that some might end up at the "Saucy Mary" down the street!

You'll have to ask about that as well.

Blessings once again!  Pictures will follow someday!

Carolyn

Monday Travels and Tuesday Rest

We left Eninburgh early for our long day going across Scotland to Iona. Our stop at the Argyll Castle was awe inspiring! Absolutely beautiful grounds, and lovely castle rooms. The 12th Duke of Argyll lives there with his recent bride of Cadbury Chocolates!

The first ferry ride to Isle of Mull took 45 minutes, the bus stayed with us! Then it was an hours drive on a one lane road in our big coach passing little cars. We were forever grateful to get off the coach and onto the second ferry. The 10 minute ride across to Iona was the last leg of our days journey. We have filled one of the two hotels on the island. The second hotel is smaller! Our dinner as a group was wonderful! Salmon, sticky toffee!

Tuesday, this full day on Iona began with a full Scottish breakfast and then off to morning prayer at the abby. BEAUTIFUL! There were at least 50 other people in addition to our group of 38. A walk around the abby and visit to the gift shops followed. As the day goes on we are enjoying our individual time. There are two pilgrimage walks that people can participate in. A boat ride to another island or simply enjoying the absolutely wonderful peace and quite of this place. IT's really like nothing else you can imagine. Even more secluded and quiet than Aran in Ireland.

For now, know that all is well with the group! Every manner of thing is well!

Blessings,
Carolyn

Images of Edinburgh!