Monday, 8th July.
Bob, went on the Magical Mystical tour all about the Beatles, as it was not my thing, and I went and discovered Liverpool. I walked about finding a few interesting things, like the bombed church. This church was bombed during the war in 1941, and has not been repaired. The city deciding to leave it as a memorial to all those who lost their lives during the blitz. There are many old buildings, and lots of new ones also. I find a statue of Queen Victoria and the shopping mall. This place is like a rabbit Warren. Lots of streets going in all directions, some with high end brand names, and all with many eating places. In the afternoon Bob and I catch the hop on hop off bus to view the city. On our way back, we find the Wall of Fame, where every brick has a name of a famous artist, or group etched into it. There is also a statue of John Lennon there, so the mandatory pics were taken.
After retiring for the night, we are awaken to a ruckus happening in the hallway outside, loud voices, and lots of swearing, it sounded like the police were taking a male away from the premises, and he was complaining about how they were hurting him. After this settles, we again drift off to sleep, only to be awoken again by the screeching of fire alarms. Boy those things are so loud, it almost hurt my ears. No amount of covering them lessened the impact. But that is what they are designed to do. Again after listening to the hallway, it was a false alarm. So again we try to sleep, but alas, this was not to be. Two other times the alarm goes off.
Tuesday, 9th July
We check out of the motel, in which the lass behind the counter apologises for the alarm going off. Poor girl, I feel somewhat for what her morning is going to be like, as other clients check out, and probably give her a hard time, in which she was not even on duty whole it was all happening. We take a stroll to the wharf and catch the Ferry and do a cruise on the Mersey River, to see Liverpool from the water. After the cruise, we poke our head into the Cavern, when it all started for the Beatles. Then, we leave Liverpool and head off to Edinburgh. It is really amazing that we cross into another country, and there is nothing of any significance to say you have crossed a boarder. Except for a sign with the Scottish flag on it, that was all. We stop at one of the service stations, and I look at the tourist shop there. We get off the high way and take a less busy road, which is good. We get to our accommodation, and settle for awhile. We walk to the local takeaway place, which is virtually just around the corner, and grab tea. The food were are served is a massive serving. And it was very enjoyable.
Wednesday, 10th July
Today, I take the car to go to the Edinburgh Castle. Bob is staying back and resting. Thank goodness for the gps in the phone, as it makes it much easier to find places. Getting to the castle, you have to drive through the old part of town, and what a wonderful experience that is. It is very old world, with buildings, and cobbled roads that are small. There are many buses and people everywhere. I get to a parking station, and walk to the Castle. After climbing some stairs, I get to the entrance. I just take in all that is going on around me, people everywhere going into the castle, going to the numerous shops. I go on up to the castle, walking through where the Military tattoo is performed. I have to almost pinch myself that I am here, waiting in line to get a ticket. But the wait is well worth it. Once inside the Castle walls, it is like another village here. There are museums, and residences that are lived in, there are eaterys and bars. A wonderful experience.
I make my way, back to the entrance, and venture down the street, looking at all that is about. Many souvenir shops, and the tartan weaving mill. It is filled with wonderful tartan clothes and scarves, aswell as all the usual gift lines. There is a Whiskey Experience, so I go in and check it out. I am not a fan of scotch whiskey, but there are so many different brands, and the walls are fill with bottles of different whiskeys.
I eventually go back to our accommodation. Later in the afternoon, we go for a drive to check out the rest of Edinburgh, go down a road that is only for buses and trams, and cyclists, so I found out from a cyclist. He was looking at us, and said, " I don't think cars are supposed to be here,". Onwards we go, and eventually get to where cars are meant to be. We find where the Royal Yatch Brittania is and many other parts of the city. We go back to the unit, and we is a to get some tea from the pub, that's just around the corner. Once we get there, it appears, to not have served meals or anything else for a long time. Looks like the takeaway gets our business again tonight.
Thursday, 11th July
Today we are going from Edinburgh to Inverness.
We take the highway for awhile, then change to less travelled roads. Instead of going straight to Inverness, we are going to take the scenic route, taking in Aberdeen. Along our travels,we take a detour to St Andrews old golf course. This is where the British open is played, and many international players play. On our way again, we stop at a roadside pub, and have a bite to eat. I have coffee, and am elated to get a large cup just like we would back home, and the coffe was good aswell. We drive on and we come across a castle ruin called Dunnottar castle. Although the weather is not the best, we decide to go and explore this place. I put on my oilskin coat, which has not been used before now, but as it is cloudy and rainy, it is a good thing to have. After walking the path part of the way, the clouds are closing in, and visability is not very good and there are steps down and up to the castle. I decide to go on, and after going up and down 237 steps, and am so pleased I did. There are cobbled paths up to the main part. Although the castle was surrounded by clouds it was still amazing. The views on a clear sunny day would be absolutely breath taking. There are birds nesting in the cliffs all around the castle. The ruins are wonderful, and there is stories of ghosts in one of the rooms. Returning back to the car, after restepping the 237 steps, and shedding the oil skin, as it got hot while wearing it on the way back, we continue our journey. We drive through Aberdeen, which is known as the silver city, not because of silver, but more a reference to the grey granite incorporated in their buildings. It also has an offshore petroleum industry.
We find our lodgings, in a very old world hotel. It is a maze of stairs to get to our room. The room is a good size, and the bathroom is a great size, compared to some we have experienced. We head down to the bar and have a drink and order something to eat. Haggis for starters, which is actually quite tasty. Our meal was very good.
Friday, 12th July
We leave Inverness on way to East Kilbride, hoping to find the Loch Ness Monster. Before we leave, we have a hot breakfast which consists of bacon, eggs, toast, a sausage, grilled tomato, baked beans and...... black pudding. Both Bob and i try the black pudding, and I am not a fan of it.
Driving to Loch Ness is a beautiful drive, with lots of Lochs and waterways to be seen. We find a canal, which have the gates and locks for the boats to go through. Bob asked some questions from a worker there, and found out one could sail from ocean to ocean, via the canals. We get to where nessy is, and couldn't see her. But it is very pretty just the same. Lots of buses, and people about. I want to see a highland cow, but we couldn't find of them either. We make our way onwards to our next place, and again, decide to take the scenic route. And I am so glad we did. The landscape is breathtaking, and even though we are not on the highway, there are lots of other folks using these roads also. Rolling hills, babbling Brooks, and green green countryside. A dam that has dammed a river, with a very high wall. Our next lodgings are good, and we settle in.
Saturday, 13th July
Morning of catching up with washing. Bob is meeting with a friend for coffee, so we go to the shopping centre, to check it out. His friend is taking longer than expected, so we go to find if there are any craft shops, that I might be able to get something to do. There is nothing in this centre, and ask a store attend and, she suggested another centre not far away. So we head over there, and there was nothing there that was suitable. Back to the unit, and wait for the coffee date, which happens. After Bob gets back we go to the pub next door, and it is a pretty flash pub, and very busy.
Sunday, 14th July
We say farewell to East Kilbride, and begin our next league. Heading for Ireland. We catch the Ferry at Cairnryan, arrive early, and fill in time at the terminal. This is a first for both of us, taking a car on a ferry. I am Super excited. The ferry crossing is a two hour journey, and we say goodbye to Scotland and say hello to Ireland. We are staying in Lisburn, at an activity farm. It is good to be out if the hussle of cities. On our way, we make a stop at a pub, looking for the owners, as we met them in Canada at the Niagera falls. As it turns out, they weren't there, so we continued.
On our way to the farm, we gather some things for the next few days.
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