Tuesday, 31 August 2010
Tuesday 31st August - Doune - Oban
Tuesday 31 August – Doune – Oban
After visiting Doune Castle we headed up the A84 to Callander. I had read about this town in the Sunday Mail. Pretty little village that is the eastern entrance to the Trossacks. We took the road signposted to the Bracklinn Falls but we missed the turn in and Jo was driving over this narrow, I mean narrow road over the hills!!! Eventually we found a turn in so that we could turn around. There was supposed to be a bridge that you could stand on to take shots of the falls but it was being replaced. We did enjoy the 1 hour walk to the falls and then back to the car.
From Callander, we drove along Loch Venachar to Loch Kathrine and then across the Trossacks to Balloch on the shores of Loch Lomond. It was a hairy drive because the road was really narrow. We have both just driven thousands of miles along absolutely straight roads in Oz and now we are on narrow winding roads. Big change!!! The scenery was awesome and we founds lots of heather on the hills. Stopped to take a picture of some heather and this couple were about to go for a hike. I think they though I was mad stopping to take a picture of the heather!!!
At Balloch, we took a 2 hour cruise on Loch Lomond. Loch Lomond, is known as the “Queen of Scottish Lochs”. What better way to see the beauty of Loch Lomond side than from the water by boat.
Alongside the Lock are three golf courses, one of which is where the Scottish Open is held every year.
After the cruise, we drove alongside the Lock, across Straith Fillan to Oban. We stopped at Conner to take some photos of the bridge and Loch. We found accommodation at a Guest House that overlooks the harbour. We walked to the Jetty to have some dinner and then walked back. Best sunset I have seen since I have been away.
After visiting Doune Castle we headed up the A84 to Callander. I had read about this town in the Sunday Mail. Pretty little village that is the eastern entrance to the Trossacks. We took the road signposted to the Bracklinn Falls but we missed the turn in and Jo was driving over this narrow, I mean narrow road over the hills!!! Eventually we found a turn in so that we could turn around. There was supposed to be a bridge that you could stand on to take shots of the falls but it was being replaced. We did enjoy the 1 hour walk to the falls and then back to the car.
From Callander, we drove along Loch Venachar to Loch Kathrine and then across the Trossacks to Balloch on the shores of Loch Lomond. It was a hairy drive because the road was really narrow. We have both just driven thousands of miles along absolutely straight roads in Oz and now we are on narrow winding roads. Big change!!! The scenery was awesome and we founds lots of heather on the hills. Stopped to take a picture of some heather and this couple were about to go for a hike. I think they though I was mad stopping to take a picture of the heather!!!
At Balloch, we took a 2 hour cruise on Loch Lomond. Loch Lomond, is known as the “Queen of Scottish Lochs”. What better way to see the beauty of Loch Lomond side than from the water by boat.
Alongside the Lock are three golf courses, one of which is where the Scottish Open is held every year.
After the cruise, we drove alongside the Lock, across Straith Fillan to Oban. We stopped at Conner to take some photos of the bridge and Loch. We found accommodation at a Guest House that overlooks the harbour. We walked to the Jetty to have some dinner and then walked back. Best sunset I have seen since I have been away.
Monday, 30 August 2010
Monday 30th August
Today our road trip took us to Nith River at Dumfries. It was really pretty and reminded me of Bath. From there we drove to Lockerbie. We then drove north to Falkirk and the Falkirk Wheel. While there we did a boat ride so that we could experience the wheel for ourselves. It lifts the gondola that holds the boat up into the the air and then it enters a canal. From there it passes though Blackfort tunnel and then into a holding area before the boat would then enter some other locks to reach the Union Canal. The old Roman wall, made of earth is close by.
From Falkirk we drove to Stirling and up to Stirling Castle. It is a Bank holiday here so it was really busy at the castle. The views of Stirling are sensational and again we lucked it with a bright sunny day.
Leaving Stirling we drove north to Dunblane which is a really pretty town and has a huge cathedral in the centre of the town. Tonight we are staying in Doune in a hotel.
From Falkirk we drove to Stirling and up to Stirling Castle. It is a Bank holiday here so it was really busy at the castle. The views of Stirling are sensational and again we lucked it with a bright sunny day.
Leaving Stirling we drove north to Dunblane which is a really pretty town and has a huge cathedral in the centre of the town. Tonight we are staying in Doune in a hotel.
Road Trip Begins
Saturday 28th August
This morning we went to collect the car from Hertz at 9.00 and were told that we could not get it until mid-day as that is when it was booked for. Well! We had all our gear and so we asked to upgrade if we could get one now. We ended up with a Ford Focus 4 door. Then the interesting part started!!!! Finding our way out of Edinburgh. The cabbie told us the way and we took one wrong turn but retraced our steps and found the road out. We were heading for Roslyn Chapel and were not sure if we were on the right road but we were.
It is a really interesting chapel. It is no wonder Dan Browne chose to put it in the Di Vinci Code. The carvings are amazing and they all tell a story or are in code. There are huge restoration works occurring to ensure that the carvings etc survive the ravages of water and wear. They have put a huge canopy over the whole chapel to stop water seeping in through the roof. Once it has dried out they will restore the roof and then they can begin working on the inside.
From Roslyn Chapel we were trying to find our way to the coastal road along the Firth of Forth to the North Sea at New Berwick. After a few false starts we found the coastal road and saw the pretty little fishing villages along the way. The stone houses are so interesting as they are so old compared with our houses. Love the chimneys. There were numbers of kite surfers and sail boarders out as the breeze was really blowing. There were also golf courses everywhere along the road.
Once we left New Berwick, the rain pelted down but by the time we arrived at Kelso about 5PM it was fine. We tried a few places but they were booked out. We found a really nice room in the Black Swan (On the fifth floor!!! Narrow stairs!)
Kelso is a really pretty village at the congruence of the Tweed and Teviot Rivers. It has Floors Castle (still inhabited) and a ruined abbey. Walter Scott said “Kelso, the most beautiful, if not the most romantic village in Scotland”.
Sunday 29th August 30, 2010
Today our journey began in Kelso. We journeyed north to the town of Melrose. It is a beautiful little town with a town square and the stone houses. The Abbey was built in 1100’s and like many of the Abbeys in Scotland was destroyed. It must have been the most magnificent structure when it was intact. The artisan’s work is still to be wondered at and how they could build such magnificent structures without the cranes etc that we use is amazing. At this Abbey, there is a gargoyle pig playing the bagpipes!!! The other thing that was surprising was the urine pots that the monks used so that they did not have to disturb their prayers.
Had not initially planned to visit Hadrian’s Wall but I have always wanted to see it. I remember leaning about it as a child at school so we had an adventure and a half trying to find it. However!!! We are resourceful and eventually found it with the help of a guy whom we met at breakfast. We had to journey into England to do it through. Thought we would have to produce our passports!!!! We climbed onto the wall but one day perhaps I will walk the wall.
We then drove back into Scotland to Gretna Green. Brett & I visited it in 1990 on my first trip to England and all I could recall was an anvil but today it is a major tourist centre and it had a really lovely shop.
From there we drove along the Solway Firth to Caerlaverock Castle. It is in a beautiful setting and the moat of the castle is still intact. Unfortunately, we were a bit late and so could not go inside but even walking around the outside was most enjoyable.
We stopped the night at Nith Hotel which is on the banks of the Nith River at the top of the Solway Firth. The sign says, beware of the fast tides & quicksand. The Hotel is very pleasant. We sat a table, had dinner as we watched the sun go down over the Nith river.
This morning we went to collect the car from Hertz at 9.00 and were told that we could not get it until mid-day as that is when it was booked for. Well! We had all our gear and so we asked to upgrade if we could get one now. We ended up with a Ford Focus 4 door. Then the interesting part started!!!! Finding our way out of Edinburgh. The cabbie told us the way and we took one wrong turn but retraced our steps and found the road out. We were heading for Roslyn Chapel and were not sure if we were on the right road but we were.
It is a really interesting chapel. It is no wonder Dan Browne chose to put it in the Di Vinci Code. The carvings are amazing and they all tell a story or are in code. There are huge restoration works occurring to ensure that the carvings etc survive the ravages of water and wear. They have put a huge canopy over the whole chapel to stop water seeping in through the roof. Once it has dried out they will restore the roof and then they can begin working on the inside.
From Roslyn Chapel we were trying to find our way to the coastal road along the Firth of Forth to the North Sea at New Berwick. After a few false starts we found the coastal road and saw the pretty little fishing villages along the way. The stone houses are so interesting as they are so old compared with our houses. Love the chimneys. There were numbers of kite surfers and sail boarders out as the breeze was really blowing. There were also golf courses everywhere along the road.
Once we left New Berwick, the rain pelted down but by the time we arrived at Kelso about 5PM it was fine. We tried a few places but they were booked out. We found a really nice room in the Black Swan (On the fifth floor!!! Narrow stairs!)
Kelso is a really pretty village at the congruence of the Tweed and Teviot Rivers. It has Floors Castle (still inhabited) and a ruined abbey. Walter Scott said “Kelso, the most beautiful, if not the most romantic village in Scotland”.
Sunday 29th August 30, 2010
Today our journey began in Kelso. We journeyed north to the town of Melrose. It is a beautiful little town with a town square and the stone houses. The Abbey was built in 1100’s and like many of the Abbeys in Scotland was destroyed. It must have been the most magnificent structure when it was intact. The artisan’s work is still to be wondered at and how they could build such magnificent structures without the cranes etc that we use is amazing. At this Abbey, there is a gargoyle pig playing the bagpipes!!! The other thing that was surprising was the urine pots that the monks used so that they did not have to disturb their prayers.
Had not initially planned to visit Hadrian’s Wall but I have always wanted to see it. I remember leaning about it as a child at school so we had an adventure and a half trying to find it. However!!! We are resourceful and eventually found it with the help of a guy whom we met at breakfast. We had to journey into England to do it through. Thought we would have to produce our passports!!!! We climbed onto the wall but one day perhaps I will walk the wall.
We then drove back into Scotland to Gretna Green. Brett & I visited it in 1990 on my first trip to England and all I could recall was an anvil but today it is a major tourist centre and it had a really lovely shop.
From there we drove along the Solway Firth to Caerlaverock Castle. It is in a beautiful setting and the moat of the castle is still intact. Unfortunately, we were a bit late and so could not go inside but even walking around the outside was most enjoyable.
We stopped the night at Nith Hotel which is on the banks of the Nith River at the top of the Solway Firth. The sign says, beware of the fast tides & quicksand. The Hotel is very pleasant. We sat a table, had dinner as we watched the sun go down over the Nith river.
Friday, 27 August 2010
Edinburgh Friday 27th August
Another late start today. Went to Starbucks to access the internet and to have some breckie.
We then caught a taxi to the Royal Mile. First stop was the Camera Obscura. It was built in 1853 by Maria Short an Edinburgh Optician who opened it as a tourist attraction. What forward thinking!!! The camera obscura gives you 360 degree views around Edinburgh. It is live so what you see is actually happening at that moment.
It also has several floors of optical illusions. The view from the balcony outside gives a spectacular panorama of Edinburgh. It was fine again so the views were good.
We had lunch in a café on the Mile and were served by an Aussie girl. We spent several hours wandering through the street performers shows before having a drink in the Balmoral Hotel bar and then heading home for a rest before tonight’s show. It is a way from Princess Street so a taxi will be the order of the day.
The show was a musical entitled “Reel to Real” – The Movies Musical that cleverly wove a story around several famous musicals. The show used actual footage from the shows eg Fred Astaire dancing and Humphrey Bogart speaking famous lines. Some of the songs included: New York, New York; Singing in the Rain; Wash that Man Right Out of My Hair. We both really enjoyed it.
Walked home and survived a rain shower.
We then caught a taxi to the Royal Mile. First stop was the Camera Obscura. It was built in 1853 by Maria Short an Edinburgh Optician who opened it as a tourist attraction. What forward thinking!!! The camera obscura gives you 360 degree views around Edinburgh. It is live so what you see is actually happening at that moment.
It also has several floors of optical illusions. The view from the balcony outside gives a spectacular panorama of Edinburgh. It was fine again so the views were good.
We had lunch in a café on the Mile and were served by an Aussie girl. We spent several hours wandering through the street performers shows before having a drink in the Balmoral Hotel bar and then heading home for a rest before tonight’s show. It is a way from Princess Street so a taxi will be the order of the day.
The show was a musical entitled “Reel to Real” – The Movies Musical that cleverly wove a story around several famous musicals. The show used actual footage from the shows eg Fred Astaire dancing and Humphrey Bogart speaking famous lines. Some of the songs included: New York, New York; Singing in the Rain; Wash that Man Right Out of My Hair. We both really enjoyed it.
Walked home and survived a rain shower.
Edinburgh Thursday 26 August
After our late night, we had a late start. Went up to the Castle and then walked the Royal Mile. Basically, the shops that are on the mile are tourist shops selling souvenirs. We visited St Giles Kirk and went into the Thistle Chapel – a special chapel for the Order of the thistle. Also on the mile is the Church of the Canongate. It is a really light as the white and blue interior and the blue seating give it a really serene, holy feeling. Her majesty goes to church here when she is in residence at Holyrood House. The canon of the church also gave artisans the right to practice in the Canongate. I think this is the Canon that our Forbes ancestor received his rite to practice.
Tonight we though we were going to see Hamlet, the Musical but we saw My Hamlet with Linda Marlowe. (We did not check the tickets after we bought them so it was our fault). We ended up enjoying the show. Linda Marlowe has a long resume including stage, TV shows (Silent Witness, Dalziel & Pascoe, Midsomer Murders to name a few).
Along the Royal Mile, there are lots of shows happening and people busking so tomorrow we are going to spend more time up there.
After the show, we went to the Dome for a drink. It is a very elegant bar and restaurant. The show piece is the huge roof dome. Most enjoyable.
On the road tomorrow so not sure when we will have access again.
Tonight we though we were going to see Hamlet, the Musical but we saw My Hamlet with Linda Marlowe. (We did not check the tickets after we bought them so it was our fault). We ended up enjoying the show. Linda Marlowe has a long resume including stage, TV shows (Silent Witness, Dalziel & Pascoe, Midsomer Murders to name a few).
Along the Royal Mile, there are lots of shows happening and people busking so tomorrow we are going to spend more time up there.
After the show, we went to the Dome for a drink. It is a very elegant bar and restaurant. The show piece is the huge roof dome. Most enjoyable.
On the road tomorrow so not sure when we will have access again.
Thursday, 26 August 2010
Wednesday 25th August
Much to our delight the day was sunny. We kept kicking ourselves all day to see if it was right that we had actually scored a fine day for the tattoo.
Our first venture of the morning was a bus ride to the bridges of the Firth of Forth. From there we caught a tour boat ride around the forth. The structure of the old Forth bridge is amazing. It is a really striking feature. The cruise took us under the Forth Bridge and around Inchcolm Island before heading back to shore.
Back in Edinburgh, we decided to climb Calton Hill and see the National Memorial. The 360 degree views of Edinburgh are spectacular. Again we were blessed as it was a sunny day.
Home for a wee restie before heading off the to the Tattoo. We had dinner in the Haymarket and then walked to the Royal Mile. It was packed with people but no-one was pushing or jostling. I though it would take ages to get in but it took no time at all. Bags were searched and what amazed me was that the crowd walked on the parade ground to get to their seats. We had really good seats in the East Stand so we virtually looked directly at the Castle. Was fantastic. I had a aisle seat so was able to use my tripod.
Started with the massed pipe band. I wore my Forbes Clan scarf and the Scottish blood stirred!!! It moved really quickly and the massed bands were out again. I said to Jo, "This can't be the end!! It was almost 2 hours but did not seem very long at all. It finished with the crowd singing Auld Lange Syne. We both came out and said "Can't wait to come again". Can see why Terry and Marg want to come here every year. I love the whole feeling here.
Our first venture of the morning was a bus ride to the bridges of the Firth of Forth. From there we caught a tour boat ride around the forth. The structure of the old Forth bridge is amazing. It is a really striking feature. The cruise took us under the Forth Bridge and around Inchcolm Island before heading back to shore.
Back in Edinburgh, we decided to climb Calton Hill and see the National Memorial. The 360 degree views of Edinburgh are spectacular. Again we were blessed as it was a sunny day.
Home for a wee restie before heading off the to the Tattoo. We had dinner in the Haymarket and then walked to the Royal Mile. It was packed with people but no-one was pushing or jostling. I though it would take ages to get in but it took no time at all. Bags were searched and what amazed me was that the crowd walked on the parade ground to get to their seats. We had really good seats in the East Stand so we virtually looked directly at the Castle. Was fantastic. I had a aisle seat so was able to use my tripod.
Started with the massed pipe band. I wore my Forbes Clan scarf and the Scottish blood stirred!!! It moved really quickly and the massed bands were out again. I said to Jo, "This can't be the end!! It was almost 2 hours but did not seem very long at all. It finished with the crowd singing Auld Lange Syne. We both came out and said "Can't wait to come again". Can see why Terry and Marg want to come here every year. I love the whole feeling here.
Wednesday, 25 August 2010
Edinburgh
Monday 23 August - Edinburgh
Today we were up early. Our Hotel provided us with a full breakfast. Following this, we were at George Square in time to catch the first hop-on, hop-off bus. We intended to hop off at the Cathedral but ended up missing that so we went on to the Glasgow university. Had started raining by the time we arrived to the
Uni so we went on to Kelvingrove Museum & Art Gallery to the Glasgow Boys Exhibition. Both enjoyed this and by the time we came out the rain had stopped so we walked back to the University. By the time we arrived back at Buchanan Street it was 1 PM so we collected our gear and caught the train to Edinburgh.
Drama when we arrived at the Travel Lodge. They had us in a double bed so went down to change and was informed that the Travel Lodge only had double beds!! Jo ended up getting another room.
We then walked up Princess street through the park to the ½ price tent. We collected a Fringe Festival Program so that we could decide what program we would watch.
We did watch a comedian in the park but then the rain began to fall. We decided to walk back to the pub near our hotel for a beer and some dinner.
Tuesday 24th August – Edinburgh
Today we walked and walked. First stop was up the hill to Market Street to collect our Tattoo tickets. There were a few disappointed people as there were no tickets left and they were lining up for returns.
We then bought a ticket for the hop-on-off bus – 2 day pass. We did the New & Old City Tour on the bus then caught the bus to the Botanical Gardens, We wandered around them for a couple of hours. The gardens esp the glass houses were spectacular. The colours are so different from ours much more intense. We could not get over the size of the roses and many of the other flowers.
On the bus again and off to Leith on the Firth of Forth where the Royal yacht Britannia is moored. We decided not to go on board and then headed back to Edinburgh. We went to Charlotte Square where the Book Festival was being held. However, we were not able to get tickets to the top authors as they were already sold out. From there we went to the Oxford Bar where Rebus author Ian Rankin often has a pint.
We then went walking to get tickets for a few of the Fringe Shows but we found we were at the wrong venue so back up George Street to the booking office. We got tickets for 2 shows and then ½ price tickets to a Aussie comedian, Tony Vincent. Following the show, we had bangers and mash. It was 9.00PM and still some daylight. The castle looked spectacular. We were lucky that the showers that we had during the day were light and then the sun came out.
Monday, 23 August 2010
Scotland - Ireland - England Trip 2010
Scotland Trip
Flight and Day 1
Flight from Brisbane to Singapore was good. Thought leaving at 2.30 AM would not be good but in actual fact, I was so tired that I did manage to get several hours sleep before arriving 7.5 hours later. Short 11/2hour stay then 7 hours to Dubai. We actually got here in 61/2 hours.
After arriving in Dubai, we caught a pink (female) taxi to the Radisson Blu Deira Creek. We decided to have a walk but the heat nearly knocked us over. Went back into the hotel and had a couple of hours sleep, then tried again about 5.30 PM. It was still hot – very hot and the lens on my camera just fogged up. We again decided it was too hot. Had dinner and off for an early night.
20th August.
Today we did a tour from Dubai through Sharjah, Fujairah to the border of Oman. It was good as it gave you a greater understanding of the United Emirates. After leaving Dubai, we passed through semi-desert and the sand was light colour. The closer we got the mountains, the redder it became and looked much like the dunes of central Australia.
The global financial crisis has had a big impact on Dubai. The cranes aren’t everywhere as they were when I was here last.
The need for water has had significant impact on the waters of the Gulf. Since Abu Dhabi started the desalination of the sea water, the salt levels in the Gulf have risen by 20%. They are now building a gigantic new desalination plant on the Indian Ocean where the impact will not be as significant.
We crossed some spectacular mountains. They are so stark. Little vegetation and just rock. They actually export the rocks. Visited the fishing village of Dibba, photographed the mosque at Bidiyah and then down the coast to Fujairah before heading back to Dubai. The drive along the shores of the Indian Ocean was interesting as there are miles of beaches but they were mostly deserted. It is Ramadam at the moment.
Tried venturing out tonight but the heat was too much! Came back to the hotel for a cool drink and some dinner.
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