Toosday Toofer!

My stroll turned out to be a nice walkabout!  Down Aberdour Road to..umm…whatever that main street is, hung a right, spotted a post office, past a hair salon called Chestnut Browns (love that name), past the pet store and ASDA (another big grocery market), ’round the roundabout, and down to the train station!  Whoohoo! 

 

My goal was the train station.  I wanted to see if it was within walking distance and, if so, how far it was and how long it took.  I ducked in there and picked up a train schedule in case I want to venture to Edinburgh some weekday.  Checked on the fares, also. 

 

Back out and headed home in the <gasp> SUNSHINE  , I crossed over to get the exact name of the bus stop I would need for the train station.  Next, I stopped in at Chestnut Browns and made a hair appointment for right before Christmas.  Then it was on to the post office to check it out and see what type of mailing supplies they might have.  Interestingly, the post offices here are also little stores…this one a mini grocery store.  The one in town is sort of a stationary store/post office combination.  Nice to have one located nearby for mailing stuff. 

 

Oh!  I also checked out Mass times at the Catholic Church about two doors down from us.  Me?  Going to Mass again?  Well….we’ll see. 

 

It was a glorious day for a walk and I ended up doing about 2.5 miles…a nice little bit of exercise to keep my internal gyroscopes spinning in a groovy fashion!  I’ve found in the past, also, that the only true way to get to really know a town is to walk it.

 

Another silly observation about the mail (post) here.  It’s called Royal Mail (go figure) and the postman’s bag is red.  Interestingly, red is featured in much of monarchy…robes, etc.  Gee, in the States we just get mail…but here…WOW…you get ROYAL mail.  Teehee! 

 

Ciao!

 

Toosday!

It seems my little journal is getting some visitors other than friends and family…so…welcome to those of you whom I do not know.  I hope you enjoy the tales of my adventures abroad and I thank you for your kind comments!  I’m enjoying corresponding with you…meeting people from other parts of the world!  It’s fun browsing your sites and learning about you, seeing your photos, and hearing your stories. 

 

So it’s Tuesday and I find myself with no real plans for the day.  It’s a beautiful day out (right now) and I’m thinking I’ll get bundled up and take a walk.  This is the first time in my entire life, really, that I have not participatd in some physical activity/sport and I’m feeling a bit sloth-like.  It’s only temporary, though, and I’ll get back into cycling, yoga, and perhaps even some cross-country skiing when we return to Minnesota.

 

We picked up the bike from Mike last evening and had a very nice visit with him.  He’s a very interesting guy – not only into cycling, but music and all sorts of stuff.  All of Dave’s friends whom I’ve met have been very cool, witty, intelligent, and interesting.  Like I would expect anything else? 

 

On Thursday I’ll be meeting with the Reiki Master/Teacher I mentioned.  We had a very delightful phone conversation yesterday and I’m looking forward to sharing experiences and views with her.  I’ll be catching two different buses for that…a little more venturing out on my own!  First it’s the D3 bus to James Street (bus station in town) and then the D7 bus to Town Hill.  Whoohoo!    Who knows?  I might make that solo trip to Edinburgh at this rate!

 

So far, the weather forecast looks favorable for our trip to Inverness/Loch Ness this weekend.  I sure hope so!  Gosh, to stand on the shores of Loch Ness…almost beyond comprehension, as is much of this trip.

 

Well, breakfast and a stroll are calling my name, so I’ll leave you for now.  I really do appreciate everyone who is emailing me…it does my heart more good than you’ll know to have contact with you all while I’m over here.  Thanks again to the visitors to my site whom I have met and to those I have yet to meet for your comments and encouragement!  Again, welcome!

 

Peace, strength, love, and light,
Betty

 

Monday, Monday…

The sun is out (so far) this morning and it’s the start of a new week.  We’re hoping to get to Inverness, Loch Ness, and the sheep farm B&B this coming weekend.  We’ll just keep an eye on the weather and see how it goes.

 

We’re also hoping to get word from the US Embassy in London before long.  We’re still awaiting an interview appointment date and time.  At this point, unless things happen really swiftly, it appears as though we’ll be here through the end of the year.  There is still the chance that we’ll be stateside by Christmas, but each day that passes seems to push the possibility farther away.  It’s okay, either way.  I had sort of thought Christmas in Scotland might be a nice experience.

 

I have to confess…this past weekend I felt a wee tinge of homesickness, probably because of it being a holiday weekend.  Yes, Dave and our life together is my life and family now, but still….this is the first holiday I have been so far away from other family and friends.  Last Wednesday and Thursday I had these impulses to be cleaning the house in preparation for the holiday weekend and Thursday felt as though I should have been wrestling a turkey in the early morning and then falling asleep to football games in the afternoon!  HA!    I’ve told Dave he gets the traditional full American Thanksgiving spread next year.  Teehee! 

 

We had a very pleasant, laid-back day here yesterday – ran a couple of errands, played chess, watched a movie, did a little tidying of the flat, etc.  Dave has arranged to borrow a bike from one of his pals so he can ride some on the weekends when the weather permits.  I’m glad; I know he’s missing being on the bike and there’s no reason he shouldn’t get in some miles and time with his pals while we’re still here.  We’ll have a quick dinner this evening and then go pick up the bike.

 

I’ve had email contact with a Reiki Master here in Dunfermline.  She gave me her phone number, so I’ll give her a ring today and see if perhaps we can meet up in town for tea and a chat.  It would be nice to be with some like-minded folks and to share views and experiences from different sides of the ocean.

 

I feel guilty at times for not working like I usually do…but then I remember that this is a once in a lifetime experience and I should get the most out of it that I can.  As Dave says, I wouldn’t want to go back to the States with any regrets about not having gotten out and done things.  Sooooo….we’ll see…I may even venture forth to Edinburgh on the train one weekday.  Dave showed me which bus stop is for the train station and then where the station is here in town…teehee….what an adventure that would be, eh?  I could go prowl Edinburgh, go to some museums, or whatever….hmmmmm…..

 

Ah well, I do have things to do today, so I’ll say adios, see ya, cheers, and ta-ta for now! 

 

 

 

Fife Coastal Trip

The weather caused us to postpone our trip to Inverness/Loch Ness, but we have rescheduled for this coming weekend.  We spoke with the innkeeper, who agreed that the weather was too bad and that the roads might be impassable should we try to come.  We had decided Thursday evening that we would not try it, so we made a supply-gathering trip to Tesco’s and stocked up for a cozy weekend at home.

 

It’s actually Monday morning when I’m making this entry.  I started it once but got sidetracked, so here I am again!

 

After Friday’s winter wonderland, Saturday dawned chilly and rainy, but not freezing.  There was still ice and snow around, but that was slowly disappearing.  We bundled up and started off on a mini road trip, my tour of the Fife east coast.  This was a driving tour of the East Neuk of the Kingdom of Fife, a "neuk" being a corner –  think our American word "nook" as in "nook and cranny."  As we have different counties in the States, Scotland has different areas/counties…Dunfermline being in the Kingdom of Fife. 

 

I’ve uploaded photos from the day, shots of various places we stopped along the way.  Our ultimate destination was St. Andrews and the experience of standing on the shores of the North Sea.  Can you believe that?  Little me…who never goes anywhere…standing on the shore of the North Sea, for goodness sake!

 

Okay, Jim, open your atlas, ’cause here we go!  Our stops included the quaint fishing villages of Kirkcaldy (the "L" is silent; this is Dave’s childhood hometown), Lower Largo, Upper Largo, Leven, Elie, Pittenweem, Anstruther, Crail, and finally St. Andrews.

 

In Lower Largo, we parked down by the beach and strolled up the road a bit to the birthplace of Alexander Selkirk, who was the true-life Robinson Crusoe and on whose life the story is based.  There’s a photo of that statue in the Fife Coastal Trip album.  

 

In Anstruther, we made a detour off the main road down to the harbor area.  Dave has a fave fish and chips place there, so we checked their hours for the day and decided to get dinner there on the way back home.  More about this later! 

 

Making our way up the coast, we reached our end destination, St. Andrews.  It was very impressive seeing the Firth of Forth blend into the North Sea as we drove along…and then seeing the cathedral ruins of St. Andrews as we approached the city.  Once there, we had a heck of a time finding a parking place but finally did and walked a bit to the grounds of the cathedral ruins.  Yep, there are photos of that here, as well.

 

Talk about impressive…this had been a huge cathedral at one time.  The stone bases which held the massive supporting pillars are still in the ground…this was a huge structure hundreds and hundreds of years ago.  It was so very interesting…the experience is hard to describe.  The old altar surface was still there…complete with stone coffins underneath it…the altar base had been slid back so one could see the coffins.  I believe I posted a photo of me standing on the altar.  This was very interesting ground to be walking upon.

 

At the beginning of our stroll around the grounds, a young couple approached us offering to take our picture together.  Turns out they were from Canada; very nice young couple.  So we chatted for a minute or two; they took our picture together and we took theirs. 

 

Later on during our time at the ruins, two young women asked if we would take their picture together.  Well, gee, they didn’t sound like they were from Scotland, either!  Turns out they are from – ta-daaaaa – TEXAS! – one originally from Houston and the other from Dallas.    They were both going to university here in the UK.  How funny to come all this way around the world and meet someone who also says "ya’ll."  Hahahaha!   So we took photos of them, us, and then the three of us Texan gals together.  Too funny!  It was rather heart-warming to run into Texans here so far away. 

 

Another milestone and something I had wanted to experience…standing on the shore of the North Sea.  At one point, Dave says "So basically over there is Norway."  WOW.  So incredible…such an experience this is for me…yeah, me who is happy just to get to go camping one or two weekends a year…who never goes anywhere…I say "WOW!" a lot over here, it seems.  I can hardly imagine being all these places…much less being there with Dave…it is so wonderful…so perfect…to be with him as he shares his country with me.  I’m happy to get to go to these places and see these things…and that he is getting to see his country one more time before he leaves.

 

After we had experienced St. Andrews to our fill, we headed back towards Anstruther, some fish and chips, and then home.  We did stop at that little fish and chips place…and got our meal to go, having parked the car in a lot facing the harbor and ocean.  This turned out to be one of those moments of synchronicity that seem to appear in my life…

 

A few months ago while exploring Scotland on the Internet, I found a site called Undiscovered Scotland.  There were pictures one could download to one’s computer and, it being summertime and hot, I found one that depicted a stormy, gray day at a harbor with waves crashing against the harbor walls.  It’s still on my computer screen at home as wallpaper. 

 

Sitting in the car, listening to music, chatting, eating our fish and chips and watching the light fade from the day and the dark clouds creep ever towards us – it dawned on me….this was that place!!  What an incredible "coincidence" – again, a synchronicity…a coming of full circle…here was this scene that I had thought so amazing…first on my computer screen greeting me every day and now right before my very eyes! 

 

This was one thing Dave had wanted to do…take me for fish and chips in this spot (not knowing it was the scene of my computer wallpaper)…the true experience…not only was the fish and chips (fries, we call them in the States) excellent…but the ritual, if you will, of getting it to go and sitting in the car or (if weather had been permitting) at the picnic tables scattered about the area.  So here we were, fulfilling one of his fantasies and in THIS spot.  This is one of those moments shared together that I will never forget. 

 

The final two photos in the Fife Coastal Trip album are of that scene of the Anstruther harbor.  I’ll also try to post the link to the photo on the Undiscovered Scotland Web site in case you want to explore that.

 

Being near the Firth and its beaches and then the North Sea, I hadn’t realized how much I’ve missed the ocean/seaside.  I hadn’t been to Galveston in a few years and then left Texas without going there, so I hadn’t been near a large ocean-like body of water in years.  There’s something about the air, the wind, the gulls….I miss it.  This was so rejuvenating for my spirit…to be around the open water again.

 

The weather Saturday could be described as lousy…it was chilly/cold and raining off and on, but it was a perfect day for our East Neuk of Fife trip.  Hey, it’s Scotland…somehow it seems fitting that it be rainy, cold, windy, and gray.  I love her more and more and appreciate the gifts she keeps offering up to me during my visit here…the sights, sounds, experiences, and people she gifts to me while I’m calling her my home.

 

There is something about this country…she is very old, very wise, very mystical.  I am grateful to her for making me feel welcome…for making me feel an adopted daughter while I’m in her care.

 

Cheers!

 

 

 

 

Winter Wonderland

It’s Friday and we’re tucked away snugly in the flat here in Dunfermline.  After looking at the weather forecasts all day yesterday and talking it over, we decided the prudent thing to do was reschedule our Inverness/Loch Ness trip for next weekend.  Last evening we headed to Tesco’s and bought a cartful of groceries for the weekend and then had a quiet evening here at home. 

 

First thing this morning, it looked rather nice out, actually; however, after just a little while, Dave called to me to come look – it was snowing!  Oh boy oh boy!  Was it ever snowing!  We took just a little walk before breakfast and then later in the morning headed up town on the bus.  It was beautiful…the snow falling…Unlike Minnesota, it soon turns to wet, slushy stuff.  It was fun, prowling through town in the snowfall…went to the post office, library, and a couple of other places…then headed home. 

 

So this afternoon we’ve been snug in the flat just chilling out (no pun intended…teehee)…watching it snow, that change to rain, then back to snow again.  The skies are perhaps a wee bit clearer now, but it will be dark soon with nightfall.  It has been a perfect day, just relaxing a bit and enjoying the show Mother Nature is providing. 

 

We’ve started another game of chess and have just finished watching "The Mountain" with Spencer Tracy and Robert Wagner.  I saw it years ago, but it’s a good one, well worth watching again.  We’re going to stroll down to the Pitbachlie Hotel pub later this evening to hang out with some of Dave’s friends for a little while.  It’s just a short walk down the street a ways. 

 

There’s something about snowfall…the stillness…the crunching of the snow under our boots as we walk along…rather magical. 

 

Enjoy the photos from today and have a groovy weekend!

 

Tuesday musings

This morning dawned with evidence of a rousting visit by Jack Frost (with a heavy fog) but now is sunny, although still rather chilly out and, of course, damp.  Work was slow, so I took the opportunity to hop the bus to town – post office, library, and a very nice brisk walk through the Glen.  Right now there’s a woodpigeon sitting on the lamp post at the end of the sidewalk out front.  He’s a very large pigeon…much larger than the typical run-of-the-mill pigeon.

 

While in Edinburgh, I found a book on birds of Europe that was on sale…a paperback small enough to go in my backpack and easy to take when out and about.  There are so many varieties of birds here which I have never seen, so it’s fun to identify them and tick them off in the book as I encounter them.  On the drive home from Glen Coe Sunday, at two different places by the side of the road was a ring-tailed pheasant…just standing there looking so gorgeous.  I’d never seen one in the wild before. 

 

This guy is just hanging about..he’s about two to three times the size of the pigeons one typically sees in the States…almost the size of a chicken.

 

Well, I have some reading to do and want to compose a couple of letters, so I’ll say cheers for today and leave you with an excerpt from Carlos Castaneda’s book, The Wheel of Time – it is a compilation of excerpts from his prior works, this one being taken from The Power of Silence….

 

"The spirit listens only when the speaker speaks in gestures.  And gestures do not mean signs or body movements, but acts of true abandon, acts of largesse, of humor.  As a gesture for the spirit, warriors bring out the best of themselves and silently offer it to the abstract."

 

 

Glen Coe Trip – Day Three – Sunday, November 20

Sunday morning dawned…and what a way to greet a new day…seeing the mountains and loch from our own deck.  Early morning…the sun was up but misty/foggy/frosty and very gray.  Water birds skimming the surface of the loch, Magpie exclaiming his "Good Morning!"  to the world.

 

Another filling breakfast…I’ve quite grown to enjoy my wee pot of tea in the mornings when out.   We bid good-bye to Loch Leven, Glen Coe, and the B&B at 11:00 AM and were on the road headed home to Dunfermline. 

 

You know, I felt a definite twinge at the heartstrings upon leaving this area…even more so than leaving Texas when I moved to MN in July, if truth be told.

 

Our route today took us north again passing through Fort William and sort of northeast, then southward.  The weather was milder near Loch Leven, but on stopping in Aberfeldy to gas up the car, it was rather…um…brisk…again! 

 

I suppose I was rather more quiet on the drive home…I felt so mellow, relaxed, and peaceful and was simply trying to soak it all in…to etch the sights, sounds, and feelings into my being for later recall. 

 

The distance in miles traveled to the Glen Coe area was a bit over 100; however, we took mainly small roads, those being very narrow and twisty.  Covering 100 miles in the States takes no time but here…well, it can take most of a day, especially when one is not in any particular rush.  

 

By three o’clock we had reached Pitlochry and the Tourmakin Hotel.  Dave had a very nice gift certificate – a race prize – which bought us an absolutely outstanding meal in this very cozy place.  The fireplaces in the pub/dining room were welcome sights!  I had a lightly breaded haddock – the best fish I’ve had in ages. 

 

At a little after 4:00 PM, we were in the car and making out a grocery list as we neared Dunfermline.  We stopped by Tesco’s for a few days’ worth of supplies and then were home sweet home.  The car unpacked and everything stowed, it was still early, so we relaxed with a bit of television and the occasional chess move, and I uploaded photos from the camera and cataloged them on my laptop.

 

Did I mention Dave has a beautiful chess set?  He set it up and is patiently guiding me through a first game as I try to remember what little bit I learned many years ago.  So we ponder a bit, make our move, and let it sit for a while.  Fascinating game, chess.

 

Today I’ve got laundry going, have been wading through emails, and making these journal entries.  I wanted to get them done while the memories of the weekend were still fresh in my mind’s eye.   It should be a quiet week for us, back to work and the usual routines until Friday.  We’ll leave Friday morning on another expedition, this time to the Inverness area and Loch Ness, with lodging at Leanach B&B – a working sheep farm! 

 

View the photos, listen to Moira’s tunes, let your spirit fly free for a few minutes, and let your heart feel young again – mine certainly does!

 

 

 

 

Glen Coe Trip – Day Two – Saturday, November 19

After a hearty Scottish breakfast at the B&B, we headed up the road about 13 miles to Fort William, a very picturesque town on Loch Leven.

 

The entire Glen Coe/Fort William area is very historic, and I’ll try to get some links about the area posted here on the site. 

 

While I was getting ready, Dave wandered about the grounds of the B&B and took some very nice photos, some of which are posted here.  The last one is a darling shot of a sheep, one of many on the grounds surrounding the B&B.  No, the sheep farm is next weekend in Inverness, but hey, "sheepies" are everywhere here!  Think Texas and substitute cattle with sheep. 

 

So, up the road we went along the shores of Loch Leven to Fort William.  The first photo of that is at the car park on the waterfront.  The skies were gray all day today, but there was such a beauty in that.  We prowled High Street in Fort William, ducking into shops here and there, and Dave stopping for a cup of soup and a newspaper.  Yep, very chilly indeed today!

 

One of the shops we ventured into specialized in stones and crystals….going up High Street I noticed a stunning crystal – a hunk of rock, actually – a combination of amethyst and quartz.  It caught my eye in this little shop, but I passed it by…for the moment.  Strolling along, we came to Dave’s favorite outdoor store at the upper end of High Street, and we prowled in there for a while.  Dave has fond and amusing memories of Fort William, so I took plenty of photos.  Making our way leisurely back down High Street towards the car, I returned to the crystal shop, where I found this same amethyst/quartz combination, which asked to come home with me, so I agreed.  At the counter, I mentioned to the lady that I am a Karuna Reiki Master/Teacher and lo and behold she is a Level II Reiki practitioner!  Her name is Gayle and we chatted like we had known each other 20 years.  Another meeting of two souls who seem to know one another.  Dave returned from his errand and took our photo together.  Such a delightful spirit!  She and I exchanged contact info and I do hope we become pen pals.  As she said, all the way across the water…and there we were together!

 

Back in the car, we ventured forth to the area of Ben Nevis, the tallest peak in Scotland and which Dave has been to the top of more than once.  The road was especially twisty and turny – but then again, it seems rare to find a straightaway piece of road in Scotland!   There were many places to stop and park, with access to trails, and various youth hostels and B&Bs.  We went past these main areas, headed to some falls Dave wanted to show me.  We arrived at the Lower Falls; the road going farther up looked a bit dodgy with ice, so we decided to save the Upper Falls for a return trip some summer.  The Lower Falls were quite spectacular and powerful in themselves.  There’s a photo of Dave by the Falls here on the site and a shot of an ice-laden tree. 

 

Returning via the road we came, we stopped at an access point to Ben Nevis itself.  Such a grandfather presence this peak has!  We walked just a little ways, again stopping for the requisite photos.  There’s one of me bundled up by the entry marker. 

 

Our next destination was the Visitors Centre at Glen Coe, part of The Scottish National Trust.  This center had exhibits detailing the history – the ancient cultural history, the geographical developmental history, history of battles, and the history of climbers – of the area.  Glen Coe has very ancient history (as does much of this land I find I love as much as I do the man in my life who calls this home) . 

 

As part of the exhibits, there are listening stations where one can hear from various climbers, locals, and artists their impressions of Glen Coe.  One was by a singer named Moira Kerr, with an excerpt of one of her songs.  It so touched me…not only the melody, but the pleasant, yet almost haunting, quality of her voice.  Dave purchased this CD for me and I’m listening to it as I make these journal entries.  Her music and lyrics seem to capture the spirit of Glen Coe for me and, listening to her songs, I am again transported back to that place that seems to touch my very soul.  Click on Music here on the site for some of her music.  You can click on the song title and listen.  Take a moment to listen to the track "Maciain of Glencoe."

 

Out on the viewing platform at the Centre, again I felt this sense of such peace, such a feeling of coming home, my heart so full of thankfulness for my life and the way it is unfolding.  I have never been so impacted with such deep intensity by any place. 

 

We were hungry – again! – and it was getting dark, so we headed back in the direction of Ballachulish in the search of a light meal of some sort.  We drove through the tiny village of Ballchulish (the "c" is silent, by the way) and then to the Glen Coe Isles Hotel, where we split a sandwich in the pub/lounge.   We had a table by a nice big window. 

 

I could never get enough of this place.  I told Dave I could spend my last days there and pass from this Earth at peace and content.  If I have any warning of my passing, I’m headed back to Glen Coe to spend my last remaining time.

 

Back at the Loch Leven Hotel, we lazed about for a bit.  The newspaper was read and we picked out a couple of DVD movies from Hilary’s library of films.  We had a later dinner in the dining room and had a slow-paced, cozy evening. 

 

With my eyes closed right before drifting off, I saw a dark shadow cross my eyes…Ailey on her ghostly night prowlings? 

 

Part Three shortly…

 

 

Glen Coe Trip – Day One – Friday, November 18

It’s actually Monday, but I’m catching up the journal this morning after our trip this past weekend to Glen Coe, Fort William, and Ben Nevis.  Photos are up, so here we go!

 

We left about 10:00 AM Friday morning, headed north.  We were again gifted with a glorious day – bright sunshine, albeit it pretty chilly with a sound visit from Jack Frost overnight in Dunfermline.  After just a few minutes, we were out in the country.  I have to tell you, Scotland — she is the most beautiful country overall — puts the States to shame with her unspoiled beauty.  Even sitting on the road awaiting our turn at some road works, I turned to look out my window of the car…the colors of the leaves, the way the sunlight was coming through…that’s the first photo in the Glen Coe album.

 

Our first stop was the village Callander, where we had a short stretch of the legs.  Man – it was really cold there!  Time for the fuzzy hat and gloves!  It is a lovely little village with a lake and resident swans and ducks; there are some photos of that town. 

 

Soon the scenery was changing…becoming more forested and hilly/mountainous.  We stopped at Loch Lubnaig for a couple of photos (which are in the album) and to be awed by the beauty of the place.  The surfaces of the lochs for the most part were absolutely like glass…so smooth and reflecting the mountains.  Moving along, ever northward and upward, the weather changed almost in a single heartbeat from sunny to freezing fog.  Check out the progression of that in the album.  There were ice patches on the sides of the road, but the trafficked surfaces were fine.  Soon we were surrounded by an ice forest, very ethereal and strikingly beautiful. 

 

After a bit, we again emerged into sunlight  Our next destination was the Bridge of Orchy, where we stopped for a late lunch at the Bridge of Orchy Hotel.  Very cozy place and the food was excellent.  Would you believe I had a venison cheeseburger?  Absolutely delicious!  There’s a photo of this hotel in the album.

 

Appetites for food satisfied, we were back on the road, by now on the fringes of Glen Coe.  A little personal history here…

 

Back in the spring while Dave was in Spain and I was still in Brenham, I had a hair appointment.  While awaiting my turn, I picked up an outdoor-type magazine touting the new bike models for year 2005 on the cover.  Figuring I might as well check this out while waiting my turn in the chair, I opened the magazine at random.  To what?  A two-page photograph of Glen Coe, the start of an article on munro (hills) climbing and the Glen Coe area.  That scene struck something in my very being and has called to me ever since then.  My hairdresser gave me the magazine and it’s tucked away snugly in Hibbing.

 

After it was decided I would come over, I knew Glen Coe was one place…THE place if no other…that I had to stand in while here.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would ever happen, really, nor so soon.

 

Back to our trip progression, we were traveling deeper and deeper into Glen Coe.  The absolute perfect beauty of this place, even in winter, is so hard to describe.  The effect this area has on me…I confess I became rather misty-eyed…there is something about this place…it knows my soul and my soul knows it. 

 

Dave pulled over at a parking area and we got out to walk a bit.  And, yes, take some photos.  To just be in this place, to stand there…with Dave…my heart was so full.

 

Sometimes I look at him and go "WOW!  You’re Scottish!"  HAHAHA!  Before coming here, he’s been the man that I absolutely adore and so enjoy being with…I haven’t thought so much about his heritage…he’s Dave…Coming here, though, and being with him in his country…I am so glad I am here to see his Scotland with him by my side, hear his stories, learn about his country and his people.

 

Meanwhile, on the trip…so many lochs…such beauty.  We continued up the A82 to Glencoe Village, along the shores of Loch Leven.  It was almost dark now, although only late afternoon.  Arriving at Ballachulish, we crossed the bridge over the loch and there was our destination – the Loch Leven Hotel, a B&B right on the shores of the loch. 

 

Hilary and her staff were very welcoming and soon we were snug in our room.  Our room…ahhhh…perfect-o!  The lochside wall of the room was glass…windows with a door opening onto our own deck.  See photos of the view…the photos do not do justice to its majesty.  Absolutely awe-inspiring.  I could have just sat there the entire weekend with a book and music in the presence of those mountains, the loch, the birds….

 

The B&B’s Web site (there’s a link here on my site) touts a resident ghost!  I asked Hilary about this and she graciously offered to take me up to Room 3, where the ghost "Ailey" tends to hang about.  Interestingly, I sensed amusement in the room at one spot and a coldness (no not from the weather) with the hairs on my neck and arms tingling.  Seeing my expression, Hilary asked if I felt something…I told her and she related that was the spot where others typically feel something very similar. 

 

Anything to it?  I don’t know and we won’t go into a long discourse here….but it was fun and interesting, having never stayed anywhere that reportedly hosts a presence.

 

After a nice bowl of soup at the hotel and winding down a bit, Dave and I were soon snoozing snugly under the duvet, with the spirit of Glen Coe enveloping us and providing a sound night’s sleep.

 

 Stay tuned for Part Two after some breakfast!

 

 

 

One More Step in the Process and a Bit of Fun

Today was again one of those rare sunny days, albeit rather chilly.  All in all, a beautiful day for our second trip to Edinburgh.  Our goal today was Dave’s medical exam required as part of the visa process.  We drove to this and the whole process went smoothly in under two hours. 

 

Leaving the car parked, we hopped a bus for the center of town to do a bit of shopping and have some lunch.   We had a good time shopping and then went to the little cafe we had found Sunday evening…where we had ducked in for something to drink.  Thinking the food looked yummy, we went there for lunch today.  It was indeed delightful!  Dave showed me the two shops where he had purchased my jewelry earlier in the year.  Never thought I’d actually see the places for myself!  I couldn’t resist taking photos of them and have posted them here on the site.   We caught a 22 bus back to the place where we had parked the car and then headed back to Dunfermline.

 

Crossing the Firth of Forth on the car bridge is also a uniquely beautiful experience, different than on the rail bridge.  You know, I’m just about getting acclimated to traveling on the left-hand side of the road, although I’m not driving.  I’m thinking it will be a bit odd back in the States to be on the right-hand side! 

 

We stopped by Sandy Wallace’s bike shop for Dave to pick up his wheel.  There was a beauty salon up the street, so I ducked in there to get my hair trimmed.  Aaaahhhh…that felt good! 

 

So now we wait.  We have done everything we need to do; the next step is the interview in London, and we’re just waiting on notification of an appointment date and time.  If I had any doubts about coming back over with Dave during this time of waiting (not that I did), they would have been brushed aside today.  I was so glad to be here to accompany him to Edinburgh…reading in the waiting room until he was done…just being here with him during this time.  It’s definitely where I want and need to be right now.

 

Okay, tomorrow’s back to work and my eyes are getting fuzzy, so I’ll say cheers for now!