Scotland to The Lakes DistrictSep 1, 2011
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Mad scot!
Linlithgow pub
Real blackberries!
| Aug 29th... Hi guys.... Well famous costa coffee breaks on the freeways are our wifi havens.... We are sitting here eating breaky catching up with our technology gadgets ..... Aug 29th..... We woke up very excited but with doubt in our mind that Lord Davids castle even exists? And I had been scammed into donating money into someone's holiday fund....we set off from Linlithgow through the highlands of Scotland what magnificent views ,mountains,buildings...awesome....the mountains covered in heather and clouds sitting on the peaks of them,looking really uninviting bit spooky but fascinating.Once again a million photos! We saw picture postcard scenery stone arch bridges over Brooks,freezing clear water! With the mountains in the background,where David believed he was in the movie Highlander! Poor boy... It took us 2 hours to find the remote Dunans castle in Argyll Bute through forests and mountains,BUT it exists! And we were so excited........as we headed down a narrow drive we saw the magnificent 1500 Dunans bridge and in the background our home away from home....Lord Davids Dunans castle owned originally by the Fletcher clan in The 1600's . As we neared it there was a small group of people they had been waiting for our arrival to join the Lord's tour! All the money collected goes towards the restoration of the castle which was burnt down 50 years ago,all still standing but grounds and inside neglected.We met Ian who greeted us and we followed the group for a fantastic tour of the grounds ,glen,river,and castle....It was very inspiring,if we lived here we would be helping with their working bees and joining the volunteers to restore it to it's original beauty. It was so remote Ian told us last winter he had to break the Ice on the river to draw water to survive the winter,they were blocked in totally,as it was at least one hours drive to the next small village. After a few sword fights and photos we left the property in good hands to head back towards Loch Lomond and stopped for lunch on the loch...lovely scenery but crap food and service in a lovely inn on lake...disappointing as it was so beautiful. We headed off through beautiful mountains in search of Rob Roys grave and found it in a small village near Callendar on a tiny road in a churchyard.It was a great feeling seeing it...he was there with his wife Mary McGregor and his 2 sons....we love the movie,the countryside beautiful..... The next village was Callendar we stopped for coffee and then back to our cost lodge to pack...had a nice bath and collapsed.....awesome day... Aug 30th.... Off we trot again in our trusty litle black car,heading towards the lakes district Cumbria....a fair hike.... But as all the other days stop a lot and make the most of our tara else and tick off our to do spots! The herit cards I purchased before we left oz to get into all these places have saved us immense dollars as everything is free for us to get into here with our cards..... We headed south towards England on the motorways,wow they fly like rockets on the motorways,no wonder the show Topgear can test their cars,everyone is doing that same speed which is 100 mile an hour plus! We look like snails.... As we neared Carlisle we turned off to get to Hadrians wall, and stopped at a few sites along the way amazed at their skills at their wall building! and how it is all standing,ours will not..... W visited Birdsowald fort and went for a great walk along the wall,meeting some lovely locals along the way. Back in the car we headed down to Gretna Green ,where people used too run away to marry at 16 on the border of uk and scotland... to show Ethan that he could run away in 5 years and get married there,as we were in the wedding chapel a wedding was in progress and we got to see the bride walking in ,crying..not sure if tears of happiness! As the bagpiper played ...it was a special a special extra... I married Ethan and married David whilst we were there! We headed for the lakes district to WINDEMERE LOVELY VILLAGE, crowded with holiday makers,beautiful lake no accommodation! I hadn't booked these next 2 nights so we found a b & b in town,was Sussex on the guy leading us down an alley! But came to a lovely 1800 s house ,we took a family room there was no choice in accom in the town,so somewhere to rest our heads.....settled in and walked to local Chinese restaurant for dinner pleased we had found accom for the next 2 nights as it was packed out! Last week of school Holidays Uk! slept soundly that night! Aug 31st.... We all awoke at 11oclock missing the breakfast part of the b&b! But great sleep.... We took off for breaky brunch at a lovely cafe overlooking the lake and lovely village people watching all morning..... We caught a open double decker bus into next village Boness on the Water...where we took a lake cruise and wandered around the shops,and found Beatrix Potter exhibit,it was beautiful....... Walked back to our village and had fantastic roast dinner on the lake,and headed back to pack cases.....Had a lovely few days.....now heading for our water adventure......canal boat from Barton... So here we are at the Costa coffee stop on the motorways after swapping cars this morning at Lancaster,we now have a golf VW bit bigger as our suitcases seem to be growing,but haven't really bought anything? Just spoken to Davids mum on Skype how wonderful is technology! Hoping everyone is well and we are getting great sun again today...good for sailing! Ha ha hope we don't fall asleep whilst steering as we could end up at the NORTH POLE?... Bye for now till next COSTA COFFEE STOP! Xxxxxxxxxxx Canal boat from 1-4 SEPT. |
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