Newcastle to Newcastle and onwards to Scotland
Holiday mood started to settle in late Friday night. Long drives, meeting old friends and re-visiting old places was in order. Newcastle up north was the first stop and to see some friends. Having arrived and settled, the Wii was the order of the evening and much game playing was undertaken. So much so, that I almost missed a meal.
Newcastle is a town that is changing once more and like its counterpart it faces issues within those changes.
Safe to say this blogy/journal wont go into the issues. This for once is a holiday blogy. Or Jog. Or wjnal. Anyway it’s something.
Bright and breezy Sunday led into Monday morning and heading off to Scotland complete with good wishes and good advice on whisky.
The drive back towards the motorway was fine, as was the M6 leading to the Scots border (yes border but without the need of a passport- editors note Pages works well).
Crossed the Scottish line without any incident - almost sound Trek like - and started to scan for life-signs, I mean started to scan for the roads to Loch Lomond.
All went well. Well, ok so the navigation went a wee bit pear-shaped. Instead of Glasgow we hit the road for Sterling, not all bad, and it was holiday mood so no damage. Finally landing at the first stop, almost no thanks to an old driver, we found the first hotel. What a wonderful place to find, right at one end of the Loch and a great view of Scottish landscape. See photo.
That evening I had my first taste of that little known haggis. It’s sad to think so many are taken so young and eaten as part of another dish. My haggis was stuffed into a chicken and then cooked. Well it made a tasty dish at least.
The evening was rounded off with a small jot of whisky bought the day before. It takes time to enjoy such a treat, taste is not a word you can use here, for whisky is a treat. Looking out over the Loch I finally started to relax and think of the train trip and consider my blog.
The Scottish landscape gave me a thought about what would be a
good soundtrack to listen to as I drove. A few came to mind as the car was readied for its run.
Soundtracks are something I have always considered to be (a few anyway) on a par with classical tracks. Take for example John Barry and his Beyondness album.
Its rich depth, the stunning landscape, he himself paints with music, is a joy and it fitted Scotland. So did music from Highlander and that was well, a fix, but who cared.
I did once send in to Classic FM about film soundtracks and how many would not guess a track came from something like Star Wars. Well one Saturday morning we awoke from a light sleep - it was 9am ish- and heard Simon Bates say our names and the reason for writing in. Typically played was the March from The Empire Strikes Back, so well known it almost could not be missed, but at least we had our moment.
So to Scotland, the second day, driving, driving rain and wind. Add to that various soundtracks and heading further up north towards Skye. On the way I could not help but stop and take photos. You have to. The landscape is delightful, a dream, magic, stunning and much more. Lord of the Rings played in the background as the Saab enjoyed itself it seemed, taking the effort away.
So neared the second day’s final stopping point, close to Skye and next to the Highlander castle. And so ends my first post. I am sure I will write much more later, but now I must rest and let my reader consider all so far.
