Scotland Holiday part 3 and home

The last part of the holiday.

Steam driven and walking.

Atlantis was of course a ship. A wonderful little trip and the chance to see the loch floor again though not in a wet suit like years before.

The steam driven part of all this was a wonderful train. An old amazing piece of technology that was so ahead of its time. The black tar coloured train had power, such power in fire, water and steam that could explode if not handled correctly.

It was as many people saw an amazing way to travel. Of ages past, steam driven and yet modern. First class was a little different than the trains of today. It was almost as if they found a whole set of armchairs and made sure they could stick them together. Not packed in. Not uncomfortable. Not anything but ageless.

So the engine was made ready and the journey began. Again something that hardly happens now save for real trains. We were waved at every point of the journey. Stunning scenes raced by as the smoke drifted along. The main stopping point was by a sea loch.

After a short visit , some lunch of course, it was time to get back on the train and that all important photograph.

The train pulled gently towards the now even more so famous bridge and the driver gave us all the chance to take that shot. The bridge, the train, the scene.

Not as good as some take but who cares, it was my shot.

So Scotland, more scenery, more driving after the train journey to the last hotel of the holiday. Now we planned a good two day stay in Inverary and with good weather a good walk.

The hotel room had a power bath which was fun and so needed to give the old body a good refresh and relax.

The following morning and wonderful blue skies and good weather meant the walk around the castle and the grounds was certainly on. Again such scenery that you only get in Scotland, the colours so real, the air just so clean.

At the top of a very long walk up a hill through a forest (almost magical) you could see for miles. And once more not let down as I saw two Eagles soaring along the air currents. As if to complete the scene below us (dont forget we were on a hill very high up) swept through the valley past the castle a single metal eagle - Tornado actually.

The walk down ended a little painfully as my right knee slowly started to remember injuries of the past. (Running ones at that take note).

Then off for the last good meal of the holiday and homeward bound the next day.

As blogs go this is more a journal (read old blogs on my thoughts about blogs and names) and its less punched more wandering through my thoughts.

The holiday was good, the memories are renewed, photographs all there (so heading to the web site soon) and now the blogy journals.

Took a time to write the end of this but its been worth doing for me. Back now to 'normal' days, back to archery weekends, (going to see I'm Sorry I haven't a clue soon) and back to work.

By now folks know how that went.

So to end, Scotland it really is as good as I remembered and still has much much to discover. Including lots of whiskey.

Scotland Holiday part 2

So far - Travel to Scotland from Newcastle via the northern Newcastle and found a delightful 1st location.

Skye and the voyage of Atlantis

A new day dawned and at least the rain and wind had given up. Highlanders castle looked almost stunning in the sun (yes we had sun) and the car packed, Skye was the next location. The drive towards Skye was not long but the sunshine made all the difference.

What beauty after such weather, the colours as the grey clouds lifted. Maybe it needed such rain to wash away the grey.

Again there was a soundtrack to accompany all this landscape and this time I picked. There was a little less desire to keep all the grand music as the days before so light-heartedly I decided to 'shuffle'. I wont say what I shuffled, but close friends will guess that some of the picks made for odd sounds. If only I had reached Banana Splits. (For the younger readers google is available as well as many other search engines).

Approaching Skye is - so I was told - now a simple run. The bridge at the mid-point connecting the two lands is yet another show of Man's engineering skills. There is a point when you drive up the bridge you do think it wont end but then you hit that crest and behold Skye.

The place has yet another character, another beauty and another feeling. To really see Skye would take another couple of weeks which was sad as time was against. But there was the chance to sit and view.

Then came the choice. Drive on down Skye and find a ferry. Or. Atlantis. Even the name gave that almost desire to see. (Building up here). Many will know what Atlantis means - lost cities? or TV prog?

Ok so by now I have twittered and FB'd this enough. But what is it.

Well Atlantis is a ship. Which had glass viewports down below the waterline. I just cant keep it up on here.

The chance to take a ship out (no they would not let me be Captain) and see under the water was much better than a drive and a ferry.

So here is what we saw.

Yes thats the deep waters of Skye sound. Well maybe 6 feet deep.

It was fun and different. I kept thinking of all the jokes but just let the twitter/FB run its bit.

The hour long trip went around the Skye sound (so to speak) and as if on request, two RAF Tornados buzzed over head. I of course enjoyed, others well not so.

And did I see lost cities or sunken ships or Atlantis itself (SGA for those who dont know) - as Hitch-Hikers once said stress is not good so quick answer - No.

Back to the car after a trip around the Kyle of Lochalsh and onwards to Fort William. Now here is where music was not all it needed to be. I picked a shuffle and it shuffled. At one point however to one piece I almost thought the Tornados where back. Any guesses add as comments.

As I write this blog late now in Fort William, I do wonder who reads. I have said this often and wonder if they ever get anywhere. I do have a group of friends who enjoy what I write.

How many others write with no friends? Who keeps logs.

Tomorrow is another day.

Tomorrow is a train day, hopefully steam one.

Atlantis found, Highlander seen, a MacDonnell scarf bought.

Blog-on!

Scotland Holiday part 1

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.

An reworked blog

This blog is a bit of a cheat, plus I see that I have reached double figures in blogging.

In case I don't blog for a while, but Scotland might give me good reasons too, I thought I would blog an old short jlog as I call them. I wrote a couple of these, I like the style and I like sharp punch (if its there). So enjoy the read and comment away.

Good Cop, Bad Cop on a boarder crossing

By

Mark O’Donnell

Thursday 14th June 2007

I hate flying. Not a correct statement, but a statement all the less. What I hate is the trapped boredom. Fixed in place, stuck, no computer, no remote, and no freedom.

Ok so it gets you there quickly, fine. Then you land, then you grab your bags, then you stand in queue. Then you meet customs.

8 hours of flying followed by 10 minutes of grilling if your lucky. Only if.

The green card, your one and only chance to impress that customs officer. And of course you always find the good cop, bad cop next to each other.

First time, forgot to sign the back of the card. Well very sorry says I. The blank reply. ‘You wont give an apology. You will correct it. Go back over there.” He pointed back to beyond the line.

The thought crossed my mind we would have to go back to Manchester. A quick fix, signed and dated, then look for the good cop.

Thank whatever god of travel you like, but good cop was right next to bad. A smile, at last, “Welcome to the USA.” Or welcome back for some. Finally allowed to step past that line, only to meet the next pair.

Customs round two. Bags down, coats off, jumper off, shoes off and still I ended up bleeping. It’s the belt. Back you go belt off try again. Almost stripped but finally allowed to step past that line. But no, this time the good cop pulls us over. From my bag they produce two water bottles.

What deadly danger did this Manchester airport water pose this great country? Cute they maybe, but travel any further. No chance.

So finally, well for this airport any ways, we stepped past that line, that magical myth and onwards into well just onwards really.

Good cop, bad cop on a boarder crossing. You truly can’t beat them.