Scottish Highlands Tour Day 2

Sorry for the delayed posting... We could only post tour day 1 last night when we were on our way to our Edinburgh hotel in the bus! Yes there's free wifi on the bus!

Yesterday 30/12 was a great day... We woke up in an incredibly quiet little Drumnadrocht town. It was drizzling but all the hills around us were covered in snow! We had a wonderful breakie in the same place where we had dinner (photo below).

Our driver then picked us up to take us to our boat ride that they had arranged... It was an hour long cruise around Loch Ness with an old Loch dog (like sea dog) called Captain Pete. The air temp was about 4 degrees and the water temp about the same... Nevertheless we set off across the Loch while listening to Pete tell us all about the Loch's history including Nessie! It was absolutely incredible.... All the hills around us were, as V calls it, dusted in God's icing sugar! We were frozen by the time we reached land again and quickly cuddled up in the bus to thaw!

The trip had less stops today as we slowly made our way back to Edinburgh. We drove through Inverness and then stopped for lunch at a quaint little town called Pitlochy. On route V and I were kipping when the bus suddenly came to a halt. We awoke to a winter wonderland with heavy snow falling all around us! We leapt off the bus and played like children in the snow! It was amazing and super special!

Our last stop was in Sterling to lay eyes on the infamous Scottish Castle called Sterling. Outside stood a grand statue of Robert the Bruce. Allan the driver marveled us with all the interesting history and kept us entertained all the way home!

We arrived back in Edinburgh at about 17h30 and set about trying to get to our hotel which is situated just next to the airport... After some chilly walks and incorrect bus rides we made it to our comfy room just after 8... It was a long day but one we'll never forget!

Scottish Highlands Tour Day 1

Before the birds awoke team Longmore was scuttling across Edinburgh like two naughty school children...With an icy chill in the air we were set to depart on our tour from the Houses of Parliament at 08h30!

Sure enough in Scottish precision we left with 22 others at 08h28... Our bus drivers name was Allan... A delightful fellow that entertained us with commentary and story telling the entire journey. We headed west for Glasgow and then north into the highlands. Glasgow was a bit gloomy and unimpressive. It turns out that the city was built around the shipping industry and as a result the population is well... A tad rough! The more sophisticated Edinburgh population refer to them as hooligans!

Soon after Glasgow we stopped at a small village called Luss on the banks of the biggest lake in the UK... Loch Lomond. Surrounded by snow capped mountains it was spectacular. At about 5 degrees Celsius, Allan assured us that it was about 15 degrees too high for this time of year. We laughed appreciatively remembering what Canada has in store for us!

After Luss we continued north, weaving our way between the snowy mountains and the abundance of rivers and waterways. Our first castle viewing was that of the 800 year old Inverlochy Castle. Unfortunately it was badly damaged by the most revered man in Scotland... Robert the Bruce! ( I was wondering why everyone I introduced myself to looked down nervously :) ).

After the castle we continued toward Loch Ness which would be our overnight stop. Before reaching it however we were shown a war memorial overlooking the highest mountain range in Brittain (4400feet) and the ruins of another castle overlooking Loch Ness.

With the sun setting at 15h00, we arrived in Drumnadrocht in the pitch dark. Our accomodation for the night was the Fiddlers Inn... An old school B&B with heaps of history and tradition. After a fantastic dinner in the pub with a couple of locally brewed wilderNESS beers, we retired to our warm comfy room!

Tomorrow we continue north towards Inverness and then back home towards Edinburgh.

We holding thumbs for a little snow!

Edinburgh Day 2

So after a lazy morning and a continental breakfast spread, V and I set off exploring Edinburgh... After we were told that the open top buses were a good option we bought two tickets for the majestic tour.

This tour took us through town with the first stop and the botanical gardens... As you can all imagine, V was like a little girl in a candy store... The gardens were absolutely stunning even though the trees were without their green coats! £5 pounds then got us into the glass houses, a series of carefully controlled micro environments that house thousands of species of plants from the deserts to the rain forests... V's heart pumped chocolate for nearly an hour as we witnessed God's sheer magnificence!

After this we climbed back on the bus and continued down towards to sea... Here we went to see HMS Britannia, the royal yacht that was decommissioned in 1997 and turned into a floating museum! The tour through her grand compartments was spectacular and an audio guide explained everything from the naval hierarchy to the history behind the queen and duke's pillow cases! The tour ended in the engine room, which was most definitely my favorite part.

After having a late lunch we returned to our B&B for a late avi relax before heading out for dinner...

Another incredible day of sightseeing and relaxing... We are incredibly blessed!

Tomorrow we are off on our two day tour of the Scottish highlands... Yes please!

Edinburgh Day 1

So after a glorious train trip (yes that is in a Scottish accent) we have finally arrived in Edinburgh... 4pm and dark we wondered across the city to our B&B... Down a long dark road and at the end of an alley we found a locked door... After much unsuccessful knocking we decided to find a public phone and call them...

Turned out the doorbell was broken and they were watching telli... V gave them a quick scolding until she was distracted by the bright red carpets and friendly welcome! I should have called ahead and warned them that they have a pregnant lady approaching the building... he he

After settling in we went on walk about around town and the carnival area... We found some food and supplies and have now collapsed after a long day of travels!

Lots of love to you all!

Leaving the nest

So we were up early. Just made our train to town. Luckily Reinart and Bruce can run fast with two heavy bags. The two tourists were so anxious to not miss our stop, we looked like two on guard jack russels. Despite the fact that our stop was where the train stops....

Then a hassle up and down some escalators and a super fast underground ride. We are finally at Kings Cross which is where we leave soon to Edinburgh. Hoping Ed will make it here in time to say hi.

Here's a pic of Kings Cross station.

Last day in Fleet

Our last day with Reinart and Lozanne was incredible. After a late breakfast we drove to Windsor. The castle is breathtaking. And the gardens around incredible. We had our first walk next to the Thames which isbabout to break its banks due to all the rain.

Lunch was burgers and chips. We then headed off for a game of bowling. A side note was that both Zia and Rene beat me thanks to the help of a child aiding bowling start-rail. After 5 rounds I had call it quits. It seems 15 weeks means no more abdominal muscles....

Tomorrow at 8 we train to London. Land at Waterloo then under ground to Kings Cross. A breakfast stop at Krispy Kreme donut shop is in order. Then at 11 we train to Edinburgh. Hopefully we'll get some snow there.

Christmas Day

Rain, rain go away. Come again another day!
No snow on Christmas for us :-(

We had a lovely time opening presents with the kids last night. So much more fun with little people. Today is the big lunch. We are having leg if lamb and turkey with loads of trimmings.
V made rusks last night.

We are hoping for a little break in the rain so we can go for a walk in the woods. Have to try out our new shoes that we bought at Sports Direct. Most amazing store ever and they have an online store.

Merry Christmas to all our family and friends. We hope wherever you each are you are having a wonderful day and that God will bless you in the year to come.

Fleet, Hampshire

We arrived!!!!

After a wonderful flight with lots of leg room and great food, followed by a 45 minute queue in customs, we were so relieved to see familiar faces waiting to rescue us from the depths of the monstrous Heathrow.

We are now in Fleet, Reinart and Lozanne has a wonderful home and we are so spoilt. This afternoon we are going with them to Hillsong church.

Bad news is that is seems it won't be snowing on Christmas, as England is in the process of flooding itself.

Finally here

We are finally en route.
Our bags are in, we are outside the boarding gate and waiting to board.

It's been a crazy few days and we can't believe the big day is finally here.
Huge thanks to Estée and Neil for fetching us and driving us around town and to the airport.

Our blog is now public so anyone can access it. So if you wanna tell other family members how to get here is would be great.

Merry Christmas, enjoy the sun, we love you all loads.

TeamBV.