Onwards

Thursday 31st July

Early (for me) start. But hard to complain when the kids are so excited to see me awake that they come and sit on the bed to talk to me while I am packing up!

Breakfast of champions (cup of tea and a fag) then my personal chauffeur and awesome hostess, Gill, drove me to the train station where I met up (albeit briefly) with the lovely Eileen, who has offered me accommodation in Aviemore if I ever want it! Awesome sauce. I love offers of spare beds!

Now safely ensconsed on the train from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, one of my favourite train journeys.

Arrived in Kyle and made it on to the Armadale bus because the lovely driver (Jim) stopped when he saw me haring towards him. He was leaving but, bless his cotton socks, he stopped, let me on, didn't need to see my pass because he believed me and proceeded to drive me, a cool lady from Armadale, 2 German hikers (Stefan and Jan) and some Japanese tourists to the ferry. Good blether with lady from Armadale and Jim. Weather kept improving too - it was raining in Inverness!

Got talking to the German hikers at Armadale and chatted on the ferry to Mallaig.

Arrived in Mallaig, found my hostel, checked in, met the super David who took my booking, got lent towels for free (!), had THE best shower ever, then wandered out in the sunshine for a recce. 

Some shopping, a pint and a few devious plans later, I am now sat outside the hostel, glass of wine and a fag in hand, enjoying the sunshine. Life is good.

August 2014 cont.

Wednesday, 30th July cont

So after that exchange, I finished my pint, wandered up to Inverness Castle, then settled into a blooming lovely pint of Somersby cider at the Castle Tavern,

Reluctantly left there and got myself on a bus back to Msr MacRae's gaff. 

Quick blether with the lovely Steven (Ali's flat mate) then picked up by Gill to spend the night in Drumnadrochit.

Beautiful, chilled out evening. Fresh air, awesome kids giving me blethers, cuddles, my first loom band and instructing me on how to make one (all yours Rory!), bats swooping, glass of wine, good food, good company, girlie gossip, old episodes of Friends. And a Magnum ice cream!

Awesome way to finish a day.

August 2014

Tuesday 29th July.

Departure day! Admittedly a day after I expected to be leaving, but hey, go with the flow. 

A slightly stressful start, given my house sitter was running late, but thanks to his wonderful offer of a lift to Waverley, and the relatively quick moving queue at the ticket counter, I made it on to the Inverness train, clutching the sacred Freedom of Scotland Travelpass in my (by this stage) slightly grubby paw.

What a lovely evening to be travelling  north. Beautiful sunshine, mill pond seas, progress on the new forth bridge and greenery!!! Oh how I have missed green open spaces. And seeing a hare bounding through the fields.

Laughed my head off at the state of 2 lads who arrived on the train at Perth, having literally made it by the skin of their teeth. Glad I'm not the only one!

Smile wiped off my face somewhat when scotrail reminded me of their alcohol ban as it was now after 9. Grrrr.

Ach, weel. Good blethers with the Perth arrived lads ensued, donated my crisps and sandwiches after discovering that one of the lads was rescuing the other after he had lost his wallet, phone, keys and god knows what else in Perth and needed returned to Inverness. Again, glad I'm not the only one who finds life challenging.

Now hurtling over the Slochd and ever closer to Inversneckie. As ever, an interesting journey from Embra to Inverness!

Arrived in Inverness about 5 minutes late - although as this was due to my train having to wait at Dalwhinnie for the sleeper to go through this wasnae a bad thing as allowed me and the Perth lads a sneaky fag - conned the lads into helping me carry my gear off the train and into the waiting arms of the stellar friend that is Alasdair MacRae. Who was highly amused by my recruitment of porters!

Swift lift back to Alasdair's gaff, a dram and a glass of wine and the adventure has officially begun.

Wednesday 30th July

Lazy start, met Alasdair's lovely flat mate who fed me cups of tea before I headed into town. A few last minute supplies purchased, it seemed rude not to visit my  favourite pub, so a pint (or two) outside Johnny Foxes seemed like a plan. Ended up having a lovely conversation about my travel plans with the gentleman on the next table which ended with the words: "Hope you have a great trip." Me: "I will, a smile and a good attitude go a long way."

Him: "Is there any other way to be?" Me: "Only if you actually want to be miserable!"