Day Four

Day four saw us bid a fond farewell to the lovely Edinburgh driving north to Inverness (well Culbokie actually... but more on that later)

One thing I am stuck by time and again is the absolute picturesque nature of everything! The scenery is completely breath-taking and as an avid photographer I feel like I'm begging mum to stop every 5 min so I can try and capture the majesty of any given area. Unfortunately my pictures barely do it justice.


On the road up I marveled at the low level cloud which seemed within arms reach at times.



I was captivated by the old stone buildings which have been there for hundreds of years. Everything is just so GREEN and there seems to be water everywhere - the complete opposite to Australia.

We stopped along the way and I went for a walk for a while in what I would describe as a national parks. I found it to be so relaxing to just meander along, taking photos where I may - simply enjoy the freshness - and there is no other word for it - of all around me.



There is something marvelous and majestic about Scotland. It's in the air, it's in the rain - there is a deep sense of history and of place unlike anywhere else I have ever been to. It has captured my imagination and soothed my world weary heart.

We made our way up past Inverness to the town of Culbokie to our rest stop for the night - a charming Bed and Breakfast called Still Waters.


I simply MUST return for it is a place of peace. Mum knows the owners for years gone by and it was lovely for me to meet them. They are simply fantastic people with warm, hospitable natures. They are lovely and welcoming and you can just tell that they want the best for you. It was the first place we've been to that I felt truly comfortable, free to sit in front of the fire and flick through a magazine or have a chat. Found in a secluded spot, surrounded by lush, green grass and trees it is a place of rest. I'm not just talking about physical rest - I'm talking rest for a weary soul.

So if you are ever in the area and are looking for a getaway from it all I can strongly recommend Still Waters.

Next we travel to Stirling via what felt like the most indirect route possible.

Day Three

This brings us to the second day in the wonderful city of Edinburgh. And to another day of wind, rain and cold.

But even the inclement weather couldn't color my view of the beautiful city. We explored the castle, shopped and Marks and Spencer and Topshop. We wandered around the 'old town' climbing down to the closes. And took pictures whenever the weather would permit.



I found such a deep sense of history and of peace there. I could have happily wandered the streets investigating the area hour after hour day after day. There is something magical about the city that took my breath away.



Edinburgh holds my heart and I simply cannot wait to come back!

Next stop Inverness...

Day Two

Waking up we saw SUNLIGHT!! Gorgeous sunlight! It was therefore of course necessary to pass by the stop overlooking Alwick castle once again. Boy am I ever glad we did. I confess I’m rather in love with this picture.

Driving to Edinburgh I felt like I was in the novels of Austen and Bronte with the lush rolling hills and the picturesque nature of everywhere!

We had heard that the next day would be another dismal one so we decided to get the Edinburgh to make the most of the fantastic weather. We parked on the outskirts and bussed our way into the city.

And I fell in love. I adore Edinburgh! So much history, so much culture, so much beauty, just so much!! We caught the hop on/hop off sightseeing bus and saw the house of Robert Louise Stevenson - enjoyed statue after statue, building after building. My affection for the place growing and growing with every moment I spent there. I climbed the Scott Monument and saw the city from up high.

Scots Monument

There is something about the place that is almost spiritual to me. It may be because some of my favourite authors come from there. Or it could be the interesting mix of history and modernity all contained within the same place. Whatever it is I could quite happily live there for a while.

Up next... the second day in Edinburgh

Day One

Waking on our first full day we were greeted by the most inclement weather. Rainy, cold, windy - exactly the sort of weather that lends itself to curling up with a book and staying indoors all day. But we had come to England to explore not stay indoors plus we figured we may only have this type of weather.

So we set off for Alwick. Alwick castle (a.k.a the Harry Potter castle) being our first port of call. Unfortunately because of the weather I didn't manage to get the greatest photos but it does show the grandeur of the castle.


The castle simply took my breath way. We did the tour of some of the inner rooms and the opulence of the furnishings was astounding.

Because of the weather I was constantly pulling my camera out from underneath my leather jacket, snapping a picture real quick then returning it safely to the protection of my jacket. Plus we quickly had to figure out the proper umbrella protocol.

We then walked - swiftly - to Barter Book (one of the largest second hand book stores in the UK). It was magnificent! There were first editions, rare books, the everyman's library, and miniature books. And the smell, oh my word, the smell!! It smell like history, literature and knowledge combined. I could have happily browsed for ages but it was time to move on.



One thing that struck me about Alwick was just the sense of pure history - from the cobbled roads, to the houses, to the castle. I notice that everything is tightly packed in - small houses, small streets, narrow stair cases.

It's like seeing a setting for one of my beloved BBC period films on every corner, down every road. For some strange reason I thought that I may see a few houses like that but for everywhere else to be 'normal' houses.

We decided to take a country drive in the afternoon because the weather was so bad. Winding our way up stopping at the Bamburgh castle.


Isn't it impressive? We didn't go inside instead just taking in the grand structure. Then slowly making our way back to the bed and breakfast for an early night.

We were in the northumberland district and I must confess I found the accent quite difficult to understand. I think I actually experience a slight bit of culture shock possibly because I was expecting everyone to be just like me.

There is such a sense of history, time, and place everywhere. I think I'm going to like this adventure.

Next... on to Edinburgh

And So It Begins...

My adventure has been going for a few days now but this is the first decent Internet connection I could find so bare with me as I spend a little time up dating.

It all started on Monday the 27th of September at 5pm (Brisbane Australia time) - all pack, house clean, all necessary jobs done and I was super ready to go. We headed off to the airport, got our bags checked and headed through security and passport control.

After a remarkably short time it was time to board the plane. Now in my hand luggage I had packed every possible thing to keep me entertained and comfortable - my computer, my camera, my iTouch, two books, toiletries, chargers, notebooks, pens, blankets and a pillow. All I ended up using was my pillow, my camera, and my Itouch - lugging all that around for nothing!

But anyway we took off at night and stayed in darkness - for 14 1/2 hours! Very disorientating. Both my mum and I slept off and on in snatches. I'm not sure if you've ever endured a long haul flight before in economy but it is nearly impossible to get comfortable (and I usually sleep fine on airplanes). Mostly we watched movies - Emirates supplies a huge list of movies that can be played on demand. I was now dreading coming home. But the next leg would be shorter - so that would be easier.

We landed at Dubai at 4:30am local time and it was already 30 degrees. You try being in the same clothes for 14 1/2 hours then going through security, trying to find your correct gate, all the while feeling hot, sweaty and stinky - not the greatest feeling. After a two hour lay-over it was time to stay the next leg... and we finally saw the sun!

Now I had thought that the second leg would be a piece of cake compared to the first. Boy was I wrong! It was tedious and it seemed like I was forever 2 hours from our destination. Pure exhaustion finally took over and I managed to get a couple of hours sleep... To be woken by a poor little kid who had obviously had enough of the journey. By this time my body clock was completely confused and my medication schedule was all over the map.

But we finally made it. We had landed at Newcastle, England at 12:15pm local time on Tuesday! Border control took a while but we got through, got the keys to our hire car and were on the way.

We made it safely to the first stop, a Bed and Breakfast in Longhoughton. Because it was still really early and in a effort to reset body clocks and minimize jet lag we tried to stay up for a while - going for a slight drive/explore and then to find some dinner.

By this time I was feeling decidedly queasy and couldn't keep dinner down. We made our way back and stumbled into bed with me fervently hoping that I wasn't going to be sick for my entire holiday. Would my vacation be ruined?...

Next stop the first full day in England starting in Alnwick...

Music That Moves Me

Again the time difference is screwing with my mind! But this week's music that moves me is Schuyler Fisk.

Here are two samples of her music:

'Be Still'


'Fall Apart Today'


It's sweet, easy and elegant. The perfect accompaniment to just about anything really!

Next up... Posting about the trip begins