The Stuart House

Friday

This is the last day of our tour and go are driven by ferry to the picturesque Isle of Bute. We are given a tour of Britain's Mount Stuart House a magnificent Victorian House. We were shown the private rooms of the family. At one point I noticed how large the bed in the master bedroom was and the guide informed us that the bed consisted of two beds put close together to accommodate a hard mattress and a soft mattress for the Marquess and Marchesa . Something like our sleep number bed at home no doubt. We were given lovely sandwiches on our way back to Glasgow. On to dinner that evening where we said our farewells to our dear companions. The next morning we caught a plane in Glasgow to London. London to Los Angeles. This time I was seated to a Polish music producer. I refrained from making too many inane comments and didn't pretend to know all about the happening music scene. I read my juicy romance novel and skipped over the over the top scenes just to protect young eyes, you know. Off the plane, onto my home. And Jolly Good , we arrived safely. OOH, LA LA.

PS. Britain won the The Ashes cricket game over Australia. The Australians on our bus took it well. Now about those Cricket game rules......

                                                           The Top of the World..the Isle of Skye

Wednesday..Sept 14

This date weighed heavily on my mind as I needed to send an e-mail to my daughter wishing her a happy birthday. Early in the day we stopped at Culloden Visitor Centre at the scene where the Hanoverian victory over Bonnie Prince Charlies's Scottish clans occured. Then we followed the shores of Loch Lomond and had a lunch stop at Eilean Donan Castle. Then we crossed to the Hebridean Isle of Skye. Our room faced the water and we had large open windows. A seagull tried to get into our room which was very fun and interesting. That evening we had a guided tour around the island where a Gaelic scholar gave us an overview of the history of the Gaelic language. Drinks of various whiskies were passed around . I ordered Drambowie and it hit the spot. We went back to the hotel where had dinner and then I spotted an internet access and e-mailed by daughter my birthday wishes to her. It was very satisfying to be able to communicate with her. We bounded up the stairs to our room since there was no elevators. A little tv..very little tv and then off to dreamland.

Thursday

After breakfast we drove down to The Clan Donald Centre for a visit to the Museum of the Isles. and then boarded a ferry at Armadale to sail across the Sound of Sleat. We went to Glenfinnan , the scene of the raising of Bonnie Prince Charlie's standard in 1745. in the afternoon we saw gorgeous scenery at Fort William beneath Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain. It's only visible twelve days a year and as luck would have it we were able to view it. On to the mountain pass Glen Coe where the MacDonald Clan was treacherously massacred by the Campbells. We drove by the Bonnie banks of Loch Lomond and on to Glasgow. We had a guided tour through Glasgow to view the Georgian squares and 12 century university buildings. That evening we found a Chinese Restaurant and then walked back to the hotel.

Friday

                                       Whisky in the Morning..

Tuesday

Wake-up call, luggage out, breakfast. And then we were on our way to Aberfeldy, site of Dewar's World of Whisky and a tour of the distillery that converts simple ingredients such as barley, water and yeast into a great liquor. A dram was included as a treat. I say if you can say "cheers" at 11 AM life isn't bad at all. On to the nearby Victorian mountain resort of Pitolchry for lunch. Now you would think that this romantic setting could not be better for a salad and some time to appreciate the surroundings. However a persistent honey bee drove us from our idyllic spot and then we waited for our bus to open and take us to...Braemar, home of the Royal Highland Games and cross the heather-clad moors to spend the night at Iverness.

                                           Edinburgh!

Monday...

A new meaning to a wake-up call the next morning involved a fire alarm signaling everyone to pour into the street. Soon we were allowed back into our rooms, consumed breakfast, and went on a guided tour of "New Town" and "Old Town" Edinburgh .We drove to Edinburgh Castle were we viewed Scotland's Crown Jewels and then on to Holyrood Palace, official Scottish residence of the Queen.

Later that evening we boarded the ROYAL YACHT BRITTANIA on which Queen Elizabeth 11 used to entertain state officials. Prince Charles and Princess Diana used this yacht for their honeymoon. It was decorated with simple furniture to create a leisurely atmosphere. The odd thing about the yacht was that you had to go through a shopping mall, up the elevator to gain entrance to the yacht. After, the tour I spotted a bookstore and had to investigate. I missed reading my novels. Trying to read in my hotel room and plane was a little fruitless as I was tired. Well, back to the hotel where we ate our supper. A little TV and then off to beddy bye for tomorrow we drive up to Iverness.

                                                             Harry Potter!

Sunday...Harry Potter!

After another lovely English breakfast we boarded the tour bus. We were greeted by our lovely throaty tour guide and we were off to ALNWICK CASTLE. The castle is the ancestral home of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland and was photographed as the setting for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the Harry Potter films. Some of us compared notes sharing that we absolutely must bring home mementos of Harry Potter. A fairly small display of souvenirs featuring Harry Potter were displayed. After perusing and purchasing playing cards, magnets, etc. we contiued on to the castle. The Duke and Duchess are fairly young with children. Very privileged indeed. With opulent surroundings and views one could only imagine what it is like living in such splendor. After having a lovely lunch, we headed back to the bus where we drove to the Scottish boarder and on to Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city. Another lovely room awaited us. That evening we were taken to a Scottish evening with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and the Ceremony of the Haggis. A great time was had by everyone. A sample of the Haggis was served with turnips, and potatoes. MMM. YUM. Recipes for the Haggis may be found on the internet. I intend to pursue these recipes and maybe try to figure out what all the fuss is about. I personally did not have any trouble consuming the Haggis but then I had been initiated by the Black pudding.

Off to our rooms once more, buoyed by the earlier festivities. A local pub was located below our room so shouting and good times were upheld until the pub closed.

                                                            Merry Ole England

Saturday!

Excitement grew as we left our lovely cocoon in West London and were met by our tour guide for a week in Scotland. After a head count our Tour Guide introduced herself. She had a lovely throaty voice which proved soothing for the week that we were together. Our bus driver was perfect. Capable , helpful and everyone loved him. We were given the general guidelines of tour etiquette...always be on time or you will be left behind. Our first stop was Stamford. It was also our first encounter with rain. Luckily we had proper rain gear and navigated the flea markets for a while. Then onto Sherwood Forest. Well, we skirted Sherwood Forest but then the excitement built when we stopped at the great structure of York Minster. York is the most complete medieval city in England. Quaint streets abound including Shambles. We went to a delightful train musem and then onto the bus to arrive at Middlesbough Hotel. A lovely room awaited us. Dinner and drinks were had by all and then off to bed before continuing our trip to Edinburgh. And oh, yes a stop to ALNWICK CASTLE, the site of Harry Potter's movie setting for the Harry Potter movies. Can't wait!

Sunday...Harry Potter!

                                                     Picadilly Circus...

Friday!

After a trip to the breakfast buffet we hooked up with a London guide who took us to many famous landmarks: Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Palace, Harodd's,The Houses of Parliament, Big Ben adjacent to the Thames and Westminster Abbey. We went into the magnificent ST PAUL'S CATHEDRAL the site of Prince Charles and Lady Diana's wedding. The interior was of course beautiful. Designed by architect Christopher Wren it includes the Whispering Gallery, 356 -foot high dome that is breathtaking. After St. Paul's we saw Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly circus and then on to Buckingham Palace. The guards were not scheduled to change that morning but we did have photo ops. We arrived at our hotel at noon and rested in our room for the next day we were off to SCOTLAND.