The sun has been our friend and constant companion.
We have had wonderful touring weather (even the snow was “cool” and only lasted a few hours--- but in our group picture, it looks like we are a bunch of Eskimos) We could not have wished for better weather over all, even tho' at times it was windy and cool, we did not have the usual Ireland/Scotland overcast days complete with rain and drizzle.
As we begin our final day of touring (not counting tomorrow ---on the airplane forever), people are talking about missing their families and pets. They are talking about what they are getting for gifts for friends and folks back home and they are also talking about the differences in the hotel accommodations. We’ve all rather gotten used to sleeping under a duvet without a top sheet. We did have “American” bedding at one place, but I’d have to go back in my notes to look it up. No matter. Sometimes the shower knobs and levers need to be figured out BEFORE the water is turned on for the bath or shower. I think we’ve all enjoyed the really huge towels at some hotels as well as the timed electric towel warmers. We’ve grown accustomed to keeping a 20 pence coin at all times for use in the pay toilets. Some of our rooms in the hotels have been quite small, not as large as we are used to at the Holiday Inn or Best Western. In one place, N and I had a really interesting room with a full sized bed and two twin beds along with TWO (2) bathrooms. One was a “normal” bathroom area and the other was set up for handicapped assistance. And then there was the room with the “second floor bathroom”. These are unique establishments, not “cookie-cutter” hotels of American chains.
On our last day, we stopped on the way to a sheep dog demonstration for a picture stop. The water in Loch Awe was so still; it seemed to be a mirror. The pictures we took won’t do it justice. It had rained the night before and the ground was squishy. John, our driver, cautioned us “No muck in the coach”. He meant mud and since it was his job to keep the bus clean, we were careful
Collette Tours is having a photo contest and we have been encouraged to submit pictures from this tour, since it is a relatively new itinerary. (Northern Ireland has just become “available” in the past few years) We have loads of really good pictures, but few of them have the Collette symbol in the picture.
We stopped at the Woolen Mills where the sheep dog demonstration was and it was a bit disappointing. We had seen a sheep dog demo in New Zealand on a farm and it was fascinating. This one consisted of a (hard to understand) Scotsman talking to us about sheep, wool and his dogs. His wife talked about spinning the wool to thread to be woven into cloth. We saw his dogs and then it was over. No real "demonstration".
It was at this stop that I bought my favorite “souvenir”. A lovely blue wool cape. Those of you, who know me well, know of my affinity for capes. We bought some gifts there and then later went to see Hamish a huge Highland Cow—pronounced for those who’d like to say it with a Scottish accent -- ( HEEL-and COO)
Aberfoyle was next for lunch. N had an Angus burger and I had steak pie. Not quite what I expected, but really good. There was a large puff pastry sitting on top of some beef and gravy—and of course “chips” and mashed parsnips. That is not a bun, it is pastry.
We’ve been given a list of movies about Ireland to continue our “tour “ when we get home, a list of music (one of which I plan to find on Amazon and purchase) and a list of books and authors about Ireland and Scotland. This is a nice addition to the trip. I don’t remember having any of this sort of information before on any of our other trips. Oh, our “yellow cheat sheet” was also a welcome addition. Loreen boiled the entire itinerary down onto half a sheet of paper that we could keep in a pocket to refer to during the 13 days and to refer to later as a reminder what we did and on which day. Thanks, L
We heard lots more about William Wallace and Robert the Bruce on our way to Stirling Castle. –One of the best castles I have visited- wish we had had more time there.
Nick was thrilled to see several SmartCars with “Stirling Castle“ stenciled on the side. I think that made his trip better.
We drove to our last hotel— in Falkirk—and prepared for supper. We tried the wireless availability and tho’ a little weak and really SLOW, I was able to download two days of postings. I tried to add a picture, but it was SO SLOW that the computer went to sleep before one was loaded. I’ll do that when we get home.---So don’t think if you are reading the “gray and white” version of this, I am finished.. I do plan to add pictures.
The farewell dinner was nice. A veritable frenzy of picture taking. Almost embarrassing. Loreen and John joined us for the first time and we said “farewell”.
The dessert was especially memorable—called cronicha (I probably spelled it wrong, I think it had more letters in the word)—it is a mixture of whipped cream with fresh berries folded in and frozen. It is served like a scoop of ice cream between two shortbread cookies. Nice and light and sweet and YUMMY!
TOMORROW—THE LONGEST DAY!
No comments:
Post a Comment