On Skye

What a day! Beautiful day to start with. We took the advice of our hosts and headed west to a coral beach -but one with a difference. This one is made up of seaweed which had dried,  been rolled around by the waves and broken up into very small irregular shapes. To get to the beach went like this :narrow single lane road through vilages across some moors and following instincts. Not many signs. At a T-junction there's a tiny green sign saying 'coral beach '. Park the car, go through a farm gate, walk for 15 mins across a paddock,  another gate,  past the cows,  over hills and about 45 mins later you see the beach. It is white though. Then do the same to get back before it rains.
From there we followed another's set of narrow roads but a few more signs, directions from the post mistress of a village, avoiding the sheep on the road and suddenly,  just when you think you are the only people alive, there are all these cars. Neist Point is on the very west coast of Skye and has a lighthouse. To get there though you walk down a set of steep steps, across a flat area, avoiding the sheep,  up another climb and down again. The view was spectacular! Sea birds circling the cliffs, lush green grass, abseilers, picnickers, families and...sheep. Our host says she has a photo of them walking up the stairs to the top. We wondeted how they got down there.
A short drive then to another castle to wander its grounds and marvel at the flowers and amazing trees.
Our way back took us to Portree on the east coast. (photos to come)

The road to Skye

Leaving Fort William in the rain we thought the whole day would be like that. However there were some sunny spots. Below is Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles. On our walk the previous day we had seen people in their walking boots, with sticks and their packs. As we drove out of Fort  William we could see where they were going. It's apparently 1344m high. Climbing and walking are big around here.

 Just before the Kyle of Lochalsh and the bridge to Skye, is a castle caled Eilean Donan (above). The tide was out so it didn't look as beautifu. The young lad playing the bagpipes made it quite special though. It sits on an island at a point where 3 lochs meet. Quite picturesque. There were bus loads of people,  car loads and plenty of motorbike riders.

We took the scenic drive to a little place called Plockton just north of there. It was the settingfor the Hamish McBeth TV series. We had a lovely chat to a local lady who ran a shop selling knitted items all made by the locals.

Before reaching the bridge, Kerrie spotted a herd of Highland cattle grazing in the middle of a village. There were calves and cows just eating and not bothered by anything. The houses ran either side of the roads through the village and the grassy bit was in the middle.Plockton is the top photo. The bridge to Skye is high like the Gateway. Not as long though. Once over the bridge we headed to the clan seat of the McDonald's and a look around the castle ruins. The last chief to live there left in the 1920's and it fell into disrepair till the 60's. The gardens are well kept though and it has a beautiful view across the sea to Scotland.

We managed to find a few more places we'd seen on the net, travelled up the coast to the main town of Portree, then on to our B&B south of Uig in the north. It rained. Surprise!

Glencoe to Fort William

It's driving time again. This time we have an Astra. It was relatively easy getting out of Edinburgh so we headed west. Lochs, mountains and moors. What scenery! I have to concentrate on the road as it is very windy in places. Loch Earn, Loch Lubhair and Loch Leven at Glencoe. The information centre at Glencoe was really interesting and gave an insight into the  massacre of Glencoe in 1692. Looking at the mountains around the glen it would have been a difficult place to get away from. There was still snow on parts of the mountains. Beautiful scenery.

 The Three Sisters (yes,  that's what they are called) just before Glencoe.

 The view from our B&B across Loch Linnhe.

Edinburgh 2

Day 2 and a planned trip on one of the hop on hop off buses was a little late to start. Edinburgh has trams which share the road with buses (hundreds) and cars. Apparently a tourist wasn't watching the tram and was then taken to hospital.
Once we were underway the breeze on the top level of the bus was bracing to say the least. Past the Botanic gardens which house the 2nd bigest colection of Chinese plants in the world,  and on to the port and a tour of the Royal yacht Britannia. This room was the lounge room for all visitors. The rooms were all very nicely decorated and not blingy at all. A very interesting tour.
Another trip on the bus brought us to Calton Hill. Here are monuments to Nelson, the National monument which looks like a section of the Acropolis and the Observatory. Of course the best thing there is the view of Edinburgh. It's amazing. At various spots on the top you can see down Princes Street to the castle,  around to Holyrood Park. So we saw the history, the shopping and the architecture,  so our brains and our feet are happy.

Edinburgh by day

 To get to the city centre we are lucky enough to have a bus stop around the corner from our B&B and the bus took us straight to the heart of things. We found the tourist centre and organised our way around the city. Our first visit was to a place called Mary King's Close,. When Edinburgh was first settled around the castle, on a track of land about a mile around the castle,  they couldn't build outside the walls of the city. So the house went up -about 11 /12 stories. Naturally these weren't very well made but the street space between the buildings, called Closes or narrow lanes, were filled with markets, rubbish and household filth including the contents of the toilets -from 12 stories of lots of small room 'houses'. The tour guide explained how everyone lived and worked and quite frankly,  we don't know how anyone survived on a daily basis let alone things like the plague. A really interesting visit.

Then it was on to Edinburgh Castle. They are beginning to assemble the seating for the Tattoo in August. Kerrie is standing in the middle of the car park and the cranes are in the background. You don't realise how high you are until you get onto the castle walls. The room above is the banquet hall.

We enjoyed finding out about the history of the castle and the Guards who are based there. There's a lot of ceremony but it is really impressive. We followed the line of tourists to see the Scottish Royal jewels and the history associated with it. No wonder they have a problem with the English!The castle is an amazing space with an amazing view of the city.

After a very late lunch and return bus,  the feet certainly voted for a rest.

Edinburgh

Kings Cross Station and our train to Edinburgh. The Harry Potter store on Platform 9 and 3/4.

Arrived in Edinburgh and the castle rises up behind the station. Cabbie had spent the last year working on the gas pipeline from Miles to Gladstone. He knew Bilo and couldn't believe he'd met people who knew it too. Small world.

To and from the show

 This real estate agent's window was a great display.

 If you were too lazy/tired to walk from the Sloane Square tube station to the garden show (only a few blocks),  you could take one of these rides.



The main drag (below)

Chelsea Flower show 3

The displays :

Nelson Mandella - made from small clay tiles

 The dresses covered with flowers

The Thai  orchids

 Peter Rabbit garden and the Punch and Judy garden.

Chelsea Flower show 2

The flowers:(from the top down)







Lupins, lavender,  carnivorous plants, foxgloves and begonias and of course roses.

Chelsea Flower Show 1

We made it. Lovely day. Rain held off. Fabulous flowers and displays.

 A shell koala?

London

Our feet told us we had walked too many miles in our shoes but we certainly saw plenty.
We left the train at Waterloo station and walked through Jubilee gardens to the London Eye. From there it was a stroll across Westminster bridge to gaze at Big Ben. It looks fabulously clean and tidy. Because it was Sunday we couldn't go inside Westminster Abbey but it is an imposing building. Our walk then took us through St James 's park to Buckingham Palace where we were able to see the Guards preparing for their daily changing and march. An American lady at the front of the crowd said I could move into the space next to her. She had her camera lined up already and anyway I was taller than her so could get some photos from above her head. True!
 We then headed around Constitution Hill and along to Knightsbridge and a wander through Harrods. The Egyptian decor above the escalators was awe inspiring as were some of the items. The food hall was fun and tempting.

The Tube ride to Picadilly and the walk to Covent Garden was interesting but a cool drink was needed. We thought we'd continue on the Tube to The Tower but some of the stops were closed so we walked all the way. Now there was a crowd!  Across the Tower Bridge and along to Waterloo station and a grateful sit on the train for 1/2 an hour. Foot weary but a great sunny day for sightseeing.

 Left - TheGuards









Buckingham Palace

 Memorial to Diana and Dodi in Harrods

Hever Castle

Anne Boleyn's home was a real surprise. A castle with a real moat,  draw bridge, fabulous gardens and history attached to her life as 2nd wife of Henry VIII. The furniture, tapestries, paintings and wood work/carvings were amazing. The gardens were a taste of what we will see at the Chelsea Flower show. My friend Sue could name many of the flowers so we were lucky. The weather today was fabulous-23 degrees and sunny.

Topiaried shrubs, white swans with cygnets,  mazes, water mazes for the kids and boating on the lake.

After that we were treated to a drive through the country to Box Hill, where the Olympic cycling was held,  past Epsom race track where the Derby is held for a view of London in the distance and home to tea on the patio -8:30 PM and still daylight.





 I think we know these people!

Birr

After leaving Killarney we headed north towards Tralee of the Rose of Tralee fame, then on to Listowel(home of many writers and a lovely lunch for us), up to Tarbut and the ferry across the Shannon R. We then followed the road around to the Cliffs of Moher. We were so lucky to have the sun for our visit as the last time I was there I remember freezing in the rain and wind. By that time it was about, 7.00pm and still light! We had a good run across to Birr and our lovely B&B across the road from the castle. This is the dining room where we had breakfast the next morning. The house was built in the mid 1700's and the owner was born in the house.

 Birr Castle is still used as a family home by the current Earl and has sections built in the 1400's, 1600's, and 1800's. We were given a tour by the butler (yes) who also does other jobs. He knew the plant names, history of the house, the family  and the area. The castle has secret rooms,  chandeliers of Waterford chrystal, furniture from all eras and fabulous tapestries. The castle has a moat and cannon, fabulous gardens, both formal and casual and the best children's playground -a castle. One of the previous Earls built a 6ton 70" telescope with a massive lens which enabled him to measure the temperature of the moon. NASA did this as well and was surprised at his accuracy. It was the only outside telescope. An amazing place.

Because one of mum's ancestors came from County Louth we spent the night in Droheda in a lovely B&B. The city is really quite big and it was good to leave the traffic in the morning.

Killarney

We've had a few days rest with friends in Killarney. What fun-an Irishman,  his Australian wife and 2extra Australians. We arrived on Sunday evening, and after a meal with the other Australian visitors headed into town (down the road) to find music. Pubs were full, music was playing but no room to fit in. As it was raining we decided home was a better option.

Killarney national park is virtually across the road from their house so an afternoon walk let us see red deer, rabbits, tulips,bluebells,  oaks etc; around the corner to a statue of the bishop they called the scarlet pimpernel because he helped so many Jews escape through the Vatican in the 2nd WW; past St Mary's cathedral across the road. Yesterday was a trip to Muckross House, a manor house in the grounds of the Park, dinner at a local restaurant with the amazing view (top left). Ross castle (top right ) 1400's, now restored. Killarney High Street (right).

As we have been having trouble transferring photos to the tablet we'll add more from previous days when we get to them.

Day 1 in Dublin

View of Ireland from the plane

A midday arrival we took a local bus to the city. The driver told us which stop we needed and it was a short walk to our B&B. It was a challenge getting up the narrow stairs to our 1st floor room with suitcases -narrow stairs. Much as we would have loved to sleep, the chance to see the city before it rained was too good to miss. We didn't realise how close we were to the city. Walked across the Liffey, down O'Connell St, past the Post Office which was the centre of the 1916 Rising and back.

(more photos to come)

Heathrow -2nd leg

After such a long night, even the store manikins look good. A little wooden perhaps,  but... The airport shops are still fun to look around though. We've finally had a decent cuppa and coffee at the Pub and Kitchen, next door to the Cafe Nero, whose advertising logo looks remarkably like Cafe  Nerd - some fonts should be clearer!

 Just waiting for our flight to Dublin. Weather is 12 deg outside and showers expected. We don't care because we won't be here! We doubt it will be raining in Ireland.

Singapore - the 1st leg

First leg of our trip is done and dusted - made it to Singapore airport. As we have quite a few hours to fill in, we thought we'd have a good look around. Not very impressed with the outdoor ( smokers jungle), but the cactus garden and orchid gardens were stunning. The bling and tech shops aren't too bad either.

This Social Tree was fascinating. The background changes colours and you can take a photo of yourselves and flick it to the screen at the top. We watched ours float in a bubble round the ocean floor.

 The orchids on display are fabulous, surrounded by tulips and other tropical plants.