Journey to Isle of Skye 15 to 16th August 2010

Duart Castle Isle of MuLL

Yesterday we bag an the long trek from Tobermory on the Isle of Mull to Oban and Glasgow. Then today we had a long train ride from Glasgow 3 hours and 20 minutes to Inverness where we picked up a hire car and drove to Skye. A long journey and last night we were exhausted after travelling on bus, ferry, then a 3 hour train ride to Glasgow. We didn't arrive till 7.30pm so we didn't really see much of Glasgow but a nice room helped.

Driving through the Scottish Highlands was very special. It was cloudy with mists hovering over the distant mountains. The Heather was purple on the hills and it was just beautiful. I couldn't stop thinking of Brigadoon as the mist came down over the valley and expected that mystical village to appear any moment.(For those grandchildren too young to know about Brigadoon it was a wonderful old film!!) WE drove over this huge bridge that spans the mainland to the Isle of Skye----I let Brenda drive here!! It was very high. Then when we reached Portree we decided to drive north around the road that loops around the East side of the island. What amazing country that was!!Sheer cliffs dropping to the sea with Heather clinging to the rocks. it was raining so the photos are not bright but I loved the mood created by the mists. We saw 3 incredible waterfalls and the one pictured is at Kilt rock. For the boys---especially Jakob this is highly populated dinosaur area in the world!! Dinner tonight was (yes you guessed!!) fish and chips in Portree. However it was pouring with rain and we walked from the B&B so we had to stand in a doorway to eat---Portree not big on sheltered outdoor eating areas!! So glad we didn't have cameras here as we looked like two drowned rats!! To bed now listening to the sound of rain---nice!!

Tobermorey Scotland 14-8-10

Tobermorey 2010

Today was a rest day in a little bit of heaven on the Isle of Mull. Tobermorey is a fishing village with multi coloured houses and buildings along its foreshore. We stayed in one and the view from our window is just beautiful. I think picturesque is the word for Tobermorey. I sat and painted today while Brenda did some drawings and it eally was heavenly. It has a very high tide so while this picture has the water lapping the sea wall another we have has the boats high and dry on seaweed and pebbles. A bit of drama or giggling this morning as I couldn't undo my "foolproof" lock on my case---combination sort!! So we headed over the road dragging said case to the local garage where a nice young boy promised he would help us!! In one minute flat he had "so called wonder lock" undone!!! Of course he was my favourite person but so much for security!!

Tomorrow we head back to Oban to begin another journey by Ferry and Train back to Glasgow for a night!! I must tell you all that we had fish and chips in Tobermorey as they are reputed to be the best in the world!! Now after being told the same by Rick Stein in Oban we had to judge wisely nd in our opinion---da da!! Oban fish IS the best ever===or cooked best ever----and Tobermoreys chips are the BEST!!! They serve them from a little van up the pier and there are lines of people waiting ----great reputation!!Sue and Brenda in Oban enjoying Fish and Chips

Iona Abbey.

I have to finish with a last picture of my favourite island   Iona---

Oban-Mull-Iona-Tobermory

Today we travelled by ferry to the Island of Mull. The scenery we passed was very beautiful with a castle, lighthouse and many small boats along the way. When we landed on Mull we caught a bus to the ferry for Iona. again passing incredible scenery along the way. The island of Iona is very special---historically and spiritually. The monks here wrote the Book of Kells before they had to move it to Kell when they came under attack. The MOnastry and Abbey are wonderful buildings and there are still pilgrims staying at Iona to this day. The photos here are so great its hard for me to pick a good one.

I loved Iona----the wild beauty of the Island and the history but more importantly the feeling of peace and spitituality that pervades this island. We then travelled to Tobermory but that's tomorrows story.

Train ride from Glasgow to Oban 12-8-10

Queen street station Glasgow

Today we travelled from Glasgow through lovely highland regions to Oban. I out this photo in for my grandson Oliver who loves trains---Hi Olie!! This really is the best part of Glasgow--leaving!! We had a lovely train trip to Oban. Beautiful scenery---a castle or two, lochs,deer and Brenda saw a fox!! Many magnificent trees and wild Rhodos along the side of the tracks. It took three hours but such a relaxing trip.

Oban

Oban is a lovely old fishing port where the big ferries cross to the nearby islands of Mull and Iona and many more. Great fish and chips here. Tonight we are having some wrapped in brown paper that, according to Rick Stein, are the BEST EVER!!!! Will let you know about that!!
Tomorrow we catch the ferry to Mull and Iona. We are both looking forward to that!!
Children's Challenge for the day----check out Highland cows!!!

Last night in Dublin

Today we travelled from Waterford to Dublin--quite a trip at 7.00am!! We dropped our hire car back and had a busy but good last day in Dublin. We spent some time in our favourite park in Dublin--St.Stephens on the Green. I had a lovely ice cream and we did some last minute shopping and posting home!!

Many people were in the park at 7.00pm a favourite place for Dubliners!! We bought some fish and chips and sat in the park to enjoy them!! Tomorrow is a big day with a train trip to Belfast then the ferry to Scotland and then a train to Glasgow---Brenda's birth place!

So Farewell Ireland!!Irish flag in the Park.

Killarney to Waterford and Dublin

WE left Killarney very reluctantly as we both loved this part of Ireland. WE set off for Waterford and as we travelled along Sue noticed a sign saying Blarney so we wandered off the motorway to Blarney. A local recommended Blarney Castle---how could we resist!! So we found ourselves wandering the castle grounds up to the castle----could this be where The Blarney Stone resides?? Yes it was so fearless travellers that we are we began to climb the spiral staircase that went up and up and up!!
Sue was very white with sweaty palms(remember she is afraid of heights!) as we passed the tiny turret windows it was higher and higher!! No turning back as there were people in front and behind!! Great for claustephobics---like us!! We held tightly onto a rope---no elegant banister here---and went round and round and up and up!! HELP!!!

Brenda kissing the Blarney Stone!!

Sue Kissing the Blarney Stone!!

The top of this turret is where we hung!!

WE finally reached the top with the encouragement of a lovely young couple ahead of us who could see we were having trouble!! As the line up to the Blarney Stone drew closer to us we decide escape was not an option and that we were going to do this!! WE had to lie down on our back and HANG out over the edge and kiss the stone!!! This is when I decided we were definitely crazy!! But we did it!! Now we have a photo and certificate to show you all!!

Ring of Kerry 8-8-10

Today we travelled around the Ring of Kerry. It's getting hard now to write this blog as adjectives just run out in Ireland. Every corner we turned was just amazing scenery---breathe taking really. Incredible mountains in the distance and the Atlantic Ocean before us.

Two Leprechauns!!!

We passed through the Bay of Kells, Waterville, Dennynane Bay Sneen Kenmare and Killarney National Park also Lough Leeane. The road was very hair raising at times and I was very happy to let Brenda drive. WE had a sheer drop on one side and in the Irish way----sometimes a cement barrier sometimes a hedge sometimes nothing!!! I really had sweaty hands at times!! 
 This was incredible country to travel and we both loved it as it revealed another part of the mysterious landscape of Ireland.