Billy and I left for the Nuremberg airport around 1:30 pm. It is a little over two mile walk to get there, but it didn’t take us nearly as long as we suspected. We had bought backpacks back in February, and they have really come through for us.
We checked in, grabbed a Maccy D’s veggie burger and McDouble, and met up with the other two couples we were traveling with. Naturally, we had to stop by the duty free shop for some liquor, and the group had to wait on us as we rushed to purchase our goods and board the plane (this will be the first of MANY times the group has to wait on us… word of advice for future fellow travelers: just let us do our thing… we’ll catch up).
We had a connection in Dusseldorf that was slightly delayed, and arrived in London around 8 or so. We checked into our hotel and headed out to find something to eat. Lesson Learned: Places stop serving food EARLY in London. Indian food happens to be really popular in England and Scotland, so we found a little Indian place and enjoyed a nice dinner. We stopped into a pub afterwards and then hit the hay – of course Billy and I had a dance party in our room before going to sleep because we cannot ever let the first night roll by without a little craziness.
H&B Dance Party in Hotel Room
July 9, 2011We were up early in order to make the most out of our day. We headed towards Trafalgar Square to pick up our race packets, and I hit up Leicester Square for the half price theater tickets. Unfortunately, Billy Elliott and Les Mis were a no go, so I went with Jersey Boys.
After a quick bite to eat (Billy and I chose Subway… big mistake! For the same price, the others in our group had fantastic fish and chips at an area pub.), we hopped on our tourist bus for a trip around the city. This worked really well for us since we were short on time, and it is very economical considering it includes free walking tours and a river cruise. Once our super quick tour of the city was completed, we hurried home to freshen up for Jersey Boys and get some take out from Wagamama – a bit over priced, but really good.
Jersey Boys wasn’t exactly my cup of tea – a tad too jukeboxy. However the ending was phenomenal, and it made me all the more excited to return and see Les Mis. It also brought back so many memories of seeing Les Mis, Rent, and Wicked with my family. I will never forget my first Les Mis show in NYC or the time my Dad accepted Rent.
Trafalgar Square
Must have picture with the lions...
View of Tower Bridge from the London Bridge
Tower of London
Arch in Trafalgar Square
Hopefully next time this pic will say Les Miserables
July 10, 2011RACE DAY! We started the day by locking ourselves out of our room and getting in a spat with the housekeeper… however we turned the day around quick and headed to Piccadilly Circus for the race. We joined 30,000 other people from all over the world to race through Hyde Park, by the Tower Bridge, past the London Eye and Westminster Abbey, next to Big Ben, and around Buckingham Palace. It is also part of the course that will be used for the 2012 Olympics. I didn’t really train at all, but I still ran it in under an hour, so I was stoked about that. My friend Phil and I ran together, and Billy trailed just behind. Once again, I was so proud of my B for an awesome race!
Group picture before the race
Not the cutest picture, but it is free.
Hottie Boomalottie doing his thang!
Crowds ready for the race to begin...
Running over the bridge towards Parliament and Big Ben (My running buddy, Phil, is in blue shorts)
July 11, 2011
Our final day in London took us back to Camden Market (without any complaints from me) because our friend Sara had been sick after the race and was unable to join us. We grabbed lunch from the food stalls along the water… I had the BEST quesadillas I have had in a LONG time.
We hopped a train to Gatwick airport, and off to Scotland we went…
July 12, 2011
Now onto our private (pinky in the air) tour of Scotland…
Nigel picked us up after a decent breakfast at the Smart City hostel in Edinburgh. Our first stop was at Lower Largo which was the home of Alexander Selkirk, the role model for Robinson Crusoe. I cannot explain exactly what touched me here, but I could feel my Dad there. It was place that has not been affected… a place to breathe.
Once we took a couple pictures we continued our journey to Anstruther, a popular coastal village with a large marina. This town is famous for the Anstruther Fish Bar, so we stopped here for lunch and indulged in the fish and chips. I hate to say it, but I think the pubs in London take the cake… it was a great atmosphere, but I was unimpressed with the food.
Peace
Fish and Chips
Our next stop was St. Andrews. On arrival we stopped to visit the ancient Cathedral and Castle and then on to the other end of town to visit the famous Old Course, home of golf. Again… there was something that felt so special here…
St. Andrews Old Course
From St. Andrews we drove into central Scotland via Dundee. We arrived at the Edradour Distillery just in time for the last tour at 4.00pm and were treated to a taste of fine whiskey and an excellent tour by a sweet older woman who may have indulged in a bit too much whiskey in her day..
Group distillery tour
Whiskey purchase at the smallest distillery in Scotland
At last we made it to Grantown-on-Spey and our B&B for the night. We had a delightful dinner (jalapeno risotto and guiness stew) and then went to one of the only pubs in town for pool, darts, and 80s music.
Jalapeno risotto... mmmmmm...
Guiness and Steak Stew
Pool and Darts...
July 13, 2011
This morning we departed visited a local golf course where Billy and Phil played nine holes while Sara and I caddied (i.e. took pictures and chatted).
Nice form!
Birdie!
Golf in Grantown
From here we drove up to Inverness (capital of the Highlands) and then south, tracking Loch Ness, to Castle Urquhart. From the castle tower we were afforded superb views of Loch Ness, north and south, with the added bonus of a piper in full flow (Clan Fraser). The area around the castle made for superb Frisbee tossing…
Frisbee in front of Castle Uruquart
Castle Love
Typical Scotland
Next we continued south towards Skye, stopping to view the iconic Eilean Donan Castle, home to Clan Macrae and appearances in a numerous films including the Highlander. We crossed the Skye Bridge to Broadford for the night. We walked along the shore to observe the stunning seascapes at sunset which are something special on Skye. We dined at the Claymore where we enjoyed good food, albeit perhaps a little pricey.
Eilean Donan (i.e. The Highlander) castle
Fish Chowder!
Oysters!
Group photo...
July 14, 2011
After my delightful kipper breakfast, courtesy of John and Iris, we headed north to the island’s capital of Portree. Here we viewed the pretty harbour and looked around the shops and the central square.
Port City
We headed up the east coast of the island stopping for a photo shoot en-route of the rock formation known as the Old Man of Storr. Next we visited the fascinating geologically interesting cliff known as Kilt Rock with its associated waterfall. The rock here is of volcanic origin. It was very reminiscent of the Cliffs of Mohr in Ireland.
Kilt Rock
Next we travelled north and then cut across the northern tip of the island to view the stunning volcanic landscape known as the Quairaing.
After lunch we continued round the edge of the island to Dunvegan and its famous castle. However, our real objective was to view the colony of common Grey Seals which inhabit the local waters. This was a truly memorable boat trip allowing us to get right up close to the seals - many of whom had recently given birth and the young pups were evidence on the rocks.
Seal Tour
View of from seal tour
Seal Tour
Castle view while on seal boat
Momma and her pup (15 pups were recently born)
Seals
Seals
Our final visit of the day was to Dun Beag Iron-Age broch, a large, circular tower which would have housed a high status family around 2000 years ago. Brochs are unique to Scotland. This one we saw was maybe about 15 percent complete. In its heyday the building would have stood out on the coastal landscape, reflecting the wealth and power of the local owner/community.
Sheep are EVERYWHERE... even in front of the borch
Finally, we returned to Broadford and our lodgings for the evening.
July 15, 2011
Our final day involved a lot of driving, colder weather, but no less stunning views.
First, we drove to Armadale to connect with the ferry to Mallaig. The crossing took about 30 minutes. Once we hit the mainland, we were on a mission to find Sara’s family’s ruin. We purchased a local map in search of our target: Castle Tioram, a former power centre for Clanranald. Getting to the castle took some time and entailed navigating a single track road towards the latter stages of the journey. However, we were ultimately successful in finding the ruined structure at Eilean Tioram or the Dry Island which is located at the merger of Loch Moidart and the River Shiel. The castle is in reasonable condition for its age (perhaps 600 years old), and situated in a beautiful shore location, which is now remote but no doubt an important sea communication route when in its prime. We had an incredible time climbing and exploring the ruins.
Sara's family castle
Castle Tiorem
We found it!
Jason climbing around the castle.
Phil holding on...
Billz below.
We took a short break on the drive out at Glenfinnan Visitor Centre, and moved onto Fort William for a meal. We made a brief stop in Glencoe, and then we continued south through the Trossachs, past Doune and Stirling castles and our ultimate destination of Edinburgh where the tour terminated with fond farewells.
Once we checked into the Smart City Hostel and unloaded our bags, we rushed to The Stand Comedy Club for a night of big laughs and big plates of [good] food. The nachos were on point!
July 16, 2011
With only one day left in Edinburgh (and to my delight), we split up to ensure everyone got to see all that we could. Let me explain that the ‘to my delight’ comment has nothing to do with the group, but I really need time on my own and I had been previously chastised for splitting from the group. Just as it is hard for me to understand individuals that want to constantly stay together; I would imagine it is hard not to take my desire to be away personally at times. Just remember if you ever travel with me – It’s nothing personal! I just need to do my own thing at times – I am an adult, I will be fine.
Billy and I mainly did some shopping (picked up a wicked little troll to go on our door – we named him Eddie – and a Zappa t-shirt for Butch that we couldn’t resist). We also walked the Royal Mile and had a beer at a bar named after the real Dr. Jeckl and Mr. Hyde – Deacon Broddie.
Eating BOMB nachos at the comedy club
Edinburgh castle.
Amazing gothic architecture in Scotland
Edinburgh...
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Grantown on Spey b&b