Day 8- Stonehaven, North Sea Plunge & War Memorial

Today was our free day in Stonehaven. It was a drizzly gray misty morning perfect for coffee, omelets and a walk along the sea. It looked like the village and hills had just magically appeared out of the mist.

We checked out charity and gift shops and successfully found some small towels that were necessary for our afternoon plans.

A super fresh lunch of fish and chips at the chippy and then some friends joined us for a brave and daring plunge in the North Sea.
It was brisk and invigorating! We then visited the Stonehaven open air pool. It is the UK's only art deco, Olympic-sized heated seawater lido. Opened in 1934, it operates seasonally from late May to early September and claims to maintain a comfortable water temperature of 29°C (84° F) - although it didn’t feel that warm. Joe and I joined the que of children and sped down the surprisingly high and fast water slide. Safe to say our sinuses are now very clean.

Had a fancy dinner at the tollbooth seafood restaurant in the oldest building in Stonehaven.
I even got to wear the new fascinator that I found at a charity shop!

After dinner we changed into more weather appropriate gear to hike to the top of the hill and the war memorial. This incredible structure sits atop Black Hill, overlooking Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire. Commemorating the war dead of the First and Second World Wars, this prominent landmark can be seen for miles in every direction and enjoys breathtaking scenic views out to the North Sea and across the hills all the way to Dunnotar castle.

It was lovely to stop and consider how small and how blessed we are. It makes the little difficulties of life seem insignificant when you think of the effort made to honor those who sacrificed for all who came after.

Ended the day with a rainbow over the sea and a sunset unlike any other.Read more