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A 24-day adventure by Wanderinghands Read more
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  • WanderinghandsJuly 2017 - United Kingdom
    Day 8

    Edinburgh variety

    July 11, 2017 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    We may have woken to a dry day but by the time we walked out the door the rain was back.
    Not timely as we were walking to the other end of the Royal Mile to visit Holyrood Palace, the Queen's summer residence. She probably needs to review that based on the weather we have experienced! I could give her some other ideas for locations.
    The Palace was interesting and oh so old. It was fasinating that as old as everything was in the rooms we saw that they are still used for State functions with the Queen.
    After the palace we caught a bus back to town and hopped off at Charlotte Square in the New Town. From here we walked to Deans Village, Bernard' s Well and onto Canonmills (forming a section of the Walk of Leith). It started off quite a beautiful picturesque walk but I was disappointed as we got further back towards the city. We ended up cutting the last part of the walk and heading into town to enjoy some shelter from the rain and soup in a café.
    After lunch we browsed thru a few more streets and made our way back to the Old Town. Later in the afternoon we went to an entertainment experience (I think that's what you would call it) called the Edinburgh Dungeons. I did initially suggest to Phil that he might like to go solo but he assured me it would be fun. I have since realised I should have gone with my gut instinct. It was two hours I will never get back in my life!
    Later we went and relaxed in another old tavern, stayed on for dinner and went shopping looking for another bottle of the whiskey liquer that we bought yesterday as we have already been downing the contents enthusiastically and will have nothing left to return home with.
    Tonight the sky is clear and blue for the first time in three days and remembering that it doesn't get dark until very late I think it will even be colder later on.
    Edinburgh has been a delight to visit but in the morning its time to move on again.

    Phil - We have certainly "done" Edinburgh. Lovely old town. Last night I was accused of short filling the shot glass with whiskey, and this evening I am walking down the street with the water and Wendy has the bottle of whiskey!!!! Scotland has turned her.
    Yes, the Edinburgh Dungeons could have been better considering the reviews. Very corny and the actors who tried to scare you, did their best. You have to try these things.
    Had fish & chips for tea. The mushy peas are good and I will be looking for the recipe when I get home.
    About to pick up the car tomorrow, so off we go bush bashing.    Read more

  • WanderinghandsJuly 2017 - United Kingdom
    Day 9

    St Andrews golf course

    July 12, 2017 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    It's a very mild 17C, no rain and a very gentle breeze as we stroll around St Andrews Golf Course. We certainly weren't expecting these conditions.
    Phil's eyes are darting from tees to fairways and bunkers to greens and the understatement is 'its certainly a nice course'.
    It only cost GBP90 ($150) to play this 'nice' course. The course is closed today as it is hosting the Scottish Under 16 Boys Open. Do they have any idea how fortunate they are?

    Phil - I had not planned to take the detour to St. Andrews, but glad my wife placed it on the agenda. Great day for it, as there was limited wind and not too cold. As the golf shop guy said, we usually play Scottish golf here. If you go off the fairway you are stuffed here. Can see why it is tough in the wind and I would need a few balls as the fairway runs very close to the ocean.    Read more

  • WanderinghandsJuly 2017 - United Kingdom
    Day 9

    Glenfiddich, Dufftown

    July 12, 2017 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    From St Andrews we were on a mission to make it to Glenfiddich for the 3pm distillery tour and tastings. Winding narrow country laneways, roadworks and a road closure reqiring a detour put paid to that. We aimed for the 3.30pm after making a phone call to switch tours and made it for the 4pm after parking outside our B & B for tonight and walking to the distillery.
    Not the ideal drive but the scenery was beautiful. I'm sure we drove to the top of the world on a couple of ocassions thru the Cairngorms National Park.
    We did drive thru two ski resort areas and they were huge. The first one, Glenshee has something like 36 chairlifts and 40 runs. There was no snow anywhere but a number of chairlifts were running for people to go walking. The next one was Lecht and even had a mountain bike track down the side of one of the mountains for summer use. Bikes were bouncing about on the track!
    The tour at Glenfiddich was interesting and finishes off with four tastings per person. As I don't like whiskey I would have a sip and hand the rest to Phil. Hence the reason we walked there and wandered back!
    Dinner was at a local a little bit later and the food was quite good. After dinner we walked the local streets in what almost seemed to be a ghost town, with hardly a person or any traffic to be seen. Check out a few other pubs and they too were empty or nearto.
    Best idea was to go home and pour a healthy measure of whiskey liquer.
    Our B & B is a lovely looking old house and we have a corner room upstairs with beautiful views of rolling hills across the road.

    Phil - Ok, today was fun. Yes, I did not get out of bed early enough, and placed pressure on us to get to Glenfiddich on time. But that's where rental cars come in handy. Little Astra was like a rally car around the small roads and laneways that were only one car wide. Yes, I did make up time. (No you didn't).
    The ski fields were great seeing them without snow. This place would be amazing in winter.
    After 8 shots of whisky in 10 minutes, I was primed. Then a great meal at the pub, with another local ale, and a whisky liquer at home. Possibly best day overseas. Lots of fun, as my lovely wife had planned for me.    Read more

  • WanderinghandsJuly 2017 - United Kingdom
    Day 10

    B & B life

    July 13, 2017 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    The home we stayed in last night has been bought four years ago after being left empty for a number of years as it had been the residence of the Vicar of the church next door.
    It is work in progress and only a few rooms are available at a time as others are being done. Even our lovely upstairs corner rooms new ensuite was missing the shower as the plumber had gone to trek the Himalayas.
    Unfortunately! We had to share the shower room downstairs with the very attractive french male guest!
    Our bed was so cosy, as if it wanted to snuggle around you.
    The Breakfast room downstairs is the place where all food inhibitions are thrown aside.
    A beautiful bowl full of fresh strawberries and blueberries preceded cereals, yoghurts, toast, and the main dish of eggs, bacon, sausage, tomato, mushroom, hash brown and beans, along with juices and hot drinks. Would you like anything else Linda asks!    Read more

  • WanderinghandsJuly 2017 - United Kingdom
    Day 10

    In search of Nessie and more

    July 13, 2017 in Scotland ⋅ 🌙 11 °C

    We leave Dufftown behind and travel the roads north to Elgin on our way to Inverness. Along the way we were fascinated to see a yard of sheep being shorn out in the open by a few shearers working together with a portable shearing frame and generator.
    Only what appeared to be a castle in the centre of Inverness caught our attention as we drove through. Not a problem though as Phil's priority is to locate and identify Nessie in the Lochs between Inverness and Fort William.
    On the drive along the loch we stopped at The Dores Inn for some good pics of the Loch and a dose of brisk breeze off the water, brrrr.
    It is a very picturesque drive but has some very narrow stretches which means you also need to keep your eyes on the road and use passing bays when traffic comes from the other direction.
    Phil, surprisjngly, did not spot Nessie!
    About mid afternoon we arrived at the Nevis Range just north of Fort William. Here we took the gondola which goes from 300ft up to 2150ft on the north face of Aonach Mor, the eighth highest mountain in Britain. (Ben Nevis is 4411 Feet high).
    Fortunately the weather was relatively clear for this area with only the peak of Ben Nevis covered in cloud.
    When we came out of the gondola station we could then see several more chairlifts that would be used during the winter season. From here you can also do a number of walks from 40 min round trip to a number of hours. There is also a mountain bike track which looks like a BMX track on steroids. Your bikes can be attached to the exterior of your gondola for transit. I have no idea how anyone makes it down that crazy track in one piece.
    We did the short walk and took in amazing views and stood our ground in wind that was determined to put me over the edge.
    Our timimg was great as it started to rain just as we got back on the gondola for the trip down.
    The rain put paid to our next planned walk to Steall Falls so we headed to Fort William and visited Neptunes Staircase which is an eight lock system which allows vessels to pass from the Lochs to river by stepping down the water height. We were lucky to see three yachts come thru the locks together while we were there. Its effective but a very slow system.
    After this we drove onto our hotel in the still heavy rain on the south side of Fort William. The hotel is located on the waters edge.
    Dinner was excellent here and once the rain passed the views of the Loch with sunrays bursting thru the clouds were beautiful.

    Phil - Ok, after seeing Loch Ness I doubt if there is a Nessie. Great for tourism. Bloody big stretch of water though. Also very cold water.
    So far we have had luck with the weather, and a 1 hour drive in the rain is all I have had so far.
    We were on top of the world today. Great views all round, and it is interesting seeing a ski field with out snow. Gives it more perspective.
    Good meal tonight, so thats two in a row now.    Read more

  • WanderinghandsJuly 2017 - United Kingdom
    Day 11

    Loch, Loch, Loch and other things

    July 14, 2017 in England ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Yesterday we followed the waters edge of many a Loch and today is similar.
    We leave Onich shadowing lochs until we reach port town Oban. A very pretty seaside village where we do our best right at the start to upset the status quo by trying to drive up a narrow walkway.
    Realizing the error of our ways quite quickly when some bollards appeared in front of us on the slope we reversed back down and turned down another narrow laneway for our getaway. Eventually we parked our car in town and made the walk up to McCaigs Tower ruins to take in the views of Oban port and back down again before taking a wander in the main area.
    On the way to Oban and around Oban we have even had time to take a video call from Chloe & Anthony at Etihad to watch St Kilda v Essendon. You just know that isn't going to end well for someone. Chloe kept Phil up to date with the scores and he and Chloe were today's sad faces. A big difference to last week.
    No time to dally today though so back into the silver streak (aka Astra).
    We have then followed the length of Loch Lamond which has provided some stunning scenery and slow traffic. We pulled into Luss for an essential stop and snack. You find this place is quaint when you start to wander the streets. And, it has a smoke house - yum.
    I now have local smoked salmon pate in the car. Can't wait to buy biscuits. I will be in a very happy place when we sit down to relax with the pate, biscuits and liqueur.
    South of Glasgow I think we have discovered 'power central'. We have passed by possibly 150-200 wind turbines on the surrounding hills. Obviously a breezy neighborhood!
    Eventually we arrived in Windermere in the Lakes District at 6.15 pm.
    A big day behind the wheel for Mr Hands.
    Scotland has now been left behind to discover more of England.
    We found ourselves in a Spanish restaurant for dinner and enjoyed relaxing over tapas with sangria and beer.
    What do you know, it started raining and we didn't take our waterproofs with us when we walked into town which meant a brisk walk home to minimise how wet we got. So much for relaxing, have to laugh!

    Phil - Big drive today. 325 km. At the start I am on roads that are only wide enough for 2 horse drawn carts. I am sitting on an average 20 miles per hour, no passing lanes and slow locals who are on their way to church. I have lost track of the number of vehicles in front of me, who have nearly had a close encounter up their exhaust pipe.
    Then I hit the motorways. Yippee, although the Astra needed another gear.
    I was sitting on 74 mph, 118 kmp, the speed limit, and had a stack of cars passing me going at least 90-100 mph. Great road , 3 lanes wide each way, over 400 kms long. . This is what we need from Melbourne to Sydney.
    Massive number of wind turbines all over the hills. Most I have ever seen. In Australia we are worried about the pink bellied, black bum parrot getting killed by the rotating blades. Looking at the pace they travel, if a bird gets hit by one, I would say it should have opened its bloody eyes.
    Having a bit of trouble with the language. Once some one starts talking quickly, I am gone. It is all jumbled up, plus the accent just makes it all another language. So as much as I am trying, Wendy then takes me to a Spanish restaurant where the waitress has a major spanish accent, and I have no idea what she is saying. Mind you, she was not sure what I was saying either, so I got my own back.    Read more

  • WanderinghandsJuly 2017 - United Kingdom
    Day 12

    Cruising

    July 15, 2017 in England ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Breakfast was sumptuous! Everything you could want and scrambled eggs and salmon. Yay!
    And that was after enjoying the complimentary treats downstairs when we came home after dinner last night - chocolate cake for supper for us. There are also two different types of biscuits and another cake. In our room we also have a container of other biscuits, all home made. Even the danishes at breakfast this morning were home made.
    It certainly was not a perfect summers day, but on holiday it is what it is, get on with your sightseeing or miss out.
    It rained until about 4.30pm but at least it wasn't heavy.
    We walked from our B & B in Windermere to the pier at Bowness on Windermere to take a lake cruise from Bowness, south to Lakeside pier. From there we climbed aboard a carriage of the steam train for the round trip to Haverthwaite through the countryside along the river.
    Once back at Lakeside we cruised back to Bowness to catch a cruise to Ambleside. We spent a few hours wandering around a very pretty village that has certainly embraced tourists and started marketing everything they can.
    The slate homes and fences in the Lakes District are just amazing wherever you go.
    The views on the lake were beautiful ever though a little blurry today through the mist.
    Back on the steamer boat to Bowness and once back on land it was time for refreshments and thankfully the rain eased off. Into a bar we went for a mojito and pint. A very busy place but relaxing just chilling, watching the world go by, along with a few hens parties and a buck in baby nappy and bonnet!
    Dinner turned out to be italian tonight and was very enjoyable and for a change we had a dry walk home.

    Phil - Not a heavy rain, just a misty to light rain most of the day. It did not stop us doing anything, but the boat cruise would have been better with sun.
    Interesting that in all of the towns we have been to, there are many notices in shop windows looking for workers. All different positions, waiting, retail, cooks. Yet I have still seen beggars and homeless in the streets, especially Edinburgh. If they cleaned themselves up, they could get a job.
    Looking forward to tomorrow, where we hit Liverpool and the Beatles.    Read more

  • WanderinghandsJuly 2017 - United Kingdom
    Day 13

    Beatles mania!

    July 16, 2017 in England ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    We left behind beautiful Windermere, Lakes District and great home cooking at our B&B. I even felt obligated to take some cookies with us as'travelers'.
    We chewed up the miles on the motorway whilst I played Beatles tunes on Spotify, and before I knew it we were in Liverpool about to experience an overdose of The Beatles!
    We parked and walked to the exhibition 'The Beatles Story' which is on the waterfront.
    Phil was twitching with excitement and read the print off every item on the walls. But that wasn't enough. It was then a walk from Albert Docks to Pier Head further along the waterfront for a mini exhibition of more Beatles and other artists. We could have skipped this, very soso. But, there was a statue of the Fab Four outside which was good for a photo opportunity.
    The waterfront is quite enjoyable, particularly as we had sunshine and 19C today! A very pleasant change. I had to layer down from my usual four layers of clothing over the last week.
    Enough of the Beatles, not yet, Abbey Road in London, the exhibition in Liverpool and now to the Cavern Club which was one of their first performance venues.
    The club is in Mathew Street and the whole street pulses Beatles. Every bar and club, eg., The Cavern Club, Sgt Peppers, The Cavern Pub and several more are there for your Beatles enjoyment.
    The Cavern Club is down five flights of stairs and looks like a series of underground tunnels. We arrived before 3 pm and the band were playing a Beatles set.
    The music was great, everyone knows the words, the place is packed and humming! Loved the vibe here, could have stayed for hours.
    Once we left we walked around Liverpool for a bit of a look see, strolling thru the main town area and over to the Cathedral which was spectacular and massive on the outside. I was looking forward to wandering inside only to be headed off in the foyer to be advised that the Cathedral was closed for another hour as a special service was taking place for the Queens Representative of Mersey. That was inconvenient!
    We are done with The Beatles so back to the car to drive to Chester for a few nights.
    Our accommodation this time is a very old two bedroom cottage - double storey with old fashion key lock in the door, old fashioned fireplaces in a few rooms and a few mod cons discreetly hiding, mainly in the kitchen.
    Tonight was dinner in a nearby pub with the locals and their pet pooches and just as we were leaving after Phil had tried another few pints of different lagers again (who knew there could be so many) a guy came in to set up for quizz night. I asked him if it was only British trivia and he said yes, you probably won't know anything so to finish off another big day i have come home to drink wine and do some laundry so that we can wear clothes tomorrow in public!

    Phil - What a special day! I had been looking forward to this day. The Beatles exhibit really gave an in depth history. Then to go down the steps of the Cavern Club was a true highlight. I had a tear in my eye the same as when I saw the Eiffel Tower the first time.
    We are only on this earth once, this is not a dress rehearsal, and to work hard and have the opportunity to travel the world and be able to tick off these things, is what life is all about. They were playing Beatles songs and everyone was singing. Fantastic!
    We are in a typical old english cottage. Living downstairs, 2 bedrooms up stairs. Gives you a better idea of what it was like 100 years ago and of course we get to wash all our clothes.
    The pubs in England like to let dogs in. I questioned a waitress tonight and found that they do this so husbands will walk their dogs. They pick up the lead and tell the wife they are taking the dog for a walk. Really they are going to the pub for a pint. I commented that I see this a lot in the Fred Basset comics, and she agreed.
    Would have been good to stay for the trivia. Every pub has trivia on a certain day. I wanted to take on the Brits but was told the questions would have a UK flavour so I didnt need this handicap. Pity, as all my friends know how good I am at trivia, haha.    Read more

  • WanderinghandsJuly 2017 - United Kingdom
    Day 14

    Chester

    July 17, 2017 in England ⋅ 🌙 16 °C

    After stocking up on breakfast supplies last night and Phil popping out to the local award winning butcher this morning we had a delicious breakfast before walking out the front door and heading into Chester proper.
    The skies are blue! That's exciting, its been a while.
    We are in a lovely old original two bed estate cottage just outside the City Wall.
    Today we are going to 'relax' compared to recent days, well that's the plan.
    Our walk took us into the city looking around at the old streets including the Chester Rows which are the streets that had a second row of shops on another street above ground level.
    We kept walking thru the city to the rear of the Cathedral when the Falconry resides. Our show had been cancelled for a private booking and the only other show was not for a few hours.
    In the meantime we decided we would walk the circuit of the City Wall which has a footpath on top of it.
    Half way around the wall runs along the river and we noticed that cruises were happening and people were hiring row boats and motor boats. On such a glorious day it seemed a must so we went down and hired a motor boat and putted up and down the river checking out the prime real estate and views.
    We dropped the motor boat back, bought an ice cream and climbed back up on the wall to finish our circuit arriving back at the Falconry with 15 mins to spare.
    One of the handlers was showing around a python so I decided to hold it too. I was surprised it was smooth, soft and warm and didn't try to strangle me.
    The birds of prey came next and showcased three birds over 50 mins. During the show I had a chance at catching one of the birds. He just glided in from one of the trees and landed on my gloved arm.
    After the show we went into the Cathedral, which is huge. The interior was incredible and that big you could probably get lost. Apart from it having so must history they also showcase many modern sculptures.
    After the Cathedral it was time for refreshments, dropping into a tavern that served 2 for 1 cocktails all day.
    Next was another restaurant/bar and then an old hotel where we enjoyed a relaxing chat with the manager, barman and retired golf pro.
    If we had stopped at each tavern between the city and our cottage we would be curled up somewhere between here and there very tired and emotional.
    That's Chester done for us!

    Phil - this was to be our relaxing day. We still walked miles. Wendy was brave holding the snake. We did our mini pub crawl, 3 establishments, to get home. There are pubs everywhere here, each usually with about 5 drinkers. Not sure how they all exist, but at least we helped them out today.    Read more

  • WanderinghandsJuly 2017 - United Kingdom
    Day 15

    Leeds and York

    July 18, 2017 in England ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Breakfast a la Hands again before we begin our trip to York.
    Yay! The sun is shining again - a forecast of 24C. This is the way to holiday!
    It's only a short trip for us today so stopped in Leeds at Kirkgate Markets, which began in 1857 in a beautiful old building with glass roofline.
    The market is a bit ho hum with not many businesses there so not sure if other stall holders come on other days but it was definitely quiet today. The food stalls - fruit & veg, fish & seafood and butchers were looking really good and fresh and I did wish I could buy lots more produce here than just the bag of cherries I purchased, but the other stalls - clothing and things!? Did not fit my shopping criteria. Although, I did find one very nice dinner jacket for Phil in quillted black velvet and satin lapels!!!!!!
    And, there is a stall of Marks & Spencer, which was the site of the first store in 1884 with the motto 'don't ask the price, it's a penny'.
    Leaving Leeds Chloe & Anthony gave us a call whilst I am getting Phil lost for the first time. All good fun in the car for a while!
    Now in York we have checked into our lovely apartment and walked into The Shambles for a wander thru the area and the Shambles Market. Sitting at home now with my glass of Prosecco before dinner. Phil and I are eating the strawberries I bought at The Shambles and they are probably the best strawberries I have ever eaten, seriously! (Tomorrow I will be going back to that lady to buy more).
    In The Shambles Phil found a store - The Shop That Must Not Be Named - which had a queue outside to get in and has something to do with Harry Potter. Apparently you would know all about it if you are into Harry Potter. In the window are the sorting hat, broomstick and owl.
    On the way home we had to try another english pub to keep the economy going and not for the first time when I ordered a Pimms it was to hear they don't have it. I thought Pimms came from here????
    So, after a Peach Schnapps on ice while Phil samples another lager we go home to plan our own dinner tonight and I have started with the Prosecco and can follow up with Green Ginger Wine that I found the other night in a store or the delish whiskey liquer that is running low.

    Phil - Tonight I cooked up some pulled pork, mashed potato and greens. I can see why the younger generation don't cook. For Aud 12 we were able to buy everything, just ready for heating. A bit like the Jetsons, where they just push a button in the kitchen, and voila, it appears. The supermarkets have full isles devoted to quick meals. Lots more variety than in our shops.
    Harry Potter is big here, and I am hoping to buy a wand tomorrow, but remember, "the wand chooses you".    Read more

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