Day 13. 30th. Chester -Dublin, Ireland

1st photo - Dave in front of retail outlet for Welsh train station with impossible name!!
2nd photo- Welsh lake area on way to bridge over Menai Straits.

Another day and another country!

We had early bfast at hotel in Chester and got early start. Easy drive out of town and soon in Wales. Got off main roads and followed well known tourist route through Snowdonia National Park. Very picturesque,quite different to Cumbria and highlands quite different to Scotland. Weather not great, grey and foggy in the hills area, not much rain though.

Village and town names just about unpronouncable. Stopped for cuppa a delicious fresh, warm Welsh Cakes at village of Betws-y-coed, try pronouncing that!!!!

Crossed over Lanberris pass and crossed bridge over Menai Straits to Isle of Angelsey, home to Kate and WIlls, popped in to see them of course!!!

Next stop was very railway station; "LLANFAIRPWLlGWYNGYLLGOGERYCHWYRNDROBWLLLLANTYSILIOGOGOGOCH" ( truly, I AM NOT kidding , impossible to pronounce )meaning;
'St Mary's Church in the hollow of white hazel, near a rapid whirlpool,and the Church of St Tyslio'near the Red Cave.'
Whole tourist industry there, retail, cafes, tours to look at photo spots etc. Stacks of tourists.
We left there and headed for Holyhead,found our way to huge car ferry easily, had business  class style tickets so got in express queue and then had very comfy lounge seating for 3 hours of trip. Refreshments provided and had lunch also. Read, did puzzles and chatted, time went quickly.

Had discovered GPS didn't have Ireland installed so managed to wing our way to hotel with internet directions. Radisson BLu a lovely hotel and offered upgrade at good rate.

Went to Hairy Lemon PUb for drinks then back to hotel Restaurant for simpe divine meal , I had smoked salmon,potatoe salad and Lamb Kebabs with Cous Cous,delicious, Choc mousse, yum. Shared bottle of Beaujolais.
Lovely evening.
Off to bed now.

Bye for now.

Day 12. 28th.Chester in Cheshire.

Another day,another County.
We were sad to leave Haven Cottage and our new friends Tim and Lindsey.
We had a wonderful 3 night stay , made to feel more than just guests.

We dove straight here on the M6/M56 as it was the last day of Bank Hol w/end and traffic threatening to abysmal. We got here about 1230, luckily could check in. Got a taxi into town as  Doubleltree Hilton on outskirts.
Walked through "The Rows", old black/white timber fronted shops, less crowds than the Lakes area.
Climbed stairs to the old wall which almost circles the city and walked around over 1/2 of it and along River Dee. Wandered back through the shops for Eileen and I, the boys less than impressed!!:<(

Started to rain so ducked down an alley,found the Commercial pub and ended a staying there for a few drinks and cheap meal as it was quiet there.

Had seen about all we wanted to see so got taxi back to hotel now having quiet night.
1st photo"The Rows"
2nd photo Dave on the old city wall

More soon.

A day out in the Lake land district. Sunday. Day 12.

Back again today.  Tim his usual jokey self at bfast with more puzzles for us to solve!! Have been out exploring.  Traffic crazy early this am so after coffee and cake at Giggling Goose Cafe,  bought day Tripper bus passes and set out to explore Grasmere, small village inundated with thousand of people as Lakeland Fair on. Walked all around town, luckily not quite as busy as Bowness!!
Famous for its Gingerbread but the queue.......... Not that keen to try it!!

Caught bus back through Ambleside to Windmere, explored there,not as pretty as Ambleside. Had enough by then so waited for a bus back, appeared to be some bus drivers stop work on, the drivers all seemed pretty agro about the traffic so that might have been the reason!! :<0
Now having a cuppa and some bread an Tzatziki,v late lunch. Have decided to get takeaway Fish and chips and have them here with some drinks. A bit over getting tidied up to go out to dinner. Have to pack tonight, a bit sad, very friendly and comfortable here and nice to be unpacked :-)
Will try and add a couple more photos from today.
1st- view from b&b into Ambleside.
2nd- View form bus of Rydal Water, 1mile from Ambleside
3rd- Church and parkland, Ambleside
Until next time.

Another photo

NO IDEA where other photos went,will try again.

Saturday 26th. Day 11. Ambleside.

Hi again.
Just read posted blogs and realised I didn't mention our Stirling night.
We found Abbey Craig on outskirts with views to Wallace memorial.
It was an old house in suburbia that had had very mod reno. Very comfortable. Drove to local pub, 'Birds ant Bees ' fo dinner. Very busy.  Had prawns and  sea bass, dad had Jambalaya and really enjoyed that. More beers and Eileen and I had a lovely Italian Sangovese.
Another lovely B&B bfast,this time made to order as only 3 rooms.
We have big cooked bfastswhich keep us going until early arvo when we have a cuppa and something depending on where and what, sometimes a scone or a sandwich. Made mistake of having big late lunch on first day driving then dinner was a struggle!!

Now, more about Ambleside. Had drinks from the honour bar in the lounge downstairs with the hostess to entertain us this time. Finally hunger drove us out to find a  lovely dinner at very noisy, busy restaurant,Dodds, only 5 mins walk. I had prawn entrée and pasta marinara, D beef capraccio and swordfish ravioli with mussels. We all really enjoyed our meal there. Staggered home to bed after liquer laced coffees and all slept v well.

We had been talked into late bfast yest as they don't start early and had full house so we were really ready for it by 9.30! It was very well worth the wait, well entertained by an assortment of puzzles left on the table by him who served bfast with help of AUssie girl who has lived out here for 8 years, about to marry and pom and stay!
Lovely fresh cooked bfast. The boys are now eating black pudding with their bfast but I have to confess have only had a taste...not or me :<(
Headed off laden with our dirty washing to find a Laundromat and couldn't believe the crowds in town! It IS bank Hol weekend and this is most pop weekend dest in UK!
A hugely pop walking, known here as rambling area so hundreds of couples, groups, fams either heading off at back from walks.
Found packed laundrette, lined up a machine and we wandered around town while E&P did a load,put ours on had a cuppa then more exploring while we waited. Picturesque hilly town, lots of cafes and rests,SO many people and majority of them with their well behaved dogs. They must be very diligent about picking up dog poo as one would expect streets to be fouled but not so!! It appears to be the done thing to take your dogs on hols as they seem to be accepted everywhere.

We did a cruise on Lake Windmere to Bowness in the arvo and if poss, it was even more crowded!!! Many Indian tourists. Walked around for a while after lunch in quiet cafe in sidestreet. Were glad to get back on steamer to Ambleside. 
Long 2 k walk back to B&B as had discovered no parking near wharf area so guys had dropped us off and ended up parking back at b& b and dashing back 2 KS to catch ferry.

Had drinks in lounge again last night before heading off out to dinner in rain and ending up in bistro of posh hotel out of the rain and away from walking crowds in other eating places.
Great service, good food. I finally got to have Trout which we hadn't seen on menus yet, yum. D had beef and mushie pie, all very well presented, more nice Sangovese.
Wasn't raining when we walked home, pretty foot sore by the time we walked back. A night cap in the lounge with our own Glenfiddich for others and Baileys for me.

Slept V well, even D slept until 7! Tea had and about ready to get ready to go to bfast. Not sure of plans today. May walk to next  villages of Rydal and Grasmere, hopefully not as crowded as Bowness, and catch bus back after yest parking fiasco!

3rd photo. View looking back to Ambleside from steamer.
2nd is of Haven Cottage B&B, Ambleside.
1st one is us at Bowness pier.
Until next time. Take care and keep well.

Friday 26th. Day 10. Stirling to Ambleside,Cumbria

Hi all
Sorry ,silly me, I sent blog before finished
So some added info. Series of locks we saw were at Fort Augusta,joining Caledonian canal ot Loch Ness. We somehow missed the bigger series of locks at Fort William known as Neptunes Staircase so pleased we got a chance to watch boats going through at F.A.

1st photo is taken at Callender Battlefields at Clencoe where some highland battle fought.

2nd- Our oh-so-squeezy Citroen Picasso (DIesel Turbo!!)

1st photo is taken at Callender Battlefields at Clencoe where some highland battle fought.

2nd- Our oh-so-squeezy Citroen Picasso (DIesel Turbo!!)

Interesting trip here from Stirling. Stops at Wishaw for Eileen to find her older sisters grave,she died at 6 weeks old in1952. Found grave in huge cemetery with help from very helpful  custodian. Very emotional for Eileen as she truly believed couldn't be found.Took flowers and a card.So pleased for her she got to see it. Then onto Lockerbie memorial. Not something on my to-do'list but....each to their own.

Bade 'bonnie Scotland farewll at Gretna Green, didn't bother with a stop there.

Saw more glorious villages and scenery before driving into more Highland country. Drove through amazing hills and over steep mountain pass called "The Struggle' to get here, thanks to Navman(really a woman! )and her great sense of direction when byways chosen!!

We arrrived at our gorgeous B&B at Ambleside at 5.30, and we were welcomed by  host, Tim,ever-the joker.Reminds me of my sisters hubbie Paul, very quick witted.

Better get ready to go out. More another day. Hugs from us both J&D

Photos above
1. Was of Falkirk wheel, an amazing feat of engineering that lifts boats from one lower canal,  Forth and Clyde up to  ? can't remember. You should Google it.
2. Lock system at Fort Augusta, very interesting watching boats being raised from Loch Ness into Caledonian Canal.
3. Wallace memorial in Stirling.

Thursday and Friday. Days 8&9. Nairn -Ambleside via Stirling

Another 2 days of travelling through Scotland and stark contrasts in scenery.
Highlands with breathtaking desolate hills and its babbling steams you imagine to be filled with trout and salmon.
Lush hills and quaint little villages and sheet and cows so different to ours munching on lush pastures and spending lots of time lying around...lazy animals!!!

The Lochs and the Calledonian Canal were so picturesque its hard to describe. We stopped at the lock system at watched the highly organized Lock men and the amazing system of getting all types of boats through the locks. So interesting.

More from Nairn

Hi all,
Didn't put many photos on blog yest as D asleep and couldn't find his camera.
1st photo is of Cawdor castle ( mentioned in Macbeth) where we explored very interesting up and down stairs, saw scary dungeons, beautiful tapestries and read about the history.
2nd photo is of Culloden Battlefield memorial. D and P walked all over the battlefield, not fo us girls.!!
More tonight.
J &D.

To Jan

Especially for Jan,
Tried to email you but was rejected a few times. Could you please confirm your e to mitchellies.jm@gmail.com

Hugs
Jill and Dave

Wednesday 24th. Day 7. Nairn. Invernairne Guest House

Hi again from Nairn.
Woke to a glorious morning,great bfast in room overlooking the sea.
Set out to visit Cawdor Castle, residence of Duchess of Cawdor who moves out to Dowager house during summer to let tourists invade her home. She just seems to move out, charges 12 pound pp, leaving all her knick knacks etc. Lots of eclectic gardens and walled gardens with hidden fountains, statues etc. I got trapped in Gift shop by busloads of American tourists,all spending fortunes! cawdor is also mentioned in Macbeth.

Went onto,look at Cavra Cairns, a pile of rocks of rchealogical significance but did'nt much impress us girls!!!
Next stop Culloden Battlefields of great interest to DAve and Phil who walked all over them whilst Eileen and I browsed in huge gift shop.

Went for a drive through Inverness without a map and found our way to the Harbour.
Also found our way out of town back to Nairn. Its a miracle!!

Had afternoon tea on the lawns enjoying sunshine.
Quiet couple of hours catching up on postcards etc.

Dinner tonight at Bandstand Bar and Restaurant with great  sea views, fab food and good wines,beers and Whiskey. Dave and I both had Seafood pie which was yummy, I had meringue stack dessert, D cheese and we had a night cap, 3 different Whiskey, while I tried a Glayva with apple on the rocks, whiskey based but sweeter. Nice.
It actually had audacity to rain on our way out to dinner.

Another day tomorrow with lots to explore on our way to Stirling, Loch Ness, Fort Williams, Ben Nevis.
Signing off to now.
From Jill and DAve.

Tuesday 23rd. Day 7. Aberdeen -Nairn

Hi all
Had a great nights sleep in the very luxurious Hilton Garden Inn. Had everything you could ask for. Eileen and I convinced the boys to do our washing so we could go shopping for a couple of hours after bfast as hotel had a laundry. I figure we owe them big time now!!

Another day of discoveries around every bend with lots of Castles and little scottish villages and bigger rather ugly towns.
A couple of hour stop at Glenfiddich distillery where we did an interesting 1 hour tour and even the non-whiskey drinker...  me, was very interested in the process and it smelt amazing, sort of vegemitey during the yeast process them very sweet but not unpleasant. Of course the best part was the tasting where we all got to taste 12, 15, and 18 year old. I ,to my amazement, actually liked the 12 year old but I am not quite converted yet!!! Dave was DD so only tasted.His turn tomorrow!! :-)

Staying at B&B in Nairn, a few ks from Inverness, right on the water. Big old house but OK rooms for our first b&b. We got the smaller one but has  partial sea views.
Went for a walk along waterfront then out to dinner at a restaurant at a small hotel a short walk away. I had chicken liver pate and fish and chips and Dave mushrooms stuffed with black pudding and breaded scampi. A bit expensive but nice and quiet. Have found pubs cheaper but very noisy.
Here for 2 nights so more tomorrow and some photos from our exploring.
Until then from Jill and Dave.

Saturday 20th -Monday 22nd. Edinburgh to Aberdeen

My 3rd attempt at this blog deleted first one while trying to put photos on*!*!!** Then it crashed!! :<(
Chaotic since yest blog. My plan to get us off highways a huge success. Saw villages, manor houses, huge farms and such lush picturesque countryside,didn't get lost. Delicious pub lunch,I had Haddock cakes,D a ploughmans at Wheatstaff pub at Corbridge near Hadrians wall,which we did get a glimpse of! I got to see ALnwick Castle, used in harry potter movies, didn't quite look the same but was in a beautiful village.

Battled our way into Edinburgh from outskirts,traffic crazy,hundreds of tourist buses and millions of tourists.

Drama drama with our hotel booking not being in system. EIleen and PHils was. After many phone calls by reception staff to our travel agents supplier with nothing resolved and our stress levels up there, we booked last room and just wanted to get to MIlitary Tattoo on time which we did. It WAS amazing. Such an awe inspiring location and so well managed,fitting 3000+ people in very efficiently. Everything about it was superb. Our very own SA Caledonia band was part of the massed band that sounded and looked fantastic!! Attached photo doesn't do it justice. 1 1/2 hours flew by and ended with Lone piper and fantastic fireworks display!!!:-) Long steep walk up and quicker walk down. Very. Late night. All slept in. On the bus for tour and the Her Majesty invited us to Luncheon on Royal Yacht Brittania (well ,we pretended she did) when we had lunch in the tearoom on board,sandwiches,soup and wedges beautifully presented. More touring of this amazingly history steeped city this arvo then back to our lovely new room (they moved us from the 'last resort room we were in last night) to recharge batteries,ours and our cameras,do some washing etc before we go out to battle the crowds and find somewhere for dinner. Until tomorrow,signing off from the George hotel in EDinburgh.

Monday 22nd.Day 6. Edinburgh-Aberdeen
Sorry about 2 day no blog. My Acer tablet 'crashed 'when I tried to load 3 photos onto it so won't be trying that again!! Dave did post a brief one when I was ready to thow tab out the window!!
Will go to hotel business centre and do it from there to load more than 1 photo. 

Our last night in Edinburgh saw us walking the streets, finally ending up in Black Rose pub and I had Scottish lamb shanks,very average. Others chose better than me. I ate it because was too tired and hungry to care.

Got on the road to Aberdeen. Drove north to St Andrews where the guys ticked another thing off their 'bucket lists' and walked around an area of the golf course open to the public and would have hit a ball if they had had the gear!! The attached photo is of them standing on site of 'old course' 1st tee. Also walked main street and had cuppa there.

Then drove to Braemar through the Scottish Highlands,bleak,Heather covered with running streams and little settlement.
Stopped at the Tower bakery in Coupar Angus for sausages in a roll and pies for lunch.

Saw a glimpse of Balmoral Castle  with Royal Standard flying but couldn't see any more, no wonder Royals love it up there. Such a beautiful place,lush and green ,the River Dee clear and fast flowing,full of trout and Salmon I am sure. Took photos at the well guarded gate,chatted to armed but friendly cop.

Easy drive into Aberdeen and found Hilton Hotel, VERY NICE :-) . Aberdeen very grey looking buildings,seems to be more of a working class town.
Lovely dinner in restaurant, I had salmon, D Fish and crab cakes.
Boys having night cap, girls to finish off blogs. Early night.
More tomorrow.

Picture of Tattoo

An update for Edinburgh. Its early Monday morning and I am experimenting with photo uploads so hopefully this works.  Photo is one of the many from the Tattoo.

Day 5 York to Edinburgh

Hi folks

Its Monday morning and time to update our travels.

Spent some time sightseeing in York .......history and students everwhere.

Jill took over the navigating to Edinburgh and took us on a zig zagging route through the countryside.  Fantastic scenery but you needed to watch out for Farmer Brown who seems to enjoy having to right of way. Stopped for lunch at a village pub and tried to see the castle where Harry Potter was filmed.. a couple of glimpses but with time against us we headed to Edinburgh.

Uneventful to Edinburgh until we tried to check in to our Hotel... no booking but that is a story for another time.  Priority was the Tattoo and we joined some 3000 people for a walk up to the castle.  Jill might not forgive me for taking the steepest route but the show made up for it.

The only way to describe the Tattoo is Magic.  The background of the Castle, the bagpipes and the performance was an emotional journey that you need to witness.

Spent yesterday having lunch on the Queen's yacht the Britany ..... its has been decommissioned and is a tourist attraction providing a look at life of the royals. 
Edinburgh is a fascinating city that comes to life during the Tatoo ... I have never seen so many people out enjoying themselves, it seems that the Scots love a pint or two as every pub seem to be packed.

Heading to Aberdeen this morning .. not the most direct route as we all seem to have a particular place to see so provided we get there before dark I will be happy.

Jill will probably take over after this effort

We are well and having fun

Dave and Jill

PS Having some problems with downloading pictures with the tablet so will update when we gain access to a computer.

From London to York.

Sorry about the poor blog last night. WAS a bit tired.
We have decided we should have spent more time in London as we were staying so close to everything. Next time. Loved Buckingham palace tour, so.... pleased we did it.Crown jewels a bit of a queue but well worth it.

EArly start out of London with transfer to back to Heathrow to pick up hire car then on A1 north and to Cambridge where we did a hop-on-hop-off tour of city, so steeped in tradition and very picturesque.
Back into our smaller than expected car, VERY squeezy but a rip off to upgrade to next group so queezy it isI!!
THEN the traffic woes started. the poms do not know how  to drive in traffic!!
Took  41/2 hours to drive  150miles, should have take
Had nice dinner at hotel restaurant,a walk around wall, good food , wine,cider,beer and company,Eileen and Phil great travelling companions.  More than ready for bed.

Back again Sat am and on our way to Edinburgh. Have stopped for cuppa at Costa, good coffee outlet
I am about to scare everyone and get us off A1 onto country roads so we can actually see some villages.:-)
May never be found again!
Will send have to send photos in next couple of days as camera USB cable in suitcase and not here in free wifi spot.
Weather fine today. Hope stays warm for Tattoo tonight.

More tomorrow.
Over and out.
JIll and Dave.

London

Hi to everyone back in aus.

We arrived safely yesterday after an uneventful 24 hour flight.

We had an ok first leg of our flight 'cattle class '  to Hong Kong and MUCH better second leg as were  lucky enough to be upgraded to premium economy! So much more leg room! Hotel in westminster fine, walking distance to great pubs and coffee shops. 

Not too jetlagged, just tired. Was falling asleep at dinner at Westminster bar/pub. Slept 10 hours ready a huge day today.

 Fantastic tour of buckingham Palace,saw "The dress and shoes``! and the mews where all the carriages are stored, even the Australian coach, a gift from 'us to the queen. Was raining heavily by then so hailed a London  cab for a  ride to The  Tower of London and spent 3 very interesting hours there, saw the Crown Jewels.

Very wet river cruise back to Westminster and even wetter walk back to hotel BUT did get to walk past Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster abbey!!! Out to dinner and a well deserved cider/beer at 'marquis of granby' pub.

Off early tomorrow to pick up back to heathrow to pick up car then head up to York.

More tomorrow.

Luv an hugs to all 

Jill and Dave.

Fwd: pre travel

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Jill Mitchell" <mitchellies.jm@gmail.com>
Date: Aug 6, 2011 8:00 PM
Subject: pre travel
To: <mitchellies.jm@perro.bloggers.com>

Its 10 days before we leave and we trying out blogging.
We are going to UK for 30days with stopover in Singapore.

We are travelling  with good friends Eileen and Phil Wright.
More next week.