Travel to the South begins

More picture postcard scenes all the way to Edinburgh. 

Said like: ken-yoosee.

As we approach Edinburgh Castle, the skies turn ironclad. These are the skies we hear about of Scotland.

The temperature has dropped as a new weather system has arrived. Rain in the evening and tomorrow. Good thing that tomorrow is s full travel day by train. 

For the moment, the journey continues south.

Caledonian Magic-land

It is said that Scotland has the fewest days of sunshine in Europe. This weather is a gift that I plan to share with all.

The second leg of today's journey is Edinburgh to Inverness. Above and below are snaps taken as we begin our 4 hour trek, emerging from Edinburgh's embrace and reach across the bridge toward Kirkaldy:

We continue further on toward Perth after a very quick stop.

Past Perth...

We stretch further on toward Pitlochry, Kingussie, and Aviemore:

Finally, I arrive at Inverness. My phone battery is dead. 😫 I will try to get some snaps from town tomorrow. Especially the view down the 23 mile expanse of the Loch.

BUT, I have to plug the B & B where I am staying. It's SPECTACULAR! They've only been open two months. New construction with modern amenities. They are locals to the area that left for the big city and are now back to do this and raise a family. Please look up www.lochnessbedbreakfast.co.uk if you are even considering a visit to the area. I have (European) first floor (American second floor room) that is the size of any American master bedroom. Bathroom is en suite (attached and private) plus there's a deck off the bedroom with this view:

That's Loch Ness. 🐍

They have large beach access with a fire pit and a grill... Oh I could keep going but honestly, if you think you want to come look for Nessie, check out some true Scots beer / ale or whiskies, hike, bike or just unplug, I think that Fiona and John will help you do just that. 

AND. If you are Kelly and Todd, not only can you fish here but the closest pub (www.doresinn.co.uk), which is about a mile away, lists PAVLOVA as a dessert on the menu (probably good to check and make sure they have it first before coming this side of Oz for it). 😋

More from the magical region, that really is just this beautiful, tomorrow. Can you imagine it in autumn???

Night! 

To Scotia and the Highlands

I bid the fair city of London adieu for a trek to the North for a few days. It's an early morning rise of 5 AM (11 PM CT Monday night for everyone in Chicago) today for the 7 AM from Kings Cross to Inverness via Edinburgh. 

The National Rail Service is great. Amtrak this is not. The day starts in this magnificent steel enclosure (above):

Not much to see as we leave London. But as we pull into York I'm greater by this Ad across the platform (surrounded in Redon the right-hand side. I hope you can read it... You may need to zoom.

Lol. Kismet? Ha ha? We can always find familiars in things around us.

Photos of the English Countryside:

I shot some video of the landscape from the train.  The files are too big to upload now but will try to do them later. 

Wonderful to see the lovely coastal town of Berwick-upon-Tweed where my Mom's great-great-great grandparents took to the shores and immigrated to Canada. REALLY look forward sharing that with everyone.

More later as I wait here in Edinburgh for my connection to Inverness.