Last Day in Findhorn

Taken on this morning's walk

Lots of walking today, I called back at the B&B to refresh etc but heading out for another walk.

Amazing walks round here with the beach and the sand dunes check it out on the google map and you will see shape of the coastline, with bay etc. The tide was out this am.

Not sure where I will walk next I may walk to the bird hide.

yesterday afternoon i visited the heritage centre and the Findorn Ice House, where all the ice was kept before fridges!! The ice was captured from the bay/firth in winter, stored in the ice house, and used during the summer to transport the salmon. Prior to that the salmon were smoked or dried.

Til later.....

It was hardwork today!

The tide was out as I walked home

today.

This morning I headed back to the Findhorn Foundation to spend some more time working in the garden. I chose to weed the herb garden. The herb garden is being re-established by a volunteer as most of the time and energy of the garden staff is spent producing the vegetables . The weeds were huge! it was lots of fun. shovelling compost, digging up the weeds, smelling the herbs and enjoying the freedom and fresh air. Then in no time at all it was lunch time...beautiful lunch very colourful - the vegetables and the fruit today straight from the gardens. I can't believe I ate so much.

I walked home - not as warm today as yesterday -and organised a quuick trip to Penzance when get back to Taunton. Not much else has happened today - til next time....

Monday morning!!

Yes Monday today I had my gardening work. It was a beautiful morning, I helped harvest the cucumbers and picked flowers and made up bunches to sell in the shop. Washed some dishes and helped get Morning Tea. I then had a delicious lunch.
I called back 'home' as I need to get to the post office the mobile phone needs topping up. I will go back to the foundation for dinner.

Til next time....

Changing weather in Findhorn

From my bedroom window (left)

view as I walked home...


• I decided to head out about 12.30 today, the rain had eased. I had lunch at the Findhorn Foundation and then joined a tour of the community. Very interesting. some amazing eco houses made out of whisky barrels. other houses built some years ago as latest eco type house but already out of date in comparison. Check out the website of the Foundation. i am going there tomorrow and Tuesday on the short term visitor program. i am working in the garden so lets hope it's not raining!! walking round the community I thought about my next door neighbour and the dispute (at vcat) I have to deal with on return. We could share the garden and both enjoy it... i don't think she would agree. interestingly on the roads within the community, pedestrians have the right of way!! then cyclists, then the cars...
  
• The weather changed this afternoon and I enjoyed walking back, it was sunny and warm. the sun is still shining. There has been a festival/fun day here today and at 6.30 there are songs of praise on the pier if fair.
  
• Another thing about Findhorn is that there was quite a large group of the Davidson Clan lived in this area. Perhaps that's why I feel so much at home here !!! (my mother is a Davidson)
  
• More tomorrow after I have worked in the garden, i also get my meals too, lunch and dinner.....


• Till next time.....

Findhorn, warm yesterday, cold today!!

Two Pics of Findhorn at diffferent times of the day

Hello from Findhorn, I arrived yesterday travelling from Dundee to Inverness by train and then bus to Forres and another to Findhorn. When I got here yesterday it was so warm, and very picturesque. I got lost (so what's new!) in this small village and was rescued and driven to my B&B by a very kind man who was repairing a wall! I was walking in circles with back pack, suitcase and computer!!
I soon found my way around and went to the pub for lunch. i had to wait for lunch and was given a complimentary drink as an apology!. The salmon was delicious when it arrived. Perhaps it had to be caught first. So a good start to my stay in Findhorn.
A lovely breakfast this morning and a great chat with my host Rose. Just unfortunate that the weather is not as good today. To be honest it's cold! First time I have made that comment.
I will go out soon, but only as far as the pub for lunch
Tomorrow I will head out to the community,
til then.....

Greetings from Perth in Scotland

The Silvery Tay - the Tay road bridge Dundee

taken from Arbroath Cliffs

Just a quick note before we head out for dinner, I am spending time with my cousin and her family. Did a bit of exploring round Dundeethis morning today Tomorrow I head off to Inverness by train and then on to Findhorn. Not sure when I will next have access to Wi Fi. I am posting a couple of photos.. have had quite a bit of rain today...

Til next time

Hello From the Discovery Point in Dundee

Hello have got free wi fi here at Discovery Point in Dundee. This place is home to the restored Royal Research Ship Discovery. The ship was built here and set sail to the Antarctica in1901. with Scott & Shakleton. It's a great display and really interesting to look over the restored ship with the lifelike figures!! Moving on to the shops and to visit my Aunt & Uncle. til next time....

Check out the website..http://www.rrsdiscovery.com

Greetings from Dundee Scotland

Well the camping days are over... I am now the backpackers in Dundee for 3 nights. At moment i am sitting in MacDonalds enjoying their free Wi Fi.. Have had great time camping.. we had a fair bit of rain last night, thunder and lightening and I lost the key to the showers!! So had to hang around this morning waiting for someone to shower and open the door. Left Monifieth this morning after a great few days being back in the village where I spent the first few years of my life!!

Monday we drove to Montrose north of Dundee, then back to Arbroath and did a great walk along the cliffs.. I have caught up with family here - J headed off to Edinburgh today. I will be here til Sat morning when I catch the Train to Inverness.

I haven't been to Dundee since1981 it is so changed.. will spend time with family and exploring the city.

Macca's just about to close so will post more at another time...beach is Lunan just outside Montrose. Other pic is taken a Arbroath cliffs just as the sun disappeared behind a big rain cloud!!

We made it !!

Yes John O groats, now I have to get to Land's End!!

Well we have had a great day today, despite what people have said to us about J,O G we loved it... The owner of the camping ground told us about Duncanby Head just before you reach JOG and so we turned off the main road and reached Duncanby Head.. what an amazing place! The coastline is magnificent and the bird life is prolific. We walked and walked (not too cold) talked to the sheep and watched the b irds.

From there we went into JOG and took the necessary photos and then went to the northern tip of UK Dunnett Head. Again beautiful coastline with views over to the Orkney isles. When we reached Duncanby Head this morning the mist was over the Isles, but by midday the mist had cleared and the isles were clearly visible .

We pottered around for a while and then drove back to the camping ground via Thurso.

May be add some more in later... not sure when next posting will be as we move on tomorrow to the Cairngorms/Grampians.

till later....

Hello from Dunbeath in Scotland

The Picture on the left here is of Loch Ness and the above two are taken at kinloch Leven

Warm greetings from Dunbeath, Caithness in Scotland. the weather is warm except when it rains!! Having a wonderful time, managed to get wi fi at camp ground. the only thing is the battery on my laptop is running low.

After leaving Taunton we spent the first night at Blackpool and the next morning set off for Galashiels, a lovely town in the Borders area. We spent the night there with old family friends from Zimbabwe. it was a happy occasion with lots of laughs and a few tears

Next morning we headed off to Glasgow and set up camp. We spent the night there at a lovely campsite. I met up with my son-in-law's Mum for the first time that was fun as we gossiped and chatted about the grandchildren. Happy Days.

Next day saw us at Fort William, FW is very close to Ben Nevis and we found a lovely campsite in Glen Nevis right at the foot of Ben Nevis (the highest mountain in Scotland (& UK). We have had quite a bit of rain,but in between the sun has come out and it has been very warm.

The scenery is stunning so many places I have not seen before, and here we are only 40 miles from John O Groats in a tiny village called Dunbeath, quite lovely. The camp site is small and quiet not as modern as the last one (no hair dryers) but it does have wi-fi!!

Tomorrow we will head up for John o Groats and the surrounding areas

I wish I had been able to write up the blog everyday with our activities and what we have seen etc, will add snippets as I go and hope that I can remember everything. I haven't written in my notebook!

Yesterday we caught the Gondola up the Nevis ranges that was quite spectacular. We BBQ,ed last night luckily missing the rain. up early this morning we headed off to ward Inverness - the road running along side Loch Ness. Didn't stop in Inverness although did find a lovely little tea room with lots of home baked cakes!

Then on to Dunbeath where we set up camp around lunchtime.

Hopefully more again tomorrow when the laptop has been re-charged.

til then....

Goodbye Taunton

The car is loaded up with tent, provisions, plates and cutlery and the blankets and warm clothes! I think we will need the warm clothes in John O' Groats. We are leaving tomorrow lunchtime and heading for Blackpool ! That will be fun. Don't think I will take a ride on any of the 12 roller coasters in the park!! The highest one being 235 feet and it maxes out at one point at 74 mph – !!
On Saturday morning we will be on the road again to Scotland...
Not sure when the next post will be. I will have my laptop, but will depend on the availability of wireless.... til next time...

Trisha Trisha where have you been?

I've been to London to visit the Queen - well almost... there was a formal wear event on at Buckingham palace as I passed by yesterday unfortunately I wasn't dressed for the occasion :)!

On a more sombre note, yesterday was the anniversary (7/7/2005) of the bombings in London underground. There was a memorial service in Hyde Park yesterday attended by the pm Prince Charles and his wife, and as you can imagine there was tight security . I watched for a few minutes. The formal service and ceremony was only for family and friends of victims, the pillars unveiled yesterday were to be open to the public later in the day. It was very obvious in London yesterday the very tight security, I felt a little wary myself. Still it was an enjoyable day despite the rain! - a real Cook's tour of London on foot with a short trip in a bus to eat lunch and escape the rain. My new jacket was well and truly christened yesterday. Still it's dry and warmish today so won't complain. Not much on the agenda today. I caught up on family emails, chatted online to Shelley - we both happened to be online at same time - and a few chores to do. The visit to London started at 7am when the bus left Taunton and ended on return to Taunton at 9.45, delays both ways due to traffic around London. It takes about 3+ hours - train would be faster, but it's much more expensive and I am enjoying the coach trips. I relax listen to my music and stare out the window.. til next time

Monday Morning in Taunton

As promised some more news of Santorini, some pics and news of the next part of the trip. The weather has changed and it is slightly cooler today, will have to think about Scotland trip and camping, perhaps the bikini can be left behind!!

I am having a lazy day today I have an early start tomorrow bus leaves at 7 am for London. I am catching up with a friend from Melbourne, haven't decided what we will do as yet, probably will depend on the weather.

I loved Santorini , so beautiful, so picturesque just as the websites described. I only wished I had a few more islands to visit. Cruising round the Greek Isles would be great. I met up with my friend Nik in Athens and we flew to Santorini, I didn't get to see anything of Athens but I guess that can wait til next time. We had booked our accommodation in Perissa, Santorini via the internet some weeks ago - The Princess Santorini Villa - it was budget accommodation nothing grand but charming, with fridge hotplate etc if you had wanted to prepare your own meals .The owners were lovely - friendly & helpful, there was free wireless if I had taken my laptop, breakfast and snacks available , beer & wine etc - to be recommended if you want to stay in Perissa. .

We decided to take a day tour on the Wednesday and chose an excursion departing from the Athinios Port (new port) on a traditional sailing boat,. We sailed to the Volcano, then had a long trek up to the top of the crater, It was very hot, but worth it. The active volcano is still smouldering!! but no activity forecast for that day thank goodness.

We then sailed on the hot springs.. I was a bit disappointed here as the boat was unable to get close to the hot springs and I didn't think I could swim the distance to enjoy the hot springs. Friom there we sailed to Thirassia, we had lunch at one of the many delightful Taverns and then went swimming. We chose not to climb up all 187 long steps to the village at the top of the cliff, as we knew that when we reached Ia we had to climb over 200+ LONG steps or get a donkey taxi!

Ia is where most tourists go to watch the sunset in Santorini. We had chosen the trip that included the sunset and we left the boat there, (The journey back to Perissa was by bus at 9 pm after the sunset.) I chose the donkey taxi and Nik decided to walk up all the 200 and something steps. I have no photograph of my little donkey!! but he was smaller than the other donkeys and mules - I felt sorry for him - he did such a good job! but this huge (maybe I am exaggerating) mule next to us kept bumping my little donkey and I thought I was going to get squashed, my leg got caught against the wall and I lifted my leg up to stop it being scraped against the wall and almost fell off the other side, it was an experience and I had the bruises to prove it!! ( I don't think the donkeys there are as well looked after as the ones at the old port where all the cruise ships come in plus wealthy tourists!!)

The village of Ia is absolutely beautiful - exactly as the famous prints and pictures of Santorini show. We found a beautiful cafe to enjoy a glass of wine and a meal and soak in the amazing view. Watching the sunset was less glamorous! we watched from the old castle along with a hundred or so other people !

The other days were spent exploring the village of Perissa, tasting the different Greek dishes, we also caught a ferry to Kamari beach and spent time there swimming and enjoying the lovely cafes. Evenings we stayed in Perissa enjoying the food and local Santorini wine.

Before we flew back to Athens we caught the bus to Thira it was quite lovely and I enjoyed breakfast in a lovely cafe with a magnificent view. We caught the cable car down to the old port - would have like to have ridden another donkey but I had a dress on and didn't think I could do it elegantly! It was all over too soon and it was time to fly back to Athens and then back to London and then Taunton.

We have been planning our tip to Scotland. We leave on Friday lunchtime and will drive as far as we can. Sat we will visit some friends of mine in Galashiels, spend the night there and head on to Glasgow on Sunday morning. In Glasgow I plan to visit my son-in-laws mother explore some of Glasgow and be on our way on Tuesday morning tol visit Dundee and Monifieth before heading up to John o' Groats then back to Dundee. Jock will head back to Taunton via Edinburgh on 22nd July and I will spend time in Dundee before heading up to Inverness, and Findhorn where I will spend a few days enjoying the Findhorn Foundation activities and the beautiful village of Findhorn. I will have my laptop with me and will update the blog as I can. I wont be back in Taunton until Thursday 6th August as I plan to catch up with friends in Birmingham and then visit a school friend in Coventry.

til next time... more pics at end of postings

Good Morning from Taunton

Got back to Taunton last night, Experienced delays on flights from Santorini and then from Athens yesterday. I treated myself on Friday evening when i got back to Athens, I stayed at the Sofitel at the airport. I was tired after a long delay at Santorini airport and decided not to take bus to Nik's sister's as I had to be back at airport in the morning for my flight to London. Could get used to staying in expensive hotels!! It was a good way to end my stay in Greece, which was too short but perhaps next time I can stay longer.
No photos as yet as I am posting these comments while unpacking, washing and writing the list for the next trip which is camping in Scotland!
It's warm here in Taunton which is great - let's hope the good weather stays with us when we head up to Scotland. At the moment we are hoping to get all the way to John O Groats.
More on Santorini next time.. heading up to London on Tuesday for the day
Til next time.....

Hello and almost goodbye from Santorini

Kalemera - it's been a wonderful few days in Santorini, when I get back to Taunton I will spend some time on the blog and post some photo's. I wish I had brought the laptop as there was free wireless and hotel, and it doesnt' take long to write a few words each day. I may have difficulty in describing what I have seen! Stunning views, amazing food, lovely people. good beer and wine and wonderful memories... I could stay for a few more days -not long enough just getting to know the way around!
It is very hot and I have tried to keep covered as I didn't want to get burnt the first day.
I have done lots of things but also have relaxed and soaked in the local ambience - I will write more next time.
Til then....