Two Weddings and a pandemic.

[Pushka]

We then had lunch in the tea rooms which used to be the play deck. Expensive lunch



Last ones and we were out of there.

 

[RooFlyer]

So no doubt you went the Moet cream tea for two, 60 quid?

 

[TheRealTMA]

Ok - for those not interested in the Royal Yacht, come back later. @TheRealTMA I'm looking at you

On a wonderful Scottish Summer day today we set off for the Royal Yacht. Raining so hard we ended up driving there. Actually that's unfair. Last night at 9.15pm it looked like this outside our window.

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Thank god for Apple car play. The shopping centre provided free car parking and after some interesting comments along the way we parked the car. We'd pre booked but clearly not many had braved the weather. I'll post pics as thumbnails as I was fascinated and took, - a lot. But they can be clicked on to be bigger. I think many are self explanatory.

I kept thinking how my Dad would have loved to do this tour as he was a Chief Petty Officer in RAN for 12 years and this would have been a highlight but he died around 6 years after the ship was decommissioned and was too ill to travel in those years.

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We enjoyed our Tea and scones on the Britanica!

 

[Pushka]

So no doubt you went the Moet cream tea for two, 60 quid?

Nope. MrP took one for the team and was driving as it was raining so I dont drink when he can't. $60 for two sandwiches, two hot drinks and two deserts.

The Crown producers came onboard for three days to take measurements and then recreated the set in London for those scenes needed for the show and where Prince Phillip and his aides were naughty boys. The Yacht didn't want them to film onboard. The producers took a lot of licence with bedroom size and layout. Must watch it again. The Scots always have a story and they seem to like Aussies. On the way out despite having to serve incoming and outgoing customers with the handsets took about 20 minutes between time to tell us about various incidents.

I don't think I've ever heard the word Fxx_ used so loudly and so often on the streets anywhere in the world. And we thought that everyone was always angry and then realised that it's just the loud stridor we are hearing and not (always) anger behind it. Billy Connelly is just being a Scot when he swears so much.

I'm awake early today. Had reflux last night - don't know why as I'm not eating or drinking much but whatever. I need to check I'm taking the right meds. We are also in separate rooms this Airbnb because the small double beds just aren't cutting it. Double beds? What is with that idea in the UK? Our Airbnb in Inverness also has double beds but two bedrooms so it's the same again.

Hopefully today is fine as we have a lot of walking today to Holyrood as this is the first day it has been open this visit, and I set up the Steps on the phone to see how many. And we have a lovely steak dinner tonight to look forward to. Beef Wellington here I come.

 

[Pushka]

In Tunbridge Wells we were in the Pub when Sunderland I think it was, was promoted to the next level. Rather noisy there but fun. Last night we were in the Pub when Scotland was playing Albania in the European Cup having just missed on the World Cup and everyone started singing a Scottish song. We noticed on the way out that many tables had these. Likely solves a few issues. Plus mutliple huge screens. The pub was totally packed.

 

[love_the_life]

More views of the preparation.


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I can see where I was sitting when I went a few years ago!

 

[love_the_life]

I loved the Brittania though I don't remember the cafe/tea rooms. The whole 60s vibe is amazing. Pity about the weather for you - typical Scotland.

 

[drron]

Yes Brisbane has had it's coldest day in the first week of june since 1904. But in truth it is like a perfect Scottish summer day. bright blue sky but cold.

 

[Pushka]

So grandchild two will be born next week, three days before we return. Calling in all favours from rellies and friends to mind the toddler but they seem sorted.

 

[love_the_life]

So grandchild two will be born next week, three days before we return. Calling in all favours from rellies and friends to mind the toddler but they seem sorted.

Oh so disappointing as you had tried to sort the timings out to be back in time. Obviously they have brought the birth forward. Hope all goes well.

 

[Pushka]

Ok. So where was I up to. Oh yeah. We had a little time out. Luckily in Airbnb with separate bedrooms and two bathrooms. Cancelled - Dinner at the Steak House, a trip to Skye, Fly Fishing, and my Culloden tour - the last one however was not a Covid one but they had overbooked and I got bumped. Even though when I booked there were no other bookings. And the only told me at 6pm the night before. Do you reckon after being cooped up I wasn't happy Jan! Happy Tours in Inverness. DO NOT USE.

So Inverness. It's been cold. Windy. Rainy and we have been kind of stuck here. But as we have a car we've been driving and I wear a mask while doing so. Yes, I've been one of those people wearing a mask in a car

Visited the locks at Fort Augustus. What an impressive sight. And extremely busy. Both with sightseers and boats. The change in depth from one lock to another must be over 20'.

 

[Pushka]

Queue of boats waiting to go upriver.

 

[Pushka]

We then drove around Loch Ness missing the castle ruins as I was going to see them on the (later cancelled) Culloden trip. Sigh. Then across the other side where we could see Fort Augustus at a distance. And these roads. One lane. But everyone is so polite here. It would never work in SA.



The highlands are specular - ly freezing. But stunning views.

 

[Pushka]

Then on to Falls of Foyers. Spectacular.



Views over Ness.



We drove to Culloden Battlefield. A very impressive and sad place. War is just so wrong. I didn't take photos, except for this one. Yes, I'm a tragic but in fairness I started reading Outlander books back in 2000 - before it became a cult thing.

 

[Pushka]

But we still hadn't seen a Highland Coo up close just specks in the distance. Drove to a local cafe (well, 30 minutes away) that bred them and they had a baby, but - closed on Tuesdays. We are running out of time. Kept driving round Ness again, the car park to Urqhart Castle was full so we didn't get to see it, then about five minutes out of Inverness MrP spotted three in a cafe stop. U turned three miles later to go back. A busload of tourists from USA rolled in (so much talk noise happening) but the coos were in the distance but at least we saw some. I had to zoom out for this so not great quality.



We decided to leave the verbal diarrhea and walk down to the canal. And this was so funny watching the driver being patient but needing to move through. And boy did the gander express his displeasure once they'd cross the road - all of 10 minutes later. And Ms Goose decided to sit in the middle of the road during the process which was when the van moved to the right. He got past then they bailed up another car.

 

[Pushka]

We then walked back to the car park where the coos were and the bus had left and the coos moved quietly down to the fence where we were.

I'll just leave MrP's photos here.





And mine.

 

[love_the_life]

Heeland coos are such a special breed.
No Nessie at Loch Ness? Must say, she was MIA when I was there. Not even a ripple.
And agree, Culloden is such a melancholy place. To see the mounds for each of the clans is very sad. And the restrictions that were placed on the highlanders after that.

 

[Denali]

...... We are also in separate rooms this Airbnb because the small double beds just aren't cutting it. Double beds? What is with that idea in the UK? Our Airbnb in Inverness also has double beds but two bedrooms so it's the same again.

I always book two rooms if its double beds (or we cant get 2 x single). Travelling is hard enough to sleep without having to also have small mattresses.

Loving your Scotland pics, bringing back lots of wonderful memories

 

[Pushka]

I always book two rooms if its double beds (or we cant get 2 x single). Travelling is hard enough to sleep without having small mattresses.

Loving your Scotland pics, bringing back lots of wonderful memories

Yes. You were actually my inspiration when choosing Airbnb.

 

[Pushka]

We did get to Holyrood Palace. Mostly. A swift exit was needed though.















While the Queen uses some of these rooms it’s such a depressing dark place with massive plots of intrigue behind the scenes. I hope her personal quarters are better.