MAINTAINING OUR DAILY AVERAGE........

Days two and three in Elgin, the Speyside region of scotch whisky production, were spent exploring the distilleries of Glenfiddich and Glen Moray.

A short bus ride on Tuesday took us to Dufftown where we wandered ( backpacks and poles included for training!) to the grounds of Glenfiddich distillery. An hour and half tour, fun and informative, ended with a well laid out tasting session during which we sampled four different aged Glenfiddich whiskys.   Of course, it is now time to walk off the effects...so off we head along Speyside Way toward Craighallachie, and what we hoped would be a well earned luncheon , and taste of whisky, at the famed Craighallachie Hotel.  7 miles later and soaked from the onslaught of pelting rain ( our ponchos saw their first Scotland outing!) we reached our destination at 3 PM....promptly closing time for the kitchen.   As Craighallachie is not much for pubs and restaurants, we cheated, caught the bus , headed to Rothes, and rolled into a truly genuine Scottish pub, complete with Mac the pub dog, who has a haggis dog and a burger named in his honor on the menu. They too were closed, but offered Scotch broth, sandwiches and whisky.....we were home!

Today, Wednesday, we opted to skip the hiking and Instead wandered a couple miles to the  nearest distillery for their 2 PM tour and tasting.  Ian, the guide, was highly informative and friendly; a true delight complete with storytelling of recently excavated bodies dating to the 1600's found on the grounds.   Our sampling at Glen Moray included five of their aged and specialty whiskys, as well as a taste of 69 proof raw spirit.... The base alcohol which is then casked  for aging.

Tomorrow a bus to Inverness airport where we will grab our car for the next four days and head out to discover Culloden, Craigh na Dun ( if we can find it :-) and Dalmore distillery before heading to the Isle of Skye on Friday.

Days two and three in Elgin, the Speyside region of scotch whisky production, were spent exploring the distilleries of Glenfiddich and Glen Moray.

JUST in case you questioned..... :-)

And here is the lovely Ms. Linda's pink felt tip marker guide to Spyine Palace......;-)

JUST a wee shortcut......

After a delicious breakfast with eggs( Helen, who LOVES her morning eggs was so  happy) we  headed into Elgin centre to start our adventure...... The bank, the post office, the  grocery store,,,,just like home...how adventurous :-)

No, really, after the vacation chores we headed to visit the Elgin cathedral ruins.  A couple of hours wandering medieval stone structures dating from the '1200 s....a seat of great wealth and power in the Highlands.  The visit was quite inspiring and we were blessed with clear weather.

Lovely Ms. Linda in the Visitor center kindly sold us a joint ticket to include Spynie Palace, home to the local  bishops of the time.... Or as Helen says... The uber-bishop!  She is right.  It turned out to be a pretty damned spanky  piece of waterfront ( during its time) real estate. That said....

Lovely Ms Linda also told us of a wee shortcut which would have us there and through the back fence  of the old palace grounds inside of 1.5 miles.  After all, if we took the route that had been suggested it would be an easy three miles plus.   Lovely Ms Linda doesn't walk much.... Or own a Fitbit....NO concept of distance.  We don't know this so off we trot under gorgeous sunny skies... Totally trusting in her description of how to reach our destination via that wee shortcut. We kept following the pink felt marker line drawn on our map....sure we have saved some time.

2+ miles later, after passing many,  many sheep in open fields....and tractors....and windmills....and NO wee cottages( those were her landmarks) we happened to a crossroads, totally convinced we had taken a wrong turn. Just then, to our delight, Sir Gallahad in his trusty steed, a wee red hatchback, along with companion Alfy the border collie by his side, pulled over to confirm for us that we were indeed in the right road, to the shortcut through the fence.to Spynie Palace.  We figure we still have about a mile to go...not bad.

We waved him on his way, and within the next 30 minutes we experienced true Scottish weather.... Four seasons in day!  It rained..sideways.  It hailed...sideways. The wind blew dirt from the fields across the road and up the nostrils.....sideways!   Pants soaked, shoes soaked ...Did we bring our all -weather gear today....of course not...it was only a wee walk after all :-)

Low and behold, Sir Gallahad  reappears to offer us a ride back to Elgin if  we would like. Relieved to see we had rain  jackets on ( our only smart clothing  decision) he turned the car  around and led us to the last leg of the journey...a lovely tree lined dirt path leading to the" back 40 "of Spynie.   And, he opted to park the car and walk with us.  A chatty man, he knew of Seattle, was up on all National Lampoon movies and could discuss them at length and....knew where Wisconson is....quite proud! He escorted us to the hole in the fence and he and Alfy the  dog went on their way...after an offer to take us back to Elgin at the end of our visit.   We thanked him for his  kindness and parted.

Upon checking into the visitor center , as we had been instructed to do, we asked Ms Katie about the directions we had been given...convinced we had made a wrong turn.  Nope.  Correct directions and she confirmed the

lovely Ms. Linda certainly had no concept of distance .  We felt a bit better.  We explored Spynie Palace grounds about an hour and then headed out to face the gale winds which had reappeared , of course!   Low and behold, 300 meters down the dirt path Sir Gallahad and Alfy  re appear....at which moment it is decided we will walk back....thank Sir Gallahad politely, but walk back. Weather is easing ( well, compared to what it was) and walking is what we came for after all.  A disappointed Sir Gallahad says goodbye and heads out...honk honk...wave, wave.....Alfy  in the back end barking his good-byes.

We make it back to Elgin, via the same wee shortcut, only this time at record speed to outrun the dark clouds looming just west of us.   After all, we know we will dry out quickly, it is just rain AND we have several wee bottles of scotch whisky waiting in our room....  Perfect day!

After a delicious breakfast with eggs( Helen, who LOVES her morning eggs was so  happy) we  headed into Elgin centre to start our adventure...... The bank, the post office, the  grocery store,,,,just like home...how adventurous :-)

A DAY IN EDINBURGH......

So, as we sit at 11 PM, knowing we put on packs tomorrow and start the " travel with backpacks ON our backs" portion of this grand Scottish adventure, becomes clear that SOMETHING has to be left behind....here,.,,.in Edinburgh after only 1 full day.  Why?  How else do we fit the  several wee bottles of scotch whisky we bought into our already over stuffed bags?  WHERE do we put the all important Walkers shortbread?  Decisions....decisions..... :-)

Truly it has been a gorgeous day in Edinburgh complete with young bagpipers on the Royal Mile, a glorious tasting session at a whisky bar featuring over 380 scotch whiskys, beer battered fish and chips, wrapped in paper , drenched in malt vinegar.....a drizzle of rain, a warm hug of sunshine....a wonderful Scottish kind of day.....

SEATTLE to EDINBURGH

If the glory of a sunrise speaks to the day ahead, it is no wonder this travel day was superb! This morning's blood orange sun cracked open  the skies as we flew east over Ireland.   Our flights were each on time, skies were calm....my preflight Bloody Mary was yummy, as was Helen's extra super dirty martini :-)

And here we are in Edinburgh....exhausted, but content. Two games of Rummikub to help keep us awake ( currently in hour #31 with limited nap time in flight) until about 8:30 PM, then time to turn the body clocks ahead.  Off to tour Edinburgh tomorrow!   This evening we took a stroll around St. Andrews Square to find a bite of supper....fun photo op. And, our  lovely room in this historic hotel building looks out to The Firth of Forth and beyond.

Because I believe the Universe conspires in our benefit.....because I believe Angels are actively involved in our daily life and offer amazing insight if we listen and watch.....because I believe in the beauty of each day and know we have the opportunity to choose our thoughts and state of mind.....I see this glorious day begin to unfold and know in my soul these travels will be safe, inspiring, a chance, once again, to behold the magnificence of this planet we call home.....and I feel blessed......

3 sleeps........

And, here is my thought for the day...ready...?  DO NOT go four days without walking several miles with pack and poles when you are within a week of a walking vacation!  NOTHING lets you know that perhaps you aren't quite ready than missing a few training days.  I am DYING tonight!  Thank God for a vodka lemonade..... For medicinal purposes :-)

Thursday we head to Scotland.  The first 10 days, aside from travel time, include: Edinburgh and the Royal Mile, Inverness, Elgin and walks to the distilleries ( VERY important pre walk training time ;-) )  south of Elgin toward Speyside, Culloden Field, Craigh na Dun ( YES, it IS real ), a drive to the Isle of Skye.  Then south toward Glasgow where we will start our 10 day trek along the West Highland Way.

Helen and I are both excited to share photos and adventures as we we discover the glorious lands of  Scotland.... Stay with us!

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