Last Leg(s) Home- Day 21

Travel Day..... We head westbound so time will slow considerable as far as the clock goes. We will depart LHR a little after 2 PM London Time today and hopefully arrive at YYJ at 18:30 this evening Victoria Time. That's the plan.

I still have not heard back about the ipad so we will just have to deal with once home. Stupid error on my part. :-( 

We checked in and dropped our bags, went through security and then found the Air Canada Lounge. We settled in for the next few hours and had a bite to eat. 

The plane was ready to go but an issue with the bridge delayed us about 18 minutes or so. 

Once airborne, it was a nice flight to Vancouver and landed early. Inflight service was very good and the food was tasty and fresh. 

We landed in Vancouver and then hopped on a smaller plane over to Victoria. We had a small greeting party with Lauren, Rory and Harper all meeting us as we came out. Great to see them!

Our neighbor Wayne came out and got us with our Ford Escape and we walked in the door at 7:20 PM.

A great trip by all accounts.... till next time safe travels! 

Heading Home - Day 20

Up early as my alarm went off once again..... . Kelly was already up and had made us a coffee. She is the best! I then managed to get 3 of the 4 bags loaded into the car and just had to wait for Kelly to finish up.  Amazingly and was read 20 minutes early so we finished breakfast, loaded the last of the bags etc. and said our goodbyes. Evan and Liz were great hosts & tour guides and we hope that we can reciprocate their kindness someday. 

We left the yard at 06:24 and off we went....the traffic was light... in fact we saw only two cars going in our direction in the first hour! Weather was good and it cleared off nicely as we climbed up the A82 towards the ski hill. 

We made good time but traffic started to come on for the last 45 minutes or so. We had almost gotten through the windy bits along Loch Lomond but a tight corner with a large bus coming the other way, caused me to hit a rock with the left tire. It didn't puncture it but was a "solid contact". No flat so we continued onward.  

We found the BP gas station at the airport and topped up the tank at 08:45. Returned the vehicle and the attendant was quick to note that there was some tire damage to the left front. It would need to be replaced and would come out of my deductible eventually. He said it is very common here in Scotland and he does about twenty of these tire damage reports a day! Just wished it wasn't me! Oh well life goes on.

 We loaded up our bags and headed to the check in counter to get rid of them! Off to the lounge and awaited our flights departure time of 12:05.

A quick flight and we arrived in London Heathrow at 13:22. Grabbed our bags and found our way by train to Terminal 2 and then Terminal 4 after a change. We got checked in to our hotel and after getting to the room, started to unpack my electronics....  and no ipad arghhh! I had left it on the plane in the chair pocket. Dummy! 

Off I went back to T5 to find it as it clearly showed on my "find my" app. After talking with an agent, they determined that DHL now has it in their holding room and it's going to be shipped to my address once I email them with pertinent details and an address. 

I retraced my route and returned to the hotel room then submitted the lost item report on my laptop...which I did not lose!...yet! 

Time for a drink I think! 

We went downstairs and had a drink and an appetizer each. Hit the spot.

Back up to the room it was time to finish up this blog and relax with some telly.

Steps  8600

Weather in London is scattered cloud and 25ºc

BC bound tomorrow!

 

Glencoe Tour - Day 19

 We had a nice breakfast made up of fruit that Vicki had sent with us from the Manse. Evan did a great job of cutting it up and adding a few extra's.... delicious! We had a coffee and Kelly headed for the shower. 

 Evan gave me a rundown on local going's on and the first thing he said was the steam train goes over the canal at 10:20ish. This we had to see so I told Kelly the plan and she said she wanted to go as well, regardless of the state of her hair! This has never happened before!  

 

So off we went, wet hair and all. With Evan guiding me to the best parking area, I felt as though I was having a Scottish Driving Test... and I passed!! 

 

We waited beside the canal crossing as the steam train has to slow down to go over it. A small group of American tourist had bussed in and also waited for the train to cross.  It's a thing here.

Steam Train Info here  

 

Steam train going by... you can see Kelly in the scrum somewhere!

 

 

   

 

 The Caledonian Canal stretches some 60 miles (100 Km)  and has 29 locks which, over the course of the trip, raises some 106 ft (32m). This canal passes right in front of their house. The spot we were in is called the Neptune's Staircase and just after the train went by, a ship appeared coming up the canal the swing bridge for the train as well as the road started to open up. Well it's not the Panama Canal but I finally get get to see a lock in action!!  There are 8 locks in this section alone. Caledonian Canal info here

 

Heading up the canal.

 

Coming into the lock.

Lock controls for the gates.

Once in the lock, the gates will close and water will be released into the lock from above. The water naturally flows downward to the sea and this makes it all work..  

Yes it's raining!!

 After a quick hike about the area (and a geocache) we popped over to the Shell station and topped up the car for tomorrows trip to Glasgow. Quick and easy with a gas up and then pay inside scenario. 

 

Evan directed us to the beginning of the canal called Corpach Lock and we walked around the area as the rain was coming down. 

 

There is a twinning of the canal in Canada which is the Rideau Canal was highlighted by a large diagram. 

 

The house is located at the P in Corpach.

Pepper Mill Light House

A little wet but the forecast looked good!!

 

We drove home and had a cup of tea to help us dry out. Dinner arrangements were made and we headed out for a drive with Evan at the controls of his car. Both he and Liz pointed out various spots along the way as we headed to Glencoe for a bite of lunch.  It was nice having tour guides who knew all the best spots!

 

 This route would be exactly the same as ours the next day so that was helpful. We worked our way through town and past their old house (schoolhouse) that they had rebuilt many years ago. 

 

We stopped at Crafts & Things at Glencoe and had a nice soup & sandwich in their back room... very good. We continued up the A82 and had a good view of the Three Sisters that lined the west side of the mountain range. Weather was good with high broken cloud that allowed the sun to peek through from time to time. It made the topography really pop! We eventually swung back at the Genitive turn around spot. 

 

 I grabbed a few pics as we came back down towards home. 

The next stop, as we worked or way back home, was the trail head that led up to the Glencoe Lochan. Lots of salal planted many decades ago has grown up around the area. The story goes that Lord Strathcona brought his native wife Isabella from Canada here and in an effort to keep her happy, planted these to reminder her of her homeland. 

 

 We had a nice walk around the lake and enjoyed the fine weather. Next was a stop at a viewpoint at the top of Lundavra. 

 

Great view!

Kelly, Liz and Evan.  

We headed home and prepared for dinner. I took some pictures of the house & yard before I got ready. 

 

Side yard

Garden

 

Green house. 

 

Lots of growth in here!!

 Evan had made a reservation at the Ben Nevis Inn where the weary hikers would stop to eat & rest after a days hiking. We didn't hike but the lodge was very popular with good food & drink:-)  Dinner was great and we ended up getting a cab ride home as we all had a few beverages.  

 

We had a nightcap and enjoyed a little music as Kelly & Liz had worked on some musical tunes for some new students she had taken on. We also got organized with some packing as we head to Glasgow and then London tomorrow morning. 

 

Off to bed.. exhausted!  

 

Steps - 7,600

 

Weather - the morning was overcast with light drizzle 16ºc and the afternoon broken cloud with sunny periods and 18ºc.  

Fort William Bound - Day 18

 We said or goodbyes to Euan and Amy this morning and then prepared our luggage for our next leg of the journey. Car loaded, we bid Roger and Vicki goodbye with a big Thank You for letting us experience life at an antique store in Scotland. Buying, selling, picking up, dropping off and then various appointments, yoga, choir, dinners for Doris.... it's a busy place! 

 Our route retraced some of the drive we did yesterday as we skirted south of Nair, through Inverness and along the northwest side of Loch Ness. This is a more touristy route as the road on the other side of the lake is less traveled.

We stopped at a Loch Ness touristy spot and Kelly left a deposit to the national economy.    

Loch Ness

 We continued down the A82 through Fort Augustus and switched to the southeast side of Loch Lochy. A stop for lunch at the Spean Bridge Mill Restaurant.  Very good for a cafeteria style place!  

In the Mill restaurant. 

 We continued into Fort William and as we were early, we decided to go to the Glenfinnan Viaduct for a look around. Bad idea because thousands of tourists in Scotland were doing the same thing. No Parking anywhere... cars parked willy nilly on sidewalks etc... We went well past it and looked for a turnaround spot. Suddenly the steam train made famous by Harry Potter appeared and Kelly did her best to capture it. 

 The Hogwarts Express!!!!

 We managed a couple drive-byes and capture a glimpse of the viaduct.  

Lots of people..... after cropping :-) 

We headed back towards Evan and Liz's place near Banavie and found the turnoff. There was Liz waiting for us beside the road as it's a bit tricky finding the drive to their house.  

We were given a tour of the house and shown our bedroom & bath locations. Next was an offer of a drink and it was great!! 

 

Ben Nevis from the eating area of the house.

Before dinner I had a tour of the greenhouse and all it's goodies and Evan explained the work that was put into reading the land for the house build. All very interesting.  

 

A very nice dinner followed with plenty of conversation of grand kids and travels. We did a bit of planning for tomorrow as well.

 

Steps - 2,900  - lots of driving instead! 

 

Weather - 17ºc with broken cloud. Spit of rain here and there. 

 

Scottish Historical Sites - Day 17

 Another day and more planning.....  we have a few places that Kelly has in mind to visit and after some consulting with the "locals" we had things organized. Thomas, one of the workers at the shop, gave us a back road route that would provide for some better sights along the way, particularly the Culloden Viaduct.

Off to our first stop at Cawder Castle. The road became a single track and we quickly figured out the right of way with the system of passing places. Pretty straight forward. 

 We had a nice walk around the Gardens and into the forest area. Lots in info on the Wikki page here.

Cawder Castle

 

Sequoia!

 

 At the courtyard eatery, Kelly noticed scones and had to have one with her tea. 

Tea time!

We then traveled the "back way" to Clara Cairns and made a stop along the way for a visit with some other locals.

Kelly's friend.

We drove under the Culloden Viaduct on our way to Clava Cairns and stopped for a few pictures.

Culloden Viaduct (train bridge)

We then went to Clava Cairns, the ancient burial site. Kelly said this area was an inspiration for the book & TV series "The Outlander" that she enjoys. 

One of the Clava Cairns

Kelly's special rock... although not really "the" rock.

Clava Cairns wikki page here.

We then headed over to the Culloden Battlefield and Visitors Center and explored the area of a huge battle between the Jacobites and the Government troops of the Duke of Cumberland. The battle was short but over 1600 men died within an hour. Of that number, 1500 Jacobites had perished. We had a walk about the fields and explored the lines that the British and Jacobite fighters had held before fighting began. All very interesting.

 

Cabin used as a field hospital by the British.

Grave Marker for that clan.

We still had a bit of time so we drove off to Fort George which is a military garrison that was built to control the highlands and protect the waterway into Inverness. Unfortunately due the late hour, they would be closing soon so it did not give us any time to explore further. We may come back tomorrow, time permitting. 

Further details can be found on the Fort George Wikki here  

We enjoyed the scenery as we drove and some of the single lane roads certainly were a test in planning & patience. One spot that did not offer a view of oncoming traffic was memorable in that a caravan and huge lorry suddenly appeared. I stopped and backed up until I reached a passing point to allow then by... only happened once thankfully!

 

We headed back to the Manse and on arrival, enjoyed a beverage in the courtyard with Vicki & Roger. It was perfect weather, calm winds with the sun beating down on us... we had a lovely conversation on the building & how it transitioned over the decades to what it is now. Funny.... the building they are living in was built in 1842 and this is the original slate roof!! It's older than our country of Canada!! 

 

A great dinner followed and some more inside details on the finer points of the antique business were shared. He showed us some of his personal favorites that he has saved. Roger then brought out a nice bottle of scotch for us to all enjoy. It was very nice!

 

 We all headed for bed after watching Euan prepare his banana bread cake for a work friend. We all had a sample and it was delicious. 

 

Steps -10,500

 

Weather 18ºc with light winds and scattered cloud. We have been so lucky!!!