Dalrachney Lodge Hotel And Restaurant Aviemore

... in the swimming pool all day, just can't win sometimes...<br><br>Sunday I was driving home, and got up early and was met by an equally intense frost... I missed the mist over the river, but it was pretty, honest.<br><br> <br><br>If the drive up was autumnal ...

Finally back at home. It's been 15 weeks and 12 countries (14 technically, but a stopover in Sydney and stepping on Zimbabwean soil whilst Bungy jumping don't count). There's been highs and low's throughout, but on the whole, the experience has been fantastic and completely and ...

... the crowns of England and Scotland in 1603. When he died in 1625 his son Charles I succeeded him. You may recall from a previous blog that Oliver Cromwell chopped off Charles I head in 1649 then ruled the country. The Scots responded by crowning Charles son as the new king of Scotland and England. This upset Cromwell no end so he sent his army to Scotland and defeated them in 1651 so that Charles II had to flee to France. <br><br ...

... What made me smile today:<br><br>The End-to-Enders - John Arris and friends.  It was great to hear their stories and get their advice.  One of them even gave me a donation for my charities.  Good luck with your next stage!<br><br>The eccentric Rory and his thieving chickens.  He runs the Abriachan Forest eco-campsite and cafe halfway along the path today and I stopped for tea.  One of his chickens actually jumped into the air to steal shortbread out of my hands!<br>

Spent yesterday walking through Scottish terrain. Unfortunately the weather wasn't sunny but it wasn't raining so since coming to the UK I have come to know that as 'a good day'. I have to admit it, but any day that doesn't rain I consider a good day of weather too. How quickly standards change..<br><br>Time has flown by here in Scotland. Back down to London tomorrow and off to India Wednesday. This is quite possibly the most boring blog entry ever, but the photos should at least be ok

... I come across some huge bilberries (blaeberries in Scotland) and collect a large bagful to enjoy later.  The sun is out in full strength this afternoon and it turns into a stunning day.  <br><br>The North Kessock stretch of the A9 into Inverness is long and the traffic relentless but at least the cycle path provides a safe distance from the road and eventually I reach Inverness Youth Hostel - source of washing machines ...

... was pretty good.<br><br>I showered off the day&#8217;s grime, collected my rucksack and began the trek back into the city on a hot, sticky and uncharacteristically overcrowded train. At Vauxhall Station I left the mainline train to change to the underground, which would take me directly to Euston Station. After hauling my luggage a sweaty few hundred meters into the tube station, I was greeted by the inevitable &#8216;Due to a moose on the tracks (or something like that, I&#8217;m ...

... legs and a good time was had by all. We then moved on back to Edinburgh but Dave being Dave we had to stop every km so he could take a photo, in the end it was "Dave if we stop anymore we won't get back to Edinburgh until Christmas!" so the solution. We drove with Dave sticking his head out the sunroof taking photos. We did stop a few time whilst driving through the mighty Scottish highlands and glens, the weather was perfect for it. It was just that sort of ...

... but the colder our feet became the more antsy we got. There is nothing like a good moan to keep the spirits up. Eventually we 'topped out' and 'walked out' down a ski slope. The zipper broke on my pants and they slipped down half-mast, I was so exhausted I just plodded on back to the bunkhouse. My brother and I cooked - Chilli and tortilla's (went down a storm) followed by bread and butter pudding and custard...hmmmmm.

An e*rly morning for us *s lugg*ge *nd bre*kf*st were *t 0730 *nd it w*s my turn for the front se*t tod*y. Ye*! We dep*rted Aberdeen *nd followed the River Dee to BALLATER. For *n hour we were here *nd I bought my sister * replic* of Gl*mis C*stle for her chin* c*binet. The bus ride took us p*st brown *nd green colored mount*ins *nd *lso p*st Prince Ch*rles's hunting lodge. We were supposed to visit BALMORAL CASTLE, home to the Roy*l F*mily during hunting se ...