Four Seasons Aviemore

... line "take a moment to behold"...<br><br> <br><br>Before I knew it the road descended into a single lane track with tight passing points every hundred yards and heaps of snow poles. Thank god it was Sunday morning and many people weren't daft enough to brave the ...

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 ...

... large slabs of styrofoam with wooden slats.... they really got into the spirit of it all - lots of theatrical dress as well - it was a hoot! We didn't see the duck race, but people bought tickets for a numbered plastic duck at one pound each, then they "raced" them somehow. I don't think they were remote-controlled like the one Chris is creating for the race in Brisbane this weekend. All the best for your little duck, Chrissa!<br><br><br><br><br>

The path today heads through more thick forest running up above Loch Ness. For the first time I meet a lot more walkers, including the very friendly Gary and Amy who are wild camping along the route and who give me some chocolate bars. Gary asks what I've done about blisters as he is clearly struggling and has been swapping shoes to try to minimise the pain. Compeed and tape is all I can recommend! <br><br ...

... this year and next year will be tackling the final section to John O'Groats.  Questions come from all directions about the  route I'm  taking and about the final section.  I wish I could tell them that it's a stunning end to their wonderful journey and that it doesn't involve any road walking but sadly I can't!  I can tell them though that there are some lovely little towns and villages en route .<br><br>On reaching Drumnadrochit I can see why coming the other way ...

... railway stations and, in general, women hate me. So, in this situation, a courteous hello and a few directions from Helga the conductress suited me fine. <br><br>My cabin was cosy, to say the least, but perfectly and adequate. I soon made myself comfortable with a book and a few tins of lager I had traded a kidney for back at Euston (train station prices are trying of compete with those at airports).I was reading Paul Theroux&#8217;s &#8216;Ghost Train to the Eastern Star&#8217 ...

... a mammoth's tooth! Well after this amazing tour of this castle we headed East to quickly stop off at Arberlour Distillery to pick up a special birthday gift for a good friend of ours. At this distillery you can pour, bottle and label your own whiskey straight from the cask, guaranteed to put hairs on ya chest. So after doing this is was back west, through Inverness and down to the side of Loch Ness. On the way to Urquhart Castle we stopped so Dave could dip his ...

... river is the town. Unfortunately my camera batteries died so pictures will be limited for the next couple of entries. The girls were able to ride a train up the local mountain. They said it was a wonderful trip. We arrived at Aviemore and got checked into our rooms. Tami and Rachel had to bunk together for the weekend. There was a banquet on Friday evening and before the banquet I had the pleasure of attending a reception with the Elgin ...

... s*id they liked it. Th*t w*s one memory th*t will *lw*ys be in my mind. After our "shen*****ns" here we were w*lking *g*in *nd M &*mp; G were te*ching us *nd singing Scottish Folk Songs with the m*in one being "LOCH LOMMOND". Then the guys s*id " Let's go to the DISCO" *nd I'm like "Ye*!" thinking disco like Blondie, KC, Bee Gees, etc. This pl*ce h*d *n elev*ted d*nce floor *re* in the middle *nd pl*yed Techno music not the disco I'm used to, but still good ...