Tuesday, March 28, 2017

The road to the Highlands



They say time passes more and more quickly the older we become, but I still can’t believe it’s two whole years since we were able to make more than a fleeting visit to our beloved north coast of Scotland. But the calendar doesn’t lie and two years it is. Thankfully the drought is about to break and on Thursday we shall finally be heading north again. So while the washing machine is churning with a final load, I’m taking a break from making lists and packing to bring you up-to-date.

Looking back to our brief trip early last year it’s hard to believe how much has happened since. Back then the referendum on EU membership was still in the future and the US presidential election was just moving into the primary contest season. I could never have imagined how strongly my attention would become monopolised by the unfolding drama that is politics on the other side of the Atlantic and here at home the unfolding disaster that is Brexit. Add to all this the huge amount of work involved in the clearing and sale of the old house and it's no wonder my poor blogging muse went AWOL.

But now spring is here, summer time has begun and it’s time to hit the road to the Highlands once again. The very small campervan is now distinctly ageing and has been retired from such long journeys, so it will be the very small car which will somehow absorb all the things we need for a month’s stay in one of the most beautiful places on earth. So it’s hey ho for the open road and I’ll see you in bonnie Scotland.


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32 comments:

  1. Ricky28 March 2017 at 13:45

    I hope the blog recovers quickly from the shock of a new post ;-)

    More seriously, with Theresa Mayhem promising to sign the UK's suicide note tomorrow, I've just seen an online suggestion that we should all wear black for Brexit as a sign of mourning. As with Trump, I'm left to wonder how much damage will be done before reality & common sense reassert themselves.

    Sorry to hear that the very small campervan has had to be retired. I wish you & DH a safe trip, and look forward to more blog posts from Scotland in the coming weeks.

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    1. Kathy28 March 2017 at 15:23

      Thanks for this, Ricky. The blog is resilient, if rather neglected and I'm sure it will cope. ;)

      The Brexit note is being hand-delivered, no less, and mourning black would seem utterly appropriate. I still have to pinch myself to accept that we've come to this and I have very grave doubts about the forthcoming negotiations. I think our team members are gravely underestimating the EU team's unity and determination.

      The very small campervan hasn't been completely retired and will be taking us to France. It's just that nowadays we prefer the speed, comfort and reliability of the car for the very long haul north.

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  2. The Broad28 March 2017 at 15:24

    I am so glad to see you posting again. Must admit to being similarly AWOL. Indeed a year ago, the future appeared to be far brighter than it has so far turned out to be... Bless you both on your travels!

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    1. Kathy28 March 2017 at 19:36

      Thanks, Broad. I'm equally glad to see you back commenting and to know I'm not the only one who has neglected her blog in recent months. ;) Yes, the past year really has been overshadowed by political upheaval. We can only hope and pray it all turns out much better than we fear at the moment.

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  3. Yamini MacLean28 March 2017 at 20:49

    Hari OM
    Ohhh hello and FAILTE!!! It won't be the best of weather, but somehow that never really matters in this Bonny Land &*> I too cannot believe it has been two years. Blink and the moments are missed, eh? You've certainly had a bit to wade through in that time, but very glad to see you, perhaps, emerging from that now. Safe travels! YAM xx

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    1. Kathy29 March 2017 at 18:13

      Thanks, Yam. We managed a flying visit in January last year, just to check everything as OK, but this is indeed our first proper visit for 2 years. We've had everything from snowstorms to glorious sunshine on our April visits, so are prepared for all eventualities. :) It will be fun.

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  4. Ray Barnes28 March 2017 at 22:31

    Wishing you a good journey and a really happy Highland 'Idyll' this year.
    It's good to 'see' you in print again.
    More please, when you have time.

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    1. Kathy29 March 2017 at 18:14

      Thanks, Ray. We're really looking forward to getting back and seeing our friends again, as well as the glorious scenery. There will be more posts to come, I promise.

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  5. Shirlwin29 March 2017 at 00:20

    Welcome back to Blogland [I have neglected mine for longer!].
    The world is indeed crazy Perpetua and here in Australia we wonder daily or even hourly at the circus clowns that 'run' the country.
    The year has been busy for me with my partner's Alzheimers making life difficult in so many ways; he is now in care which in itself makes life busy with visiting 350 kms travel.
    Enjoy Bonnie Scotland ... I will travel with you in my mind.

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    1. Kathy29 March 2017 at 18:18

      You have more excuse than me for neglecting your blog, Shirley. I'm so sorry to hear your news. That must be such a hard situation to be in, especially given the distance you have to travel to visit. A reminder to us in tiny Britain of the immense size of Australia. Sadly however big or small our country, the craziness continues.

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  6. krishna29 March 2017 at 03:34

    Got your post after a long time.. hope now onwards we will get more regular update from you.. please give a detailed account of your visit to the North.. I would love to read...XO

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    1. Kathy29 March 2017 at 18:21

      Welcome to my blog, Krishna. I will try to do better about posting in future. :) If you want to read more about Scotland, just go to the top of my sidebar and click on the word Scotland in the list of subjects I write about.

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  7. Penny O'Neill29 March 2017 at 04:12

    Safe travels, Perpetua, and here's to a wonderful time in Scotland.
    The news exhausts me these days. :(

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    1. Kathy29 March 2017 at 18:22

      Thanks, Penny. We can't wait to get back their and see both friends and the area again. As for the news, I've stopped watching it. I prefer to read it online, when I feel strong enough!

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  8. Patricia29 March 2017 at 10:52

    Oh my, is it really so long since your last lovely trip to Scotland, and your blogging of those heavenly photos? So pleased to see your post, and to wish you a safe and enjoyable trip and suitable weather too. Looking forward to a wee post or two from Bonnie Scotland.

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    1. Kathy29 March 2017 at 18:25

      It is indeed 2 years since our last long visit, Patricia. A combination of illness at the wrong time and unbreakable commitments here at home just got in the way. But we will definitely be heading north in a couple of days and I promise to post while we're there. :)

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  9. BacktoBodrum29 March 2017 at 11:37

    I haven't ventured North for 18 months - enjoy your trip and send some photos to remind me of what I am missing

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    1. Kathy29 March 2017 at 18:26

      You too? I thought I hadn't seen any posts from the Highlands recently. We certainly intend to enjoy the trip and my camera is at the ready.

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  10. Unknown29 March 2017 at 11:55

    Have a safe journey, a wonderful month in your Northern fastness and a very happy Eastertide (and birthday on 21 April).

    If there is any suggestion of drought down here - I seem to recall on your last month-long visit we had a fortnight with no rain in mid-Wales - I will pop over with some water and quench the thirst of any new plantings if there are any.

    I shall try very hard not to miss you both

    Baby Sis

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    1. Kathy29 March 2017 at 18:30

      Thanks, Baby Sis, though the 21st was Annie's birthday, not mine, ;) My use of the word drought was entirely metaphorical. Given the weather outlook for the next month I doubt there's much chance of an actual drought, though I appreciate your kind offer. No new plantings to worry about just now. We've been too busy recycling to do any gardening. xx

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  11. kristieinbc29 March 2017 at 14:08

    It's so nice to see you post again! The past year has, indeed, been a difficult journey for much of the world. It will be such a treat for you to spend some proper time up in Scotland, and I look forward to seeing some pictures. Safe travels!

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    1. Kathy29 March 2017 at 18:33

      Thanks, Kristie. I'm sorry to have been absent from blogdom for so long. I really will try to do better now life is settling down a bit. We are both looking forward so much to our return to the north coast and my camera will go everywhere with me. :)

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  12. Rosemary29 March 2017 at 19:41

    It will be lovely for you to be back in Scotland again Perpetua - safe travels and hope everything is looking good when you arrive.
    We have both been greatly saddened by brexit but now it is a 'fait accompli' - the news for the next 2 or 3 years will be one one long tedious discussion on how the transition is progressing.

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    1. Kathy30 March 2017 at 10:58

      Thanks, Rosemary. We're looking forward very much to the wonderful journey up through the Highlands to the north coast and have our fingers crossed for what we'll find when we get there.

      Not only the news but political and administrative life in the UK will be dominated by Brexit for the foreseeable future. From what I've been reading it will be an almost unimaginably complex procedure.

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  13. Debra Fetterly3 April 2017 at 05:51

    I'm very happy for you! So glad to know you'll be reunited with your lovely Scotland. We have so much going on in our political sphere that my head hurts, Perpetua! I won't use your blog space to spout off, but every day it feels like we all sink just a little bit lower...so I can understand your desire to head for the highlands! Blessings!

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    1. Kathy7 April 2017 at 21:51

      Apologies for the delay in replying, Debra. We had no broadband from when we arrived until yesterday! It's really lovely to be back here after such a long gap and we're settling in well. Feel free to spout off here on my blog whenever you need to. Political life over with you is very fraught. :(

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  14. Sally Wessely4 April 2017 at 01:43

    Have a wonderful journey and time in Scotland. Someday, I do hope to make it there.

    The political scene is just a mess everywhere right now. How did we get here????

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    1. Kathy7 April 2017 at 21:55

      The journey was fine, thanks, Sally, but we arrived to find we had no broadband and have only just been reconnected, hence the delay in replying to your comment. I do hope you manage to make it across to Scotland one day, especially with your family history. You would really love it here. As for politics, we couldn't have imagined this chaos 20 years ago. :(

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  15. Go Access7 April 2017 at 16:47

    I've not been to Scotland for around 20 years. My clearest memory of Scotland was being made to climb Ben Nevis as a small child. I was about 6 I think!

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    1. Kathy7 April 2017 at 21:57

      Wow, you must have been a very fit small child with a lot of stamina! Our grandsons are only climbing Ben Nevis now in their teens. They tend to visit in spring when the weather is still very harsh up in the mountains. :) Hope you make it back here some day.

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  16. Bonnie8 April 2017 at 00:48

    How wonderful. Have a great stay.

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    1. Kathy8 April 2017 at 17:02

      Thanks, Bonnie. We're so glad to be back and are having a lovely time. :)

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