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I did get sunshine for my trip to Speyside in Northern Scotland. Thanks for sending that to me. The actual trip to Dufftown was a BIG challenge as the tourist office in Edinburgh sent me to a small train station where there was supposedly a bus to Dufftown. Oops the bus to Dufftown only runs on school days and right now all the kids are on school holidays. I had to then take a bus to Elgin 30 minutes north and then a bus to Dufftown 30 minutes south. Yes it was 10 miles from the station to Dufftown direct line to the west. So two and a half hours later I was in Dufftown. Very nice town with 7 distilleries within walking distance including Glenfiddich. Sorry to disappoint my fellow whiskey drinkers but I didn't sample to any of these. By the time I got to the B&B it was after 6 and I just wanted to get something to eat and have an early night because the next day I was going to Archiestown. After checking out the B&B's price for a two course meal (£23.95 = about $40) I decided that a pub dinner would be just perfect. I had 2 pieces of smoked haddock, peas, chips and bread plus coffee for £8 about $15 and I was filled up for the rest of the night. Aug 3
There is one bus a day to and from Archiestown and I needed to be on the 9AM bus to Aberlour. I made it to the bus and then the connection to Archiestown. I would be in Archiestown for 4 hours before the bus went back to Aberlour. Archiestown is a lovely village with one hotel and one restaurant. I did bring my book but even so I was thinking that I might be finished the book before 1:30 rolled around. The reason for my visit to Archiestown was to visit my Grandmother's grave. I'm sure that Mom has told me more than once that the grave is located in Knockando not Archiestown but I must not have been listening. Knockando is 3 miles from Archiestown. I had flowers with me and with having a few hours to burn I went for a walk to Knockando. It was great to be able to place the flowers on my grandmothers grave. My grandmother died 20 years before I was born.
Very close to the church is a distillery called Cardhu which does not sell their whiskey anywhere except for the distillery store. I got to sample the whiskey and it was very very smooth. Blair you would have really appreciated it. Sorry but I am not able to send any back and if I bought a bottle to bring back I can guarantee that it would not make it back to Canada. Maybe the empty bottle but that would be it. Cardhu supplies one of the whiskey's that is blended to create Johnny Walker.
When I got back to Aberlour I decided to walk back on the trail to Dufftown. Thank goodness I didn't know how big the hill was between Aberlour and Dufftown otherwise I would have caught the bus. Oh well I made it and it was an amazing walk through the highlands of Scotland and Speyside specifically. I only spent one full day in this area as I was going back to Edinburgh to visit with friends of Moms. Aug 4
Because the bus and train connections were so challenging on my arrival into the area I ended up booking a taxi back to the train station. A very early start at 6:30 AM and I was on my way to Edinburgh via Aberdeen. The train ride was beautiful. The train follows the coast from Aberdeen pretty well all the way to Edinburgh. Moms long time friend Chris and Chris's sister in law Moira met me at the train station and they took me out for lunch to a restaurant in Leigh. Real fish and chips. Chris's son Alan and his family came over for a visit in the evening. It was great getting to know Alan's family. Aug 5
Chris and I went to the mall today so I could get some souvenirs. Edinburgh bought The Royal Yacht from the Queen when she sold it and the yacht is now moored at the mall as a tourist attraction. Sorry I didn't spend the £10 to go and see it. Chris and I spent a quiet evening catching up and having a very pleasant visit. I am off to Denmark tomorrow and need to get some sleep before my flight tomorrow. Aug 6
Lots of love to you all. I am missing everyone.
Tove
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