Three days of driving

 As the title of this post indicates, there is not much to report, nor many photos, but to continue the diary aspect of this blog....

The first days drive was still going through some lovely Scottish scenery

Don and I shared the driving through showery weather to a nondescript Holiday Inn Express, just south of Glasgow.

We stretched our legs with a walk around a man made lake used for competitive rowing

before we got back on the road, motorways all the way,

South to Manchester.

Here we stayed in a great pub hotel

situated in an area

that felt like it had been a village

before it got gobbled up by Manchester.

 

Dinner at the pub and then an extensive, help yourself breakfast area in the morning. Heather and Don helped me get my things downstairs and waited with me, for the cab, that took me to pick up my rental car. They were going to spend the day in Manchester, before leaving for home, the following day.

I allowed the Sat Nav to guide me out of Manchester and in to Northern Wales and then ignored it as I wanted to get down to the sea.

At first the area was very industrial

Then the coast became beaches backed by dunes with lots of holiday camps and caravan parks.

It is school break and although the weather isn't great there were lots of families out and about.

I had a short conversation with the owner of this dog as I had not seen a black and white Newfoundland before

The Landseer is a dog that originated in Canada. It is a black and white variety of the Newfoundland that is recognised as an independent breed in continental Europe. from Wikipedia

I let the Sat Nav take over again and was guided on twisty, turny, narrow roads through Snowdonia National Park. I realized how nice it had been to share the driving with Don as there was little opportunity to enjoy the landscape while focusing on missing sheep (and on coming cars).

.

Skye - Portree.

 On our last day on Skye we drove into Portree, the town we could see from our house.

Thus far we had only driven in to pick up groceries at the CoOp.

Seaside towns have the same troubles as lake side towns.

The harbour is, of course, the big draw with its old wharf-side buildings

a couple of fishing boats

and more out on the buoys.

Thrift stores, gift shops, ice cream and boat trips.

Don noticed that even though we were no longer in the Lake District we still could not get away from Beatrix Potter (on a 50 pence piece)

Heather loves Monkey Puzzle Trees and we found a couple this day. This monster

had what looked liked flowers, that we learned (thanks google) would become pine cones.

A gentleman directed us to the entrance of the path that went around, what he called, "The Lump",

the hill between the harbour and the next bay.

A good view of the Lifesaving boat and the catamaran that goes whale and seal watching.

The tower/folly on the top

gave us fabulous views of how protected the harbour was.

Along the way there was some bird watching.... a Grey Heron,

Oyster Catcher and

a Hooded Crow (I had mistakenly identified these as Jackdaws, in a previous post)

Gate to the area where the Clans gather for Highland Games.

We spent some time wandering the downtown, souvenir shopping and had an excellent pizza for lunch but then the weather was beginning to close in so we headed home

stopping to snap photos of a brilliant double rainbow.

Home to an evening of eating up leftovers and packing.

Skye - The Quiraing

 We drove back down the coast from the castle and turned left to make our way across the peninsular on the one track road.

There were quite a few cars in the parking lot and some small buses and we paid at the "Pay and Display".

Striking place for a wedding photo shoot. Heather offered congratulations as they passed.

Some people were exploring the south side of the road but we stuck to the north side,

The Quiraing, with its height and views, dotted with sheep, over the lowlands to the Island of Raasay.

Looking down at the switch back, one track road, we will take down to get home.

We walked past the clusters of people standing near the edge, taking selfies and the guy flying the really annoying drone,

continuing on as the path turned from gravel to mud and heather grew

as did mushrooms and

sheep grazed, unconcerned by the passing tourists.

It was nice to stretch our legs

and although we hadn't followed the path as far as it went, we felt we understood why the area was held in such esteem.

The drive home resulted in pictures of

Highland Cattle. Taken by Don, I was driving.

Also sheep,

some with weird headgear on. We are wondering if it is to control the growth of the horns, away from their eyes. I can't find anything on the internet to help my curiosity.

Home to a local cider and

a supper of nearly local salmon with soft cheese on crackers and a salad.