“The Scottish Highlands are incredible. There seems to be magic and poetry everywhere.” – Caitriona Balfe

Our first full day in Scotland

&

Celebrating My Birthday

Life is Good!

 

 

 

Our first view of Urquhart Castle as we take the boat across Loch Ness.

 

 

Located on the shores of Loch Ness,

Urquhart Castle has views to be admired.

 

A beautiful pheasant on the castle grounds at Loch Ness.

I think this is the first pheasant I have ever seen.

 

 

Scotland’s sweeping glens, open moorlands, and mist-covered mountains

serve as the native habitat for Britain’s largest land mammal, the red deer.

The majestic stag is an important part of Celtic and Scottish Folklore.

In ancient Celtic mythology, the stag represented power, agility, untamed nature,

and a guardian or bridge between the human and spirit worlds.

It was also linked to figures like the Cailleach (the Scottish goddess of winter)

 

 

Fun to support another writer.

This book signing was happening while we were at Loch Ness, Scotland.

Bought a personalized and autographed one for our older grandchildren.

 

The greeter at the visitor’s center at Loch Ness.

 

This picturesque countryside with the hint of a rainbow

Is a view from the window of our Rick Steves tour bus

as we continue on, to the next part of our day.

 

 

 

High tea at the oh so fancy Loch Ness Country House Hotel.

All kinds of pretty pastries and champagne, tea and finger sandwiches…

 

 

…pretty, beautifully displayed and tasty…

 

 

Stunning bay window in this living room.

Too elaborate for my taste to live in but fun to visit.

I took a picture as we passed by on our way to the gardens.

 

 

Scottish Thistle is widely recognized as the traditional

floral emblem of Scotland, known for its spiny leaves

and vibrant purple blooms.

I got a cool shot here with a bee enjoying the flower!

 

 

I had fun taking photographs in the garden.

The center here looks like glass beads to me…

 

These flowers look like flowers I took pictures of when

I was in the San Juan Islands in Washington State…

 

 

My favorite parts inside Cawdor Castle…

…like Downton Abbey – tours to help pay

expenses on such a big place.

 

 

Someone in the castle liked the classic 1950 film Harvey.

Harvey is an invisible 6-foot-3-and-a-half-inch rabbit and the star,

James Stewart’s friend…

 

I can’t find information about this online

and don’t have anything more specific

though I remember hearing about it on the tour…

 

My back was hurting and I sat wherever a chair was available,

so, if information was given out, I could have just missed it.

 

The nursery was sweet…lots of stairs to read this very top floor –

I climbed them all!

 

 

 

 

The ornate ceiling wasn’t a favorite part as much as mind blowing…

 

 

 

The red on the tree, especially against the blue sky, was stunning.

Walking through the beautiful forest from the castle to our bus.

 

Back on the bus, out tour guide, Lorraine, meet us with a pretty bottle

of orange liquid – bourbon. I’ve learned that bourbon is a type of whisky.

I didn’t want any, but the way the sunlight touched the liquid caught my eye.

I asked to take a picture.

 

 

A war museum was next – didn’t take pictures.

I did not like it. I told Bruce I wanted to leave when the tour guide, who was walking us where the actual fighting happened, started describing, in detail, what the weapons did to human flesh.

Everyone thought I was leaving because of the biting wind and how I was dressed. We live at 9,000 ft. in the mountains. I know layers are warmer than a single heavy coat and I was not cold. Kind hearted Gordon found me later and explaining that he had two coats, offered me one. So thoughtful. Thank you. I’m not cold. I didn’t want to hear what was being said.

I am sorry we couldn’t go to the fine arts museum instead of the war museum. I knew what the itinerary was – meat / war/ whiskey – I agreed to go with Bruce. Though he doesn’t like those things either. We have a lot of good memories too…I write about them on this blog…

Did buy postcards that depicted Scotland in a pretty way.

 

 

We went here in search of dinner but didn’t find anything we wanted.

We went inside a restaurant Bruce wanted to but they were filled

and we hadn’t made reservations.

 

 

 

We ate at the hotel This was my tasty dinner.

 

 

As I am finishing up my second Scotland post,

it is 11/6, my birthday. My thoughtful husband

does my birthday really well!

As do our son and daughter.

Many friends celebrate my birthday.

My requested blueberry breakfast pancakes from Bruce.

 

 

Lovely Scotland box and note from my kids…

Both sent cards as well.

They always write sweet, thoughtful notes.

 

And Elizabeth sent another package…

 

 

 

Sunday, Our St. Rose core group

gave me a pretty card and sang Happy Birthday.

Bruce ordered Hello Fresh. Last night we had tasty

seared chicken and apple and spinach salad

with a lemon dressing.

All the flavors blended so well.

This evening is shrimp tacos with guacamole.

And, he ordered the TV show I started on the plane

coming home from Scotland called Julia.

It’s about chef Julia Child.

 

 

Yesterday my friend Erin and I went out for coffee

in celebration of my birthday.

 

 

Erin’s birthday is exactly 6 weeks after mine.

She enjoys saying how much older I am.

 

 

Erin and I have been friends for 20 years.

 

Haven’t received my certificates yet but this is fun –

it’s good to win!

 

 

Our fur babies – Faith and Bliss.

They give us a lot of enjoyment.

 

Our first walk of the day!

It’s my birthday!

 

 

 

Our country is getting back on track.

So Happy and grateful about the election.

Thank you God…

 

 

I just want to celebrate another day of living!

I just want to celebrate another day of life!

 

What are your thoughts?

“Walks in nature are hugs for my soul.” Julie A R Stephens
julie@handsbestrong.com

 

Living in the Mountains

 

FacebookInstagram