10.16.13

Six days in, and I had to take the morning off. I read, I thought. Enjoyed some quiet me time whilst poor DH dealt with getting the  new lights on the car. Sadly, it needs a brake job, so we will be spending the last few days of the trip in a new car. The i800 has done right by us for the most part; I'm slightly sorry to see him go. 

Loch Ness today. It was blustery and cloudy, perfect for a mysterious sail. We broke out the new camera, took some lovely shots (Guess what?  The new DSLR cameras are rather easy to manage. I didn't need any lessons!) bought tons of goodies at the gift shop, then took the family to the ancestral home, Tulloch Castle. The McBeans married it out to the Davidsons after the second Jacobite uprising, so it's more Davidson oriented, of course, but we were able to see much more than last time. Namely because I was prepared. Because Tulloch, you see, is very haunted.

Last time, we saw ghosts in the windows and heard the walls screaming. Today there was only a strange sense of things, and one minor sighting--we were walking through the lobby, and I saw a man sitting by the fire. When I glanced back at him, there was no one there. Soooooooooo....... But we ate a yummy bangers and mash and steak and ale pie dinner in the Green Lady bar, and on our way home, I had one of those awesome blinding light epiphanies about the new book. So I'm off to write. Cheers!

10.15.13

I can only tell you part of what I did today, to preserve the sanctity of my next book plot. But the morning, glories, was rather spectacular. There were falcons, you see, and owls, and eagles, and hawks. And a massive castle by the sea, a vertable princedom by the sea. 

I'm speaking of course of Dunrobin Castle. The land of Memphis and falcons and manicured gardens. I will post some pictures when we return (photo uploads being a small issue with the wireless speeds) but I'll shoot some onto Facebook.

i will tell you the afternoon's adventure involved 90 miles on single lane road. DH is a champion driver and deserves medals and whatnot for his heroics today especially driving us home with literally one headlight, that being the high beam, which was scary but doable. We'll be getting a new car tomorrow. 

So a brief wardrobe update. Thank all that's holy for Barbour and their waxed jacket. And the last-minute never-been-worn Merrells? All I can say is BUY THEM NOW! 

Cheers, chickens!  

10.14.13

Today was a day of happenstance and serendipity in the form of a visit to Roslyn Chapel. Roslyn's been on my bucket list for years, ever since THE DAVINCI CODE. In three previous trips to Edinburgh, I haveb't made it to the Chapel, so I was beside myself with excitment. We arrived in time for noon prayers, Roslyn being an active Episcopal Church. So there I was, saying the Lord's Prayers in Roslyn Chapel, feeling more than a little verklempt. I was able to light a candle as well, which made me very happy, and we also timed it perfectly to hear a twenty minute lecture on some of the fascination of the chapel. It. Was. Awesome. 

Then the long, beautiful haul up to the Highlands. We had all sorts of weather, stopped at Blair Castle (many of you remember I based Memphis Highsmythe's ancestral home, which features prominently in WHERE ALL THE DEAD LIE, on an amalgamation of Blair Castle, and Dunrobin, which I've never actually seen, but I'm visiting tomorrow!) and instead of the massive chickens -- I'm talking come up to your knee chickens -- there was a mated pair of peacocks stalking the car park. Just wandering along, doing their peacocky thing.   

Now we're at our very favorite Highlands hotel, Lochardil House, managed by our very fine friend (also distantly related) Robert McBean, where we've been warmly greeted, fed and watered, and are now going down for the night. I'm developing a taste for a finger of Laphroaig just before bed. This is one habit I can definitely get behind.

Slàinte, and sweet dreams!

10.13.13

Y'all know I am not a fan of being scared. I am also not a fan of being in dark tunnels beneath cities, three floors of thick stone away from fresh air. But because my SIL is braver than I, off on a ghost tour we went tonight. It was fitting weather, rainy and cold (the new coat worked wonderfully, thanks) and after a few good above ground stories of death and dismemberment -- exploding tongues, anyone? -- into the vaults we went. Dark. Damp. Stinking of mold and rot and God knows what else. And there, we saw a ghost. At least, my iPhone saw a ghost. It's a creepy as hell shot, like a face in the dark. I was very happy to get out of there.

Holyroodhouse Palace today, plus a march up the Royal Mile. My calves are screaming, and according to my Fitbit, I've done 13,513 steps, which is almost 6 1/2 miles. Not bad, considering most of it was uphill.

No great food to report today, but I plan to remedy that tomorrow. We're off to Inverness, to the Highlands, and I plan to wallow in cod and cottage pie.

Slàinte! 

10.12.13

Ah, Edinburgh. It never fails to show off - from the rainy mist to the cobblestone streets to the store after store full of gorgeous cashmere. And coats. Thank all that's holy, they sell coats. Someone - we aren't naming names here - decided a fleece was more than sufficient for a mild Scottish October. And it would have been, if Scotland had decided to stay mild. Instead, the winter winds roared in like a lion today, and someone was forced to go coat shopping. But don't feel too bad, someone found a lovely jacket she's in love with.

There's been fish and chips consumed, and cottage pie, and scones. And wine. And Scotch. Castles stormed, and streets walked; churches reverently visited, and pubs frequented. 

And that's just in the first day! 

We're safe and sound and happy, and I sent in the AAs for WHEN SHADOWS FALL, so that's novel the 13th gone to production. All in all, a good start to the week. 

And regarding the romance that seems to follow us about? We were at Edinburgh Castle, and up rolls a Rolls, and out pops a lovely bride, followed by a piper. It's strange, no matter where Randy and I go, we stumble upon a wedding. 

Slàinte!