Applecross

Still no flights from Scotland to Shannon , so for the 2nd time this year we had to fly Edin Dublin and hire a car. The arrival of the flight back to Edinburgh coincided almost precisely with Jane's arrival back from Asheville, so we were able to drive her home to Inverness , stopping to see Ronnie and Margaret Hobson in Pitlochry on the way.  The following day the 4 of us set off on our planned cycling expedition to Applecross. A weekend of almost unbelievably fine weather to cap almost 6 weeks ( for me ) of dry, and mostly sunny days.

Fully laden leaving 20 Croft road , Inverness

Setting the tone having just left the car in Lochcarron

Scary , eh?

Looking south over Loch Carron towards Plockton

The climb begins - bring it on !

Why doesn't he push us too ?

Into the granny gear

A lot easier though than the rollers in Eastern Kentucky

Top of the pass. All downhill from here to the village of Applecross....

.... and in to the setting sun

Doesn't get much better and a gourmet dinner ahead .....

.... right here .  Applecross Inn

Couldn't take our eyes of it even for a much anticipated pint of beer

The following morning - same spot. Is it always like this ????

Looking across the bay to Applecross House

The walled garden at Applecross House

Looking south over Applecross bay to the Cuillins on Skye

Ditto

Now on the road heading north round the peninsular and across to Raasay

Looking down to a MoD station - testing ground for the Polaris submarine fleet

Looking across to the northern tip of Rona

Nothing was going to bother this guy. Jane pleased though to have squeezed past

Lunch picnic site - looking NE to the Torridon hills

What a gem

End of day 2 in sight - the village of Shieldaig across the bay. Wanted it to go on for ever.

Shieldaig and another good dinner and night .....

........ here in this superb hotel. Could get used to this !

Looking north over Loch Torridon to Beinn Alligan

Nearing the end of trip. Jane and Johannes savouring a final piece of homemade chocolate cake at cafe close to village of Kishorn

Guildford, Beaconsfield, Oxford, Yorkshire and Newcastle

With sadness I left the party ( viz annual LSGS v WSGC match ) and headed for  Bromley , Surrey outside Guildford with a welcome from Greg and Di which more than compensated. A lovely walk in the Downs followed by a wonderful dinner and comfortable night. Next day to Beaconsfield and golf there with David and dinner at nice local restauraunt ( joined by Norman ) and another comfortable night chez David and Desiree. On then to Yorkshire via Towersey (outside Oxford) and my old pal Duncan Robertson's widow Jill whom I had not seen since Duncan died a few months ago.  Traffic delays on M1 meant arriving at Park House Farm , Spotforth ( outside Leeds ) in the dark, but Andrew kindly there in village to guide me to their remote and beautiful home deep in the Yorkshire Dales.  Dinner with Andrew and Clarissa, their son Max and daughter Chloe who with huge generosity and tolerance accompanied me in the Besozzi  oboe and piano sonata . Then, after golf at Alwoodley and lunch back at the Farmhouse,  to Newcastle chez Sayers. Two nights there catching up with sister Jean, and family , golf on the Mon morning and to Edin via Kelso and the Balfours at Balgonie.  Phew !!! What a trip . Many thanks to all the above who might chance to read this blog for entertaining me so royally - especially as I had invited myself in every case. Apologies too to those who don't feature in the pics.

I always did want that e-type

Chip and chase

Greg and Di and ? ( dreadful that I can't remember  - help !)

The Latchmore farmhouse ....

and Clarissa and the menagerie

Andrew, Max, Clarissa and Chloe

Looking back to Park House Farm from their access track

zoom in from same spot - idyllic

My niece Nicola, Hannah, Natalie, Paul and Jean

The Sage Centre in Newcastle - venue for a v good dinner with Jean ,  Chris , Nicola and Paul

The river Tyne and pedestrian bridge linking downtown with the Sage Centre

Ireland

Met up with Mary in Edinburgh on evening after returning from Newcastle. Delicious reunion dinner in an Indian restaraunt on the Bridges. Night in Budget Ibis and off on our separate ways again. Golf at Muirfield for me and Crieff and ex Dunfermline HS friends for Mary. First night at Muirfield, second at the Old Manse , Whittingehame with cousin Christian and Johnny. Again a self invitation ( and a last minute one). Particularly appreciated since they had just returned from a foreign holiday that day. Called in to Clint next morning and coffee with ex partner of 30 years at S&B/AS  Johnnie Blair. Off then to Crieff to collect Mary and back to Ibis via the Kelpies. A good catch up with Keith & Fiona in evening before heading off to Dublin and Ennis next day.

The Kelpies , Stirling,  Scotland

Controversial , but we approved

Cormac and Angus

Story time with Grandad - Cormac and Iona

Action in the surf - Spanish Point , Co Clare

Keeping warm

No chance here of blowing out my own candles. A Meghan special.

Angus' christening in Ennis cathedral

The kids had had enough of this photo business by this time

All just too much for the little fellow - I had some some sympathy