Richard suprised me by organising a weekend away for my birthday. Usually I do all the organising so it was such a treat to just be able to pack and go!

We went to Weston-super-Mare on the west coast. Despite the weather, it was great to spend some time together after Richard’s exams.

While there is not a lot to do there, we spent a lot of time walking on the beach and watching the world go by at the tidal pool. It’s always nice to get away from the city for a weekend.

We also found a group of locals acting out some historic event with long poles on the Saturday afternoon. But we preferred the locals that accosted us for the Haagen Daaz ice-cream taste testing.

This is the view from the bench where we watched some other locals dive into the icy waters. Even though it’s July it’s freezing here!

So nice to get away - we should do this more often (with less rain!)

On our final day we woke up to more apropriate weather for the highlands - ie, rain and wind and got ready for the drive back to the borders.

Above is the view from the dining room out over the Loch. Alongside that is Boris with the Chambers encyclopedia that we found in the hotel’s reading room. I’d love to come back to this hotel in the winter - the reading room must get so cozy when the fire is lit! Alongside is the view of the main staircase from reception to the rooms in the older part of the hotel.

We drove through Glencoe which is considered to be the entrace to the highlands. It certainly felt like the grandest part of the drive with the large hills and the vast expanse of bog. The view above was from one of our many stops along to the road to look at the view.

Before heading out of the highlands proper we stopped to see the view at Loch Tulla.

Our final stop on our way home was at Loch Katrine. Another beautiful walking spot and it was just unfortunate that the rain was driving so hard when we arrived. But we did find a sweety shop and take a small walk along the Loch.

It was a great holiday and really nice to spent time as just the two of us girls. Half of me is glad it wasn’t winter time because it sure got plenty cold in the evenings, but it would be nice to see this area covered in snow. Maybe next year!

After the collosal rain the night before, we woke up to a day that looked to actually be quite good weather. So we got straight to it and got on the ferry heading west over Loch Linnhe. This photo is of the hotel in Ballachulish (pronounced ballahoolish) taken from across Loch Leven. Below is the ferry.

We drove west aiming for Loch Sunart. Mom has come up to the highlands quite often and I thought it might be nice to head this way because she hadn’t been there before. I might have been more hesitant had I known how tiny the roads were, but it was so beautiful!

There are stopping places all along there road where you can park and walk off into the woods. At some spots you can walk along the river and at others you can walk on high ground next to the loch. I’m glad the weather was holding so well for us to be able to go walking around.

We drove along the A861 heading for Salen. The photo below on the left is the last photo of Sunart before heading north on the very narrow and windy road to Lochailort.

A narrow and windy road. The roads have only enough space for one car at a time. Every so-often there are passing spaces where you can pull over to let the oncoming traffic pass. There are also poles that line the road, apparently they are there to show where the road is when it’s covered in snow.

Loch Ailort and below, Loch Eilt on the A830 towards Glenfinnan.

Just before Glenfinnan we noticed that a few cars had stopped alongside the road. Between the map and the guide book we were using we figured that this must be a viewing point for the Jacobite Express (aka the Hogwarts Express), and we weren’t dissapointed!

At the top of Loch Shiel is Glenfinnan where we found the Glenfinnan Monument and the Glenfinnan Viaduct. The views from the top of the hill behind the tea-shop were well worth the walk.

At which point we stopped for lunch at the outdoor centre in Fort William. I can see why that’s my dad’s favourite shop! So much camping gear…

After lunch we took advantage of the continuing good weather to walk along Glen Nevis. Below is a picture of Ben Nevis peaking out from the clouds. I still can’t believe the good weather - I’m wearing a jacket here but I could have left it in the car!

This is the Ballachulish Hotel. We stayed in the more modern section of the hotel shown on the right.

We had dinner at the hotel in Glencoe and watched the sun set across the Loch. It’s not quite summer yet, but it’s already staying light until quite late.

These photos above are taken from the Glencoe hotel looking towards Glencoe. Tomorrow we’ll drive that way to head home.

And that was the end of an amazingly long but super day. I think we were both asleep before our heads hit the pillows!

Took the train up to spend some time with the family in Scotland. Mom and I decided to take a trip through the Scottish Highlands to see castles and scenery and drink lots of tea!

This is the english side of the farm at Yetholm once the rain had cleared away.