Scottish diaries...wet,wet,wet

hi,
Yesterday, Wednesday 7 sept, we awoke to rain :-) so decided to have a slow morning knitting, spinning, watching TV and eating croissants. Well we are on holiday!

The garden here is full of birds,  many of which come up on the patio area and two so far have tried to get in only to realise how hard glass is. No birds have been injured.

Eventually we realised that it would be an idea to go out for some air so we went down into Fort Augustus, about 2 mile down the road.

Fort Augustus is at the bottom of Loch Ness where it meets the caladonian canal and is quite a tourist attraction with a flight of locks with a swing bridge at the bottom.

After wandering round the few shops (and picking up a darning needle to deal with the loose ends in my knitting) we walked up by the locks rathe intrigued  by the large boat moored at the top.

Getting closer we could see smoke coming from the chimney and smell the familiar smell of steam.
It was ....... A Clyde puffer boat built in 1943 now being used as a holiday boat carrying 12 passengers.

She caused a great stir as she descended the locks and got a round of applause and cheers when she reached the bottom.

Then back to the cottage and great British bake off on the telly.

Knitting update..

The Scottish diaries, day 1

Hi

You will be reading this once we are back home but I really didn't want to advertise that we have been away for a couple of weeks.

Anyway, here we go.......day one

Set off about 6.30on the long drive north , this time around 430miles up to Fort Augustus at the bottom of Loch Ness.

A good drive up, a little rain, some traffic but all in all a good journey. We stopped off at Fort William for diesel and to pick up some food and then headed up to our home for the next two weeks.

 As Fort Augustus is at the bottom of Loch Ness and the start of the canal, there was one final holdup as the bridge was opened to let a boat through.

We stayed in a log cabin about 14 years ago on the same road so as soon as we reached this wonderful procession of trees we knew we were nearly there...just had to count the small bridges before turning off.

We have a few plans for the new few days including a biker convention tomorrow but it looks like a our plans might have been scuppered.

They are building a new power station near the cottage and a new turbine is being brought in tomorrow morning. This means that if we are not on the main road by 7.30 tomorrow morning, we will not be able to get out until after 10 as this thing is on a loader doing about 2 mph !

I think it's time to cook have a drink and grab some sleep,more tomorrow xx