North Sea

Rocky cliffs coming out of a misty ocean...the scene for most of the day from my balcony on the ship. We spent the day at sea, going around the top of Scotland in the North Sea. Beautiful! So serene, looked like a movie from some exotic place, although the weather went from being sunny this morning to cool and cloudy this afternoon. A perfect day for catching up. A perfect day for sitting on the balcony reading and thinking. It is almost 10:30 PM and the moon is now almost full and sitting in the blue sky over the island we are passing, with the only other sight, the light from the lighthouse on top of the cliffs. Other worldly feeling. Dusk but far from dark. The mist is barely visible at the foot of the cliffs now and tomorrow will probably dawn a beautiful day. We have had wonderful weather and I am sure it will continue, regardless of the fact that we are so far north.

Yesterday was an interesting day in Scotland. The ship docked in Greenock and it was a beautiful day, so unlike the torrential rains that met me on my last trip there. That time I had a trip to Loch Lomond in the afternoon and the rains dampened, pun intended, the journey, but not my spirits! I remember going to the bus in the downpour and César told me I didn't have to go in that weather, I could cancel and get a refund and I asked him if he was crazy, a little rain was not keeping me from the Scottish countryside! I can still see his smile with the rain pouring down around him, saying he didn't think so but wanted to be sure. And the day was wonderful. This time I decided to take a tour that drove along the coast of Scotland to the castle of Culzean. Such a scenic drive, the ocean and the hillsides covered with sheep! The castle was wonderful, still furnished and there were various things to see on the grounds. I ate lunch in the visitor center, the only place, and passed up the Scottish staple, haggis, and opted for a mushroom strogonoff that was quite good. After the castle, I purchased 2 tartan scarfs, which are marked with the clan's name. Our driver was from the Campbell clan and he was actually able to tell me by the pattern of the scarfs which clan it was from! I was impressed! It is a big deal over here! After the lunch and shopping I was in for another real treat. I took the walk to the walled garden. My first experience in one and I felt like I had walked into the 'Secret Garden'. The view was spectacular and the roses growing up the wall were so beautiful! I talked to one of the gardeners and it was a pleasure to stroll through the gardens. After the garden experience, there was one more thrill for the day. The herd of red deer that live on the castle grounds were near the fence and I was able to pet 2 of them and I have pictures of their beautiful faces so close! What a thrill! A highlight for sure for me!

We went by Robert Burn's cottage and I learned more about him. He is the author of Auld Lang Syne, that I didn't know. As always, I was filled with interesting information that will motivate me to learn more when I get home. It was a beautiful day in the Scottish hills and I look forward to tomorrow, a day in the highlands and at Loch Ness.