Scotland, October 6: Accio Dinner

Today we took the Jacobite steam train (Harry Potter train) from Fort William to Mallaig, and then the ferry to the Isle of Skye. Even though we aren’t big Harry Potter fans, it was fun to see the sites such as the island where Dumbledore was buried. (We were more excited about sites from Highlander on the previous day’s tour.) My favorite part was waving to the HP fans, on the hill to catch an image of the train going over the Glenfinnan Viaduct.

Here is a pic from Wikipedia of this:

Pic credit Wikipedia

Our coach manager was a hoot, and pointed out the sites along the way. He was pleased the “Autumn tints” were coming out. The landscape was beautiful.

We arrived at Armadale, a rather remote part of Skye, by ferry. The sea was rough, and I was a little sea sick.

We were picked up by the BnB owner and brought to a wonderful and cozy place with gardens and chickens. I was ready to move in. I took a nap as soon as I got my boots off.

We had dinner reservations at a nearby inn, where I was ready to try cranachan. Unfortunately, the storm knocked out power and the inn was closed. No car and no other nearby options, we were resigned to peanuts, popcorn, and apples, which Bob had in his bag. The BnB owners took pity on us and shared their dinner, a wonderful sweet potato and coconut soup with homemade gluten-free bread.

That’s something I have to say about Scotland: so far, everyone we have met has been cheerful, attentive, and generous. Scottish hospitality is all it is cracked up to be.

Today’s original pics brought to you by Bob.

Scotland, October 5: Oban to Fort William

Our last day in Oban. A wonderful breakfast of gluten-free French toast and bacon at the BnB. Our tour guide, Gus, from Tartan Tours, picked us up at 10am.

Luckily, we were able to go to the Kilmartin standing stones! I have always wanted to see standing stones in person. Kilmartin is an area with several different monuments, including a cairn and cist. While I wasn’t sure how I would feel, to me the sites felt very human, if that makes sense. I was in awe.

The Kilmartin museum included a burial with Bronze Age skeletal remains. I felt like I was in church.

And of course I took a photo of the spindle whorl finds! They had a video and practical display of hand spinning, which visitors could try.

We drove north, seeing castles — including one from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

We stopped at Glen Coe. I wish we had time to do a bit of walking there. The landscape was stunning.

We finished up the day in Fort William, seeing Neptune’s Staircase before being dropped at our hotel. We wandered the high street after dinner.

Scotland, October 4: It’s Blowing a Hoolie!

Woke up early to see if our tour to Isle of Mull and Duart Castle was still on. Sadly, all travel was canceled due to Storm Amy.

We puttered around Oban. We walked up to McCaig’s Tower and enjoyed a lovely view. We meandered around town and shopped. I ate an apple toffee ghost chocolate from Oban Chocolate Company.

We met a cat, Misha.

We went to the Wool and Needle Craft Centre. Basic wool yarns, and bolts of Harris Tweed fabric. I was interested in getting a couple of yards — I’ve noticed a trend of long skirts here — but I needed to think and eat some lunch before buying anything. When we returned, the shopkeeper was out, but should return shortly.

As we waited, we saw the Grocery Girls come by with a group, many in hand knits. (You know I was paying attention!) 15 minutes later, no shopkeep in sight, I decided I could live without a Harris Tweed skirt.

After a quick stop back at the BnB, we walked up the path to Dunollie Castle and the Dog Stone. We took the Dunollie Wood path back.

Trees were down, and we found out there was no power on Mull and parts of the mainland. We were lucky to be unscathed by the storm. I have to say though, I loved walking in the weather. The cold wind off the bay was heavenly, and we had fun impersonating Buster Keaton.

Breakfast at the BnB was impressive! The chef was on site making us delicious gluten-free versions of whatever we wanted off the menu.

Scotland, October 3: Next Stop, Oban

We were notified to try to take the earlier train to Glasgow today (connecting to Oban) due to Storm Amy heading our way. Later trains to Oban were canceled. We were already at the station when notified, so we made our way to the platform, with a little help from a gracious attendant.

Platform 11 4/5 this way!

We were so pleased how our travel agents (Jac and Archie from Uniquely Scotland) took care of us and kept us informed.

There was a lot of confusion about the trains. Due to the storm, disruptions were starting to happen. At one point we all got off the train, expecting to connect to a train to Oban. The conductor told us to get back on. Everyone was doing their best with a messy situation. We made it, so we were happy and grateful.

We had the most amazing dinner at The Waterfront Fishhouse. I had mussels, sea bass, and my first sticky toffee pudding. It was a common gluten-free dessert at restaurants in Scotland we found, so I think I will try to make it myself.

We could have walked, but took a cab to and from dinner, as Amy was now bearing down. Once back at the BnB, our room with a view had sprung a leak! We were quickly moved to another room.

Scotland, October 2: Edinblur

We arrived in Edinburgh around 7:30 AM, jet-lagged, and nothing to declare. The plan was to call a cab, but we found there was a train (tram) to the City Centre! With a little assistance from a pleasant attendant, we caught the next tram.

No hope to check into the hotel until 2:30 PM. Nothing for it but to hit the pavement.

After a coffee and treat, we visited Calton Hill. Then we headed down to the Royal Mile for lunch and tourist treasure hunting. Gluten-free haggis and Scotch Egg at the Scottish Storytelling Centre Cafe was delightful.

We held off on tartan purchases until we found the real deal at the Celtic Craft Centre. Don’t be afraid to explore the closes. There’s lots of good stuff down there. We toured the Museum of Magic, Fortune Telling, and Witchcraft, and Bob picked up a Lucky 13th wedding anniversary gift for me from Two Skies jewelers.

Finally! Time to check into the hotel, take a shower, and pizza in bed for dinner. Nighty nights.

TravelBlogue, October 1, Day 1: Layover in Philly — the Irony!

On the way to Scotland, we had a long layover in Philadelphia. I have always wanted to see the Revolutionary War period sites, so I ordered tickets in advance for Independence Hall.

I had a plan to order a Lyft, but found there was a train to the City Center. Two tickets from a kiosk and a little help from a kindly attendant, and we were on board the train! I love public transit.

I get a text on the way. I am informed Independence Hall is closed today, and all tours are canceled, due to a lapse in funding. ‘Murica, am I right?

We made our way to Independence Park anyway. I did see the Liberty Bell, and news reporters trying to capture tourists’ disappointment.

By this point, my temper was bellowed. (I am told when it happens you can hear a rumble of thunder in the distance.) We grabbed an attitude adjustment for me, and a delicious frittata at Talula’s Philadelphia.

Fortified, we hit old Ben’s grave and searched for evidence of rolling over. Finding none (encased in marble), and after a quick sashay through the gift shop at Betsy Ross’s house, we caught the train back to the airport. Grateful to hit no snags with TSA, we found our gate and settled in for the joys of the international red eye.

Upcoming Travel Blogue

Bob and I returned yesterday from a two week holiday to Scotland! This was a bucket list trip. We had a wonderful time, of course.

Every day, I wrote a draft post about what happened that day. Over the next two weeks, I will be publishing one post per day, with a few photos. I hope you enjoy!

“Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.” — Mary Oliver

Friday Finished Objects

First, I finished knitting my Cleveland Browns hat last Sunday — just in time for their first win of the season! It was a thrilling game.

Second, I finished knitting the Shark Bite socks. I wouldn’t win any awards for my colorwork, but I learned a lot, including the correct way to duplicate stitch. (Apparently I’ve been doing it wrong, and it shows.)

So, don’t look too closely. They were fun to knit, at any rate.

Wednesday WIP Round Up

I have been getting a fair bit of knitting done this week.

I am on the foot of the second Shark Bite sock.

I am on the first sleeve of the She Makes Waves pullover.

And I have made it to the ghosts on my Halloween sweater!

I am learning ladderback jacquard on this sweater. I thought it would be easier to learn with this, as the contrasting color is one skein of variegated instead of multiple colors. It is much simpler than I thought, but honestly I’m not sure it’s worth the fuss.

I do love this yarn. The navy is hand spun merino I purchased at Wool Gathering 2018. The variegated is non-superwash merino in the colorway “Hot Boozy Wassail”. I don’t remember the dyer’s name, but it will come to me. Together they make a very soft, squishy, cozy garment. I’m looking forward to wearing it!

ScrapHappy YOP

Yesterday, I dyed some scraps of natural muslin fabric with black walnuts. I read that cellulose fibers are much harder to dye, so I mordanted with alum and soda ash. The result is something about the color of kraft paper.

This is fine, since the project I am planning is a naturally dyed quilt. I have not quilted much, nor have I wanted to, but when I saw the book Quilt Alchemy, I was hooked. I am saving up my muslin scraps, as well as onion skins and avocado peels. I also have plans to grow more dye plants next year.

I ordered some gallo tannin extract (from oak galls.) I’m hoping adding this to the fabric will make the colors more vibrant and colorfast. Next fall, I will shoot for black by adding iron to the black walnut. Maybe by then I will have enough scraps and colors to begin a quilt!

I missed ScrapHappy this month, so I thought I’d double up my content.

ScrapHappy is a great group of bloggers creating with scraps. I am inspired every month when I read their posts! Anything made of genuine scraps is eligible to write about. If you would like to join in on the 15th of the month, email Kate at the address on her Contact Me page.

Here are the links for everyone who joins ScrapHappy on occasion.

Kate, Eva, Sue,Lynda,
Birthe,Turid,Tracy,Jan, 
Moira,Sandra, Chris, Alys,
Claire, Jean, Dawn, Gwen,
Sunny,Kjerstin, Sue L, Vera,
Ann,Dawn 2,Carol,Preeti,
Nóilin, Viv, Karrin,  Alissa,
Tierney, Hannah and Maggie

This is also a Year of Projects (YOP) Update. The group is in its 15th year, but I have only been doing it for a few years. This is a Ravelry based group. You can learn more here.