Day 10 - Kinlochlaggan Scotland UK

The snow has not stopped falling and my tooth has not stopped nagging. For the last few days I've had a bit of a pain in my tooth but it was only when I chewed on it. Now it is starting to play up without the chewing. I might need a visit to the dreaded dentist. 

According to the media here, this winter has been the longest for 50 years and is responsible for 5000 deaths. When we were in the UK in 2010, it was reported to be the coldest winter in 36 years so perhaps our visits are somewhat of a jinx. 

We started the day in a very lazy way but I soon became galvanized into action by going on another long walk. I am dead scared of heights but I managed to overcome this as I stood on a high snowy ledge to grab a couple of shots from the top of the Falls of Pattack. The remainder of the clan either slept, watched the television or played computer games in the comfort of a warm house. 

We will truly miss this place, me particularly, but it is time to keep moving. Next stop tomorrow is the very top of Scotland - John O' Groats. 

Day 9 - Kinlochlaggan Scotland UK

Snow, snow and more snow with a top temperature of -1 degree! This morning we were picked up by Land Rover by Dougie (although he pronounced it Duuuugie) the estate's Head Stalker. He told us all about the estate and what it is like to be a stalker as we drove up to the mountains. His father was a stalker so Dougie grew up here and naturally adopted the same occupation. 

They feed wild deer as food becomes scarce when it snows by pouring bags of pellets on the road as they slowly drive. They try to keep a balance of numbers by either culling when there are too many or supplementary feeding when numbers are low. We saw about 150 deer up close and personal that came at the sound of the Land Rover. It was an amazing experience surrounded by deer whilst the snow fell. 

We then went for a drive having lunch at a cafe in Newtonmore. We drove to Kingussie then headed to Aviemore to catch the ski train however the road was closed due to the snow. 

Whilst the others opted for an open fire upon returning to the house, I went for a long, long walk. Every bend on the track presented something different - a half frozen river, an ancient bridge, Falls of Pattack (a large waterfall), snow covered mountains and deers. Some areas were extremely cold and bitter but despite this I found it very difficult to return home as I just wanted to keep going but night would soon be falling. Not to worry, there is another walk that I want to do tomorrow.

Day 8 - Kinlochlaggan Scotland UK

This is still my most favorite place in the world. I awoke on my birthday to snow and it hasn't stopped falling all day. It is freezing and windy where the temperature did not peak 0 degrees but the chill factor from the wind would be -6 according to Mhairi from the Estate Office. I ventured out with my camera without gloves so I could manipulate the controls easier and in no time my fingers became so numb that I could not feel them. The winds on the mountain was unbelievably wild and I'm not certain if I've ever experienced cold like it before.

To the pub for dinner which happens to be run by an Aussie couple from the Sunshine Coast. 

We're up early tomorrow as we go with a stalker to feed the wild deer.

Day 7 - Kinlochlaggan Scotland UK

Yesterday we were in a bustling city - today we sit in isolation in a beautiful old house on a 45000 acre estate in the Scottish Highlands. 

The day began with an early start to catch the coach to Luton Airport. We didn't realise we could only take one carry on luggage each and we had six. Karinne was able to evenly distribute one leaving five which left my camera bag. I had to return to check-in to place on  the plane then go to another section some distance away as it was classified as fragile luggage. By the time this was done we were running late for the plane as final boarding call was announced and to make things worse just as our bags were going through the X-ray machine there was a power failure. A minute or two later power was restored but we had to wait about another five for the computer to reboot. Karinne was chosen for the third time for a frisk (obviously must be considered high risk as she was chosen in Sydney, Heathrow and now Luton) where she was physically felt all over by a female customs officer. We then had to run to make the gate before it closed. I had visions of our bags in Scotland whilst we were still in London in just what we were carrying. Well we did make it.

We picked up our rental car and after an hour of beautiful scenery with snow capped mountains, two degree temperature and snow on the side of the road we arrived at Kinlock Laggon. I sit in front of an open fire whilst I type this with a wine in one hand, the other on the keyboard where just recently a light falling of snow was happening against the backdrop of a thousand pine trees. 

This is paradise to me.

Day 6 - London UK

What a great day - very sociable. The kids are really soaking up the atmosphere and engaging with both Londoners and visitors from abroad. We started the day with me taking some photographs at Victoria Station again as I wanted to experiment a little more where I met another local keen photographer who provided me with some localities to photograph and chatted for some time about photography in general. Up next was a visit to Wellington's Tower and on the way we stopped where two Busbies (Queen's Guards) stood with bear hats and machine guns. I always thought they were never to react or speak but one, after we stood there for about 10 minutes asked very officially if we would like a photo with the children. He marched forward and I quickly snapped, thanked him but he didn't react just marched to return to his sentry box. Soon after a couple who saw this asked for a photo but he never responded so I guess we were really lucky.

We then grabbed a coffee at Hyde Park and spent an hour talking to a couple from Manchester comparing the state of our nations. We then went on a great 3.5 hour walking tour where we learnt so much about British history finishing at an old pub where we spent some time chatting with two Brazilian girls comparing countries. We walked with one of them to the main station. 

There are that many people all rushing around that you feel invisible as they bump into you if you walk too slow. Drivers push in quite boldly but rarely are abused as I guess the pushees know what it is like to be a pusher. 

We said goodbye to the Sisters who gave the kids an Easter egg each as we leave before breakfast tomorrow to catch a bus to Luton Airport for a flight to Inverness Scotland. The weather reports temperatures as low as -10 at night and our local friend Jane reports snow in Scotland.

Day 5 - London UK

No rain - hooray! but also no sunshine - boo! Started the day with another bus tour followed by a walk to Number 10 Downing St, lunch in Hyde Park then a walk to Buckingham Palace. We started to run out of time so caught a black cab to St. Martins Theatre, a quaint old building to watch the Agatha Christie play Mousetrap. This gorgeous old theatre was the host for this longest running who done it play and we saw the 25,137 showing. We then had the kids choose dinner in Chinatown (they chose Japanese) followed by a walk through Piccadilly Circus. We've just about completed the Monopoly board with the areas we have been. The streets always seem so, so crowded but I guess given the Greater area of London almost has the population of Australia it is to be expected. 

Tomorrow will be our last day in London as we fly to Inverness Scotland on Thursday.

Day 4 - London UK

It didn't go above 5 degrees today and to maintain the monotony, it rained. Really played the tourists today by catching a topless double decker bus to the London Eye. Before jumping on it we watched a 4D movie (the extra "d" involves things like real smoke, bubbles and water).

We then spent a couple of hours at the London Dungeons which was both educational and fun.

Finally we went on a river cruise to Greenwich however upon returning, the cruiser would not fit under the bridges due to a higher than expected tide so we had to alight at London Tower. From here we caught the underground tube in peak hour which was totally mental. People rushing everywhere and in the train packed like sardines.

Sydney to London

Gees - what a long flight. I forgot that it seems to go forever. Kids have been fantastic but we both need to remind ourselves what possessed us to it again? The answer is the challenge and excitment of seeing and experiencing new things everyday.

We were questioned quite intensely by UK Customs as we had visited three years ago and as all our documentation on what we had booked was in my plane luggage we couldn't prove our intentions. We were asked about twenty questions such as what we do for a living, how can we spend three months without working, how can the kids be out of school for three months, what are we doing here etc. etc. etc. Our passports were eventually stamped but were told very firmly that if we ever travel to the UK again we need to provide documentation so carry it in our hand luggage. Both Karinne and I thought it was touch and go there for a while.     

Upon arriving it was a bleak, wet, windy and cold day topping about 7 degrees but with the wind factor probably more about 4. K's ankles are badly swollen but that didn't stop any of us catching the bus to Harrods for a little shop and some lunch. 

We are staying at the Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus just off Buckingham Palace Road. We stayed here three years ago and is cheap as chips considering its right in the middle of London. The nuns served us a great breakfast that we were lucky to get as we arrived there at 7.55. They serve breakfast at 8am so if you are late you miss out. 

We are all jet lagged but are trying to keep awake so we can get back into the proper sleeping pattern. Tomorrows weather is meant to be better so fingers crossed.   

Now the journey begins.

I fell off the retaining wall whilst pruning last Saturday. It was only a small fall (about 1.5 meters) but I fell onto a smaller wall. My arm has some scabbing, my shoulder is still swollen and I tend to walk like a question mark when rising from a chair from a bruised back. I wonder the percentage of accidents that occur prior to a holiday?

After a mad cleanup of the house (Karinne was mostly the mad one this time) we drove to Hornsby and had lunch with K's folks - John and Pam. They are staying at the same hotel as us tonight at Darling Harbour as we are having dinner at Hurricane Grill with K's brothers to celebrate John and Pam's 50th anniversary. Beautiful dinner.

Tomorrow we hit the airport for the long flight to London. 

Wow! Just over a month to go!!!

Gee there's a lot of work in planning a three month trip. I guess it's not so bad if a travel agent organises it all but when you booking things sometimes six months in advance you want to make damn sure you have your timings right.  Just recently I booked our flights from Istanbul to London for June. Trying to get the time right is tricky. It's about a three and a half hour flight. There is a one hour time difference between Turkey and London. We need to check-in two hours beforehand for our flight to Sydney. Any serious delay from Turkeys end and we could be in serious trouble. I have allowed for a five hour delay so best case scenario we will need to kill seven hours at Heathrow.

Our "to-do" list is getting bigger(currently 2 pages). I can't believe the amount of things we need to do before we go so I better get it down a bit.

2 months - nearly there

In the words of actor Ewan McGregor in Long Way Round, "A holiday doesn't have to be lying on the beach - it can be one of exploration and adventure". This is what I want. As I get older, the window of opportunity is statistically diminishing aka a decline in physical ability. So whilst I still possess some vague physical fitness I'll leave the McDonald's holidays where everything is done for me, where everything is dished up to me and where everything is safe for a little longer. 

The organising doesn't stop nor does the panel beating to the credit card but I'm not complaining. Trains, planes and automobiles have been booked not to mention ferries. Karinne and I obtained our International Driver's Licences the other day and did some shopping for extra power converters and memory cards. We have also booked a hotel at Darling Harbour to stay the night before where we will have dinner in honour of Karinne's parents 50th wedding anniversary.

5 months - getting there.

We have worked out our final itinerary. 

London 16/3 - 21/3

UK 21/3 - 6/4

Paris 6/4 - 12/4

Germany 12/4 - 26/4

Liechtinstein 26/4 - 28/4

Venice 28/4 - 2/5

Tuscanny 3/5 - 10/5

Florence 11/5 -,15/5

Split 15/5 - 18/5

Bosnia 18/5 - 24/5

Korcula 24/5 - 27/5

Dubrovnik 27/5 - 30/5

Monte Negro 30/5 - 31/5

Albania - 31/5 - 1/6

Macadonia - 1/6 - 4/6

Samos - 4/6 - 11/6

Turkey 11/6 - 15/6

London 15/6 fly home

6 months and counting

How exciting! We just booked and paid for our air tickets. We cancelled our Layby.com layby as with only two payments left we found out that we can only book on Virgin Australia. Whilst they fly to London they are $1431.00 more expensive than their UK counterpart! So we cancelled and booked through the Virgin Atlantic UK site - much cheaper! Karinne also booked a London show for us - Mousetrap.

7 months to go!

We have settled on The Four Seasons so now can continue to book accommodation. We have now booked Venice and Florence Italy and Split in Croatia. This is so exciting!!!

8 months and counting

Well. Looks like we have sold Windeyer so the excess after the loan is repaid will pay for this trip and then some. I will miss the Four Seasons but it will simplify our lives and leave us in a much better financial situation. Besides I can barely maintain one home let alone two. 

We have booked and paid for our London accommodation where we stayed in 2010 at The Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus. By chance I was able to track down our friend Jane who lives in the UK through Facebook.

9 months to go

Slight change of plans. We need to fly out by the 15th March rather than the 31st as there is $4500 difference in airfares. The reason  is that Easter comes early next year (29th March) so we now will fly out on the 15th. My dentist put me onto a great site where you can lease a brand new car for $1700 for 2 months including insurance. I have yet to check it out but it is definately cheaper than renting one with the added benefit of travelling through borders without hassles as some rental companies have restrictions on countries you can take their cars.

10 months to go

HERE is a snippet I just put together for those who didn't experience our 2010 European holiday videos.

11 months to go

We are trying to find someone to house sit for the three months we'll be away. Our house was empty last time but we didn't have one cat, six fish and seven chooks whose mouths all needed to be fed.

So far we have two candidates - Jody and Doug and Marlene. Jody lives and works in Newcastle so staying here would mean extra travel time although she seems interested. 

Doug and Marlene, whilst they live in Queensland, are looking to buy in Newcastle so this would give them a base whilst they looked. However they do have a German Shepard that may have issues with our cat. They are equally interested. On top of them, I have placed a listing on Housesitters.com. Hopefully we will find someone without too much drama.