The weather in Scotland has been warm (for them) and sunny so Mike and Elisa have been out in the garden planting flowers and getting a good dose of Vitamin D and warming their bones.
While we here in southern California are slowly cooling off after a week of 100+ temps, northern Scotland has had Summer arrive plus their own heat wave.
What is a Scottish heat wave?? That is when the temps go above 70 F. Yup, SEVENTY. We all know that over here that is a cool summer day right?
Yesterday Mike and Elisa had some errands to run and get the car inspeced so they went up to Buckie .. well, I will let Elisa tell it:
While we here in southern California are slowly cooling off after a week of 100+ temps, northern Scotland has had Summer arrive plus their own heat wave.
What is a Scottish heat wave?? That is when the temps go above 70 F. Yup, SEVENTY. We all know that over here that is a cool summer day right?
Yesterday Mike and Elisa had some errands to run and get the car inspeced so they went up to Buckie .. well, I will let Elisa tell it:
We didn't have much time. Once we had dropped the BMW off for its MOT we had the loan of a car for an hour or two. So we went down the coast to Cullen Bay.
Here is the view from the bay looking north. The entire NE coast is made up of bays and headlands. And on a clear day, & from the right vantage point, you can sometimes see several headlands fading into the distance. Very beautiful Here there's just one or maybe two...
And here's one I called 'Low flying gull'
There's an RAF station close by and it uses the glens and sea to practice low flying. We used to get a lot of it along the Great Glen when we stayed in Fort Augustus. And this seagull reminded me of the planes ;o)
The we drove back and went to find some fish and chips in Whitehills (a small village close to Banff). We found a wonderful newly opened restaurant http://www.thegalleywhitehills.co.uk/
and we had a proper sit-down meal of excellent fresh fish .... sigh!!
As Mike pointed out - it is YEARS since I have been well enough to manage to go out for a meal \0/ so it was a really special treat!!
As you can see from the pictures, it was a good day out.
Now, about this final picture below.
The people in Scotland KNOW that they don't get many tourists let alone other visitors in the off season. And when IS the off-season? That is from September/October (early Fall) through March/April (Spring??) and most "touristy" places have reduced hours or just close up. I have visited Mike and Elisa in September and tried to visit Fyvie Castle TWICE and both times it was closed - it was in September and we picked a day when they were closed [yes, I know we should have checked their website but back then the internet was NEW].
So, Elisa sent the picture, below, as a reminder of the strange hours kept in the wilds of Scotland.
Now, about this final picture below.
The people in Scotland KNOW that they don't get many tourists let alone other visitors in the off season. And when IS the off-season? That is from September/October (early Fall) through March/April (Spring??) and most "touristy" places have reduced hours or just close up. I have visited Mike and Elisa in September and tried to visit Fyvie Castle TWICE and both times it was closed - it was in September and we picked a day when they were closed [yes, I know we should have checked their website but back then the internet was NEW].
So, Elisa sent the picture, below, as a reminder of the strange hours kept in the wilds of Scotland.
Personally, I think it should have read:
If it is too damn cold to get here we won't open; if we can't see the sun, we won't open; if it is raining or snowing, we won't be here then either. So if YOU think it is a nice winter day.. take your chances cause we might actually be here - on Saturdays and Sundays ONLY"
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