Rainy morning at Twin Lakes. Arrived in Lewiston around 3 PM. Stopped off at Sportsman‘s Warehouse and Big Five sporting goods to pick up a few last-minute camping items. Followed the river up to McKay bend and checked out the camping area. It was full and didn’t amount too much so I kept on going. Crossed the bridge at Cherry Lane then took the river road all the way up to Lenore. Put up the tent at the small campground near the boat launch adjacent to the bridge. Starting to get dark, rigged the rod and made a few cast below the bridge. Getting settled in for the night. See what tomorrow brings.
Day 37: Galway ~ Cliffs of Moher
7AM drove west from Dublin. Stopped in Limerick for coffee, avocado toast and breakfast baps. Drive thru Lahinch and past the golf course. Arrived at Cliffs of Moher and spent some time walking the viewpoint trails.
Drove into village of Doolin after for lunch at McDermotts Pub. One and a half hours on windy roads to get to Galway. Got settled into our lodging then into Galway for pints and pizza.
Day 35 & 36: Malahide ~ Howth
Friday: A rainy rest day, went to Malahide and cocked around a bit. Caught up on laundry, Austin made breakfast, hot tub etc….watched more Downton episodes.
Saturday: Morning rain, walked to coffee shop for breakfast with Nan and Midge. Afternoon, trip to Howth…Austin and I golfed at Deer Park. Ladies walked around the town and sea wall. We all met up for dinner after at a seafood restaurant on the pier..
Day 34: Golf at Corballis & Malahide Castle
Austin and I played golf at Corballis Golf Club. Carrie, Laurie, Jemi and Nan visited Malahide Castle.
Day 33: Newgrange
Drove north to Newgrange. Carrie arranged a tour for us all. We visited two separate sites and learned about this ancient place. Very interesting day.
Day 32: Dublin City
Rolled out to Swords and secured a vehicle for use during our Ireland stay.
Dropped Austin, Carrie and Laurie at the Guinness Storehouse for a tour. Nan Jemi and I relocated to Grafton Street and spent most of the afternoon amongst the shops and cafes.
Met up after the tour for pizza slices, ladies went to Trinity College and viewed the Book of Celts. Austin and I hit a pub while waiting then met up for a pint after with the group. Drove our way out of Dublin. Back home and ordered some Indian take away for late supper.
Day 31: Edinburgh to Dublin
Packed up in Edinburgh, took two Ubers to the airport. Boarded the Ryanair flight to Dublin.
Landed in Dublin, bags gathered we met up with Laurie who had been traveling for 24 hours.
Mark, our taxi driver was a treat. A lot of good chatter on the way to Malahide.
Got settled into our lodgings the caught a ride to town for fish and chips. We capped of a long day with some Gino’s Gelato. Back to the flat for Downton Abbey and turned in for the night.
Day 30: St Andrew’s by Train
Walked to the train station at 8:30. Grabbed some coffee. Sunny and cool morning. Boarded at Haymarket Station in Edinburgh. It was an hour train ride to Leuchars. A 12 minute bus ride and we were in St Andrew’s.
Austin and I walked the course following the first 7 holes toward the sea. Then turned and walked back in from hole 13 to 18. It was an amazing experience being right there where all of the historic moments have taken place.
The ladies toured the city and we met up for lunch at The Dunvegan Hotel.
We reversed the route, made a trip to pick up a new suitcase to carry home our newly acquired treasure.
Evening in, made leftovers and cleaned out the fridge. Dublin tomorrow.
Day 29: Edinburgh Castle and Royal Mile
Up and having a relaxed morning. 11 am, getting ready to uber to the city center.
We all visited Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile.All very interesting and old. Everything is busy with tourists. Rain started and continued through the afternoon.
Sonya and I returned home. Jemi, Carrie and Austin continued with the day visiting a pub for lunch then walking back.
Stayed in for the night. St Andrew’s tomorrow.
Day 28: Edinburgh
Up this morning, Carrie, Nan and Jemi walked into city from our lodgings to do crafts. Austin and I dropped off rental car at the airport. Riding tram back into Edinburgh.
Stopped at a pub and grocery store on the way. Austin made beef stew for dinner. More Downton before bed.
Day 27: Dornoch to Edinburgh
Travel Day, packed up at the hotel then hit the road to Edinburgh. Stopped in Pitlochry for lunch.
Met Austin and Carrie at our rental on the Water of Leith in Edinburgh.
Went to a market for supplies then spent the evening watching Downton Addey.
Day 26: Dornoch Beach
Up this morning, feeling a little worn out from yesterday‘s stalking. We decided to spend the day in Dornoch. Had lunch at milk and honey. Did a little bit of shopping downtown. Went to the beach and collected some seashells. Back to the hotel then pizza and Downton Abbey in Jemi’s room before turning in for the night.
Day 23: Dornoch ~ Royal Dornoch Golf
Packed up in Inverness, drove up the coast and discovered a site with ruins and a flock of sheep. Arrived in Dornoch to a shop with local woolen products. The girls each bought a scarf and I a rain hat.
We checked into the Dornoch Station Hotel. I played golf at the Royal Dornach golf course. Wind was blowing and it was a bit of a battle. Played with three Canadians. I get this historical significance of the course but feel like it is overrated. It was crowded with people and not enjoyable to play.
Played with three Canadians. I get this historical significance of the course but feel like it is overrated. It was crowded with people and not enjoyable to play.
Met up with Sonya and Jemi for dinner at the hotel, then in for the night.
Day 25: Stalking Stag
Up at 6 AM, Car packed, lunch secured at Scottish version of convenience store last night. Dornoch Station hotel for a full Scottish Breakfast. Then driving 45 minutes north to a meet up with Donald and Son, Jake, guides in a town named Helmsdale.
We travel south to an ancient farm and test fire the rifle. Our hike up the fresh cut trail is a bit steep and I shed some layers. We see deer soon after, all hinds and calves. We climb and climb on the soft heather.
A small herd of hinds cross the ridge above us, a lone young stag is in the middle, he crosses the glen below. I decide to take him, 180 yard shot from a solid rest and he is down.
Jake dressed the deer as Donald positioned the 6-wheeled bike above. We rode down through some of the roughest terrain that I have ever seen. Rain set in, we hunted another mountain side. Then wrapped up the hunt.
Day 24: Dunrobin Castle
Rainy morning, drove to Dunrobin Castle through some small villages on the coast road. Spotted some ruins and sheep along the tidal flats. Arrived at the castle and started a self tour. A warm wood fire burning in the entryway gave the castle a wood smoke smell that reminded Jemi of beef stew.
The castle was unique with all of the rooms left as they were during the period when it was occupied by the families who lived there.
The garden is immensely beautiful and impressive. A falconry demonstration wrapped up our visit. A Harris Hawk and a Gyrfalcon both flew for the spectators. The program was very interesting.
Had a coffee and sweet treat in the cafe then stopped at The Trawler chippy in Golspie and ate our haddock and chips in the rain overlooking the sea. A crow and seagull keeping watch for scraps.
We gassed up the Peugeot 5008 and headed back. The road was closed and we were routed an hour west to get back to Dornoch.
Day 22: Findhorn Day 2
Met David Johnstone of Nairnfly at the rendezvous point 9AM. Geared up at Ian’s hut then hit the Findhorn. Casting improved significantly over the course of the day. Fishing effectively across the full width of the river off both shoulders. Left side produces the most powerful casts, double Spey over right is also effective.
David hooked and landed a nice grilse in the morning. Then in the evening an 18 pound salmon. I was on hand to net both.
Sonya and Jemi kicked around Inverness.
At
Day 21: Findhorn Salmon Fishing
Up early and drove back to Forres where I stopped at the bakery store for a sausage roll and steak pie.
Met Ian Neale at our meeting place, then followed him to his fishing hut on the lower Altyre beat. We rigged up our rods then Ian gave me some instruction on casting the Double Spey, we fished and several pools. I got the feel for casting and found it manageable with good equipment. I really enjoyed my time with Ian and his friendly female black labs. We took a break for lunch mid-day then finished the afternoon fishing several of the pools on the upper beat. During the day, fish were showing in the river. Rolling and jumping, some mature fish, slightly dark and grilse, the smaller fish most obvious, jumping clear of the water, landing with a splash. I had a several tentative strikes but did not connect.
Ian invited me to join another fisherman, Davi
Sonya and Jemi spent the day in Inverness. .
Day 20: Forres ~ Cheese Shop ~
Visited Cabot Highlands Golf Course near the Inverness Airport then stopped at the Conage Highland Dairy for some cheese tasting. Helen helped us and was a real hoot. Next, we did a tour of Fort George military installation then drove through Nairn and on to Forres where we had lunch at the Mosset Tavern. Logi Steading is an estate that has been converted into a destination with shops and cafe. We visited the bookstore, clothing shops, Sonya bought some shoes and a hat, I picked up a book. Walked on the Findhorn Overlook trail past the herd of longhorn cattle and down to the overlook. Huge oak and beech trees, very nice and peaceful location.
Day 19: Inverness - “Hairy Coos”
Took a road trip down the west shore of Loch Ness to a small farm. We had coffee and scones then fed the Highland Cattle (hairy coos) some snacks.
Drove to Fort Augustus, covered up with tourists in buses, nowhere to park. Traveled up the east side back toward Inverness. Single lane road with turn outs for on coming traffic. Nice scenery and terrain.
Back to Nass Station, short walk around the city in the evening. Then in for the night.
Day 18: Inverness
Good rest after a long day of travel yesterday. Walked to a market in downtown Inverness a few blocks from our apartment. Picked up some ground coffee for the French Press, cream, butter, eggs, a fresh loaf of sourdough, a small loaf of cranberry pecan bread and some assorted scone / pastry. We had a nice breakfast and are gearing up to explore the city.
I am planning to spend the morning at Grahams of Inverness, a sporting store recommended by Roger from WTA. The hunting outfitters who arranged the stag hunt. Secured some nice kit with help from Nan, Jemi and Julie from Grahams.
Had some Cullen Skink and Lentil Soup at McGregors. Visited Leakey’s Books, then got a coffee and scone at Paulo’s.
Later, Jemi and I walked to McLeods Chippy for fish supper. We stood next to the bridge over River Ness and ate our fried haddock and chips. Back to Ness Station for the night..
