"Alainn Is Longantach" = "Wild and Wonderful" in Gaelic

From Nethy Bridge, Scotland.....

“Found Object 2677”

Got an email from Hertz, Venice Airport yesterday with the subject line “Found Object 2677”.    As you remember, The only problem so far on this trip was losing my favorite wallet of 15 years with my needed driver’s license and health cards.  I wrote every hotel, went by several locations where  I remember having a wallet -  to no avail.  I was fairly sure I last had it at a Hertz Rental car in Venice Airport so kept bothering them.  

I even traveled there twice to double check. The car I rented was not in the lot when I last checked, but they later rechecked…and lo and behold, it was found when the car was returned from last rental.  It  Just goes to show the power of prayers!  A friend who was flying out went by and picked it up today as they would not mail it and I am too far away to fly back!  Mainly need it in December if not before.  It slowed me down some but my “gratitude journal” was full of thankful notes that it is not roaming around Italy.

  

I am now getting settled in Nethy Bridge for most of the 3 months remainder of my sabbatical.  I will visit London and other towns in England in October, but mainly will be enjoying this area and Scotland with some company coming in and out.

I felt like a Harry Potter time traveler on the train coming up from Perth yesterday!  Beautiful vistas of woods, rivers, and rolling mountains. I am in the middle of the Cairngorms National Park, Britain’s largest National Park. Spectacular Scottish scenery and many sightseeing activities available.

Lesley met me at the train and helped get my luggage back to Nethy Bridge from nearby Aviemore.  My nearest large city is Inverness.  Today, I took the bus (located on the street across from my house) to Aviemore today and checked out the shops and groceries.  The ease of it made me feel better about using local transportation to get around.

The house is well done with 3 small bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.  A unique “hobbit hut” is outside with a huge bar be que and seating for about 20 people!  It is chilly outside but I have great heating and a wood-burning fireplace plus internet and great TV – lots of books around to read as well.  Could not be better for the colder months.

A wee detour to Perth

Perth,  Scotland

Had two full luggage bags on this trip since I am here 3 months and during colder weather so one had all winter clothes.  Turned out it was a bank holiday with big events in both Edinburgh and Nethy Bridge areas so I decided to stay somewhere between Edinburgh and Nethy Bridge for a couple of days so chose Perth.  Great train ride from airport to Perth. Everyone super nice and helpful.  It turned out to be a great decision.

Victorian Station Hotel

What a neat place! Chose the "Station Hotel" because it was right across from the train station.  It was built in 1888 and was frequently visited by Queen Victoria.   The historic town center has bookstores,  great walking streets, wonderful sculptures, and a river running along the edge.  Walked a good bit each day I was here.  Plenty to see and do.

The historic town center has bookstores, large department stores,  great walking streets, wonderful sculptures, and a river running along the edge.   Flowers are everywhere. Walked a good bit each day I was here. 

The 2^ndday, woke to rain, so decided to stay in area and visit a museum and Waterstone's bookstore.   I wanted to see the Scone Palace, but all buses were not running on Sunday so decided I would come back and visit later.

 Tomorrow I take the train to Aviemore, near Nethy Bridge, my final destination.  Lesley will pick me up and go over house needs with me before she returns to Edinburgh. The Scottish adventure then officially begins.

Street with flowers and museum

If my sculpture only looked this good