Sojourning in Scotland

One of the major blessings in my life are my friendships.  This week two Tri Delta friends of 56 years visited me in Scotland (Virginia Harrigan and Sharon Shirey).  We had a wonderful time and did more things than I thought possible while they were here.  I took the train to Edinburgh and met them and my Scottish friends for dinner at Maxie's.  Barbara Henderson and I have been friends for about 20 years and her daughter owns the house I am renting while in Scotland.  It was a fun night.

They had visited every major site in Edinburgh before I met them in Edinburgh and rode back to the Highlands with them. They seemed to enjoy the Royal Botanical Gardens and Holyrood Castle the most.

On the way back to Nethy Bridge, we

 visited Blair Castle with it’s own private army, and stopped at a shopping area with the very best of Scottish products.

We even visited Ballathie Country House, a showplace Virginia had just read about in a glossy magazine that had just arrived at her house the day before she left.  We ate lunch and met a Trump supporter. She gave the magazine to the staff who did not know of the nice just-published article.

 We visited out of the way bookshops in the middle of nowhere, visited fishing villages of Scotland with a private fishing museum tour by an actual fisherman, and  saw a number of beautiful gardens,  We visited the ruins of a Cathedral and a working Abby down a long country road far from any village.

Trump Supporter with Hat

One of us even zip-lined for 2 hours through forest and glen overlooking small rivers (Sharon).  We all took the funicular to the top of a nearby mountain for stupendous views.

We tried to find Nessie in Loch Ness, - but ended up in a very touristy Loch Ness attraction, got totally lost numerous times but found our way home every time  (it took 3 of us to maneuver numerous round -a -bouts).

Visiting the last Scottish Highland Games of the year in Pitlochry, a picturesque town an hour away by train, was a highlight this week.  They even had a special tent area for International visitors with food and wine.  Sharon, my visitor friend is from New Orleans and she NEVER meets a stranger or dog she doesn't  love!  These interactions enriched us time and time again.

We ate our way across the Highlands at small and large restaurants, sampling the foods known in this area and explored anything that caught our interest.

Ballindaloch Castle

We celebrated Virginia's birthday with a visit to a great castle nearby and had special treats all day in her honor! The whole week was jam-packed and the weather was near perfect despite weather reports of rain 80% of time.

Hotel/Restaurant a half mile from my house - huge for a 3 store village !

As for me, it was extremely helpful to have use of a car for the week to get my bearings again in this rural area near so many great sights.  My cousins and my sister and brother in law are also coming and I now feel comfortable taking them around in their rental cars! 

In short, I am loving my location at “North Fork” – there are no numbers, only names for the houses in my village (many also in Gaelic language).   This house is available for rent and I will be happy to send you pictures and a contact for this great location in the middle of the Whiskey Trail and the Highlands of Scotland.  The small 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with a separate bar-be-que hut is perfect. 

When I do not have a car (often), it is so easy to catch the bus 3 minutes from the house to nearby larger towns with anything I need or train service elsewhere in Scotland!

I will be here until December 1 when I return to my beloved Italy.  I still plan to have time for reflection, increased spirituality, walking the woodland trails, and having time to think. I hope to come home after this “Senior Sabbatical” with a better idea how I want to spend the rest of my life!  Time for this already seems much too short and will probably remain a work in progress! 

Paths to Better Health

I have been in charming Nethy Bridge almost a week.  Mostly getting settled in this lovely holiday house about a 20 min. walk from the small village.  You have a choice of the sidewalk road or the trail along the narrow river.  The river is usually my 1st choice.  There are many nature trails here that you can enjoy.  I still have a few favorites from past trips and have spent much of the week going out daily for a good walk among nature that is amazing.

apples near bus stop

I could not help but think of God’s goodness as I walked by the rushing, burbling clear stream on my way to church this morning.  A light breeze and a sunny day with many birds calling each other and keeping me company.  

The Church of Scotland service I attended was non-traditional but

very welcoming.  There are many retirees here and all are very friendly and nice people. They have a more traditional service too.

 Afterwards, I went to my favorite village coffee shop, the Nethy House, and had Scottish pancakes and tea for brunch after seeing it at a table nearby. This picture is of a quiche lunch last week as I liked the reflection in window. 

Grantown-on-Spey

Sat at my favorite window seat and watched as 30-40 small antique MG, porsche and other  cars drove by, some with tops down.  I then remembered there was an “Antique Car Motor Mania” in nearby Granton-on Spey today.   Last week, I took the bus to  Granton-on-Spey and was interested in the buildings on the main street through town and cute bookstore I visited.

After my brunch, I dropped by the small Spar small grocery and picked up the Sunday Times, read and rested the afternoon away.  On my last trip several years ago, I had to go to the Spar to use the internet – sitting on a small stool at the computer while people milled about shopping. We now have internet at the house so it is much easier.

Tomorrow, I travel by train to Edinburgh to stay overnight and drive back with Virginia Harrigan and Sharon Shirey, two sorority friends from college days.  We have more planned than we can do in the next week, but I know it will be great fun and an adventure for all of us.

"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

Last week in Italy for now

Bus Ride

I am back in Aviano before leaving this Friday to fly to Edinburgh.  It is bittersweet to be leaving Aviano and friends in this area. Debbie has been a treasured friend without whom this “sabbatical” would not be possible.  This time I had to travel on the bus the last leg of returning to Aviano. Debbie picked me up in Pordenone since the rental companies at the airport would not let me rent with just a paper replacement license.  (wallet with license has not turned up).

Another good friend, Liz, took me the next day to a local car rental and helped me rent a car for the week with just paper documents.  It helped that she owns the building they are renting! No matter where – it is always who you know! 

I have gone to the movies (Crazy Rich Asians -great), had a wonderful birthday celebration with Debbie and the Nothstine's, played bingo and just relaxed my last week here.

Today, I was able to go to the Italian hairdresser (they really know how to cut hair), get repacked for winter months, have lunch with a friend, take items to store at Debbie’s until December (a huge help), had a late afternoon going away prosecco with old book club group that are Italians or married to Italians, and turned in my car.  Heather Nothstine, a friend,   graciously agreed to take me to the VCE express bus in Pordenone in the morning.

I mostly want to stop today and give thanks for the journey that brought me here.  I have so much gratitude to all those who have made my journey possible, my cousin and his wife who are getting my mail and attending to anything that comes up, my sister and brother-in-law who are always there for anything I want to do, my dear friends who give me unfailing support, and my family who tries to understand my love of travel, and of course, the Matthews who are taking care of my house while theirs is being built.

Sometimes it feels longer, and sometimes much shorter, but I have been away about 2.5 months.  I have had time to read, think, clean up my computer, and try to make sense of what I really value and how I may want to spend my future time.  I am not nearly finished with this journey of mine, but the free time to “just be in the moment” has already been worth the effort and time away.

View of mountains in Aviano

My Desiree Hotel with pastry bar next door

I saw a quote I liked, “Loving life is easy when you are abroad. Where no one knows you and you hold your life in your hands all alone, you are more master of yourself than at any other time.” Hannah Arnedt

Florence by any Name is Always Wonderful

Florence was called Florentia in Latin, then Fiorenza in Old Italian, then Firenza. The names foreigners call it by, like Florence in English and Frence in French, and Florenz in German, are closer to the original.

Since the prices were down to almost half-price, I decided to stay in my very favorite hotel in Florence, the Palazzo del Borgo.  It is well located for everything and is only a block from one of my favorite restaurants known to locals, called the “100 Poveri”.

I did things this trip I have never done – as I really took time to ride the “Hop on Off” bus through both of their extended routes.  Only got off at the Piazzale Michelangelo and Fiesole to enjoy the fabulous vistas over Florence.  Fiesole is an ancient Etruscan city, on the opposite side of Rome overlooking the city. It was great to take the time to see so many areas of Florence.  Of course, from the time I got there, I enjoyed walking the city going by so many of the wonderful places I have loved to return to again and again over the years.

 

DANTE'S MASK

I also visited the Palazzo Vecchio inside for the first time and was amazed at all the arts and architecture of that amazing building.  Years ago, I had gone on a tour of the “Vasari Corridor” that runs from this building through the Uffizi and then across the top of the Ponte Vecchio bridge to the Pitti Palace.  I also found they have a “secret area” tour of the Palazzo Vecchio I hope to do in the future.  Vasari did most of the paintings in this building and they are magnificent.

Needless to say, after a few days in Rome and Florence, I realized the loss of a current driver’s license was something I could now deal with.

Roaming Around Rome

Rome was my next stop, and after losing my wallet, a welcome sight for me.  Not too crowded, tons of summer sales, plenty of places to eat solo in style, and people out and about all hours of the day and evening.  My hotel was well located and reasonable (note to others Booking.com and Hotel.com are the way to go for good deals) as summer is vacation time and most Italians stay at home or at the beaches, resulting in great pricing for nicer Rome hotels.

View from my hotel roof terrace

A highlight I have noted in a Facebook post, was time spent with Dr. Luisa Marquart, an internationally known library professor, I met at a conference in Padua 9 years ago.  She was so gracious to me and made sure I saw sights in her suburban Rome before we went to dinner.

I have been to Rome numerous times in the past, but have never seen the length of the Roman Aqueducts I saw in her area near the Appian Way.  She noted that each time she visited more vandalism had occurred from people taking marble signs, etc. off the fronts of buildings. Italy simply has so many amazing treasures that it is impossible to secure them all.  There were many people exercising, running, walking and viewing the area we visited during a late afternoon.

We ate at a very popular local restaurant that seems full when we arrived.  Luisa seemed to know everyone and we quickly were shown a table. It was fun to people watch the sophisticated looking group while we ate one of the best meals I have ever had in Italy. This restaurant was near Cine Citta movie studios and often had movie stars eat there.  Unfortunately, George C. did not show up on my night. (Restorante San Tarciscio)

After dinner, we visited the Basilica Di San Giovanni a Porta Latina. 

“According to Tertullian, as quoted by Saint Jerome, in year 92, St John the Evangelistsurvived martyrdom at Rome under the Emperor Domitian by being immersed in a vat of boiling oil, from which he emerged unharmed. He was later exiled to island of Patmos. This event was traditionally said to have occurred at the Latin Gate (located on the southern portion of the Roman wall). The nearby chapel of San Giovanni in Oleo is said to be on this very spot.”

Luisa could not have been more gracious and giving of her time and I felt I had made a good friend by the end of the evening.  She kindly drove me back into the city before midnight and made sure we passed the lighted Colosseum.

During the rest of my time in Italy, I visited two or three museums, shopped a little in a new large department store that had evacuations of a Roman area highlighted in the basement. Visited main sites again and my favorite street Via Margutta near Spanish Steps.   In short, took it easy and enjoyed the comfort of one location for a few days.  Walked over 12,000 steps most days!  Also went to see Mama Mia in Italian!

My sculpture should have looked this good

   Seems impossible to get these extra pictures in order!

Via Margutta

Via Margutta

Department Store evacuation