This morning the clouds greeted us as we ate breakfast in the Titanic Hotel. There is so much natural light in this property that you think the sun is shining. Our meal was quick and good because our ferry was leaving at 11:30 am! We are off to Scotland.

The pier area is vast in Belfast. There are commercial docks and buildings and cranes for new developments. It’s busy yet spread out. Very interesting to be sure. Once we get the car loaded, we program the gps to take us to the ferry port. Even though it’s nearby, there’s no easy way to get there. It’s a circuitous route and I manage to really annoy another driver. Happened to be a truck driver. There’s tons of round about here and I got in the wrong lane causing the truck to have to brake. He caught up with us at the next light and let me have it. He gestured to me to roll down the window so he could blast me, but I didn’t. So he yelled (to himself) until the light changed. Great way to start the day.

The ferry dock was already lining up cars. And the number of people travelling with dogs was amazing! The cars get loaded up and we make our way to the lounge to bide the 2.5 hr crossing time. The lounge had snacks and drinks (self serve) and a light lunch menu. The crossing of the North Channel was surprisingly smooth. And in no time we were arriving at the Scottish coast. Stena Line runs ferries all over.

As soon as we hit land, the ferry unloaded. Everyone was ready to go and we drove off without a hitch.

The coastal route took us past Trump Turnberry Hotel and Golf. Green fees are exorbitant and the exotic cars in the lot were proof! The course is owned by the Trump Co. and its right on the water.

Shortly after that we pass the birthplace and museum honouring Bobby Burns

Just down the road from Bobby Burns is Culzean Castle. Unfortunately we arrive after closing but we drive into the grounds which are also a park. The gardens are spectacular.

From there we continue on to Stirling Castle. In order to reach it we drive through Glasgow. It’s a big city with lots of traffic and people.

As we leave Glasgow behind and head back into rural countryside, the lush landscapes are vast. Rolling hills of greenery and canola fields and green pastures dotted with cows or sheep. It’s a picturesque drive.

Then suddenly the castle looms in the distance.

Perched high on a hill (strategically located) it’s surrounded by village shops and restaurants. The quaint town has cobblestone and very narrow streets!

Once we reach the top of the hill, the castle is so much bigger than it seemed and includes a number of statues and a cemetery. Just for Rudy there was an ice cream truck in the parking lot, too.

Our final stop is our accommodation for the night Dunkeld House Hotel. Located just outside the village of Dunkeld, the boutique hotel is reached via a winding narrow road following alongside the Tay River. The property is breathtaking with birds of all kinds, grazing deer and gorgeous, lush gardens.

It’s a lovely country inn with a view of the river and a giant stag to greet you in the courtyard. We check in and are offered a welcome shot of whisky. And we head to our room.

It’s already 7:30 pm and we head to the bar for a pre-dinner tipple. There’s a lot of whisky to choose from. I could be here a month and still not try them all!

In the dining room we gave a view of the river. I order the local favourite: smoked salmon.

By the time we are done dinner it’s late. Time for bed!

There’s more to see and do tomorrow!

Again many thanks to Brenda, the navigator, for some great photos ♥️

Entirely fiction!

Hanging around a bustling bar, you see all kinds of people. It’s easy to concoct a fictional scenario ….

The annual conference was an ordeal. Dee knew that going in. Department heads from divisions across the globe were meeting to garner favour with the board. No easy task given the board was made up of prickly family members mostly and some other large stakeholders. The annual conference was their way of getting together to outdo each other and make backroom deals for leverage. The matriarch, the widow Mrs Glenn, was old and word had it that she shifted her will based on her last martini and who made her feel the most special. She enjoyed watching her family members trip over each other to please her. And they unashamedly did going to great lengths to harness the chance at her approval and multi million dollar share. Some even thought billions if rumours could be verified.

Dee surveyed the room. The usual suspects were there. Her colleagues from local office as well as divisional vps from other cities. Pathetic, she thought, as martini glasses clinked with sparkling wine and other libations. Everyone was so superficial trying to tell the best stories and get drunk quicker. This was the blow out before the big presentations the next day. Dee was carefully sipping her Manhattan; no point in presenting with a hangover if she didn’t have to. It had been done before…

Her eye caught another up and coming marketing vp, Candace. Same job as Dee but different division. Dee noticed how Candace cozied up to the big players with ease and gracefully brushed their arms as she laughed (a little too loud?) at their jokes. Making small talk and fake compliments was never Dee’s forte. She relied on her skills on the job and performance results to make her impact. Her presentation tomorrow would make heads roll; including Candace. Dee had collaborated with finance to create a series of breakthroughs that would certainly get her a nod from partners.

Dee turned her attention from Candace to the small group of partners who had gathered a a corner table. You could see the wheels turning and the venom brewing. Mrs Glenn had not yet arrived but her presence was expected; she loved to make an entrance. Lying in wait, the small group was clearly gossiping and it was anyone’s guess who their target was. Dee stayed under the radar. Limit of two drinks. No gossip and never any inter office relationships! As far as she was concerned that was a death wish.

Dee glanced at what she called the rookie table. The newly minted vps who had something to prove. Each had brought something to the table but were clinging hard to the title and were desperate to make their next big move. The annual conference was their chance to keep the title or be farmed out to pasture. The name of the game was peak performance and many couldn’t handle the pressure. The other way to secure your place was (and only a very few had the knack) was to get the dirt. Yes. That’s right. Schmooze your way into someone’s good graces and find their Achilles heal. Then use it for personal gain. Dee found their methods entirely repulsive, but secretly admired their tenacity even if misguided.

Dee was almost ready for her second and final drink of the evening. She’d made enough small talk and hellos to the right people. Before things got out of hand as they always did at social work events, she would take her cocktail and work the room a final. Pressing the flesh to work in her favour before retiring to her room for a decent sleep after a final review of her masterpiece presentation.

The bar was busy so Dee bided her time and surveyed the crowd. Her eyes stopped as she watched the young bartender shaking a cocktail while laughing and chatting with a customer. Dee noticed that his uniform white shirt was slightly tight in all the right places showing his myriad of exotic tattoos. Was that an animal tooth on the thin leather strap around his neck? His thick black hair was slightly unkempt making his overall look a bit daring yet masculine and rugged.

See started to blush involuntarily. Only to be shaken from her reverie by an annoying colleague, Chad, from IT who, it seems, caught her red handed checking out the bartender. Chad comments to Dee about her apparent fascination with the young bartender. Dee brushes him off and says h she could be his mother. Get real.

Dee quickly gets to the front of the crowd and waits for service at the bar. As (bad?) luck would have it, bar hunk makes his way over to her. What are you having? Dee pushes her empty highball across the bar and asks for another Manhattan. Hunk looks her over and remarks that he pegged her as a dirty martini type. There’s that annoying blush again! Thanks, but I’m a Manhattan kind of gal. Yeah. Says hunk as he turns to reach for the appropriate bottles. You look like an uptown girl.

When Dee accepts her drink, her hand lightly grazes the hunk. She looks up to see him smile and say here’s a napkin. Unnerved Dee takes her drink and walks away. She’s not usually so off guard and, could it be butterflies?, nervous. Whoa. Dee retreats to a quiet corner to gather herself. She takes a massive gulp almost finishing the glass. As she sets down her drink, she notices handwriting on the napkin. What? Dee looks more closely. Chad approaches from behind. Hey what are drinking? Let me get you another. Caught entirely off base, Dee jumps in surprise. Easy there! Didn’t mean to scare ya!

Dee realized she needed a diversion and accepted Chads offer for a drink. What was she doing? This was not her usual professional self. Chad saunters off happy to be of service. Ugh. Lap dog. And Dee takes the opportunity to read the napkin.

It simply says: you have beautiful eyes and I’d like to see more … Rick 555-533-1367 Dee stuffs the napkin like it’s on fire into her clutch purse.

Dee is blushing like mad. The kid, Rick, really was young enough to be her kid if she had any. Seriously. She looks over to the bar to see Chad pointing at her and chatting with Rick. Oh no. Chad returns with the drink grinning from ear to ear. Here. Rick says he made this one special since you inhaled the last one so quick! Ha ha.

Dee takes the drink with thanks and immediate excuses herself to talk to someone she knows. Across the room. In Portugal. Anywhere away from Chad. She glides to a far off table and says hi to her counterpart from Boston. While stealing quick peeks at the bar her eyes lock with Rick. She looks away quickly and then back again. He’s staring at her!

Dee puts down her drink and walks away with a mumbled apology about needing the ladies. As she gathers her thoughts and heads for the elevators to her room, she is startled by a hand on her arm. Dee spins around ready to give Chad a swift brush off. But when she turns, she is face to face with Rick.

This can’t be happening. He’s throwing her off her game. She’s here to make her presentation and leave. With a bonus and a bigger office if she’s lucky.

I meant what I said. And you’re even more beautiful up close. I’m off at 10 pm. Call me. With a smile to melt the coldest heart, Rick walks away. Leaving Dee in giddy shock. Having not felt like this since highschool, Dee stumbles into the elevator. When the elevator door closes, Dee is alone. Retrieving the napkin from her purse she chides herself for her lack of composure and immaturity.

But she can’t help thinking about Rick. Was she crazy? If she contacted him what would be the harm? This wasn’t her town. No one would know. Her mind races as she makes her way into her room. Maybe just this once…..

Today was a driving day. We knew that going in. Leaving the west coast of the Emerald Isle and driving northeast to Belfast; approximately 5 hours in total plus stops. Breakfast was served and thereafter we left the castle. It was a memorable visit to sat the least.

First stop: gas. Our travels had whittled the tank down to less than a quarter. It’s a diesel and we were able to fill up easily in town (Clifden). Second stop: the post office to mail post cards. Being a small village it was no problem everything is super close. After the post office we tried to get back on the route. However a delivery truck was blocking us in. So we maneuvered through the underground parking of the local grocery store. A feat in itself when all spaces are made for mini vehicles!

Back on the road, another glorious sunny day, we back track to some of the places we’ve been through already. Another view of the fjord and the villages nearby. Eventually we get into new territory as we make our way to Northern Ireland. We know we’ve crossed the invisible border when km changes to miles!

The scenery all along is stunning:

As we approach Belfast, the traffic thickens and it’s back to civilization. More people, trucks, cars etc. even though Belfast is a city of approx 350K, it’s markedly bigger than what we’ve been used to for the past few days.

The massive wire sculpture known as The Rise Sculpture makes an impressive appearance as you approach the city. (Thanks for the great photo Brenda!)

Our accommodation for the night is The Titanic Hotel and it’s located in the heart of the Titanic quarter at the waterfront next to the Titanic museum.

Since we’ve eaten too much and without much in the way of exercise, we decide to eat at the bar and call it an early night. Tomorrow we are booked on a ferry to Scotland and have to make our way to the pier for boarding by 10:30 am.

We take our seats at the bar and then Cameron happens. He’s the young bartender who’s a cross between Johnny Depp and your favourite bad boy. Use your imagination! He provides menus and begins to describe the dishes in great detail. It’s hard to choose ….

In between taking our order he concocts cocktails for other patrons. He puts on quite a show!

We order light fare (Caesar salad and fries for me … I can’t seem to get enough of the fries here! They are so light and crispy!)

I notice above the bar there’s a stack of blueprints (a nod to the ship building days of yore)

After dinner we ask Cameron what he has in the way of local whiskey. He does not disappoint. And I’m happy to share the conversation with my dad and sister on FaceTime. Cameron is a good sport and indulges us. He presents a few options. I choose a local blend and it’s the lady of the bottle so I get to choose again. Ok with me!

Our friend had an Irish Coffee which was also good.

Some highlights from the neighbourhood.

Tomorrow: Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

What a day. Again. We awoke to sunshine (always a good thing) and met up for breakfast at 8:30 am. There was an array of choices from European style continental to a full Irish breakfast. The staff are so pleasant and accommodating. We dined and then head for the vehicle. We are navigating the Connemara loop.

Our friend took the wheel first. Leaving our hotel (the castle) on a narrow winding road we made our way to the Connemara National Forest.

The narrow roadways are a feast for the eyes. On the left is the Atlantic Ocean and on the right are the Bens Mountains.

The national park has several hiking trails, adiscovery center, a horse pavilion and a children’s playground. We checked out the visitors centre and collected maps and info while perusing the interactive displays showing flora and fauna of the park. We are in the bogs.

We choose the yellow trail. The shortest of hike options and set out on the climb.

Our next stop is the famous Kylemore Abbey which was once an orphanage and a castle. It looms out of the mountains next to a pristine lake. Open to visitors it has a church, gift shop, walled garden and a walking trails. To this day it is occupied by nuns. High in the mountain above, on an inaccessible path, is the crucifix watching over the property.

Our next stop was the Kllarey Fjord. The only glacial fjord in Ireland stretching 16 kms inland. The views are jaw dropping and can’t be captured in photos.

Right next to the fjord is the wool centre. A place to discover wool and other artisans of the region. It’s the perfect place for a coffee break.

We wind our way back to the castle hotel in time for our massages. The roads are wild. Narrow and curvy.

And lots of furry friends.

And very winding

What goes best either a massage?

Nestled behind the castle is a cottage which houses the spa. Indulge in a variety of treatments such as facials, manicures or massages if you have time.

Cheers to my dad who was able to FaceTime again tonight! ♥️

Off to dinner. But not before our host shows us a major upgrade to his exterior:

Tonight’s feature is oysters. We drove by several “farms” and seafood here is plentiful and fresh. Not to mention delicious!

Our host is an entertainer. His antics are, bar none, the best!

After dinner it’s only fitting that one can relax while blogging.

What a day! We started the morning after a 12 hour sleep; jet lag is real. Rudy said he could hear revellers in the street partying to the wee hours. At breakfast (a lovely arrangement in the hotel restaurant) we find out that it’s a bank holiday in Ireland. So that explains the rowdy celebrations! After a leisurely breakfast (our friends travelling with us were brave enough to try the Black Pudding) we meet our contact from Celtic Routes. He’s delivering our Land Rover for the balance of our adventure.

Nic (the rep) meets us out front in a new, shiny black Land Rover Discovery. After having us sign a bunch of insurance forms, he shows us the operations of the vehicle and we set off on our way. I’m the first driver. Yeah. No pressure. The Celtic Routes app has our itinerary built into Google Maps so we set up CarPlay and we drive off. After making a few short turns on the roads past the Ha’ Penny Bridge alongside the River Liffey heading out of town we are just getting on our way when ….

There’s a bunch of police cruisers in the intersection up ahead. We thought it was an accident. Not. As we get closer an officer steps out in front of us and pulls us over. No joke. It’s a drunk driver check point. I guess the party animals don’t know when to quit! Another officer approaches and asks if I’ve been drinking. No. Ok he’s says; blow into this. While he’s getting his blowing unit ready, he asks where we’re from. Canada. Oh where? We tell him. He tells us his siblings live in Peterborough and he’s heading there in 10 days! We have a good laugh. He gives us the plastic blow straw thing as a souvenir and we get on our way. What a start to the day!

Before long we are on a highway. Divided I might add. Two lanes one way and easy driving. Throw in a couple of roundabouts and we get to our first stop: Killbeggan Distillerycirca 1757. It’s in a beautiful old building complete with shop, small museum, production areas and a tasting room. We sample the local whiskey and get the lowdown from Rose the server. She’s super knowledgeable and obviously passionate about her products.

Since I imbibed in the tasting, my friend took the wheel to get us to our next stop in Galway . Pronounced “gahl-way” this charming city was bustling with holiday spirits and the weather was cooperating well. The quaint downtown area was teeming with people, locals and tourists alike, all enjoying the festive atmosphere. We shopped and stopped for local fish and chips (big mistake … I will get to that later) and then strolled back to our car where my friend took the wheel again.

Back at the car we head for our final destination The Glenabbey Castle Hotel which will be our home for two nights. The road leaving Galway is a nice highway that soon becomes a very narrow “path” that winds its way through hill and dale. And then we arrive.

The front of the property is laden with ivy and the grounds are spectacular with stunning views, a helicopter landing pad and a fountain.

We enter and the property is simply splendid. I was too gobsmacked to take photos. Although I did get a chance to FaceTime with my dad and give him the full tour! I will get it together tomorrow for some photos.

We checked in and they gave us our skeleton keys and advised that dinner was at 7 pm. Gulp! We just ate! Oh well. Back to the trough.

The dining room is on the third floor with sweeping views out the front.

Back in our room for the night I feel like a princess. A major bucket list item has been ticked!

I’m in heaven!

Tomorrow’s adventures are very active so I’m going to appreciate the tub!

Stay tuned ♥️

Way back when, I trained at college to work in the travel industry. I started out at the customer service desk for (at that time) Northwest Orient Airlines. I don’t think they exist anymore. While doing that I also worked part time at a travel agency. Remember when all tickets were paper? It was a nightmare. But my favourite job was at Travelways Tours (also now defunct) where I arranged bus tours for groups and motor coach excursions that we sold to individuals. So when my friends asked me to help with a driving itinerary from Florida to Canada, I was more than happy to comply.

By the Way “The Big Loop” is a thing. And you’ll be seeing a part of it (by car mind you) but the The Big Loop around the Great Lakes is a part of the big, big loop which includes Florida all by boat.

Here’s a possible route for y’all:

Day One: Polk to Chattanooga

Leave Polk County and take I75 north to Chattanooga TN. Take a pit stop at Buccees en route just south of Macon, GA. Maybe a tipple is in order? Whiskey 🥃 is never a bad idea! After an 8.5 hr drive you deserve it.

Day Two: Chattanooga to Columbus

Leave Chattanooga heading north on I75 towards Cincinnati OH. Aside from another Buccees pit stop, take a minute to check out a distillery on the Bourbon Trail in Kentucky as you head north. In Cincinnati, get off I75 and head northeast on 71 toward Columbus OH. Depending on your time in KY, your drive will be approximately 8 hrs.

Day Three: Columbus to Niagara Falls

Stay on 71 north to Cleveland OH where you can visit Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or Peggy and Rick! Then jump on 90 east towards Buffalo. At Buffalo take I190 to Niagara Falls. There’s a good view from the US side then cross the border on the Rainbow Bridge into Canada 🇨🇦 (you need a passport) and the view of the Falls doubles! The drive from Columbus is only 5.5 hrs so depending on your visit(s) in Cleveland, you’ll have time to see the falls in daylight and enjoy a romantic dinner!

Day Four: Niagara Falls to Blue Mountains

Take the scenic Niagara River Parkway from the Falls, you will pass a few interesting places: Floral Clock – a clock made from plants and flowers (there’s a landscaping school who manages the park so the flowers are gorgeous) there’s also a butterfly conservatory and a lot of historical sites pertaining to the war of 1812. The Niagara River Pkwy is a lovely winding roadway following the river as it leads you into Niagara-on-the-Lake and Ontario’s Niagara Wine Region. This is a great area to stop for a coffee or a glass of Ontario wine. From here take Lakeshore Rd to The Welland Canal where you can see massive freighters move between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. From Welland it is about 3 hours to your destination unless you divert.

Possible Diversion:

Take a scenic drive from Welland along 81 which winds through a few pretty towns. Aside from grapes (for wine) this is a plentiful produce growing region so you will see roadside fruit and veg stands. You may also smell cannabis as it’s legal in Canada and there’s a lot of growers in the region. Hwy 81 will take you to Hwy 8 and into The City of Hamilton This Rudy’s hometown and there’s lots to see and do including the HMS Haida, a tribal warship which is now a museum.

From Hamilton, take Hwy 6 north to Elora and Fergus where you can stop to see the gorge in Elora or walk the quaint village shops in Fergus. Continue on Hwy 6 N to Durham (you will pass through more small villages like Arthur and Mount Forest). At Durham you will take Hwy 4 to Flesherton. Just past Flesherton take a left on Grey Road 13 and take a beautiful trip through The Beaver Valley nestled between the escarpments. At Hwy 26 turn right to go east following along the shores of Georgian Bay.

Arrive at the Blue Mountains.

When you’re ready to leave Blue (which may be never!) you will take Hwy 26 to Owen Sound. There’s a few interesting stops here: Harrison Park has a lovely walking trail next to the river leading to a waterfall and there is also an outdoor tribute to the Underground Railroad that is very cool. From here take Hwy 1 to Tobermory – there is an alternate route if you want to experience the worlds greatest sunsets in Sauble Beach Located at the most northern tip of the Bruce Peninsula, Tobermory has a lot of neat places to see and things to do. Take the ChiCheemaun Ferry to South Baymouth on Manitoulin Island The ferry ride is very scenic and once you’re on the island there’s a few great places to stop for a bite or shop. Canada’s indigenous culture is on display here with artisans and folklore. Continue on Hwy 6 to Espanola where you will meet up with Hwy 17 – the Trans Canada Highway. The scenery is unbelievable!

Driving time (without stops) from Blue to The Sault is about 7 hrs.

At Sault Ste Marie you will cross the border back into the USA and enter Michigan at I 75. From here, take the highway all the way home.

Safe travels 😊

It’s your birthday and I miss you. I think of you everyday and try to notice the signs that you’re still here. I feel like you’re here. So many things remind me of you.

I didn’t want to be sad and have anyone feel sorry for me because I know your spirit is free in the universe and with God. So I decided to take a yoga class (you know I used your yoga mat for years before it got ragged and cheesy) and make my intentions about you. There’s a gratitude board in the studio where you can write your gratefulness down and pin it up. Guess who I was grateful for?

After yoga I thought a peaceful walk in nature would allow me to reflect on you and our family of which you were the centre. Still are! Bok Tower always reminds me of you: peaceful, happy, colourful and beautiful. It’s a special place that I visit often. There’s workshops and lectures and a gorgeous garden that overflows with foliage. You would love it.

Usually I walk the paved pathway. Today if the first time I am walking it without pain and I’m able to daydream and savour the experience without the discomfort. I’m joyful. However, there was an off path walkway and something instinctual made me take that fork. I didn’t realize at first that I was walking through an art installation. But it was food for the soul and I think I know why I was drawn to the path like a magnet.

The meandering walk through the woods was called “Dream Weaver: tales from the trees”.

You are our guardian angel. Always watching over us with care and kindness.

These are words that you would say and have said. A guidance system for life. A strong moral compass.

The little forest elves are clever and curious. I recall trips to the public library where our love of reading was so encouraged. And your own curiosity spurred ours. You were always trying new things and embracing new ideas. Edgar Cayce for example. I still use the almond oil.

You taught us generosity and giving. Always setting an example of goodness. Not that we didn’t have moments, but your constant love 💗 was always present.

So fitting that German lore would be included. Our roots are deeply steeped in culture that you instilled.

I love the presence of butterflies and birds (Tina had the dragonfly) and I’m more mindful of them now. I see you in nature. And in the clouds. In stillness of meditation I feel your spirit.

I often have vivid dreams and try to remember them. On my walk today I met a lady who saw me (crying) and she encouraged me to start a journal. I think that’s a good idea.

Spending the weekend with dad and Tina and reminiscing about the family dinner table. We remarked how you ate at the counter always serving others first. Always making sure we were ok. And the actual food memories were fun, too. Minute steak. Cherry cheesecake. So many delicious memories.

Mom, please take care of our animals and loved ones with you in spirit. You nurture us always.

I love you and miss you.