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Thursday & Friday – 1st & 2nd October

We drove to Fort William from home in Oxfordshire with an early start so that we could complete the journey during daylight. It took about 8.5 hrs with stops. We had stunning scenery over Glencoe, I never tire of those mountains and the stunning scenery. We were staying at the Cruachan Hotel in Fort William which was very comfortable and friendly with good tasty pub food and a cosy atmosphere. It was a very popular hotel. The next morning after a good breakfast we set off to the railway station with great anticipation to catch the Jacobite train part of the Great West Railway. Unfortunately we had been downgraded from 1st Class to Standard due to Covid distancing but we still had a great trip with a table for 4 between the two of us. All the passengers queued to take photos of the steam engine and I was no exception.

The sun came out about 20 minutes into the trip so we were fortunate with our photos. Going over the Glenfinnan Viaduct caused great excitement and I managed to get my camera out of the window to take a great shot of our train going over it.  It was a really memorable trip and the scenery was spectacular all the way.  I would definitely recommend it.  For keen photographers If you want to take a photo from Glenfinnan up the road from the National Trust car park then you need to be in position by 1045 hrs in the morning or 1510 hrs for the returning train from Malaigh but the morning one from Fort William gives the best photos by far with the train coming towards you around the curve of the viaduct.  I don’t think the train runs at weekends. 

Later in the evening we drove back up to Glencoe to try and get some good evening shots.

Saturday 3rd October

Driving on to the Cottage the next morning we had time so we shopped in Fort William for extra food items then strolled through the town which is very nice, friendly with lots of good shops.  We particularly enjoyed the Highland Bookshop, such a great selection of books and maps which we took full advantage of.  Afterwards we discovered the Cinema Café which was lovely and clean, cosy and friendly just perfect for a coffee and cake before our drive to the Cottage in the Kingairloch Estate. We were in no rush as we couldn’t get into the cottage until 1600 hrs and it was only about a 90 minute drive from Fort William using the Corran Ferry.   We arrived at the Cottage on time, it was perfect, so cosy and warm – we were really delighted with it.  Just a little one bedroom with stunning views of the mountains and the Loch a’Choire.  We unpacked and had our first meal here which I had kept fresh in a cold box which plugs into the cigarette lighter.  With a g&t for me and wine for James – perfect.  Cheers

Sunday 4^th October   

We woke to an absolutely beautiful day and after a leisurely breakfast and a writing a few messages we decided to drive to Acharacle just beyond Strontian to visit the Garbh Eilean Hide.  It was a beautiful peaceful walk – so quiet and full of colour.   We reached the hide after about 30 mins – I stopped every now and then to take photos.  I set up my camera and lens and a family in the hide kindly pointed out the seals sitting on some rocks out to sea.  I took some photos of them – not the most photogenic of creatures.  We had been hoping for otters or sea eagles but sadly not that day.  After that we strolled back and ambled home in the car enjoying the scenery on the way.  We were going to stop at the little café in Strontian for a Coffee but it wasn’t open on Sundays.  So we were back early and I started writing my blog and sorting photos. James relaxed with a book.  Another relaxing evening with a dinner made earlier and g&t etc.  Very pleasant. 

Continue reading “Our Scottish Highland Trip” →

Visited Theole sur mer just up the coast from Cannes. Very popular for lunches by the sea & beach activities. Quite beautiful with the red cliffs behind and the villas nestling in the hills. Had a tasty lunch of goats cheese salad with a delicious cold pression (draft beer). Had a walk after lunch & watched some novice surf boarders – which was entertaining.  Later relaxed by the beach with our books. My idea of heaven.

 

We are staying near Amboise which is a charming pretty French town in the heart of the Loire.  This is definitely Chateau country – a bit like Oxfordshire with a Manor House in every village

Instead there is a Chateau (castle) dans la Ville.   We visited two today.  The first Le Clos Luce was quite small but famous because Leonardo de Vinci stayed here in the last

3 years of his life 1616 -1619.  A very clever man ahead of his time with all his mechanical drawings of tanks, helicopters etc.    The 2nd Chateau – Chenoncesu was 8 miles from Amboise on the River Cher quite spectacular with beautiful gardens & the Chateau spanned the river.  Catherine de Medici lived there.  I expect we will visit more Chateau tomorrow.  Beautiful area, rural & pretty with many Caves (cellars) stocked with wine for sale.

We are staying in a very nice place called Relais du Silence Nr Amboise.

The hornbills are very common here.   Sadly this is our last full day.   We have had a wonderful and varied holiday and it feels a lot longer than three weeks.   Would definitely like to return to Penang and this area.   Wonderful climate even in the rain.  It rains here quite a lot at night at this time of year because it is monsoon season.  Sometimes in the morning too.  Then the sun comes out and all is dry in seconds.  The rain is warm so you could definitely sing in the rain!!!

Just a quick note as limited wireless.  We have left Penang now and are on our island retreat at Pangcour Laut which is on the east side of Malaysia.

Penang is a really great place, would recommend highly for a winter holiday.   Full of personality, beautiful hotels and beaches etc.  would definitely come back.   I would not bother with KL again just a big city.  You can fly from Singapore to Penang so that is a great bonus which I did not know about.  This part of Malaysia is quite like Thailand as it is the same coastline.  Very good prices as well if you keep out of 5 star hotels for eating.  £1.20 for two scoops sorbet or ice cream at a nice little restaurant. Can pay about £40 for a good meal with wine, also of course a lot less.  Lots of lovely heritage from when the British were in Georgetown Penang.  They have a bridge which is 23km long!!

Just relaxing now for few days before we fly back to a cold UK. It wil be a shock to us I know xx

 

 

Breakfast view Penang

Named after William Cameron who discovered this beautiful place.  Also great credit and thanks to the Russell family who had the vision to grow tea here.  What more can I say really beautiful.

Yesterday started with a river cruise to a small water fall area where the water was very deep and the current quite fast over the rocks. We reached a point on the river where it was too shallow for the boat to go on and risked grounding in the rocks. All the boats are powered by motor boat engines. The water was beautifully clear with a brown colour running through t which I thought was similar to rivers in Ireland which have the peat which colours the water. In this case it was tannin from the leaves coming down from the mountain. Like tea really. We started a walk to the cascade which is a nice area for swimming or just relaxing.

On the way we saw tracks from elephants which was fascinating. They make big round. tracks and push everything aside in their path. The guide told us a story of a couple of men who camped near the track one night in their tent. Early in the morning the elephants came through and a baby elephant dragged one of the tents about a hundred yards with one man still in it. Luckily he only broke a few ribs.

Later we visited the Malaysia’s indigent people. They live in the jungle with their children and will accept visitors at times. They live off plants mostly and fruit. Eat the occasional monkey but not often as difficult to catch. They make medicine from plants such as one to cure a fever or another to stop bleeding. The women and children are very shy. They use blow pipes to catch birds to eat. They often don’t know how old they are.

 

Yesterday , we had our first full day in the Malaysian Jungle. This is the oldest protected rainforest area apparently. Last night we had a night walk and learned about spotting spiders by looking for the glow of their eyes with a torch. We also saw three green non poisonous snakes. Also a scorpion. It was a fascinating walk. Full of the noise of the jungle which was almost deafening at times. Some birds sound like jackhammers!! Today we did a canopy walk which is a walk on swing bridges 45 metres above the jungle floor. We feel quite privileged to be able to do that as a lot is quite new. A little bit scary but worth it for the views. In the afternoon we had a wonderful boat ride along the river, which was very beautiful. We were very lucky to see a kingfisher, eagle, some wild boar and on the way back some monkeys feeding on fruit in the trees. All pretty amazing. More when I get the wifi back properly. xx