Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Made it to Inverness
Just wanted to let you know we made it to Inverness. Had to stop at the Loch Ness Centre of course and learn about the latest research on Nessie. I'm planning a 2 week trip to the Centre as soon as I get home. Carolyn says she's not coming with me :-(
Dinner Pics
As I mentioned in the previous post we had a great dinner in Oban last night at "Room 9". Here is a bit of a blow by blow. We're leaving for Inverness in about 30 - already have reservations at a highly recommended place "Mustard Seed" - we'll see.
Started the evening with a bottle of Pinot Noir - 14 Pounds (about $23).
Tomato Basil Bisque for me (this tasted almost like mine!)
And a filo packet filled with roasted peppers, tomatoes, and cheddar for Carolyn.
My main of pan seared lamb steak and pureed potato. Lamb - mmmmmm.
Carolyn's main of rib-eye with grilled tomatoes and onions.
Too full for dessert after this. Great meal. Small place. The chef and waitress cared. Not rocket science. That said I have to tell you there's rumor the owner wants to sell the place. Their lease goes through the end of the year. This great little place may be gone soon. Sad.
Started the evening with a bottle of Pinot Noir - 14 Pounds (about $23).
Tomato Basil Bisque for me (this tasted almost like mine!)
And a filo packet filled with roasted peppers, tomatoes, and cheddar for Carolyn.
My main of pan seared lamb steak and pureed potato. Lamb - mmmmmm.
Carolyn's main of rib-eye with grilled tomatoes and onions.
Too full for dessert after this. Great meal. Small place. The chef and waitress cared. Not rocket science. That said I have to tell you there's rumor the owner wants to sell the place. Their lease goes through the end of the year. This great little place may be gone soon. Sad.
Monday, September 29, 2014
Dinner in Oban
Ok so here's a funny thing. We just had dinner at a place called Room 9 in Oban. Best dinner of the trip by far. Locally sourced, freshly made, and it follows all the rules: fewer than 10 tables, menu in 1 language, limited menu, etc. I just say this because, as I previously posted, we were kind of looking down on Oban. I still don't think I'd come back for Oban alone but I'm pretty excited we found a great restaurant and wanted to share. I'll post pictures tomorrow.
Oban
Well so much for the "highly recommended" fish restaurant I spoke of yesterday. It was a disaster. Short story: after being seated and ignored for 30 minutes we walked out. I couldn't flag the waitress down - she completely ignored us. It also was grey and rained all yesterday - not a down pour but a steady drizzle.
We were ready to bag Oban and move on. But a day makes a difference and this morning the sun shown. I still wouldn't recommend coming here unless it's on your way to somewhere else (this is the hopping off point for the Hebrides Islands) but my impression of the area improved after today. Here are a few photos.
The town's center is the harbor (unlike most towns we've been in where the center is some market square). Honestly this reminds me of some of the Oregon costal towns: a bit run down but when you are in the right frame of mind they can be charming. Think Seaside or Newport.
We started our day with a tour of the Oban Whiskey distillery. It was actually quite fun touring this small plant with a group of eight. And of course the best part was the tasting. Honestly, I learned a lot about Scotch single malts.
Just a shot up the "main" street of the town. On the right is the distillery. Up above, the roman amphitheater like thing, is called "McCraig's" folly. More on that in a minute.
A shot of town from a pier out in the harbor.
So McCraig was the founder of the North Bank of Scotland. Towards the end of his days he got the idea to build a monument to himself and his family. He was planning to build a museum that would surround statues of himself and his family. Of course he died long before it was finished. He left a provision in his will to give a thousand pounds a year (this was 1900) until it was finished. His family contested the will (they apparently had different plans for the money) and won. McCraig's folly (as it became known) sat empty up until the early 2000's when the town bought it and turned it into a park. So in a way he got his monument.
Views from McCraig's tower are pretty spectacular.
We also took a few mile trek out to the McDougall castle. Not much as castles go but a nice scenic walk.
That's sort of it for the day. We're off to Inverness tomorrow (just for one night) and then Edinburgh for a few days. I doubt I'll write about Oban again so look for more tomorrow or the next day.
The town's center is the harbor (unlike most towns we've been in where the center is some market square). Honestly this reminds me of some of the Oregon costal towns: a bit run down but when you are in the right frame of mind they can be charming. Think Seaside or Newport.
We started our day with a tour of the Oban Whiskey distillery. It was actually quite fun touring this small plant with a group of eight. And of course the best part was the tasting. Honestly, I learned a lot about Scotch single malts.
Just a shot up the "main" street of the town. On the right is the distillery. Up above, the roman amphitheater like thing, is called "McCraig's" folly. More on that in a minute.
A shot of town from a pier out in the harbor.
So McCraig was the founder of the North Bank of Scotland. Towards the end of his days he got the idea to build a monument to himself and his family. He was planning to build a museum that would surround statues of himself and his family. Of course he died long before it was finished. He left a provision in his will to give a thousand pounds a year (this was 1900) until it was finished. His family contested the will (they apparently had different plans for the money) and won. McCraig's folly (as it became known) sat empty up until the early 2000's when the town bought it and turned it into a park. So in a way he got his monument.
Views from McCraig's tower are pretty spectacular.
We also took a few mile trek out to the McDougall castle. Not much as castles go but a nice scenic walk.
That's sort of it for the day. We're off to Inverness tomorrow (just for one night) and then Edinburgh for a few days. I doubt I'll write about Oban again so look for more tomorrow or the next day.
Sunday, September 28, 2014
5 hours later and we are in Oban Scotland
Ugh - longest drive of the trip. 5 hours on windy roads in the rain. But we made it and have a reservation at a highly recommended fish restaurant for dinner. More soon.
A hike in the hills of Keswick
We took a hike through the hills above Keswick - the specific hike is here and below are some of our photos with commentary.
The hike starts about half a mile from town in a small wood.
And quickly rises up above Keswick and Derwentwater (the lake)
The trail gets a bit more rugged but nothing too bad
You pass through a bunch of "kissing" gates and fields actively being used for grazing.
It crosses a number of "becks" (small streams)
And goes through a bunch of pastures.
Sometimes there are no gates and they build steps into the walls.
Coolest part is at about the 2/3 mark is Castelrigg stone circle (think a small stonehenge).
Through a few more fields and
You end up back in Keswick and start walking along an old disused railroad track.
All the way back into town.
The hike starts about half a mile from town in a small wood.
And quickly rises up above Keswick and Derwentwater (the lake)
The trail gets a bit more rugged but nothing too bad
You pass through a bunch of "kissing" gates and fields actively being used for grazing.
It crosses a number of "becks" (small streams)
And goes through a bunch of pastures.
Sometimes there are no gates and they build steps into the walls.
Coolest part is at about the 2/3 mark is Castelrigg stone circle (think a small stonehenge).
Through a few more fields and
You end up back in Keswick and start walking along an old disused railroad track.
All the way back into town.
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Keswick
So the lakes region (specifically Keswick) is probably our favorite so far this trip. We've been out walking or hiking most of the time we've been here. The town itself is pretty but the real attraction is the surrounds. Here are a few pictures from our hikes and walks.
A quick note about food in the UK. We've found the best food is at bars, cafes, or pubs. The restaurants all offer quite heavy meals - typically some relatively heavy starters followed by some form of animal flesh in a heavy sauce. It's not terrible but not particularly inventive either. The cafes, bars, and pubs (well some of the pubs) on the other hand offer relatively refreshing menus. Who would have thought?
A quick note about food in the UK. We've found the best food is at bars, cafes, or pubs. The restaurants all offer quite heavy meals - typically some relatively heavy starters followed by some form of animal flesh in a heavy sauce. It's not terrible but not particularly inventive either. The cafes, bars, and pubs (well some of the pubs) on the other hand offer relatively refreshing menus. Who would have thought?
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Food!
So the food has been good but not spectacular (except for Fish and Chips). That's why I haven't blogged a bunch about the food. Still it wouldn't be our blog without a few food pics would it? We'll show you the best of what we've found.
Chicken and Mushroom Pie at Garricks (quite good). We've already shown you the fish and chips from here.
Fried goat cheese and pea salad.
Sunday roast at the King's Inn in Stow. Yes it's as heavy as it looks.
Pretty decent sandwiches at "Cotswold Baguettes" in Stow.
"Meh" (will become third best so far) fish and chips in Stow.
Lamb at Watson's Bistro in Conwy. This place was highly recommended but we thought it average.
Haddock and Chips in Conwy - actually a close second to Bath.
Chicken and Mushroom Pie at Garricks (quite good). We've already shown you the fish and chips from here.
Fried goat cheese and pea salad.
Sunday roast at the King's Inn in Stow. Yes it's as heavy as it looks.
Pretty decent sandwiches at "Cotswold Baguettes" in Stow.
"Meh" (will become third best so far) fish and chips in Stow.
Lamb at Watson's Bistro in Conwy. This place was highly recommended but we thought it average.
Haddock and Chips in Conwy - actually a close second to Bath.
Some shots around Conwy
Here are a few pictures Fran and I took. We liked these for one reason or another and thought we'd share.
Railroad on the north edge of town.
Harbor gate out of the town.
The Castle from the Harbor.
Along the city walls.
Our B&B.
Welsh countryside.
More countryside.
Railroad on the north edge of town.
Harbor gate out of the town.
The Castle from the Harbor.
Along the city walls.
Our B&B.
Welsh countryside.
More countryside.
Castle in Conwy
Went to see the castle in Conwy today. It has the longest intact city walls of any fortified city in Europe. Here are a few pictures of us around the wall and in the castle.
A selfie from the top of the castle. It's high - I was white knuckled.
A selfie from the top of the castle. It's high - I was white knuckled.
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