1 EAGLETON NOTES: TW3

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Monday 24 August 2015

TW3

That Was The Week That Was. Remember that programme from half a century ago? Of course you don't. Well not if you're younger than I am. I wrote that start to this post this morning whilst it was fresh in my mind knowing that I had a day when I wouldn't be able to finish it until this evening. Coincidentally it's been in the news today.

Those of you who followed my A Hebridean in New Zealand blog will know that Pauline and I went on safari in New Zealand's Northland each year. Well last week Pauline visited Scotland and we went on a Highlands and Islands safari.

There will be more detailed posts on both our blogs (bearing in mind that Pauline's away for ages yet) but just to prove that Pauline woz 'ere here are a few photos.  

The most amazing thing, though, was that it didn't rain on us during the day all week. Pauline has a reputation for bringing good weather and she certainly came up trumps last week.

Day 1: Straight off the plane from Dublin and a visit to Fort George near Inverness
Day 1: The Ledgowan Arms in Achasheen for the first night
Day 2: The road to Applecross on the West Coast
Day 2: Pauline and the Nighthawk on the way over the 'top' to Applecross
Day 2: On 'the top' looking over to the Cuillins on the Isle of Skye.
Day 3: The Broch at Dun Carloway, Isle of Lewis
Day 3: The Standing Stones at Callanish, Isle of Lewis
Day 3: St Moluag's Church, Ness, Isle of Lewis
Day 4:  St Clement's Church, Rodel, Isle of Harris
Day 5: Uig, Isle of Lewis
Day 5: Uig Sands, Isle of Lewis. As good as New Zealand (but slightly colder!). 
Day 6: The ferry, a journey through the Highlands and a night in a superb hotel.
Day 7: Surveying the scene at Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness
Well that was the week, that was. And a most enjoyable safari it was too. Enjoy the rest of your holiday Pauline.

34 comments:

  1. Lovely photos ~ looks like a lot of fun!

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  2. Those signs on the road to Applecross are more dangerous than any mobile/cell phones! Driving and trying to decipher all that is written is an accident not only waiting to happen, but one (more than one) that will most certainly happen! I hope there's a parking area where drivers can pull off so they can read the signs! lol

    Wonderful photos, Graham, of what looks like a beautiful area to visit. I feel well-travelled and it's not cost me a cent! Thank you!

    My response to your comment on my blog re Hinchinbrook (I've also copied it on your previous post below) might clear up how you feel you know about the island...or it may not! :)

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    1. Yes Lee there is lots of room to pull off and I think the sign as much a tourist attraction as the beauty that surrounds it. I saw your comments in my emails Lee. Thank you. The west coast of Scotland and its islandsis a magnificent and beautiful place. I never tire of seeing it and showing it off to visitors.

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  3. What a lovely journey! I would love to see these for myself one day!

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  4. Stunning landscape, it looks so dramatic. Loved your roadtrip from my armchair. Thank you for sharing it with us all.

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    1. It's a pleasure Lynda and there's more to come.

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  5. Nice to visit all these places with you and your friend. Wonderful pictures as usual and wonderful weather! I tried to follow you on Google Maps, as I do Mr. Pudding when he takes me on our walkabouts. But I am confused. There seems to be an Isle of Lewis and Harris but there is also a place called the Isle of Harris. Who was this Harris person that he has two isles bearing his name?

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    1. Well, Mrs Thyme, I shall do a post explaining the conundrum. I have to say that you are not alone in being confused. I shall also try and do a post with our journey on it. I wish that I had thought about that earlier because I have an app on the iPhone which will do just that. Next time....

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  6. Hey, I enjoyed that trip too!

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    1. I'm so glad Red. I shall be home without visitors next week and will get back to Blogland to catch up with the goings on there.

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    1. Fi you'll have to come and see it for yourself sometime.

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  8. Looks like you had a fantastic time, especially with Pauline bringing the good weather with her ;-) I bet that was a treat in itself. Just loved the breathtaking scenery in photo number 2, some really interesting places you visited.

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    1. Thanks Serenata. The weather was a real bonus for me in particular because it allowed me to show things in their best light but also it was a welcome break from the terrible weather we've been having 'up here'.

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  9. It was kind of you to accommodate Pauline and to show her the sights. I got to see more of Lewis via Pauline's visit than I have seen in the many months I have been coming to this blog Graham. The car name "Nighthawk" makes you seem like a superhero. Trouble in The Cuillins? Monster in the loch off Castle Urquhart? Call for Captain Graham and Nighthawk! (Cue theme music)

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    1. Oh dear YP. That sounds like a mild rebuke (and you're not the first to have made it I have to say) so I shall try harder to improve my exam results teacher. Many of my cars have had names and The Nighthawk and I have been together now for forty years and it don't seem a day too long. Sorry I got carried away (appropriate given that a neighbour calls The Nighthawk a hearse). Actually it's only just over eleven years. Nighthawk Black happens to be its official colour and the name stuck. What theme music shall we have? One of Freddie Phillips Trumpton trilogy perhaps.

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    2. Oops I omitted and apostrophe.

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    3. Not "and" apostrophe! Use the indefinite article laddie - "an"! See me in my study after prep. Six of the best and don't try to shove that atlas down your trews this time laddie!

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    4. Mea culpa but I think that the punishment is a bit harsh teacher.

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    5. One has to be cruel to be kind.

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  10. I'm glad that Pauline brought good weather, especially since that means we get a share of it too via beautiful photos... highlands and beach, brochs and standing stones and churches and castle ruins... sigh... (yes, a "wee" bit of envy sneaking in)...

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    1. Well Monica. Who knows. Scotland's not that far away.

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  11. Great scenery, great weather, great company - the perfect ingredients for a great holiday.
    Thank you for letting us be part of it (somehow), and thanks to Pauline for allowing her pictures to appear on your blog! I wish my friends and relatives were more like her in that respect :-)

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    1. Meike the holiday was all the things you said and more. It's always a real joy to safari with Pauline. Pauline has a way of getting people to allow her to photograph them so I think she's quite happy to reciprocate.

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  12. Loved all the story telling photos...very picturesque.
    That sign would give me a headache.

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    1. Virginia although the sign has a serious message it's more there to be photographed by tourists I think. There will be few tourists to see it in midwinter.

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  13. so much to see, breathtaking vistas! Pauline looks like a fun person to be around.

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    1. Norma the vistas are truly breathtaking and Pauline is fun.

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  14. What a gift - to bring good weather. And it is clear that Lewis more than held its own with NZ, from these photos!

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  15. It looks like you both had a fabulous time! Your images are fantastic, Graham! It's great to see Pauline agauin, even if only in photos. I met her last year when she came to Australia and stayed in Brisbane (which is where she is originally from). We had a lovely day and enjoyed lunch together.

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    1. Liz I had a wonderful time and I'm pretty sure that Pauline did too. As always she brought good weather: the best of the summer so far. Pauline mentioned a while ago that she'd met you when she was there.

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