Working to live, not living to work! Adventures achieved on days off and holidays.

 Leaving the Lodge, and my disappointment at not seeing the Aurora Borealis, we headed off to Ullapool. Our route included admiring the engineering of the Kylesku bridge, watching someone fishing, unsuccessfully, he even packed up as the showers started again and we beat a retreat to our car. Were supposed to do a tour on  the Kylesku boat tours, but he cancelled the night before due to forecast high winds, I don't know if really there was another reason, as, of all our days, this one was windless, with waters on all the Lochs very calm indeed, and apart from a few showers a perfect day. Klyesku Bridge. Hopeful fisherman on little peir.  Nice calm water today. Saw the top if the Allt Chranaidh waterfall, we had started walking up the gorge to the base, but as nothing was signed, we weren't sure if we were on the right track. This what Naarah had gleaned from websites as well, so should of just pushed on. The track being a muddy or very rocky goat path beside the creek wit...

 Waking in Thurso we found the rain had gone and we had a brilliant sunny day, at least for a little while, we're learning it can change so quickly, and indeed by the time we packed the car, rain was again drizzling down. So we persevered with our plans, otherwise we wouldn't see half of what we wanted too. First stop was St Mary's chapel, an old ruins on a windswept (what's new), outcrop. Why they built in such exposed places I have no idea why for apart from being able to see for miles around, I'm sure it made life unpleasant for a lot of the time. Going to the chapel you never could of arrived looking neat! Wild coastline, again. I enjoy the drive as much as the destination, so with Tony doing the driving I could enjoy the scenery. Between Naarah and I we found lots of extra spots to stop to get photos. The Kyle of causeway and bridge was one of these places. Stunning vistas to enjoy. Tongue causeway,  just curving around water. My model in front of Kyle of Tongu...

A very small part of the Nybster Broch, about 4-5 metres across, there was an extensive series of paths etc, all set down in the cliff edge foreground like this. Red Campion, silena dioca, Scottish wildflower. Surviving in the old rock of the walls of the broch. We found a path down to the beach, and a small waterfall.  It rained overnight, but the sun came out so looking like we'll have a nice day again. Nybster broch was our first stop. Am always amazed at the amount of work put into the stonewalls etc, with none of the mechanization we have to assist. Scotland really is built out of rock! Then off to Duncansby Lighthouse and the stacks of  Duncansby. Being a lighthouse it's on a very exposed point, and the wind was appropriately strong, blowing plumes of sea spray up the 67 mt high cliffs. It's a short walk across the headland to the stacks, brilliant short green grass, though very muddy in spots from all the foot traffic. It's like walking on a sponge, all springy, ...

 Another pack up, another days exploration of the rugged coastline and attractions of The Highlands of Scotland. First stop was Dalmore Farm,  selling everything from potatoes to giftware and coffee. Trying different potatoes, they've been nice. Cute miniature donkeys, just trying to focus on eating their hay, and not pose for photos. Then stopped at Carn Liath, a Broch. Getting used to finding the pullovers, and it seems strange to be be walking across a 4 lane highway,  but at least it's not busy like the freeway in Brisbane. When we got there the familiar sound of the bagpipes could be heard. We busted in on someone's filming session, as their drone was buzzing around. But it's a public space, so they'd have to cope with that. We appreciated the bagpipes playing,  he was quite good. Off to visit a harbour next, Latheronwheel was very pretty with the sun shining, grass green and water behaving itself, which as the photo's show,  it doesn't always do. Mmmm,...