10th April 2024 - 1844 miles done

So the hotel. It was lovely and old. Our beds were really big and comfortable however… it was in need of maintenance. Last night I managed to pull off the baths tap without trying. Dad broke the shower door handle and the bathrooms basin taps were loose. Still it mattered not. We had a lovely time though we now had to be quick… apparently rain was due around midday. Currently it was lovely and sunny.

Our first stop was to walk along one of Newcastle’s many bridges. Dad walked down to a lower bridge however came back quickly- and out of breathe - to say the higher bridge we were next to offered the best view. We could see the millennium bridge from here!

We then decided to visit Newcastle castle. As mum and dad would have to visit the castle separately, as I wouldn’t be allowed in, they were charged only one adult fee. I stayed with mum first and then dad. Both mum and dad agreed that the castles keep was actually very scary. Lots of steps, big falls and no one way system. Mum needed something to eat after this so we visited McDonald’s. 

It started to rain. Mum and dad decided to visit Newcastle’s market, apart of the old wall and a couple of bakeries before deciding to go home. It had been a good holiday however it was raining and there wasn’t much else we wanted to do.

Dad paid for parking before he drove into Newcastle again. Fortunately it wasn’t too long before he could leave the city. It was still difficult however mum was awake to help. I fell asleep soon.

Apparently the drive home was awful. Dad said that the weather was terrible and that there was a lot of traffic. We arrived back at Grandmas around 5pm.

What a holiday! 1844 miles in total. I love Scotland. The views are incredible and hopefully I will return when I can do a bit more hiking.

Toodle pip!

9th April 2024 - back to England

Even though I had a late night, I was up early much to the enjoyment of my parents. I was so well rested that this morning all I wanted to do was climb … everything. For some reason I think this made mum and dad get ready even quicker than normal. We left the flat we had been staying in for 5 nights around 9:30am. Yes it was butt ugly from the outside, yes the floor made a horrible noise as I jumped up and down but, I was going to miss the old place.

We traveled south passed the two horses we had seen yesterday. The rain was very strong and I was glad we had seen the horses without getting too wet. We continued east and past Edinburgh. All these place names I now know came up and it was very sad. Before getting all the way around Edinburgh we turned south on the A68. This road would take us all the way to Newcastle however, before getting there we would make a stop. For now though; sleep.

I awoke in a car park. Dad had just come back from somewhere and mum was off looking around the same thing. Apparently we were in Melrose and mum and dad had been to see the abbey. It was a ruin which held Robert the Bruce’s heart! Both said it was good however, they couldn’t go in because there was a lot of restoration work going on.

Once finished with the abbey, we walked into town. The town was very pretty and we found a lovely bakery. Sadly only mum and dad bought something delicious, I was given one of my old cakes and had to eat that. We left soon after.

The road to Newcastle was stunning however it was raining heavily. There was so much flooding; dad had to be really careful when he drove and slowed down numerous times. We were worried that the car might not start.

Driving in Newcastle seemed very scary and very difficult. Mum therefore decided to go to sleep. There wasn’t much I could do to help apart from provide positive thoughts. Dad did well and parked in the hotel car park. £19.50 was really expensive but dad didn’t want to drive anywhere else. The rain was pouring down so we quickly got inside.

The Hotel was amazing. Huge chandeliers with carpeted staircases made the whole place look very grand. We went to our huge room for a cup of tea before we went out into Newcastle.

Wow; what a city. The streets looked very grand too with buildings made of beautiful stone and at least 6 stories high. We walked around a little before heading to the shopping centre for our final restaurant meal; we had Mexican.

Dad decided to walk a different way back due to the blue skies and no rain. We saw some beautiful stone building lined roads and a huge cathedral. We stopped off at the train station to go to M&S and get a few more bags from our car. It started to rain again therefore we hurried into our room for a bath and a relaxing evening.

Tomorrow more of Newcastle before home.

Toodle pip!

8th April 2024 - bye grandma and grandad

I got up early again.

The weather was good today. Dad and I went for a walk around bridge of Allen before grandad was ready to go out. We all left as a family in my dads car. Some people complained about space in the car however, I had loads.

We visited the Wallace memorial but didn’t leave the car… everyone was too packed. We took photos from the car window before heading to Stirling castle and doing the same. We eventually parked in Stirling train station car park. Grandma and grandad had an hour before their train therefore we split up. Grandma and granddad went to an M&S cafe whereas we went around a shopping center before going to subway for lunch. I don’t like subway; too many choices.

We all met back at the train station where dad gave grandma and grandad their luggage. We all said goodbye but we would meet in two days time. Grandma and grandad got on their train.

We spent another hour looking around Stirling. It’s quite a pretty town; similar to Edinburgh. There were some beautiful buildings going up to the castle. Dad took a few photographs. We then did a little shopping before heading to the Wallace monument. Dad wanted to go up, but the clouds were getting darker and the view wouldn’t be that good for photos. We also had notice for a weather warning. A lot of rain was coming. Finally I couldn’t go up the tower due to my push chair. Due to this we headed off to see some horses called the kelpies. As we drove I heard mum and dad say that we were supposed to see these horses tomorrow but, with the terrible weather report for tomorrow, we went today.

My TV had been taken off me and I was not happy. We walked passed a boring canal to some boring horses. Yeah okay they were very impressive… huge metal horses with a lot of movement. It started to rain so we left.

We got back to the apartment around 5:30pm. Dad watched James Bond but I was feeling tired therefore I went to sleep around 8pm.

Tomorrow we leave Scotland! I have very much enjoyed my time up north.

Toodle pip!

7th April 2024 - Edinburgh

I was up at 5:30am.

Dad went and slept somewhere else whilst I was with mum. We got up properly at 8am and were ready to head out around 9:20. We caught the 9:48 train to a place called Edinburgh. Mum and dad know I like trains and that’s why we didn’t drive. Having been up since 5:30am I found the rhythmic movement of the train comforting and quickly fell asleep.

Once in Edinburgh we had to take two lifts just to get out of the station. The sky was blue, the weather was hot but there was a huge breeze. Apparently mum and dad had a pleasant train journey speaking to someone from Herefordshire. They also saw something called The Kelpies … but from very far away.

Once out of the station we had to climb. It would appear that Edinburgh is built on a huge rock. It was worth the climb because, when we did get onto the royal mile it was stupendous. The road was lined with huge stone buildings dwarfing even dad. There was a huge and impressive cathedral with stone buildings surrounding it. In these stone buildings were many shops. Mum and dad bought shortbread. At the end of the Royal mile was Edinburgh Castle. It was across a huge open space. With the really strong wind we all had to be careful. I stayed in my pushchair. I think mum wanted to go into the castle however, there were no free spaces for another 4 hours. We therefore took photos of everything as it was so beautiful before we headed back down the mile.

We visited the old grass market looking for something to eat. Around this time we saw a tour group casting spells at traffic lights. Very odd I thought. We went into St Giles Cathedral. We weren’t in there long however it was nice to get out of the wind. There was a cool side chapel with what looked like seats for knights or Barrons.

Once out we went for something to eat. Something weird happened today. Dad said that he wanted to go to a Japanese restaurant and made the decision without asking mum. This was very strange as mum always chooses where we eat and gets frustrated when dad doesn’t make a decision. So Dad had chosen a Japanese restaurant and that was final.

The Thai restaurant mum picked was very good. Both mum and dad enjoyed their meals though dads was a little hot. Once done dad visited a game shop before both mum and dad looked at their watches to work out that, if they hurried, we could make the 3:30pm train back to the bridge of Allan. We boarded with 8 mins to spare. Dad played with me a lot on the journey home and I couldn’t understand why.

Once back, I stayed with mum whilst grandad, grandma and dad went out. Mum and I ate garlic bread, had a shower and played on the iPad. Mum played with me a lot too. I could understand why.

Grandma, grandad and dad returned. They had apparently been to something called the Kelpies. After they had bought dinner before visiting dunblane. I wanted to hear their stories however, I was now so tired that I went to bed around 8:30pm. Mum, grandma and dad apparently had a nice quiet evening finishing off their breathtaking series.

I’ll be up early again tomorrow!

Toodle pip!

6th April 2024 - relaxing day

I liked today. Firstly the weather was sunny, hot and very windy. I love the wind. This morning mum and dad left around 10:20am to visit something called a whiskey distillery. No idea what that is but that meant I got to stay with Grandma and Grandad. I decided to behave myself. Instead of climbing on the sofa, grandma and I sang ‘went to mow a meadow’ a billion times. Grandma tried to turn the tv on but I wasn’t having any of it. We sang a bit more before I watched Shyunapusyu on grandma’s phone.

Mum and dad weren’t long. They were back from Tullibardine distillery and they had both loved it. Both mum and dad said that they had enjoyed the tour and had learnt lots. The guide had been great and funny too. Dad had two ‘wee drams of whiskey’. I didn’t understand.

After lunch it was mums turn to stay at the apartment and grandma, grandad, dad and I went to a battlefield called Bannockburn. When I got out of the car the strongest wind hit my face and I loved it. We went in to a visitors centre where there was a little bit of information, but not as much as culloden. Grandad decided to stay in the cafe and have a coffee whereas I got to go outside again and into the wind. We saw grandad through the glass window but I asked dad to hurry past him. Grandad was paying attention to us and not his coffee. I feared it would be on the floor soon judging by the angle of the cup.

After dad had ran off after our isle of Arran shopping bag, Grandma, dad and I fought the wind and walked a little bit of the battlefield. It had a few notice boards and a big statue of a guy called Robert the Bruce. I have to say; a battlefield with such importance as this one, I was expecting more information. Dad agreed. The view across the battlefield was great and you could imagine the two opposing armies clashing.

After this we returned back to the apartment and had amazing fish and chips from the unfriendly and battered covered Allan Water fish and chip shop. I hadn’t had a lot of sleep today therefore I had an early night whereas the rest of the family watched ’Breathtaking’. A series about a hospital in covid-19 times.

I’ll be up early tomorrow though!

Toodle pip!

5th April 2024 - rainy days in Glasgow

I woke dad up at around 7:30am. We had a relaxing morning before we walked to the train station. Sadly we walked a little too slowly in the rain and we just missed the train. When we did get the train I looked outside at the view and the rain. mum and dad talked to a guy who lived in dumblane, but originally from Nottingham.

We arrived in an impressive train station in the middle of a big city. It was pouring with rain but we still went out. Some people say Glasgow isn’t very nice however, as I was pushed around I really enjoyed it. George’s square was lovely and the buildings were all very Victorian. We went down one shopping street and into a shopping centre for a snack. Once outside we went into a couple of other shops before visiting the River Clyde. Again the buildings were very impressive.

At 3:30 we went to Pizza Hut where we met grandma and grandad. They had taken a later train. We took off our wet things off and I ate a lot of pizza crusts. After this we decided to head back to the train station. On the way dad brought a cow jumper and mum got some doughnuts. 

Once back at the station I met grandma and grandad again and we all boarded the train home. As we had eaten pizza late we just ate our doughnuts and drank tea while watching tv at the apartment.

It had been a good but wet day.

Toodle pip!

4th April 2024 - back to the lowlands

Today was a sad day for all. We had spent a week in the highlands and it was now time to leave. We had breakfast and then dad packed the car.

For the first time in the Cairngorms, the sun was shining. We therefore decided to do one final walk around a small loch in the woodland. Unfortunately we couldn’t do the whole walk due to tree felling. I didn’t feel like walking therefore I stayed in my pushchair and dad pushed me. Though short the walk was lovely.

Once done we headed south to Perth. I decided to have a little sleep. During this time dad made two photo stops.

Once in Perth we immediately left. On the outskirts there was a nice park with a tea room where we had lunch. We then walked up a river towards the town of scone and back again. It was pleasant. I didn’t fancy walking here either.

We made a stop at an M&S food hall in Dunblane before making it to our apartment for 5 nights. As dad drove slowly in I thought mum had made a mistake. I had seen war zones on tv look more habitable. Dad gingerly got out of the car, made sure it was locked three times, and went off. I wasn’t sure if I would see him again.

He came back white and with a key. It looks like we are in the right place. Dad had named 53 Avenue Park, Bridge of Allen … Nelson Mandela House. I didn’t get the joke.

I walked inside and it was scary. It was a set of 1970s flats with concrete stairs and a dodgy handrail. This time I did walk and quickly. Once on the top floor we opened the door to the flat and … it was lovely… the inside was really nice. I decided to forget the outside and mum closed all the curtains.

Dad Emptied everything from the car. Once done he had a cup of tea and then left. I wondered where he was going. 10 minutes late he was back … with grandma and grandad! They had taken the train to come and see us … here! Lucky them.

We all sat down and ate Chinese mum and dad had bought from M&S earlier.

Let’s hope tomorrow is better

Toodle pip!

3rd April 2024 - A Royal day

We got up a decent time and went for breakfast. Unlike Inverness; here I got pancakes. Two were nice but one had too much sauce on it. Once breakfast was over we got straight into the car. We made a quick stop off at a cake shop but I didn’t get one. Slightly grumpy we set off again over the Cairngorms mountains. Looking outside the window, I could see the Scottish highland heath as far as the eye could see… only stopping because of mountains. The vastness of space was incredible and I felt excited.

We drove on. Mum fell asleep and missed it. We arrived at the car park of a very important castle. It was raining but mum and dad were eager to get going. We crossed a bridge over the river Dee and through a gate into a wooded landscape. Out of this wooded landscape came Balmoral. It was a beautiful and large castle. I got to walk around the grounds including the gardens. It was so peaceful. We went to the gift shop However, even I thought that the price were scarily high therefore, we left without purchasing anything. 

We stayed in the car park a little while where mum and dad ate their cake. Mum gave me a bit of hers. We then drove to Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve where we went for a lovely walk. The rain had stopped too. I also had a little sleep.

We had walked for 2 hours and the time was around 5pm. It was now time to go back to the hotel. Dad wanted to get across the mountains before dark. The view was just as stunning as before … and mum was asleep again!

We made it back to the hotel at around 6pm. We spent some time in our room eating biscuits and drinking tea before heading for dinner. Tonight mum and dad ordered loads of starters and sides instead of a meal. Both mum and dad loved the cuttery skink soup.

We had a late night watching the crown. It had been a good day!

Toodle Pip!

2nd April- Cairngorms National Park

I woke up and, what is now tradition, I woke my parents up. Breakfast was just as nice as yesterday. I ate sausages, cake and a little toast. We left the hotel at 11am.

We arrived at our next hotel- The Boat country inn at Boat of Garten - around 11:45am. Way too early to check in. We therefore drove to loch Garten. Out of the window it looked like a lovely place for a walk however, it was raining quite heavily. In stead we drove on quite a way and stopped when the rain lessened. That happened to be the Glenlivet distillery. The smell of whiskey was just as strong as on the isle of Arran. The inside was very impressive and felt expensive. We bought some whiskey before leaving. 

The Glenlivet distillery was located on Scotlands whiskey highway. We stopped at two more distilleries. One of which mum made a friend! Neither of these distilleries had taster bottles.

Once done it was a round 3pm. We headed into Grantown-on-Spey where we ate fish and chips. To me, this place looked a lot like Marston-on-the-moor in the Cotswold. It was very pretty and the fish and chips were amazing.

We went back to loch Garten where we parked and went for a walk as the weather was better. I was feeling very energetic for once therefore I ran around the woodland path … dad struggled to keep up! The view of the loch through the trees was very pretty.

We got back to our hotel around 6pm and checked in. Sadly it was the top floor. However, I was allowed to climb all the stairs. The room was small but felt Scottish. In the evening we headed to the restaurant to join local families enjoying each others company. The food was good.

We retired to our room and went to sleep soon. Tomorrow is a busy day apparently.

Toddle pip!