Since the early caveman in his fur took a trip to Gretna Green,
Travel Location: Scotland,United-Kingdom
So I had had one fleeting experience with snow a week or so earlier when I went out in Southport. It was about 3am and some snowy things were floating down which excited me no end as I’d never seen any snow before. Following this rather sad affair, it was decided that I should see some PROPER snow and it is usually rather cold and snow filled in Scotland. So a plan was formed. It was Andy’s unlucky task to drive me up and around Coutts country while I excitedly oohed and ahhed over all the white stuff. The first stop in Scotland was Gretna Green, famous eloping place. Lydia Bennet eloped here in Pride and Prejudice. Uh-huh. And, as per my blog title, it is one of my favourite childhood songs: All lined up in a wedding group ‘Ere we are for a photograph We’re all dressed up in a morning suit All trying hard not to laugh Since the early caveman in his fur Took a trip to Gretna Green There’s always been a photographer To record the ‘appy scene….. ‘Old it, flash, bang, wallop, what a picture What a picture, what a photograph Poor old soul, blimey, what a joke Hat blown off in a cloud of smoke Clap ‘ands, stamp yer feet Bangin’ on the big bass drum What a picture, what a picture Um-tiddly-um-pum-um-pum-pum Stick it in your fam’ly album — David Heneker 1963. Andy and I entertained ourselves by texting people telling them we’d gotten hitched. Well, it was a long car trip, we needed some amusement. We were on our way to Loch Lomond and didn’t get there till well after dark. Mind you, it gets dark here between 3 and 4pm so it’s not hard to arrive somewhere after dark!! That’s definately something that takes a bit of getting used to. So we got to The Lodge on Loch Lomond which was a bloody awesome hotel. However they told us they were expecting ridiculous amounts of snow that night and we might be snowed in the following day. Well, at least then I’d definately see some snow! So we ate and drank stupid quantities of vodka and saw snow fall properly but we didn’t get snowed in and so could be on our way further north. We did get to see the loch properly the next morning as it was too dark to see much the night before. It was really pretty and all that palaver. Drove on up to Fort William. Not the most attractive place on earth and it was feckin’ FREEZING there. I was not impressed I was so cold. We didn’t stay long, just had lunch which included bacon for me as I was slightly hung over and Andy had haggis. I did not try haggis throughout the trip. I know I have Scottish roots and all but…no. Yuck. We made out way up to Loch Ness and Inverness. Loch Ness in bloody huge. Alas, we did not see Nessie. I had to explain to Andy that Nessie is a girl. Hence the name. Mind you I also had to correct Andy’s definition of onomatopoeia so it was hardly surprising!! That night it was a little place called Blair Atholl and the lodging was at the Blair Atholl Arms. Think it was only us and two other people in the whole, huge place. But it was nice and had dinner in the bar where we were served by a Scottish Shrek look-a-like who was obsessed with Rodney Rude and, what’s the other one?? Anyway, he thought because I was Australian I would like them too. No, I prefer clever comedy! Well, this fella was like Rodney Rude’s stalker or something and had seen him umpteen times in Scotland as well as in Australia. Bloody hell. Worthy of my David obsession! Next day was the last day so we went home via Stirling which was where we had stayed when we came when I was 11 in 97. Andy and I did the castle and then got on our way home. Except Andy took a wrong turn on a roundabout so we took a bit on a scenic route. Actually we were quite near proper Coutts country (Kincardine on Forth) but it was very late and we wanted to get back. And so we were back in Skem and I had work to look forward to the next day. But saw lots of snow and got lots of pics and just had a really nice, gratifying experience!! Didn’t get to frolic in any snow but there’s always the ski trip soon!
