We have a couple travel days ahead of us, so today was essentially our last day touring and likely my last post unless something dramatic happens during our train travels from Edinburgh to London. Since we dropped off the car, we’re back up to about 18,000 steps a day (although we logged a respectable 12,000 … Continue reading The Art of Wandering Well: Farewell to Merry Old England.

Our trip is winding down! Our last scheduled event was an interior tour of Balmoral Castle. They only opened the doors to the public two years ago, and I had to make reservations months ago. After showing passports several times, receiving special parking and admission, being scanned, and having our bags searched, our small group … Continue reading The Art of Wandering Well: Balmoral

You gotta love a good B&B hostess. Especially one that looks exactly like your mother.  It was a little eerie and a little comforting at the same time. A few of the things she got right… The Launderette.She wasn’t kidding when she said it was right around the corner. Unlike a few others, all the … Continue reading The Art of Wandering Well: Take The Advice

Three stops on the tourist trail today… Culloden Battlefield: according to Rick Steves, it is “an evocative, haunting, and deeply powerful memorial.” We agree. Cawdor Castle and Gardens: “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” Clava Cairns: ancient … Continue reading The Art of Wandering Well: Keeping a Tally

We left Oban and headed for the Highlands today. Leaving Oban we followed a single lane, meandering Road through the country, sometimes I'm not sure about Apple Maps? It was a little harrowing, but it is on those roads that we get windows into typical Scottish living. And that includes Highland cows. We generally see … Continue reading The Art of Wandering Well: Traversing The Highlands

We arrived in Oban, home of the famous single malt scotch whisky, and decided it has a western coastal B.C. sort of vibe. Like Prince Rupert, it has trains and ferries, and a road which ends at the sea. However, the shops and restaurants are decidedly more tourist-friendly, and the waterfront is more Victoria, B.C. … Continue reading Wandering and wondering: Oban and Isle of Iona

We were off to Scotland! As we drove through increasingly wilder areas, the road signs gave directions that said simply,“The North,” like it was Game of Thrones or something.   Scotland feels less manicured than England - wilder. The fields are not as curated -  you can see shrubbery encroaching and some reforestation happening.  There seem … Continue reading The Art of Wandering Well: Skipping Glasgow

Some days you need castles and grand adventures.  And some days you just need good coffee, clean socks and a breather! When I had researched where to stay in this part of the world, I was not anticipating that we would have a car. The town of Chester was conveniently halfway between Wales and Liverpool, both … Continue reading The Art of Wandering Well: Home Base