We got away late afternoon and landed in a gloomy Portree. Heading down the road through Skye I turned right down the Armadale road and Lorraine said “Where are you going?” I had booked a night at Kinloch Lodge as a surprise start to the holiday. After trying to get here all last winter it was quite exciting to actually be driving in the main drive.

It was a superb evening in good company and a fantastic meal, head chef Calum Montgomery from Portree. In the morning after an eagerly awaited breakfast we headed off to Inverness. Sure enough it was pretty fresh and wet. We had a good drive down and were quite surprised to see the West end of Kyle under black smoke.

It seems that someones garden fire was a bit eventful!!!!!! we got to Inverness mid day and did some last minute holiday shopping then around tea time we headed to the Muirton Basin where the MV Aspire (our new ferryboat) was waiting to get surveyed. It was on the midway point of its journey to Skye.

We had a good look around and were very impressed with it all, good luck to Pam and Kevin on their purchase and safe return.

Saturday was a complete day off, a late breakfast and then a leisurely 6 mile walk around Castle Leod, my old hunting ground. After not seeing it for almost a decade it was quite a shock to see the changes in the forest. Especially sad to see no deer, no hoof marks and no droppings at all. It seems there has been a total eradication of the deer around this area. What use a forest without deer? I had a chat with the guys at Cromartie timber.

Then it was on through the woods behind the Castle, the Laird was not at home.

I planted this tree on my Lab’ “becky’s” grave, maybe 14/15 years ago, a Western Cedar. It is a bit bent here and there but going well. I must go back and clean up around it’s base one day. The trees here are fantastic, many fine specimens and well worth a look.

Sunday was a Vision Express day then a run up to see my Grandson, he is a wee star.

And after all that here we are on the Caledonian Sleeper, heading via Aberdeen (it is going to be a long night) seems there are engineering works going on.

Monday Morning and I’m passing the time at St Pancras serenaded by an impromptu performance on the piano. I am trying out WordPress on the ipad so goodness knows how this will look.

But here we go, across the channel for the next part of the adventure!!!!