2014-05-31-Scotland Highlands

A nice 12 day vacation in Scotland starting from Edinburgh city (small and lively) where we spent 2 lively days touring the city by bus and walking in the lovely bylanes, saw the Edinburgh Castle too which gives a very nice panoramic view of the city and the coast.


Next was going further north to Braemar in the remote Cairngorms National park. We enjoyed walking and driving in the Cairngorms. First day was spent walking around the Muir of Dinnnet forest going to a naturally formed cave in the forest and then a lake (Loch Kinnord) in the opposite direction. Then we spent a pleasant evening in the amazing gardens of Balmoral Castle, a must see in this area.


Second day was spent walking around our hotel in Braemar. We went to a walk to the Birchwood forest below the Morrone Hill. It was a nice flat walk with nice greenary all around and the higher snow clad mountains visible. We even attempted the Morrone hill but had to abandon it due to rains.


The scenery was out of this world, difficult to expalin in words but photos do some justice, specially of the drive from Braemar to Glencoe via Tomintoul seeing the small but elusive Corgarff  Castle between the highland mountains. It was almost like driving in the Ladakh - Changthang plateau with rolling hills of various shades of brown with 4*4 roads going up the mountains in an insanely steep gradient.


Glencoe is another nice village area in the highland mountains on the west coast. We stayed in a small Bed and Breakfast just 3 miles before Glencoe. Next day we went up the Nevis Range in a Gondola to a winter Ski area. We had nice views of the whole mountain area around Nevis range. Yohaan was the most happy since we trekked up 45 mins so that we can have a snow fight in the remaining Glacial melt of summmer. Fortunately this was a clearday enabling us to enjoy it to the max.


I felt very satisfied this evening since I was able to take Yohaan to a garden just 10 mins walk from our Hotel. What a view from the well maintained Garden at 9 PM light of the surrounding mountains. Never seen a garden with mountain views on all 4 sides. Yohaan enjoyed playing there to the max and I had to literally force him back to the hotel.


Next day I went to trek up the Pap of Glencoe. It is a short  but steep climb up but you get amazing views of the surrounding mountains and lakes. I was fortunate that the weather opened up once I reached the top and I sat there soaking the sun and the amazing views. In the afternoon we went to an amazing fossil center on the Mallaig coastal road from Fort Williams. Had an amazing lunch at one of the road side Inns. Yohaan had a nice time seeing the fossils of dinasours like TRex etc.


Next day while driving towards Loch Lommond we took a nice stroll around the forested and amazingly scenic Glencoe Lochan (Lake) before going ahead. Loch Lomond was more of a relaxing stay with we going to the Baloch castle gardens and the Sea Aquarium where Yohaan enjoyed a lot again. The Inn where we used to go for dinner was amazing - with an old world charm, friendly bar tenders and nice food.


Thats all, my back suddenly went bad as usual and it was not that rosy for me now onwards. On the way back to Edinburgh we stopped at the Sterling Castle. I rested around the cafe while my wife and kid went to see the castle. Reached Edinburgh and rested for the day before taking train back to London.


Scotland has much to offer to any outdoor person and I would surely return here once more before coming back to India.


Photos:
Picasa: https://picasaweb.google.com/zenosh/20140531ScotlandWithFamily?authkey=Gv1sRgCOL3iLPC-sOpxgE#


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152478280926181.1073741861.595556180&type=1&l=3a03d9f712

2014-05-03-Peak District Cycling Trip

My first solo experience of the English country side on my bicycle and its the same as India, the same warm welcome everywhere you go and people going out of the way to

 help you and make you comfortable, sharing experiences and views and in general about the place, which you don’t get when travelling in a group.

Enjoy the snaps and the small writeup below:

https://picasaweb.google.com/zenosh/20140503PeakDistrictCyclingAndTrekking#

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152380085306181.1073741857.595556180&type=1&l=f402914e5e

First day a continuous incline of 3 miles from Glossop to King Clough Head Farm - tired since my legs not yet used to cycling :). But it was an amazing clear and sunny day.

Reached the King's B&B and met up with Terry my host, and very helpful as well. Then went to a road side Inn (Grouse Inn) for lunch at 4:00 PM and had a nice Salmon, Chips and Salad soaking the warm afternoon sun. After which as usual I found a Bridle path to the moorland and decided to explore that. Went on a hill top there with my bicycle and relaxed and enjoyed the early evening views and cool breeze. Later went back to the room to relax and came back for early dinner at 7:15 PM (since things close down early here) but the Chef had already left so I was very bluntly told no food available now. Cursing my luck I decided to try out another Inn at a small village known as Little Mill Village on the other side of King Clough Farm.

The route was adventurous - leaving the small tarmac road, getting onto a dirt road and crossing a stream and finally joining a tarmac road again. I met a person by the road side that helped me with the finer details of the route of the Little Mill Inn ahead. He would meet me again for the 2 days I went for dinner to the Little Mill Inn. We became good friends having beer and chatting during the evenings. The Bartender there was also good and helped me select the dishes perfect to my taste buds. I was in love with the Little Mill Inn – typical old British village surroundings, small Inn with wooden furnishings, fire place, the funny comments on the wall and the music going on in the background.

Next day was supposed to be tough, I decided to cycle to the Kinder reservoir (lake) and then trek to Kinder Scout – one of the higher hills in the area. It was a easy cycle ride to Kinder Lane since all of it was downhill. I would rather not imagine the 3 miles which I would have to climb uphill when coming back after a 4 hour trek. The last part to Kinder Lane was very scenic with nice forest and a peaceful campsite with a small brook following the road.

The gentleman at the end of the Kinder Lane was kind enough to let me allow parking my cycle at his place along with some stuff I won’t need for the trek. He also guided me with the detailed route.

The route started on the left bank of the Kinder Reservoir, beautiful greenery all around and cool breeze for company with overcast sky all day. I took the Williams Clough route up and came down via Sandy route which meets the Williams Clough route by the bridge. This area is a typical moor land with grass / stubs growing all over the place with various shades of green, yellow and brown. This was unique mountain scenery which I had never seen. Once I gained some height – it was a sight to behold, the vast brown moorland stretches with the thin trek routes going all the way to the horizon giving it a feel of Ladakh, Changthang Plateau. I also met 2 trekkers with whom I shared a nice conversation and also snacks. After viewing the Kinder Downfall (water fall) I returned back via the Sandy route having a nice break of cheese sandwich (which Terry had packed for me) by the small brook and the bridge. As said earlier the uphill ride back to King Clough was not pleasant. I had to walk a bit and also got down 3 times before I reached the top of the pass.

Finally last day I decided to go for a short ride to Ladbroke Farm (not sure of the name) around 2 miles one way. It was a nice off road trail not actually meant for my Hybrid but I enjoyed it to the max. Some fine views and a killer incline made my day. Finally bade goodbye to Terry- my host at King Clough Head Farm and left for Glossop station to catch the train back to London. This is just the start of the journeys on my bicycle. Hopefully!.