Saturday special

 With the road heading northward we are beginning a day with great enthusiasm where off to visit Issac Newtons house where he was born and lived for the majority of his life. On arrival at Woolsthorpe manor the crowd had already begun to arrive so we join the queue, Waddas

The tree

not really interested where this genius slept and ate I just wanted to see that apple tree right or wrong. For a tree it looked a bit messy but for 350 years old I just call it a survivor , and in another part of the orchard I found another interesting thing.

Interesting 

They reversed his original theory and shot an apple seed into space, anyway have had enough of this scientific stuff so we head for Royston . All of a sudden amid waving and pointing they have spotted Wimpole manor my heart sunk , when we pull in to the car park after a rapid exit off the A65 I nearly fainted the amount of people was unbelievable. I want to go for a look around but my exhausted body says  no and I find a shady spot and await the ladies return ……..Wadda 

Fun and surprises

 Well as I said in my last post our last weekend in the UK would have a few surprises, yes we heading to Woolsthorpe manor house about 60 miles northeast from where I’m currently staying. You say what’s famous about this place, just in case you don’t know it’s where the apple lobbed on poor old Issac Newtons head . The tree is now 350 years old so I’m going to check to see if it needs pruning and maybe nick an apple or 2 . Then a family pilgrimage to a little place called Yelling and on to Royston for a couple of nights , and then off to Cambridge for a look around. And Monday it’s off to Duxford air museum to see the concord should be good till the next blog see ya……….Wadda 

Carlisle to DEANSHANGER

 Nothing to say today but some more photos and a very quiet week ahead , getting ready for a fun filled weekend full of surprises and dreams……….Wadda 

Bad weather coming 

Carlisle cathedral 

Our hotel in Carlisle 

The rocket 

Some left over photos

I’ll never smoke again

But I still have the urge

A dog on the train to Edinburgh 

Station poster

Scottish commando monument 

Front seat driver and tour leader

 

Inverness to Carlisle

 The 7.55 Inverness to Carlisle awaits us on platform 1 at Inverness station ,after all the beautiful weather we’ve had today dawns very cool and overcast. Top temperature expected about 9 c and with the cloud cover very low ,but as we are heading south hopefully things improve.. Daughter number 2 informs we are only 60 miles from Haydrians wall but i told her we are still no going . Where 2 hrs into our journey and not very far out of Perth the clouds have lifted and we are in brilliant sunshine, and the temperature has maxed out at a beautiful 13 c. The fickle weather has turned again this time on the approach to Edinburgh it’s overcast and it’s heading for 9 c , I just love it. The train to Carlisle is not running today so we have to catch a coach, as we push our way through the crowds not knowing where the bus is we spot the bus in the distance. When everyone is aboard we set sail for Carlisle,as the bus clears the streets of Edinburgh the rain begins to fall. on and off all the way to Carlisle. That’s enough for one day………Wadda 

Some more photos

The viaduct by 3

Malliag pub

Port

Waiting for a train 

Also waiting for a train 

Window shot

 

Our big day to Malliag

 With a 730 bus to catch we were up early, with an on time departure we head from Fort William about 70 miles away. We are catching the HARRY POTTER train to Malliag as part of a 12 hour trip through the rugged Scottish highlands, the highlight will crossing the GLENFINNAN BRIDGE . After stopping on the bridge for a photo shot we made our way to the Glenfinnan railway station for some more happy snaps. We continue on to Malliag for a look around and some lunch, the bus arrives to transport us back to Inverness via the Glenfinnan viaduct but at ground level, and we weren’t disappointed. More driving and stopping and we eventually arrived back in Inverness at 730 pm tired but happy, that’s all folks……Wadda 

Some rough shots around lnverness

It was far to cold to be taking any notice of the commentary so my apologies 

 

Glasgow to Inverness

 What a great day to be travelling the sun is out no wind and we have Inverness in our sights, after waiting 30 minutes out the front the cab eventually arrived and we head off to QUEENS station for a1007 departure. My worries about snail rail are soon forgotten as we take off like a dog shot in the a..e and pretty soon we are starting to climb upwards towards the Scottish highlands .This is not the prettiest country you would imagine it to be but it’s okay, climbing even higher the vegetation starts to look somewhat stressed and treeless. As we keep going up the remnants of winter start to appear yes folks it’s snow not much i might add but it’s still snow. 3hrs after we departed Glasgow we arrive in Inverness not a cloud in the sky but a heafty drop in temperature ,with no access to the Graphite apartments till 4pm we decide to do another lap on the big red bus. The conditions were not ideal but we had a lovely time being chilled to the bone and thinking why did I waste 10 quid on this crazy bus in the highlands of Scotland, we are a bit silly at times. The ladies have hit the shops again and left Wadda home alone to tidy up and do the washing ,I’m now so used to doing all these things I think my job description might change when i return home, early start tomorrow where off to ride the Hogwart express at FORT WILLIAM should be fun catch ya tomorrow…….Wadda 

Museum photos only

 Z

Just me on the Glenlee

The Clyde river 

Steering Wheel 

The new captain 

Entrance 

Very old tractor 

Wooden van

Dennys new wheels 

Early motor bike

Fantastic display of old transportation stuff 

The transportation museum in Glasgow

 Im up for another big breakfast before heading its off to explore the Glasgow transport museum located on the banks of the Clyde river. With some credits still left on the big red bus ticket we make our way to the nearest bus stop, and we’re off. Glasgow and the Clyde river have a long history of boat building but those days are long gone ,the developers have turned all the old shipbuilding yards into concert halls and sporting arenas and a museum. Inside the museum there is every form of transportation covered it’s just fantastic. And outside there is an original 4 masted ship on display called the GLENLEE which is only 1 of 3 to still exist, it was also built in these shipyards.  It held the record for hauling grain from Melbourne Australia to Glasgow in 92 days . Tomorrow we chance our arm with Scot Rail from Glasgow to Inverness some 270 kilometres away, I’m not looking forward to another snail rail journey. So see ya…….Wadda 

Some buildings in Glasgow and I just forgot which is which

 

The brutal chill of Glasgow

 The start of our 2nd day in Glasgow just reminded me of why I live where I do….AUSTRALIA ,stepping outside around 9am into the most chilling wind that went straight through me. Yes it was definitely brass monkey time ,I turned my back towards the wind and headed off in search of the big red bus tour departure point. After purchasing a 2 day pass we scrambled aboard and got out of the punishing wind , to my surprise a lot of the old buildings had survived the wrecker’s hammer and this makes Glasgow look a little bit special .we’ve done a lap and marked off a few places that need a further inspection and that’s a tomorrow job, we’re off to the steak house again tonight for dinner good stuff. We have a new arrival from Australia arriving tomorrow who will be with us for a few days. Bye for now……..Wadda 

Photos are not vey interesting today

Sign in Whitby 

Farmhouse outside Whitby 

Shed

Another house

 

Goodbye Whitby ………..Hello Glasgow

 We are catching the 8.45am train to Glasgow this morning via Darlington which means 76 kms in just over 2hrs, yes we are back on snail rail again. From Darlington we follow the east coast to Edinburgh then on to Glasgow. On leaving North Yorkshire me roll through some beautiful countryside and with 16 stops this helps get through this very slow journey. We change trains at Darlington for a very quick trip to Edinburgh, it was like riding a 200 kph plus magic carpet. Our arrival into Edinburgh was on time so with that we head of to catch the Glasgow flier…..ha..ha this 90 minute trip has 19 stops, this is a painful time for all of us . As we travel this rubbish strewn track I thought how can people do this to such a lovely area , the pain continues . Glasgow is soon on our radar as we start to manoeuvre our way through the urban areas only to arrive at central station. With our brains frazzled by the lack of interest we lump our bags outside only to find ourselves at the wrong end of the station, goggle maps soon has us heading in the right direction. After checking in to our apartment the trinket hunters hit the shops and I do what I do best …….wait, we head home for a quick tidy up then off to the steakhouse around the corner. Not disappointed with that idea so we plan our return. My day is done……..Wadda 

Still in Whitby

Guess who

The abbey 

Again 

And again 

The entrance to Whitby 

The 199 steps