Water, weddings and waterfalls

Our Autumn week away this year is in Scotland, at the Kenmore club and the end of Loch Tay. As we could only get in Monday to Monday, we decided to break the journey and do it in two 3 hour drives, so set off on Sunday and drove to Gretna. A66 road from Scotch Corner was closed for high sided vehicles (although we saw loads), and it was very windy! I hadn't realised that Gretna and Gretna Green were two different places, so we were a couple of miles from the famous blacksmith's wedding place. But it was a lovely hotel and I was determined to get as many steps in as possible, so went for a walk in the pouring rain, and the dark, round a quite dismal Gretna.... A good meal, including haggis, cheered us up no end!

Monday

Our twelfth wedding anniversary!  Silk is the appropriate gift, so I got Stu silk socks and a DVD set of Silk, and I got an engraved whiskey glass in a silk case and some chocolate.  Set off straight after breakfast and called into the real Gretna Green for a look at the famous blacksmiths anvil.

Then set off for the long drive. Stopped for coffee just before Glasgow and I took over the driving - it was pretty horrendous with heavy rain and wind, and lots of spray. But got to Aberfeldy in time for a late lunch, and then to our resort. Soon settled in with our cards, presents, and my flowers which I brought up from Sheffield.

Went for a walk round to ground to get some steps in - found a good circuit by the Loch, but in the pouring rain again, while Stuart swam, and then I went into get warm. A few lengths swimming, and then some time in the jacuzzi! Lovely meal of venison in the resort restaurant, and back for a nightcap.

Tuesday

Mainly waterfalls!  The loch and river are very high, and there's been a lot of rain in the last week, so we decided to go and look at some waterfalls. On the way from Aberfeldy we'd spotted one, and went back to look at it. Quite spectacular.

Then we drove along the north side of Loch Tay to Killin past some spectacular views. And by then the sun had come out, so some lovely autumn colours.  In Killin there was a church which I couldn't help thinking of as a "tin tabernacle', and I'm sure my Mum and Dad will know what I mean!

Walked through Killin where the river was very high, and bits were flooded, but there were some great photo opportunities.

Finally got to the  Falls of Dochart which were amazing. Not huge high falls, but more of a gentle slope But a real raging river which went on for ages. Very difficult to convey in photos, but I could have watched and listened to it for ever.

After watching the falls for a while, we had lunch in the pub by the side of them. I had cullen skink - one of my favourite soups. Smoked haddock, potatoes and cream. Yum.  Then came back out to watch the falls again, and a nice round walk back to the car along the river.

Lovely drive back, and then a visit to a shop across the road from our resort where I was amused to see "Broons" Christmas hampers.

 Relaxing time in the apartment, predinner drinks, long hot soak in the bath, and across the road to a local bar for a meal. More haggis!-