Saturday 5 July 2014
Inverness
I think my body clock is adjusting itself to the long, late evenings of northern Scotland. After going to bed after 11 last night, I slept in until 8:30 this morning. Because of this, our first activity today was a guided walk around the centre of town, starting at 11 AM.
The guide was Cameron, dressed in a vest and tie, and of course a kilt, long socks (complete with those garters they call flashes), and black leather shoes. He also wore a badge which read "YES". He is going to vote yes in the referendum on Scottish independence in September. No one in the media is predicting a result yet, but the No vote seems to have the numbers so far.
Cameron showed us the Town Hall, several buildings in the main street, Inverness Castle, a cathedral, and two hotels, and a house. All of these date from Victorian era building boom. They are all in good condition, and all still used. This gives Inverness a different look to many English towns. The place is modern. It is also a tourist town. There are hotels and restaurants all along the riverbank. They seem to do pretty well from the  2 million tourists who visit every year.

The Ness River as it flows through town. It is lined with Hotels and restaurants.

Don't blame me; the tour guide took this picture. The building about to slide off the left side of the picture is of course Inverness Castle. 

The Ness river flows swiftly through the centre of town. We can see it (just) from our apartment windows. It is about 40 metres wide and varies in depth from 30 cm to over a metre. Every day we have seem at least one fisherman up to his waist in cold water, fly fishing. They are trying to catch trout. So far the trout have been too smart.

This guy was in the river yesterday, and today. He hasn't caught anything heavier than a chill.

When the tour ended, we headed for the street market in the centre of town. We bought a bread whirl each, for lunch. They were very nice. The local produce is all good, but it is unusual for us to see fresh meats being sold from a little, temporary stall.
Also unusual were the buskers. One played bagpipes, two boys played guitars, one girl sang with no accompanyment, and man one preached. OK the preacher wasn't asking for money - but he was standing on a suitcase waving a bible around, and asking questions about my lifestyle.

Lunch was in our apartment, which is only 5 minutes stroll from the main bridge in town. At the local hairdresser, I got myself a haircut; and a shampoo and blow dry. It still wasn't worth the 20 pounds ($35 to you) it cost. I mean really, I don't exactly have a Jimi Hendrix afro these days do I ? Anyway, the girl who cut my hair grew up in Perth (Australia), and we had a good chat about Inverness weather. Why is it that wherever I go, the conversation always gets round to the weather. This is Scotland after all; it IS going to rain (today !).

In the afternoon, we took a walk up the Ness to see some islands in the river. I was secretly hoping to see a trout; no luck- all I saw was rocks. Nice walk though.

Yes, this is in the middle of a city of 65,000 people.

Robyn is modelling a blue rain jacket; and it hadn't rained for a full 5 minutes. The Ness River, behind her flows out of Loch Ness, 6 miles upstream, and flows for 1 more mile before it enters the sea.

After another break at home, we walked back to town; to a hotel. The Strathalbyn hotel is the oldest establishment in Inverness, and dates from the 1600's when it was a coaching inn. They still serve whisky today. I had a nip of Balmoran, and got a free lesson in how to drink it. Essentially, I put it in my mouth, and swallow. It was nice enough to have a second one. Robyn had a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, as usual. I am quite surprised at the British- we can get wine by the glass anywhere these days.
Then it was time for Robyn to take me home and cook my dinner. Now it is 10:30, and starting to get dark.

Til next time
Lex and Robyn