Room with a view…

The final stage of packing went well with David deciding to take his golf clubs after all as if there was ever any doubt

The holiday cottage is about an hour away from Stornoway golf course but I told him I’m more than happy to spend time sitting on the decking painting, crocheting, taking photos or reading my book, probably all of that, if he wanted to have a round of golf.

We had hoped to be on our way by 1.30pm and we were on schedule but then we had to wait for R to collect Lola’s bed and the rest of her stuff after he’d taken her for her walk. We thought he’d pick it up when he collected her but he had another dog in the car so didn’t have space. No worries, we were on the road by 2.30pm, with the first part of our journey marred by torrential rain! The A9 is a dangerous enough road without the weather making it worse. Thankfully it wasn’t too busy.

Quick pit stop at Dalwhinnie Distillery for the loo and to buy a bottle of whisky for our brother-in-law Kenny’s birthday next month.

We spoke to a very helpful and knowledgeable lady who helped me choose which whisky by narrowing it down to two, before pouring me a generous nip of each to sample. A great start to our holiday!

Both were delicious but I settled on the Dalwhinnie single malt Distillers Edition, double matured in oloroso seasoned American oak casks. Smooth as silk and no hint of peat (I’m not a fan of heavily peated, medicinal tasting whisky)

Carried on our way and after another loo stop in Inverness, reached our hotel in Ullapool at 7pm. Fabulous views from it. Time to get settled in before our dinner reservation at 8pm.

Fabulous dinner. We both had the scallops with Stornoway black pudding to start and the red wine venison casserole for our main course. D had sticky toffee pudding for dessert and I had a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Lovely :-)

We were both shattered so back in our room and lights out by 10.30pm. I conked out immediately but of course here I am now wide awake at 2.45am while D snores peacefully away! Making good use of time by uploading my blip :-))

The weather isn’t looking too bad tomorrow so hoping for a smooth crossing to Stornoway.

Now I really must try to get some shut eye. Early rise!

See you on the other side of the Minch :-))