A lovely day in Chorley.  We walked the Lancashire inland canal and watched several longboats go through the locks.  It's all a manual operation.  someone from the boat walks the footpath, uses a crank to change the water level in the next lock, then pushes the lock doors open by hand!  Clearly the better job is piloting the boat through the canal.  Lovely dinner at the Premier Inn and a good night's sleep ahead.  Up earky tomorrow to pack and catch the trains to Paris.

A rest day in Chorley

We have a day in Chorley Saturday.  Then a big travel day Sunday.  Three trains Chorley to London, then take a taxi to Euston station to catch the Eurostar to Paris.  Then we will stagger to the Hotel Amiot for an evening's sleep before heading to Chartres to pick up our car.

Friday, 4 May

Three lovely days in Scotland.  After our stay in Crianlarich at Craigbank House, we headed to  Inverness.  We easily found our way to the B&B near the train line, and ound a restaurant that Robert remembered from years ago. With a little help, we found the Castle Restaurant just behind Inverness Castle.  A plain diner-like atmosphere but very good food and even better desserts! After a good night's sleep we headed back south to Pitlochry (Inverness was the farthest north we traveled).  We easily found the Fisher Hotel on the main street.  What a lovely hotel and convenient location!  We had a lovely dinner of shepherd's pie in the bar.  The "band" started to play about 8:00.  Tommy on keyboards and accordian and young Graeme on bagpipes.  We had a rousing time.  Ann and I sang along to Elvis, Doris Day and Scottish songs. We also entertained the small crowd with a lindy, a polka, and the charleston!  Lots of fun and laughter with the band.  I took video of Graeme on the pipes.  i will try to upload later.

Grand morning in Crianlarich in the Scottish Highlands!  Fresh weather; 46° f.  Snow on Ben More to our East.  We had a lovely day yesterday.  Drove from Chorley England to Glasgow and met Mom's friend Jean in Glasgow.  Had a wonderful lunch at the Charles Reinne MacIntosh Art House, then toured the house and garden.

Mom was queasy after lunch so the beautiful windy drive along the western side of Loch Lomond was not much fun for her.  We arrived at the Craigbank Guest Hotel in time for a drink and dinner next door at the Rod and Reel.

Off to Inverness today

2012: travel ahead!

So, suddenly it's 2012 and yet again, I haven't blogged for a year. I'm kind of a lame blogger.....

But in May I'll have lots to blog about with Margaret, Ann and me headed to England, Scotland and France. It will be an absolutely wonderful trip and I can hardly wait!

Stay tuned for what I hope will be good travel stories!

It's 2011!!

well, geez. One doesn't blog for two years or so and everyone thinks you've disappeared from the face of the earth!! I've been busy with, well, life. I have a new android tablet and may (no guarantees) blog more frequently.

Margaret, Ann and I head for Chicago in two weeks. Looking forward to a fun vacation. Will blog more from there.

Later!!

In The Heart of the Beast

I have recently joined the Board of Directors of In The Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre. The organization is undergoing huge stress in these dire economic times. I realize that many, many organizations are in the same boat. I thought you might enjoy reading this thoughtful blog about the layoffs going on at HOBT, and the juxtaposition with a big bucks concert by a major celebrity. http://daughternumberthree.blogspot.com/search/label/Art And here's a Star Tribune article with a bit more information about HOBT. http://daughternumberthree.blogspot.com/search/label/Art I'm not necessarily asking that you give to HOBT. I'm simply trying to create an awareness of the severity of the situation for most nonprofits (but I'm sure you know this already, being the informed and enlightened people that you are). Please think of them - and all who are marginalized and struggling - as we approach the new year.

Also, enjoy this MinnPost video story about La Natividad: http://www.minnpost.com/stevedate/2008/12/23/5457/heart_of_the_beast_n