Mom and Dad's Trip Recap: Eilean Donan Castle and Plockton

After our Speyside adventure we pretty much hit the road and didn't stop til we arrived at our final destination. The drive out to the west coast is gorgeous and really like nothing I'd ever seen before.

We made a stop a Eilean Donan Castle, the most iconic Scottish castle that you've probably seen in many movies. It is stunning and I was really hoping for a reflection picture but the tide was out and we didn't have the time to sit and wait for it to come back in. We didn't make it in time to tour the inside but the outside and the scenery surrounding them is what I love most about castles anyway.

We made a quick stop at the B&B we were staying in for the weekend to drop off our things before heading over to the cute town of Plockton for a few pints and a yummy dinner.

Not sure what Dad was looking at, he looks goofy. Hehe

Next up is our day on the Isle of Skye!

Mom and Dad's Trip Recap: Speyside Cooperage and The Glenlivet

Friday morning we headed out fairly early as we had a few stops to make on our way out to the Isle of Skye.

Our first stop was the Speyside Cooperage, the only working cooperage in the UK, where the majority of the whisky casks used at the Speyside Distilleries are made or repaired. They still use traditional methods and tools and when you visit you can see the coopers in action.

To become a cooper you start a 4 year apprenticeship at 16 years of age and upon completion you receive a certificate that is recognized around the world. This is definitely a respected profession as it does not look easy. A seasoned cooper can average 30 casks a day and they don't get paid until the cask is complete and has passed all the air tight tests.

This guy has been building casks for 30+ years!

I highly recommend making this a stop if you're visiting a Speyside distillery. There is a cute little cafe with furniture made from retired whisky casks.

And after (or before) you visit the cooperage you must make a stop at Craigellachie bridge. It's just beautiful and you can often see an angler fishing in the River Spey (this is the river the Speyside distilleries get the water for their whisky).

 Our next stop was an actual distillery! I chose The Glenlivet since I hadn't been yet and I had heard good things. Definitely the best tasting whisky I've had but I was overall disappointed in the tour. No brief history, no pictures inside and you have to pick the whisky you taste instead of getting a tasting/comparison of 3 different years. Of course I was the only one really disappointed since I had a few other tours to compare it too, Mom, Dad and Ryan enjoyed it and the whisky was smooth and I guess that's all that really matters!

Mom and Dad's Trip Recap: A Perfect Scottish Day

Mom and Dad arrived mid morning and even though I allotted time for a nap before we started our adventures, they were ready to get going! We started with the usual, fish & chips and Dunnottar Castle. However, since we had so much extra time (since they opted out of the nap)  and the day was beautiful, I decided we would do the 3 mile hike from Stonehaven to Dunnottar Castle (and personally, I think exercise helps with jet leg).

Our usual go to place for fish and chips is Bay Fish & Chips but since they don't serve beer and Dad was ready for his first pub experience, we went with The Marine Hotel who also happens to have yummy fish & chips in addition to over a hundred Belgium beers. Dad went with Guinness while Mom and I enjoyed our Cuvee des Troll, a delicious blonde beer from the Dubuisson brewery in Belgium.

After our delicious meal we set off for our three mile hike along the Scottish cliffs to Dunnottar Castle. I'm not sure I thought out having a big meal before a hike but we took our time and enjoyed the scenery and we all survived. And even though we all had a wonderful time this was my first tour guide fail. I had just done this walk a few weeks ago in my street shoes so I didn't even think to tell my parents to change into their hiking shoes (in my defense they had decent walking shoes on which is why I didn't think twice). The walk is rocky in places, has some steep inclines/declines at the beginning and end and there are places where the trail gets a little sketchy so hiking shoes probably wouldn't have been a bad idea. Sorry Mom and Dad, you did great anyway!!!

When we got to the castle we had a special treat, a bagpiper. So, between our delicious fish & chips, hike along the beautiful Scottish cliffs to Dunnottar Castle where a bag piper awaited us, I would say that is a pretty perfect Scottish day and perfect welcome to my parents to this beautiful country!

Angus Eats A Jellyfish

Saturday, I organized a walk to St. Cyrus beach with Tash and Laine. I had been wanting to take Angus to the beach all summer. One of his first outings when we got him last year was to Cruden Bay beach and I remember how much he seemed to love it.

Tash was dog sitting, Kady, Falene's black lab and Laine is always up for a walk/hike with one of her pups. (Read here why Sammy was the chosen one this trip) The walk/hike was meant to be an 'easy' 3 mile circuit that took you down the beach, up the cliff and back along the grassy dunes.

All was good until we got to end of the beach and there was no trail to take you up the cliff in sight. While I was reading the directions to figure out where to go, Angus found something to kill time and that something would be a jelly fish. I had seen several washed up on the beach and even 'caught' him licking one but told him 'no' and he stopped and I really didn't think much more about it. And I thought since they were not in the water (and no tentacles were visible), they were probably dead and harmless. Well, as I looked up from studying the directions I see Angus really getting after a jellyfish (paw holding the jelly down, jaw yanking jelly up) and by the time I get to him, the damage was done. He'd eaten a little bit and it had stung his tongue. He immediately got sick and wanted nothing to do with anyone. While I call Ryan to google "what happens when a dog eats a jellyfish", Laine and Tash were already on it. Both parties said to monitor him and all should be okay. He got sick a few more times but then seemed to be more or less normal (as normal as one would be after getting stung on the tongue by a jellyfish...ouch!) and we all carried on to find the trail that wasn't there.

Ewwww

Since we couldn't find the path that was supposed to lead us up the cliff, we back tracked to what would turn out to be the path that was supposed to bring us back down the cliff because the path that leads you up the cliff had been washed away (hence why it wasn't there). (run on sentence anyone? are you confused yet?) Anyway, confusing sentence short, we went up and down the cliff which was no easy task with 3 dogs (one who was trying to eat all the grass. yes, that would be Angus) but made for some amazing views.

Once we were back down to the beach we carried on with the correct instructions and it was pretty smooth sailing from here. With the detours, I think the walk ended up being between 4-5 miles so a pretty good Saturday afternoon stroll. And I didn't even mention how windy it was. Like blow off your hat, make your hair a rat's nest windy but it was sunny, warm and there were baby Highland coos waiting for us at the end so I didn't care.

And, thankfully, Angus is fine. He didn't keep his dinner down and was pretty lethargic the rest of the day (which probably had more to do with running like a lunatic along the beach) but was back to himself on Sunday with no signs of jellyfish trauma. We hope he learned his lesson but I'm not holding my breath; he is a lab after all and nothing is off limits in his mind.

Recap: Summer 2013 Trip to USA

Our trips back to the states are usually a whirlwind which usually means I need at least a few day weeks once we get back to Aberdeen to recoup. So, my apologies for a delayed recap since this trip was no different than the others.


We landed on the good 'ol 4th of July!! My favorite holiday and a very appropriate time to arrive in the land of the free. Unfortunately because we landed so late it wasn't the usual day at the lake or pool or a outdoor BBQ or even fireworks for that matter. However, it did include family which is the most important. Mom and Dad met us shortly after landing so I could get Mom's car for the weekend. After a quick catch up and bite to eat, Ryan and I drove to his parents house where our precious niece and nephews, Nanny and Ryan's brother and sister n law and of course his parents were waiting for us with a delicious Mexican food spread! I regret not getting any pictures of the kids since this was the only time we were going to see them the entire trip. They are precious and as sweet as ever and I hope I snagged enough hugs and kisses to last me til next time.

Friday morning, I headed to Stephenville to begin Faye's wedding festivities (the reason for this trip back to the US). The wedding was absolutely perfect and I am so happy for Faye and Jason. They are starting their marriage much like Ryan and I did, with a big move!! Can't wait to visit them in their new casa!

My precious hubby

The New Mr and Mrs. Hodges

Hodges and Mahans. Faye's dress was incredible!

A glowy send off!

Monday, Mom and I flew out to visit family in Georgia. My cousin, Trey and his wife Lauren, welcomed a precious baby boy in May and we got the privilege of babysitting him one day. He is the sweetest thing I have ever seen and has me wanting to move to Georgia ASAP. He is the spitting image of his dad!

Love these guys!!

And I can't forget to mention the little toot we call Sailor bug. I didn't get any pictures of her since she can't sit still long enough but here is a recent one from her first time roller skating. Tell me that's not the cutest thing you've ever seen!!

Her shirt says 'Eat My Dust'! Haha, she's a mess!!

We got back from Georgia Thursday night and Courtney and I headed to Houston on Friday morning to help host Laura Beth's baby shower. She is due with Miss Rylee Ann in October. It was such a nice weekend with my best girls just laughing and catching up. I truly cherish those moments since they only come once or twice a year. Courtney and I even got 7 hours in the car together, just like old times on road trips from Lubbock! I am truly blessed to have friends that when we're together it was like we were never a part!

And I also got a special treat getting to drop into Tanvi's baby shower to say a quick hello! She's a stunning mama to be!
                                          


The rest of the trip was spent hanging out at my parents'. Mom and Dad hosted an amazing BBQ so everyone could see Ryan and I without us having to make a million trips all over town NE Texas.

And now, we are back in the 'Deen enjoying the lovely Scottish summer getting ready for my parents' visit in a few days. Can't wait to show them this beautiful place but I honestly think they are most excited about meeting Angus ;-)

 But who wouldn't be?!?