Our Swim Week is over but we allowed an extra day for downtime.
It was a slow start after parting last night. Though we were all in the pool by 8.15. A special session for all the swimmers.
Lots of giggles. the energy in this group is infectious. We bounced and sang along and waved arms in the air.
Even the pool attendants got into it.
Quick showers then it was off to the champagne breakfast. Though I couldn’t face champagne. Definitely too much last night.
Groups were saying farewelling, hugging and swapping contact details. It’s wonderful how after 5 days of a shared holiday mostly in swimmers leads to friendships that last! A common goal like swimming unites.
We spent the rest of the day lounging, reading, walking and not eating. Definitely too many meals this week.
I walked and called in to see the kids club. No wonder so many parents love coming to Fiji. The locals are so beautiful to the little ones. You often see a restaurant attendant walking around holding a baby so the parents can eat in peace.
The kids club also offer hair braiding, colouring, and face painting. All the little ones have braided hair with beads dangling!
The day went quickly and by 6pm e headed to the Waitui Club for a farewell dinner and to celebrate Chris’ birthday.
It was a beautiful evening and our table for 7 was perfectly placed on the veranda.
I told our lovely waitress Kata it was Chris’ birthday -so at dessert time she and about 8 staff all gathered singing a special three verse version of happy birthday ending with cheers and blessings.
She then took a photo and put herself in it!
Our evening finished with farewell hugs for our NZ friends David, Kim and Avy.
It’s been a wonderful week and as if they knew it was out last night , when we got back to our room, fireworks started on the beach in front.
After last years marathon 9 weeks away this year we are taking a few shorter holidays.
March it was to Adelaide and Sydney. May is Fiji.
We are doing ‘Swim Week’ – an organised week of swimming. Not like our usual Swim Trek holidays. This one isn’t relaxed swimming everyday but 3 ‘races’ over just 3 days. Not sure I’ll be ready to race.
We’re travelling with friends Chris & Jill meeting up with Kim & David, friends from NZ. We met them in Greece back in 2014 and have swim together several times since then.
I have broken all my own packing rules. I brought a bigger bag than I used for the 9 weeks last year! I didn’t stick to my 3 of everything! We’re only away 7 days and only have one hotel , so it was let’s just take everything I think I might need! Last year I traveled 9 weeks with 10kg. This time- 15 kg. I do have my swim fins, books and way too many dresses.
The airport was super busy in Brisbane but after coffee and a chat we got away on time , and 3 hours later it was ‘Bula.’ A friendly Fijian welcome complete with a guitar playing local. We’re staying in the Sofitel with 200 other swimmers. It will be a busy week I think.
Our room overlooks the gardens , pool and ocean and after unpacking we got our drinks organised and headed for the seats by the waters edge. A classic Margarita for me and a mango for Jill. We started to unwind! Dinner followed at Solis a beautiful fish dish for me a lovely glass of wine and the holiday is well underway.
Our friends Peter & Elizabeth suggestion a degustation lunch in the Barossa. What a good idea.
We may get to Adelaide each year but haven’t really visited many vineyards for a lunch long.
Hentley Farm was booked for lunch. Barossa House, a lovely B& B was booked for an overnight stay.
Even the dry 38 heat didn’t put us off. We drove out Sunday morning arriving at the house to leave our cars and taxi to the Farm.
Driving there along Seppelstfield Drive we were struck by the history of this wine area. Originally settled by many German families the wine industry pays respect to that history in the design of buildings and surrounding landscape.
Seppletsfield Rd is a 5 km drive of over 2,000 Canary Island Date Palms landed during the Depression. this area is home to some of the most prestigious wineries including Hentley Farm.
We arrived at the cellar door and were greeting with a chilled sparking before being escorted by Lara our lovely waitress. Later we found out her getting e. She is northern Chinese looks rather Peruvian but grew up in Italy hence the accent!
The entrance to the restaurant was boss the kitchen where everything was laid out ready to go. It was so clean and calm and a little hint of what was to come. We were seated in the window of simply styled room overlooking the hills of vines.
The calm clean kitchen.
It’s south everything is looking so dry.
First course arrived. A grazing plate of vegetables with a beautiful tahini miso dipping sauce.
Ready for a feast. Possibly my favourite a scallop on a bed of pea with the most delicious tea based broth
Dessert started with a popsicle on a stick. Watermelon flavoured sorbet.
The lunch was beautifully paced and at around 4 we drove back through the palm trees to Barossa House.
Our lovely hostess Sophie showed us to our rooms and we collapsed on the comfortable bed for the next hour!
The evening was then spent in the elegant lounge and gardens.
Barossa HouseThe gardens of Barossa House We might have a small platter in the evening.
The night was peaceful and the next morning breakfast was delicious.
Sophie is a charming host. Of Greek heritage she knows how to cook and how to make you comfortable.
Breakfast on the verandah.
We explored Tanunda, a stylish little wine town with lovely little shops mostly closed as today is a public holiday. But we found a very crowded coffee place and enjoyed coffee in the shade outside a museum!
We headed back to Adelaide feeling like we’d been gone a week! A lovely feeling!
Another song pops into my head. I’m going to Jackson 🎶 the Johnny Cash song. Not sure if it’s this Jackson also called Jackson Hole.
Our first stop today was Thermopolis. This tiny town is very popular because it has mineral hot water springs from the Big Horn National Park. there are several big hotels offering hot baths. And the town council have a public one free. You can only go in for 20 mins. That doesn’t sound long but believe me the springs are hot and health wise that’s about all you’re supposed to do.
So in we went. There was hardly anyone there and it was delicious. We came out feeling rejuvenated.
We went from fine sunny weather to dark clouds and just as we arrived in Jackson, this ski resort style town it pelted.
Another cabin at the Buffalo Bill Village but this one was very upmarket.
A log cabin and so lovely.
We made a decision that when the rain eased we’d go out for some basic food to eat in. And if we got a parking spot we’d have a drink at the famous Cowboy bar.
The plan worked well. Simple salad and cheese and we stopped for a drink.
I’m glad we did as it’s iconic.
The bar stools are saddles.
Note the lights, the tables all carved wood.
Heading back to the car we went into few shops. All the gear is for cold weather
Though Steve was rather taken with some antlers and I loved the fur.
Back in the cabin we enjoyed some red wine and a simple dinner. Caught up on our washing, talked to Ollie who is in Bali on holidays.
We’re hoping for fine weather tomorrow as we head to the Grand Tetons National Park.
I’ve got an app all ready to guide us through the parks so we
We missed the nightly rodeo. I’m devastated. It finished on Sept 10.
The drive from Deadwood was once again a mix of prairie and stunning mountains.
We headed to Devils Tower
Stunning.
Not a biker but I was welcomed
The brunch we had was pretty good as well.
The queue into the Park was so long. One young man and a long line all trying to pay their $30.
It is most unusual and worth seeing. Heading out we took a left and because our sat nav ( I’m using the maps in my phone ) had cut out we thought that maybe we were headed in the wrong direction.
With no wifi we happened upon a tiny town. It’s buildings were all decorated western style.
I went into the little museum and met Katie the person on duty chatting to a man with a weathered face , lots of hair, a beard and a smile with several teeth missing. He also had a sense of humour.
The antler is a must have decorative item.
I announced I was lost and wanted to head to Sheridan to go west across the Big Horn Mts. He gave a bit of cheek before getting a map and showed me the route to take.
Lyle is my new best friend.
The drive across the Big Horn was stunning. We climbed and climbed. The views got better.
It’s hard to do justice with a camera phone.
We had an unexpected stop at a National Museum of Military Vehicles. Sitting about 25km from the nearest little town it seemed very out of place. I guess they had a lot of land to store all the vehicles. And there were hundreds. Steve was amazed. I sat outside in the warm sun reading and he went in for s shirt visit. 50 mins later he emerged smiling and shaking his head. ‘It’s huge’ he said. Like everything around here.
We arrived in Cody – home of Buffalo Bill just as the street reenactment was starting. They put on a Wild West show every afternoon. Cowboys, sheriff’s with gun – fake I hope. The crowds loved it.
Back to check into our cabin for the night at the Cowboy Village. Rows of little cabins. Two bedrooms, a great shower but fairly basic comfortable. All for $258 Aus. Everything is very expensive. Americans would love Australia. With the exchange rate and basic things like meals being expensive- a basic burger is $18 which is around $28.
We walked through this cowboy town admiring the crazy signs, the cowboy decorations and found place for dinner. I craved salad or veg so found a spinach salad with beef slices. Exciting for me!
Our little cabin at the Cowboy village.
Cabins are very popular here particularly in the National Parks. We’re loving our cowboy adventures. Though I’m still very upset to miss the rodeo.
We left Chicago to travel to Winona leaving Illinois and arriving in Michigan.
We had a rain storm which was awful. Steve decided we should pull over. He couldn’t see. Cars and trucks passed by so closely that the car shook.
Steve put on hazard lights we waited awhile. It eventually eased.
By the time we reached Winona the sun was out. The drive along the mighty Mississippi River was beautiful. What a river – and this is just the headwaters!
Our BnB called Alexander Mansion is a big grand house with a dominating corner position.
An original photo from the 1880’s
Owner Richard answered the door. Richard and his partner David bought this place about 8 years ago and are happily running an excellent BnB in a small out of the way town.
We were his first Australians. He was fascinated. ‘What brings you to Winona !’
The library
Richard loves a chat and instead of showing us our room insisted on a house tour , a glass of wine , told us dinner options, library inspection, painting explanations, ……
The organ which he invited me to play
He very helpfully told us about 2 good restaurants. We chose the Fish Hut. It was slightly out of town over looking the mighty Mississippi. He was spot on. It was great. I had a catfish ! Done in a spicy coating with mango salsa. Steve felt like a steak and said it was great.
We got back to the house. It was very quiet so we took his advice and sat in the large library with a glass of wine he’d left us and read about the history of the place.
Up the stairs to bed.
Back in our room Richard had left us a nightcap – a Baillie’s and a chocolate.
The room was beautiful. Floral, wood furniture , lamps everywhere, an old radio playing classical music.
I wish I could say the big high bed was comfortable but it had a dip in it and we both woke up with aching bits.
The bathroom was gorgeous and original.
He had made a point about breakfast being at 9am with all guests. He was going to give us a big wholesome breakfast. He likes his guests to chat and bond. We knew we had a long drive to Badlands National Park the next day but he was so disappointed we agreed to stay.
Only problem was we woke very early and decided we needed to get going. He was sad and showed us the beautifully set table snd gave us a banana to see us on our way at 7.30.
This gave us time to stop at The Corn Palace in Mitchell an historical old town. A tribute to the corn that grows here, there is a huge palace type building all decorated with corn. The displays outside the building are changed each year to a theme. Inside is a big entertainment area. They regularly have basketball (the local team is the Mitchell Kernels!) and concerts – and there was a great display of all the artists who have played there. From Bob Hope to Tommy Dorsey.
We’re pleased we left early because we arrived at Badlands early enough to do a few walks through this incredible landscape. It’s well set out and just amazing
Tonight we are in the Badlands motel. It’s basic and cheap. Close to the park and just fine. Air con is blasting away as it unseasonably hot.
We’re eating at the Wagon Wheel having a burger. Chicken. Does that count? A real cowboy bar. Drinking Budweiser watching Miami vs New England in American Football, trying not to think of the Wallabies losing to Fiji in the Rugby.
The sunsets here are amazing.
I love a good sunset.
Tonight we went along to the ranger chat at the caravan park. The first session was on the types of fossils found in the park.
The second session was probably the best night sky session I’ve ever been to.
We even saw Elon Musks satellites running in a row across the sky. We saw so many of the brightest stars and the Milky Way so clearly.
This is a photo from the internet but it looked just like this. Moving quickly across the sky.
We woke in our little attic apartment to wind blowing and rain beating. So a little sleep in !
It’s also Sunday so nothing much happens on a Sunday. We did not think of this too much when planning and booking. We probably should have. Nothing is open. Except our lovely old hotel.
So down time morning. A great Scottish breakfast. Followed by time in the lounge area looking into the garden drinking tea, reading and catching up on emails.
By 11am the conditions improved and we headed off. I love going off the beaten track so directed Steve off the main road as we headed south and went along the little road down near the waters edge.
It was peaceful. Not a car in sight. In fact I was hoping nothing happened to the car as no one was around to help. People were either at church , still in bed or watching the tv. Probably sport!
The water an extraordinary colour. The landscape is moon like. The beaches are beautiful
The beaches here are renowned for their beauty, colours, and remoteness. Even on a dull windy day it was a great colour ( hard to capture in a photo) a kind of milky blue. The wind surfers were having a ball
Exciting to watch. Lots of little cabins for holiday makers.
We wanted coffee. Nothing open. Until….. we saw a sign. Followed it to the cutest little yurt style building. And it was super busy.
Door to the yurt coffee house Best coffee stop
We had noticed quite a few roadside shops! Honesty cupboards or cabins. With a variety of home baking from the owners of the Croft houses nearby. Our favourite was the chocolate hut.
Jill, this is for you my friend.
We pottered and admired the scenery and eventually got to the ferry terminal to catch the ferry to the next island. The Hebrides are a chain of islands. Several need ferry crossings. This one needed an hour to cross.
We crossed from Harris to North Uist and found our accommodation The Fisherman’s Snug . Run by fisherman’s wife Anne it is a perfect little studio place. A separate lounge area. Big bathroom and comfy bed. We could have stayed a week. We keep saying that about places we are visiting.
Anne left the best welcome basket I’ve ever seen.
Help yourself the welcome sign said.
We went for dinner ( lobster!) to a local tavern / pub and met a few other characters. A bike rider from Edinburgh – he was a combination of funny, mad and manic. But entertaining. And a couple from outer London. We had fun!
We are so very lucky. The weather is perfect for Skye. The sky is blue. No breeze. And fortunately for us , not as crowded as we thought.
We set off for the Fairy Pools. We’d heard the roads were super busy but we had no trouble. We parked and then the trouble began. It’s a 1.5 km walk in and 1.5 out. A lot of it downhill to start then flat then uphill.
I started but just couldn’t do it. So sat patiently in the sun while Steve headed off.
He saw little fountains bubbling, A lovely water fallAnd rocks & pools.
He made it in good time so off we went through the most beautiful countryside.
We took note.
Coffee called and we found a lovely little cafe. There are not too many villages. They are small little places but lots of farm houses around. More populated than Shetland or The outer Hebrides will be.
Coffee stop.
Next stop ……. Another castle. Dunvegan. It belongs to the MacLeod clan. By other castle standards it’s little – but it’s a little beauty. I could stay there – in summer.
Dunvegan CastleInside the entrance the stairs climb to the main castle rooms. The dining room is intimate. Only seats 16There are several old cannons for protection.
And the gardens are beautiful. There’s a walled garden, a water garden , a rhododendron garden and a wild wood.
A small part of the walled garden Beautiful hydrangeas
Portree is the capital and is a buzzy hub compared to the rest of the island. It boasts a cute harbour with coloured buildings.
This is a photo of a photo. There are no clouds today.
There are lots of ice cream shops, little shops with the usual tourist offerings. But it’s the boats and water we are drawn to.
We drive north and stopped at The Storr. Storr’ means ‘big’ or ‘giant’. In Celtic mythology, Skye was once the island of warring giants. After a particularly vicious fight, an enormous giant was slain on the Trotternish ridge. I love all the myths and legends from these islands.
It’s hard to photograph this Rocky outcrop. The coastline here is stunning. Especially in this weather.
We head up the Quiraing. This is a land slip on the northern part of Skye. You drive up a winding road to the summit and stop to look back at the spectacular view.
Today being a beautiful blue day I spotted some locals removing the hay bales and the wooden wreath from where Alan married Sophie. I’d seen a banner as we drove up. And there at the top saw Alan himself. Newly married moving the hay to the wedding reception or Ceilidh ( kay-lee)
The groom moving the hayThe best man in kilt moving the flower arbor Us in front of the view.
The best man stopped and chatted and had the best legs in a kilt I’ve seen.
We could have continued over the Quiraing but headed back from where we’d come to continue up the coast.
The drive was beautiful. We were listening to radio Skye and they gave instructions on how to drive. The roads here are narrow so there are little passing bays every 300 metres.
The manners of driving. If you are slow like most of the vans then pull over and wave those behind you on. Some people didn’t get the message. But here it’s best to go with the flow. Which we did. It wasn’t very busy and we passed little townships , lots of sheep , beautiful coastlines , a beach with some hardy souls swimming and despite the blue skies the water would be cold!
Sitting comfortably in the house where they brought up 10 children.
We arrived at the Museum of Skye. A series of Croft houses showing how people lived. A little similar to those on Shetland. We’re becoming quite knowledgeable about Crofting here on the islands.
From here we continued around the top of Skye to the Fairy Glen.
Fairy Glen. Pretty pools and rocky outcrops.
We arrived at our Hotel Uig. A great place with a beautiful view and we had a lovely garden room with table outside our door where we could have a drink looking at the sunset ( and dry some washing. ) It doesn’t get dark here until around 8.30!
Our hotel view.
Dinner was in the dining room and I had the most delicious caprese salad which is my favourite Italian salad which was good as straight after we got got talking to people I’d met in the car park earlier.
Turns out they are from Messina in Sicily. We shared a drink and lots of conversation. Such a lovely couple. They love to travel and we suggested they come to Brisbane and they invited us to their beach house in northern Sicily.
This is why travel is so great. It opens the world to people and places.
We are in the land of highlands, tartans, clans, whiskies, castles and palaces.
Along the road there are signs pointing to the castles that each area seems to have. And if you’re a Highlanders fan and love Jamie you should come to this country.
We drove on towards the Isle of Skye through beautiful scenes of mountains , green fields , heather , trickling streams, lochs, but no Loch Ness monster, waterfalls and camper vans. There are lots here.
Had a little walk through the bush to find the waterfall.
Our first big castle was Eilean Donan castle on Kyle of Lochalsh. Before you cross over to Skye. It was getting late. Around 4.30 – we were able in for free. It’s a moody, dark castle in the most beautiful spot.
Guarding the castle door.
Walking around I like to imagine the people who lived here back in the 15thC. The life they had and here are we today with our cameras on iPhones walking the same ground.
We crossed the big bridge to Skye. This has made it easier to travel there leading to overcrowding. The number of small vans on the road is pretty amazing.
The island in ceramics
We booked at the Guesthouse in the first town over the bridge. Kyleakin. Our guest house is newly renovated and quite comfortable though I do wonder if owners ever actually stay in the rooms themselves. We rate it 2 🛌 🛌 Nicely fitted out room with a comfortable bed . But tiny bathroom, no toiletries, no shelf over the sink or in the shower. Breakfast was a tray in the room with packets of cereals , tea etc. not much really. It was really impersonal. All keyless no contact with owners only the sounds of other guests.
That night we treated ourselves to a special dinner at Kinloch Lodge. It’s a beautiful old house with bedrooms facing a large stretch of water and st sunset was magnificent.
The dinner was expensive but so delicious. Our waiter was from Terrigal in NSW Aus.
Such a beautiful setting at Kinloch Lodge
We’d heard there were loads of midges on Syke but I risked it and left the window open. It’s lovely weather and not as cool as I thought it would be. We’ve been lucky!
Another beautiful day and can you believe it we didn’t book tickets to the castle and so missed out!
Reminder to self. Book everything ahead . I can blame our decision in waiting ‘until the crowds had gone’. Then forgot to book. The crowds haven’t really gone. Just decreased.
It doesn’t take long to get into the countryside.
Oh well we did see it years ago. I don’t suppose it’s changed much. So we took a lovely bus ride out of Edinburgh to Queensferry. I’d heard it was a lovely little village and it is.
It sits beneath the bridges across the Frith of Forth. We wandered the little street and had a bowl of chowder for lunch with a view. It was a relaxing last day.
The train bridge
We had to return to Edinburgh to pack up ready for our car pick up tomorrow.
Our last dinner was at Dine. A very good menu at one of their special offer prices £20 for two courses. Actually, in saving money we eat more and have an extra glass of wine. So not really a saving. But a nice end to Edinburgh.
Except it wasn’t really the end. On the way home we stopped at the pub, 75 steps from our door, for Steve to have a last beer – but was Trivia night. so we stayed awhile.
Trivia at the pub.
We made some new best friends!
Jim, a local got us into his group. Such a lovely man. He told us he was a volunteer radio announcer. So lovely He made us guess his former occupation. Steve thought policeman or Vicar. But no he was a butcher. “But you have all your fingers” Steve laughed. He proceeded to show us all his cuts.
frans travel tales 