I am so sorry I haven’t written in a couple days but it is a full time job being a Holiday Event Planner, especially when you always show up to work hungover from the previous event! I am exhausted and it is only Day 4 of our 24 Day Holiday-Palooza!
We woke up at a respectable 9:00 am and had a light breakfast - toast and Mimosas and then went for a walk to the harbour. I had to show them the harbour in a)daylight and b)when we weren’t doing a alcohol fuelled pub crawl. Then back to the apartment to get ready to visit Drum Castle. On our way to Drum there was a little heart pounding incident where there was screeching of brakes and violent horn honking to avoid an accident but, no worries, all was well and Jen did not poop her pants. Drum Castle is undergoing some repairs to the tower so the visual impact was somewhat lessened. However we signed up for the tour and did a quick stroll around the grounds - saw the chapel, the cemetery where 10 generations of Alexander Irving’s were buried and the PET CEMETERY! All the animals had their own headstones, even the 145 year old turtle! The tour was very overcrowded and not nearly as enjoyable as Fyvie.
We left the castle, now searching for a pub. Did not need to search long (quick side note: castles and pubs are fairly easy to find) and we found Garlogie Inn. We knew we picked right when we went in and it was packed. We had to sit outside, which initially was a wonderful idea but the looming black clouds that were rolling in indicated a possible change in seating was going to be required. Again, the Gods were on our side and they found us a table inside, we ordered our meal and the skies opened. The first real rain we have had on a island renown for its rain, so doing well. Had an amazing lunch and we were visited by the resident dog, Eddie, who brought his ball to Ryan. The dogs in this country are so well behaved. I think I might ship my puppies here for a lesson.
Fuzz took a turn at driving. He did very good. He was reminded regularly, “Left, left”. Anyway off to Fraser Castle. No guided tour there. We toured on our own. They do have guides throughout the rooms to answer questions. We were chatting with one lady and Jen asked if she has ever seen any ghosts. She said she was in the same room we were talking to her in and she said she heard 2 other guides on the stairs that were talking to one another. When she went back downstairs later the ladies were there and said they had never been in the stairs. We walked to the top of the castle tower, 120 ft, and looked out around the countryside. We also decided that the circular stone staircases are not safe and would definitely be outlawed in Canada.
Drove to Portlethen and bought some wine and flowers to Nics’ house to have a visit. A visit that quickly turned into a party. Darren and Jen got to meet more of my Scottish family. Tony, Niro, Noah, Julie, Ian, Ivy and Indie. Nicola had the most amazing charcuterie board that would have fed 85 people. Puts all charcuterie boards I have ever made to shame. The boys headed home without us girls. When we poured ourselves into the taxi to come home and I had the nicest visit with the cabbie. We were greeted at the door by Darren (he “claims” I bit him but there was no evidence the next day so I think he is a liar) and that was it! Day 2 in the books.
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