Trip of a Lifetime?

Somehow, in the past few years I zoomed from 50 to 60 in something like a nano second. As I crawl even further over the hill and enter the dark side called 60 +, I find myself  wondering what that number really means, besides discount day at the store.
There is longevity in my family. My father recently passed away in his 89th year, leaving me and my sisters, but also his 90 year old sister and his 94 year old brother. My mother was taken too soon at 68 but her mother lived until almost 97. So somewhere, all of those long life genes are a part of me, too.
There is the saying that the 60's are the new 40's and then there is the one that you gotta use it or lose it.
So, I am embarking on a new adventure, moving more to find what was lost and hopefully, turn back the clock as I journey.

I have signed up to do a sprint triathlon.
The big event takes place June 15, 2014.
I am beginning training now.

Heading Home

We are sitting in Heathrow waiting for our delayed flight to Philadelphia. We will be at least an hour later getting in which bumps our flight to BWI to almost nine o'clock. Oh well.
Our last evening event in Scotland was the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
What a fantastic show, certainly not what I expected. Dancers, light show, and fireworks along with the bands, even pipers from Brazil! We were very lucky to have a dry evening, too. Apparently, the show goes on, rain or shine.
Edinburgh is a great city to walk around, even with all of the uphill roads. We did have a problem finding our hotel to drop the luggage of first, before returning the rental car at the airport. After passing the same Sainsbury store three times, I stopped and asked for directions. Hotel was found and luck was with us as there was a Hertz rental right next door.
We all decided that Edinburgh really deserves a stay of more than two days, but maybe not at festival time - it was very busy with people.
It has been a grand adventure, from the canals of Venice to the mountains in the Scottish Highlands. We were treated to vistas of incredible beauty, the generous hospitality of our B&B hosts and the friendliness of everyone else we encountered.
We drove kilometers and kilometers and miles and miles. We had some great food and I even tasted black pudding and some strong spirits but not brave enough for the haggis.

Should you want to view the pictures I couldn't upload to the blog, drop me a line about my shutterfly account to come.

Never Lost

We began this Scotland leg of the trip with a GPS unit which we named Heather. She had the most annoying habit of cutting off every few minutes. She was quickly delegated to the back seat and we became very adept at making u-turns when going the wrong way.
Driving to Skye had us going through an area of the such spectacular scenery. We traveled along a road to Elgol, really the end of Skye, so it seemed, where we were fast tracked to the concept of passing points; it was a single lane road. Tasted some whisky at the Talisker distillery and had dinner in the lovely town of Portree.
A stay in Braemar allowed us some down time, visiting the castle and shopping in the village while listening to the pipe band, during the rain.
Having turned in the rental car and dumped the witchy Heather, we are now in Edinburgh, ready to explore and enjoy!

High in the Highlands

Tonight we are happily ensconced in a lovely B&B in Spean Bridge in the Highland Glens.
We left yesterday from Edinburgh Airport area, bound for Skye, visiting Scone Castle after we lost our way. Beautiful home and grounds, probably the best castle we have visited.
Next stop was Pitlochry for dinner then panic hit as we called dozens of places for a place to stay. Seems all of England is on holiday in Scotland right now but we did find rooms in a small hotel in Kingussie at 10p.m.
Top priority today was getting B&B's for the next four nights.
Highlight of the day was watching the boats travel in the Caledonian locks in Fort Augustus, with the magnificent scenery along the lake drive close second. Tomorrow's plan is Skye, and maybe better weather(rain today). We will be joining all of the other holiday makers, so we do have a back up plan in case of crowds. Still having a grand time!

Was I supposed to go that way?

I have been driving all week and have become pretty proficient on the other side of the road.
But my navigators are sometimes a little lax and sometimes I would be going the wrong way. Not to worry, it has all been an adventure and my u-turns are getting better.

We have been to the Giant's Causeway, Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge, Glenveagh National Park, Donegal and traditional music, Marble Arch Geo Park (but no boat tour because of a three hour wait), Powerscourt Gardens and the post office in Enniskerry and other places of beauty in between. We are now in Edinburgh near the airport, ready to begin the Scotland leg of the trip.

All week, I haven't been able to get a scone for breakfast at the B&B's, although we have had some good porridge. interestingly enough, we were able to find some very good homemade scones at two shops right next to tourists attractions.

I really haven't had time to upload any photos. Sometimes, we were not able to get online so, it will probably be the same in Scotland. No matter, we are having a grand time!

It's in the suitcase

this was our mantra the first day in Venice.

We left Maryland during a terrific storm, arrived for our connection in Philly late, missing our flight to Venice by 10 minutes. We were detoured on a later flight, going by way of Frankfurt so I upgraded all to Envoy class,bliss!
We arrived in Venice later then planned, in the afternoon, however, our baggage didn't!
So whenever we needed something, we chanted,"it's in the suitcase". Promises were made that it would arrive the next day at our hotel, the Palazzo Rosa, so we continued our adventure, exploring Venice.

Beautiful city, the Rialto Bridge and San Marco in the evening, the many bridges over canals and walkways, twisting and winding,always going the right direction,beautiful churches and the architecture so different from home.
Special highlights were the museum at Ca'D'Or, the food, the Happy Bar, and especially sampling the gelato.

Yes, our luggage arrived the second afternoon, and we enjoyed our Venetian holiday even more.

Now, we are at a lovely B&B, The River Mill near Downpatrick, N.I., enjoying the gracious hospitality of our hosts, Theresa and Aidan, with our bags near.
Quite proud of myself, driving from Dublin airport, no near misses and just a few encounters of the rumble strips!

Departure Day!

"All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go..." Well, one bag and a tote are sitting there for a final check.
I have a few errands to run this morning, a coffee break with my daughter Sarah later then I am out the door.
Venice forecast tomorrow is 79 and partly sunny, a cold wave compared to the 102 I registered  at my house last week.
Andrea and Debbie are ready, too and we are three excited traveling sisters!
Stayed tuned for our adventures.
Arrivederci!