New Milne Drive

Finally, we arrived at New Milne Manor which we have hired for the next 7 days. We left Killiecrankie that morning intending to be the first people at New Milne. Considering we were sharing the manor house with 12 other folks, this could have been a difficult task to accomplish. As it turns out we ended up having to make a dash to the Edinburgh airport to pick up Ginger, Kara & Alison. So, no problems, we were first here. This is our first view of what was to be our home for the next week. What a glorious first impression, and it was only going to get better. Wastrel On! (Listening to: Crosstown Traffic by the Jimi Hendrix Experience)

Killiecrankie Hotel

The Killiecrankie Hotel sits north of Pitlochrie some 25 minutes on a very windy B road. This was an unexpected stop on our journey as we were planning to visit Killiecrankie Hotel next week. However, we found ourselves without lodging quite late in the day. So, my dear wife called up Tim, the proprietor, and asked him if by chance he had room for us. He did, so off we went to Killiecrankie where we spent an absolutely lovely evening in the company of Tim, and three German guests (two of which were in Scotland to learn English in Edinburgh). A charming room, sans air conditioning (as seems to be the norm), greeted us up the stairs, around the corner, down a step (ducking heads as we went to avoid the seriously low ceiling) and around another corner. But well worth the visit and the £105 pounds. If you find yourself in Killiecrankie, stay here. Wastrel On! (Listening to: Everything She Wants by Wham)

Pitlochrie in Bloom

Pitlochrie has recently won the Scotland in Bloom award. Apparently this is a very prestigious happening because they proudly display this fact throughout the town. Additionally, scattered everywhere, are these wonderful "sculptures", mostly Victorian-themed, that double as planters. This Victorian lady is the first of these fine figures that we saw and I couldn't resist the photo opportunity. I wish now that I had photographed Marita Beth next to one so that the size of these wonderful items could be accurately portrayed. Barely a street block could be walked without encountering some Iron Victorian sporting flower pots. Wastrel On. (Listening to: Hurdy Gurdy Man by The Butthole Surfers)

The Kingfisher

Yet another pub. :-) After leaving the Old Mill Inn, we walked down the High Street in Pitlochrie taking a quick peek in windows & just enjoying the simple, pleasant ambience of this high-energy little town. It was late enough that shops were closing, so there was no shopping to do, but the pubs were still open. We located this one, the Kingfisher, and stepped in for a draught. A pint of the 80 shilling for me and a half shandy for the wee wife. As we sat there enjoying our drinks, an older gentleman informed us that a "very loud" group was soon to start playing and we were sitting right in front of their speakers. We finished our drinks and left soon after, neither of us were up for a "very loud" group and we still had a ways to drive to get to Killiecrankie. Wastrel On! (Listening To: (Reach Up For the) Sunrise by Duran Duran)

Eating in Pitlochrie

Finally finishing with the Falkirk Wheel (well worth a visit), we took to the road again. A quick stop in a small nameless (only because I've forgotten) hamlet so my dear wife can visit an antique store and I can quench a dry throat was the only thing between us & Pitlochrie. A marvelous, if very trendy/touristy destination is Pitlochrie. Many hours, I'm sure, could be spent traversing its streets and shops & pubs and distilleries. But, since we were going to be back here later in the week, we didn't stay over long. We gathered a quick bite & drink at the Old Mill Inn (I've taken, at this point, to photographing every place I've had a drink) and then took a short walk. Lovely, very pleasant weather but the city itself was a little crowded. We soon departed for Killiecrankie. Wastrel On! (listening to: High Hopes by Pink Floyd)

Atop the Wheel

After arriving at the top of the wheel, we made a short journey up the canal; through a tunnel that ran underneath the Antonine Wall we travelled at 4 mph (the maximum on British Canals) to the upper lock. The upper lock is the 1st of 3 locks on this part of the canal system. The Falkirk Wheel is the middle lock and replaces 11 previous locks. Prior to the Wheel being erected, the trip from the top lock to the bottom lock took approximately 10 hours. Now the entire trip can be completed in just under an hour. This photo was taken from the top of the wheel on our return journey looking out over the valley. Next to our boat is a small canal cruiser. There are numerous companies that hire these boats out for excursions of any length. Marita Beth & I are considering, seriously, a Calendonia Canal Cruise when next we visit Scotland. Hire a boat for a few days and slowly traverse the canal system stopping at villages and spots of interest along the way. I think it could be great fun. (Listening to: The Beautiful Ones by Mariah Carey)

The Milwaukee Irish Festival

Took a short break from my travelogue to visit the Bristol Renaissance Festival and the Milwaukee Irish Fest. The Milwaukee Irish Festival celebrated its 25th year this past weekend. It has truly placed itself in the annals of great festivals and great venues. It's held at the Henry W. Maier Festival [Summerfest] Grounds at 200 North Harbor Drive Milwaukee, WI 53202 on the banks of Lake Michigan. The Milwaukee Irish Festival boasts one of the best lineups of Irish (or otherwise Celtic-influenced) music anywhere. Perhaps the InterCeltique Musique Festival in France may have a larger lineup, but I've not been to it, so I stand by my personal critique. Over the years I have seen some truly outstanding groups: some internationally acclaimed, some purely local with little hope of bursting onto the international scene, but brilliant musicians in their own right. This year, I was treated to the Brigid's Cross, The Young Dubliner's, The Wolftones, Schooner Fare, Green Fields of America, Wolfstone & Off Kilter. And these are just the groups I physically saw. I heard many more from a distance as I passed by. My main complaint about the festival is that the Miller Brewing Company has a stranglehold on the grounds and Guinness (Bass, Harp &c.) are not present. You can purchase all of the Guinness paraphenalia you want from many of the hundreds of vendors selling wares. However, you can NOT buy a Guinness stout on the grounds. Thank goodness that Leinenkugel and Sprecher and Lakefront beers all have a presence. All in all it's worth your visit. Wastrel On!

Away in the Distance

As we shot down whatever small road we were on headed toward Killiecrankie, we espied this beautiful structure far in the distance in a vale. I pulled over into a layby and ran across the road to get this photo. While I was taking photographs, my wife was attempting to place a name to the structure. We believe that it is part of the Gleneagles Estate. If I made multi millions of dollars in a years time, we'd have tried to find it, but since I don't, it just wasn't worth the attempt. I had no desire, this early in the trip, to be treated shabbily. The return trip across the road was very nearly my last as I glanced left than right to cross the road and stepped out into the path of a rushing car. Luckily, years of soccer have provided me with pretty quick reflexes and I retreated quickly to the shoulder narrowly avoiding the kiss of a car. Note to self at that point. Glance Right then Left. Nothing like a brush with death/injury to force you to take a new perspective on things. Wastrel On! (Listening To: When I Touch You by Travis Tritt)

Riding the Wheel

Another view of the sheer impressiveness of the structure. This one was taken through the plexi-glass ceiling of our boat, just as we start the ascension. Take note of the beautiful sky, we were not to see that colour blue very often on this trip. Wastrel On! (Listening To: Green, White & Gold by Linda Rutherford & Celtic Fire)

Back to the Falkirk Wheel

After spending the morning at Callendar House, we retreated back down the road to the Falkirk Wheel. Of course, we had a wee bit of stress involved due to a family (also from Texas) who informed us that they had stood in line for nearly 6 hours to ride this thing. A brief discussion between the two of us resulted in making the drive anyway. I mean when were we going to get another chance to ride the famous Falkirk Wheel? And it's not uncommon for tourists to be completely incorrect in their time estimates. Luckily, they were. We had perhaps a 20 minute wait, during which time Marita Beth had a very expensive sandwich from the on-premises deli and I had a Stella Artois. Now it's our turn. We walk onto the boat that seats approximately 60 souls. Our boat was almost half full. The boat is enclosed but the ceiling and side are plexi-glass to afford you a view of the massive structure. Pretty impressive. A tourguide informs us that it takes approximately 4 1/2 minutes to make the rotation and that each gondola (the area in which our boat rests during the rotation) can hold approximately 11 tons. This one contraption takes the place of 11 locks in what was once a 13 lock system in this part of the canal system. It is a government funded enterprise and there is no fee for canal travellers to pay. We tourists take care of most of that for them. More photos tomorrow. Wastrel On! (Listening To: I'm Looking For My Mind by Merle Haggard)

Callendar House Gardens

I lied yesterday. It was an accident. I had forgotten about this particular photo. So, despite saying no more Callendar House, here is one more. This view of the Gardens & Wooded Hill behind the Callendar House is made all the more perfect by the inclusion of my wife in the foreground. Although, taken from inside the house, it's not of the interior, so I don't think it violates the agreement I signed to not publish any photos of the interior of Callendar House (at least I hope that's the case). Due to time constraints we did not visit the gardens, we still had to visit the Falkirk Wheel. However, you can see the stunning beauty of it, here. If there's one thing the Scots really know how to do, it's garden and this is proof. Wastrel On! (Listening To: Indian Summer by Dream Academy)

Full Frontal Callendar

The full view of Callendar house as you walk down the lane. Fairly awe-inspiring. Sadly, this will be the last photo of Callendar House that I will post. Although I was allowed to take photos inside the house, I am not under penalty of stiff British Law to publish those photos in any manner. Therefore, be content with this. Wastrel On!

The Callendar House

Across the street (behind) and down a little ways, perhaps 150 metres lay this beautiful photo

Queen Anne's Lace in the foreground, massive oak trees in the middle-ground and the beautiful Callendar House in the background. A chance discussion with our landlord at the B&B the night before revealed this treasure that we had not previously known of. But a treasure it was, and this was just the beginning. Wastrel On (Listening To: Mortal Kombat Theme by KMFDM)

Our first night's lodging

Our first night's lodging in Scotland on this trip occurred in Falkirk, Scotland.

We rediscovered, at this point, that the agents working the Tourist Information centres throughout the UK are pretty much identical in one crucial aspect. They try to put American Tourists in the newest, most up-to-date Bed & Breakfast available. We had encountered this on our previous visit, but had forgotten. So, instead of some charming cottage on the outskirts of town we made do with this 2 year old house in the middle of what passes for suburbs in Falkirk. Not that it wasn't pleasant in it's own right, and the proprietess was a delightful lady, it's just not what we prefer. Give us instead a creaky old house with unstable steps and a front door nearly off it's hinges; at least it has history.
After checking in, we drove just down the road to a restraunt recommended by the B&B owner. Again, we remembered too late, that we didn't specify, "where would you eat?" Nice enough, but quite touristy and over-Americanized (IMO) and certainly over-priced. Of course, we were both amazingly jet-lagged by this point, & I fear that perhaps my memory is tainted by that shear over-whelming exhaustion that crept up on me as we sat waiting for our dinner.
Back to the B&B (without Air Conditioning) for a 12(!!) hour sleep. Wastrel On! (Listening To: Happy Woman by Simon Joyner)

Falkirk & the Goose on Newmarket

I know I said I'd talk about the Falkirk Wheel some more, but well...I lied. The Goose on Newmarket came first, so I'll talk about it first. Immediately after booking our room for the night at a local B&B, we went in search of a notebook for myself. I had left mine on the plane in Glasgow. Although we had no real luck finding a notebook, we did find the Goose on Newmarket
A very trendy pub just off the High street, it was filled with cigar smoking, beer-swilling yuppie-types and us. Marita Beth eschewed beer preferring instead to sit there and watch me drink mine while trying, almost vainly, to stay awake. I hadn't realized she was so tired, or I'd have not stopped. Live & Learn I suppose. Next time, I'll ask. But, this was pretty much how it was to be the remainder of the trip. Not that it was always Marita Beth or always tiredness, but someone always had a problem with my wanting to stop in at a pub. It got really friggin' old. Wastrel On