Though we had internet signal strength problems in northern Scotland, I caught this up once we had signal and added pictures once I was home.
I pulled many late nights to catch up as I just couldn't waste time sleeping. Too much to do and see! However, eventually, I learned to type on the bus on highway stretches. The Blogger App let me type and then add it once I had a connection in the evening. What a relief!
I decided I'd better date these as I tended to run about three days behind with typing and posting. We do and see so much each day that we all keep journals to keep it all straight.
We started Thursday high in the cold, misty Scottish mountains. We drove in and out of rain and snow through narrow winding mountain roads. (Thelma, you were right. We love our raincoats.) The views were wonderful with pine and beech forests. We followed a beautiful lake or as they call them, loch, on the right with a steep mountain on our left. There were streams and many small waterfalls rushing along the rocks down to the loch. It reminded us of some places in Canada but with occasional fields of Heather.
We drove by quaint little mountain farms and saw more Hairy Coos which look so cuddly. We also saw Red Deer and we were lucky to see a big stag at the side of the road. He ran off so fast that I couldn't get a picture from the bus, but we did see several more at a distance.
It rained and blew, but we were all laughing and snapping pictures. One of our fellow travelers shivered past me and said, " I am so cold, but I am having the best time!" And then, it cleared and the sun peeked out...spectacular!
Henry put on soft Scottish folk music and we drove on to the quaint little fishing village of Ullapool. Picture white buildings with boats anchored in the bay with rocky mountains all around us. There were many ewws and ahhs.
We had fish and chips at the local pub and explored. Bob and I stopped in to the local post office to mail a card and chatted with the lady clerk. As she took my card, she gasped, "Jackson, Michigan! It's where I was born and went to school!" She had lived in Ullapool for four years as it is her husband's home. We had the nicest talk. What a small and friendly world.
We drove further north through sun one minute and rain and snow the next, all with blustery wind. The landscape was gorgeous. We hiked trails and took many pictures. If I gain weight on this trip, I will be amazed.
On the way back to our hotel we heard a bang and Andy our driver pulled over. A truck going by had side swiped him and broke his mirror. Andy is a large, very nice young man. He drives so well and makes us feel in good hands. He handled it all very well. He very much reminds us of our Florida friend, Dan Daniels. All was well and repaired the next day.
We discovered on a count that we are two of six Americans on this trip. Eight are Canadians, two are from Singapore, four from New Zealand, three from Tasmania, and all the rest are from Australia. They are a hoot and keep us laughing.
As an example, when we are traveling on the bus, we are all snapping pictures out the window as we can't always stop. It's hard as things often blur and things get in the way. Our Aussie friend, Robyn called out, " Does anyone need pictures of the road signs coming down the mountain, because I'm pretty sure I have a complete bloody set?" Doug answered without missing a beat, "Only if they're blurry!"
On we went down the mountains and then back to our hotel. The song, Gypsy Rover played and several sang along ( including me, as I remembered it from, my brother, Gary's folk singing days). I got chills it was so cool. We continually give thanks for this awesome opportunity and the health to enjoy it.
We ended the day with a cruise on beautiful Loch Ness. We didn't see the monster but we had a lovely cruise, a good time and a nice dinner. 
Our Australian friends, John & Mary.
Once we were back at the hotel, we took a last walk through the quaint town of Strathpeffer and fell into bed.
