Dunvegan Castle and Glendale Visit 18th Feb

After our usual morning routine and chores we headed off to Portree, to Boots the pharmacy to collect the remainder of my scrips for my dermatitis, some were in some were not, so we are getting there slowly - it is “Skye Time after all!”

Along the way we stopped a few time to try to the some photos but the good light just changed too fast and was gone in almost an instant.

After the Chemist we stopped in at the main Co Op and I got some flowers and a bottle of Australian Red Wine (Yellowtail Merlot) but they had run out of After 8 Mints, as a small token for our hosts. I had already bought a card and some Skye handmade chocolates as a belated birthday gift for Kay, as her birthday was on the 15th Feb.

Next it was a visit to Jan’s and brunch in the Red Brick Cafe, I had soup and a roll, Vince had a Cajun Chicken Panini and Soup, and a couple of diet cokes for around 17 GBP.

Then we headed off to Dunvegan Castle for our second attempt at attending the Snowdrop Festival. The weather was rain and hail, but the wind wasn’t too bad. On the road out we could see that the hail was also causing trouble on the road with ice, so we did wonder whether the event would be cancelled again. We were so happy when we saw many cars in the car park and we did indeed get to go in.

I’m not sure what we really expected but the Snowdrops seemed a bit of a let down to us both, there were far fewer out than we expected and some that were out were already dropping and dying. In any case we were able to get some photos of the Castle which is closed in the Winter, as well as enjoy the gardens. We also got good views of the McLeod’s Tables (mountains). Before we knew it our time was up as they were closing at 2.00pm so we had to high tail it back to the front gate. Vince joked that if we got locked in I should just knock on the front door of the Castle and let them know were are McLeod’s from Australia and need a room for the night - but not the dungeon please! LOL

Back in the car and on our way we made a stop in at the local public facilities and then headed on the road for Glendale. Our new friends Kay and Nigel (who live in Lester but come here twice a year and are in the middle of moving here permanently) were are staying in Lower Morvaig in Mandallagh Cottage.

We were a little late getting there as time just flew at Dunvegan, but it was only by about 20 minutes or so. The cottage was very nice, and had great views out to sea and of the cliffs. Not only were we welcomed by Nigel and Kay, but we met their three dogs - Eddie (some sort of terrier), Butch (maybe a staff cross I’m not sure of his parentage) and Suzie (the pug). The two boys were all over us straight away but Suzie just barked and backed away. I knew we would win her over and we did - it wasn’t long before she was coming for pats and cuddles.

It was Kay’s birthday on 15th Feb so we had a small gift of flowers, handmade chocolates and a card for her.

Vince and Nigel talked “Drones” and showed off their toys to each other. Nigel has some amazing gadgets and shiny things that I think Vince will now get for himself. Kay showed me how to spin wool, and I tried hard, but it takes a lot of concentration and is not as easy as I thought - obviously I need a lot more practice. I asked Kay if I was just hopeless, she assured me everyone starts like that - but I’m not so sure - I may be remedial! Kay and I also talked about Reiki, Healing and Crystals, and I shared with her my website (www.celtichealing.com.au) with info as well as my YouTube Channel - Celtic Healing Corner. Both her and Nigel thought it would be a good income option here on Skye if we ever decided to move here. Kay thinks we should buy properties next door to each other - we were like a couple of school girls.

We enjoyed a three course dinner of Soup, Steak and Veg and Strawberry Cheesecake. I was so full I couldn’t eat it all. At about 8.30 I suggested that we needed to hit the road as we had a two hour drive back to Duntulum. So we bade our farewells, but not before Kay insisted on some photos!

It was a fairly long drive in the dark and cold home, but I soon got a fire started to warm us and Vince made us some hot drinks (Horlicks for him and Ovaltine for me). Then it was off to bed. Vince took a Phenergan to help him sleep and he’s had some restless nights.