This morning we took a taxi from the hotel to the Stena Line Ferry termina to catch the ferry to Scotland at 1l .45am. The vessel was a catamaran and much flasher than we expected for the price. It had restaurants, pokies, movies and bars, but as the trip to Stranraer is only 2 hours we didn't use any of the facilities. The main thing I did was pay our New Zealand tax agent bill on my laptop from somewhere in the middle of the Irish Sea. The wonders of modem technology!
Once at Stranraer we boarded a coutesy bus to the rental car depot and picked up the Ford Fiesta we were to drive for the next two weeks - by we, I mean me, as I was too tight to pay the extra for two drivers. Neil probably regrets that decision!
Anyway, after getting used to the indicators and wipers being on the wrong side, I managed to get us up the coast to Ayrshire and Culzean Castle, which we just managed to get into before it closed for the day. The castle was in the Kennedy family since the 1700s but is now part of the National Trust. Cousin Tony got married there many years ago, as have numerous Kennedys over the years. It's a magic place, opulent inside and beautifully manicured gardens outside, all on the edge of a cliff looking out to sea. (Wouldn't mind having a stake in it now).
After doing the tour we continued on in a north-easterly direction, skirting Glasgow and
heading for Edinburgh where we had a booking at The Salisbury, a quaint old hotel on one of the roads in. As usual the room was magnificent, as was our meal at the Salisbury Arms, a centuries old pub just up the road. They had draught sauvignon blanc which was a first for me, and very good quality as well. Neil had his usual two pints of beer. All in all a big day, so another well deserved sleep that night.
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| The Salisbury |
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| First drive |
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