Scotland

Went to Scotland for 6 days. Hired a rental car (the one on the right) and drove to St Boswells & nearby Melrose. Duff's Aunty Jean and Uncle Frank live in St Boswells and his sister Bonnie was over for a holiday. It's a nice area with some lovely attractions. We drove up to Scott's view and checked out the Leaderfoot viaduct before finding Melrose hostel. The hostel was originally a family home built in the 18oo's and is right beside the Melrose Abbey (1136). We went for a walk that night and saw a large statue of William Wallace.
After a big Scottish breakfast with Jean & Frank, we headed off with Bonnie on a day trip. We crossed the border and went to Holy Island, Lindisfarme. It is only accessible at low tide via a causeway, we visited the castle, abbey, lime kilns, and mead shop before going to Rothbury. Rothbury House was the first home to have electricity, unfortunately it was closed as the wiring had been deemed unsafe! We checked out Cragside manor and gardens and Jedburgh abbey and castle jail before driving back.
Next day we drove the whisky trail towards Inverness. We stopped in Dufftown and went to the Glenfidditch distillery and Balbenie castle. We then went on to Duffus which had amazing ruins, then stayed the night in Inverness.
First thing the next morning we drove along Loch Ness trying to spot Nessie. Then over to the west coast and up north a little into the mountains. We stopped in at Eilean Donan Castle which was rebuilt in the 1920's and had excellent displays.
The next day we went to Edinburgh Castle and a tartan factory on our way back to St Boswells.
On our final day we stopped in at Drochil Castle on the way to the airport.

Blarney Castle

Visited Blarney Castle for a day, taking a picnic lunch. The castle is amazing, and the grounds are interesting too, with badger's cave & a witches kitchen and stone. We all kissed the blarney stone, here's Darren, Manda, & Duff.

Easter Beerfest

The pub just a few doors down from us held an Easter Beerfest. They had mainly Irish brewed beers, over 30 to try, so we tried the lot. Check out more photos at darrensbeercritiques

We've finished work!

Yay! Finished work & it's all play from now on. Darren had a tie-burning ceremony, and we went out with our workmates to celebrate.