Interlaken - Switzerland August 1981

 August 15th
Think we must have crossed the Channel by car ferry as the notes begin in Calais where we took the N43 through Les Attaques and Le Pont d'Ardes then onwards to Nordausques and St Martin-au-Laert. We changed route oto the N42 to St Omer, then back onto the N43 through Arques, Wittes, Aire, Norrent Fontes and Lillers, then onto the A26. Then we changed to the N17 to Arras, passing Baupaune and Peronne. At the junction we took the N29 to St Quentin, then the N44 to Reimes, passing Beumant-sur-Vesle, Les Petites-Loges, Charlons-sur-Marne and Vitry-Le-Francois. Then on the N4 through Marelles, Thieblemont-Farcmont and Perthes. Onto the N67 at St Dizier, through Marnavel and Rachecourt-sur-Marne, Vecqueville (beside a canal), Joinville.....

Oh my, i hope you followed all that dear reader, because there was more - alot more! I should have turned the page sooner beacuse i now realise i had written down the complete driving route from Calais to Interlaken and the holiday notes started on the next page! So back to the start...

Set off 7.10am, weather cloudy but bright but the sun came out as we crossed the Humber Bridge at 7.30am. Through Lincoln at 8.30am and onto the A46 then A1 and M11. Through the Dartford Tunnel at 1.05pm. Reached Dover and got onto the St Christopher cross channel ferry at 4.20pm.

The official Sealink portrait of the newly-delivered St Christopher in April 1981. Picture courtesy Andrew Orr

Had a snack in the self-service cafe, then had a look around. On deck it was misty. Watched TV. Back on deck as we neared the French coast, saw beaches, flats and cooling towers. Saw Hoverport.

Got to campsite, set up the caravan, dad bought some wine and chips. For tea we had Stew (6Fr20c) and (1F) raisin pie. About 10.30pm Stephen and I played badminton, then got washed in open air cold water wash basins.

August 16th
Woke up about 8.10am set off about 9.45am, it was a sunny day. Saw three herons in a field. Turned cloudy. Crossed the river Somme. In Reims saw Champagne factories, spent the night on the outskirts of Langres. People were playing boules and we saw some playing skittles along a stone alley way. For tea we had steak burgers, peas and Smash, then tinned peaches and cream.

August 17th
Corn was growing alot in this area. It seemed more developed than in the North. The soil was red and there were cows with white and pale brown markings in the fields, also the landscape was more undulating than earlier with more trees. The sun was shining. Saw logs neatly stacked by the roadside. Saw a black kite flying above a field of cut barley. [maybe when we stopped for a picnic lunch because i also wrote] Heard some very noisy grasshoppers.

Came to Besancon, a fairly large town spread across the sides and middle of a valley. Lots of big stone buildings and pretty squares. Pontarlier was similar but smaller. Stopped in a village to buy bread, saw ahouse very high up on a cliff. Began to climb a little into hillier country. Went through French/Swiss customs at Les Verriers, then through a tunnel before Neuchatel. Went through Bern but all we saw were a few statues, long avenues and stone buildings, then onto a motorway and through another tunnel. For the last part of the journey we travelled beside a railway along the edge of Lake Thun. Through Interlaken and finally to the Manor Farm campsite on the shore of the lake. After setting up the caravan we played badminton. At night after tea we went into Interlaken (I had some beer) and looked around the shops.

August 18th
Went into Interlaken for some bread, then went to Grindelwald. It was very hot. From the village you could see a great view of the Wetterhorn, Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau mountains.

https://www.tui.co.uk/destinations/europe/switzerland/grindelwald/holidays-grindelwald.html

I had a SF2.50 icecream sundae with jammy stuff on top. Very good and big!. When we got back we had a look around the campsite.

https://www.vacansoleil.co.uk/camping/switzerland/bernese-oberland/interlaken/camping-manor-farm-1-2364004/?pagenum=1

August 19th
Went to Interlaken railway station west, then underneath platform one. Got onto paddle steamer Lotschberg and travelled across the beautiful blue water. The sun was shining. We had seats undercover but we stood at the bow most of the time. Went under a bridge then into Lake Brienz.

We arrived just in time to catch the steam cog railway up the Rothorn mountain. Went up through woodland and tunnels seeing the lake get smaller and smaller. We came out of the woods into a great valley halfway up the mountain. On the right there were some jagged peaks and we saw a cable car station very high up. Durther up the mountain on the left were some avalanche fences. Here we stopped for a while to let another train pass on their way down.

https://wengen.swiss/en/summer/product/page/brienz-rothorn-2350-m-asl-678/

Then we went up again, round a corner past a few chalets and up higher again and through a tunnel around a bend and we had reached the top 7,700ft above sea level. We got off and went to the restaurant for lunch. I had thich soup and some sausage plus potato salad. We could see a line of snow-capped peaks above the jagged rocks. Then the wind became colder and clouds quickly enveloped the mountains and came towards us. I went on ahead and came to a cable car station going down the other side. It was at least 1 1/2 miles down and almost sheer. There were a lot of Alpine Choughs flying around. I went right to the top of the mountain to an open topped viewing place.

The lake looked very small ad we could see the mountains around us clearly. Then the mist came in and when i looked back from the restaurant i could not see the top. As the clouds came in i could not see so much on the way down until we were below cloud level. We went back on the Brienz paddle steamer which was a similar size to the Lotschberg but more luxurious with carpets indoors. Seagulls flew alongside us and people threw bread from the deck. After tea we played crazy golf on a 38 hole course.

August 20th
We went into Interlaken and walked around. I bought myself a Swiss Army Knife (Ranger) for SF43 (3.84SF to £1), it had 19 different features and engraved with my initials. In the afternoon we came back to the campsite for lunch. Then we went for a 2hr walk by a river nearby. I saw a Dipper and Grey Wagtail. Also there was an obstacle training course where you had yo jump over logs and do pull-ups etc. When we came back we had tea then played badminton then went to play crazy golf while dad went to a concert. It came on to rain for the last few holes so we ran to a restaurant and had a beer. Dad came in at that moment to shelter from the rain.

August 21st
Today it was raining so we waited until 11 O'Clock and set off for Bern. There was a direct route on the motorway. All the buildings were the same, the shop windows were underneath a tunnel of arches. There were lots of different shops, even C&A. There was a great chocolate shop and i bought two bars of chocolate and a lquor chocolate.

http://www.world-citizen-trail.net/bern-the-medieval-city-of-guilds-flags-and-fountains-in-switzerland/

Saw the famous clock tower with little figures moving around when the clock struck.

Went through a market square to a restaurant and had a slice of redcurrant cheesecake and some milk. On the way back we saw a three piece rock group with an electric guitar. At night we went for a walk by the river again and i found a little frog. The waters were muddied now as all the rain swept down from the mountains.

August 22nd
In the morning we went into Interlaken, further up the main street and looked around the casino gardens, After lunch we went to Lauterbrunnen with its streaming waterdall from the high cliffs above. Stephen and I went closer to look at it and discovered a tunnel hewn out of the rock which gave a view of the waterfall as it splashed down. We could srr the Eiger clearly at the end of the valley.

https://www.trover.com/d/1kEKK-lauterbrunnen-switzerland

We walked along a road by meadows were people were drying grass to make hay. After 1hr we came upon a few houses and a car park and cable car station. We stopped here and refreshed ourselves with ice cream and lemonade as it was very hot. On the way back we saw some creamy coloured cows with cow bells on and a large tortoiseshell butterfly.We went back to the campsite and played badminton after tea then went for a walkby the lake.

August 23rd
Today was colder and damp. We set off to Meiringen. There we founda brass band playing. Went on up the valley to the Susten Pass with 24 hairpin bends and lots of tunnels. We were about 7000ft above sea level (2133m). At the very top we stopped and go out of the car to look around but it was quite misty. Then we carried on through a 325m tunnel which was so dark the full headlights did not penetrate more than 5ft. Then down the other side through St Gotthard, then on to Furka Pass which was even higher.

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/499758889875491323/

We stopped at Belvedere as the clouds had spread a little across the valley and we could see a road winding upwards again in the distance. Saw some marmosets. Stephen and I looked around an ice cave in a massive glacier by the side of the road (Rhone Glacier). It looked a sort of white/blue ice on the outside but inside there was tuqoise coloured ice.

https://www.somethingswiss.com/blog/2016/9/4/rhone-glacier

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/499758889875491323/

We travelled further up to the highest point of the road at Grimsel Pass +8000ft (2600m). It climbed up into the clouds and there was snow on either side. Then coming down the other side we encountered some roadworks. We could see where a line had been marked in the rock ready for blasting. Then the tarmac road gave way to a muddy lane and we had to slow right down as we went over some pot holes.

August 24th
The next morning wass sunny, although a little cloudy. We got up at 8am and set off at about 8.45am to Lauterbrunnen to catch a train up the Jungfrau. We had to race to get some seats as it was busy. We set off at 2,612 ft and climbed steeply through the forest to Wengweld and then on to Wengen at 4,180 ft. It was suprisingly big for a town that high up. in winter it would be a big skiing resort and also it has a good view of the mountains.

https://www.pandotrip.com/top-10-summer-trips-in-2015-18378/

Further on we passed through meadows with cows, then upwards again round the Lauberhorn to Kleine-Scheidegg at 6,762 ft where we had to change trains. There was just a big station junction with a restaurant and souvenir shops. Now we quickly climbed up to 10,000 ft to the bottom of the Eiger glacier.

From here the last part of the journey was by tunnel through the mountain with view points and stops at Eigerwald 9,400 ft and Eismeer 10,368 ft then we arrived at Jungfraujoch at 11,333 ft (3454m). It was very cold as we came out of the tunnel, through another, into the scoentific research area where we watched a film and looked around the exhibits.

Then as it was about 11.45am we went to the self-service restaurant. We were just deciding what to have when dad felt dizzy so we had to change our minds quickly because now we did not feel too well. I had some soup and two of our own sandwiches. After this we walked back through the tunnels to the ice palace. On the way we went outside for a look on the other side of the mountain. We could see a massive glacier and people like dots climbing up the Jungfrau on a very snowy path.

Then Stephen and I went on to the ice caves. The ice was less blue than on the Rhone glacier but there were more tunnels and there was even a car carved out of ice. Then we went back to the cafe for a warm drink. After that dad and I wwent up to the Sphynx at 11,700 ft. We had to wait a long time for there was quite a queue for the 350ft lift which took you to the highest point on the Jungfrau - even above the clouds. The Monch (13,447 ft) was very close to the balcony on which we stood. There were breath-taking views all around but we were glad to get back inside as it was very cold.

Aletsch glacier from Jungdrau https://springtomymind.com/jungfraujoch-things-to-do/

We made it back just in time to catch a train down again. At Kleine-Scheidegg we got pff and had a look around. Then as we had not had much lunch we went into a restaurant. I had a big plate of spaghetti in tomato sauce. When we got down to Wengen we decided to walk the rest of the way as it was only 1hr to Lauterbrunnen. It was a winding path and tiring to walk down as it was fairly steep.

August 25th
 Stephen was ill the next day and stayed in bed until 1.20pm when he got up to go to a doctor. It was a very hot day. In the morning I had a look around Interlaken and in the afternoon i sat out near the caravan. At night mum and I had a round of crazy golf.

August 26th
In the morning it was sunny again. I went to have a look at some bears at the back of the campsite. There were two little ones and two massive ones. In the adternoon we went to Spiez on Lake Thun. It was very hot and mum and I had a large ice cream. At night we went to a Swiss folk evening where there was yodelling, swiss horn blowing and dancing.

August 27th
In the morning we went to Bern. I bought lots of chocolates. Had lunch out, I had spaghetti in tomato sauce with two slices of pork, then caramel and cream for dessert. Went into Interlaken for the last time at night.

August 28th
Got up at 8am and got away by 9.10am, first to Bern then Basle, then Strasbourg. It was a very hot day. Our camsite was in Kehl. We went into Strasbourg and looked round the cathederal, saw the astronomical clock.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/Strasbourg_Cathedral_Astronomical_Clock_-_Diliff.jpg

On the river there was a jousting game between two rowing boats and long poles. Mum bought an ink and watercolour painting of an old building in the cathederal square. A lot of musicians were plying in the street. Had a meal of grated red cabbage, grated carrot and sliced meat. Then chicken salad and chips with a glass of beer and a piece of apricot tart. We looked around a little then went back to the car. Got lost for about 1hr before finally getting back to the campsite - Strasbourg is in France, the campsite was in Germany.

August 29th
Got up at 8am, set off at 9.20am to Serverne, then onto the motorway. Sunny day.

Onich - Scotland July/August 1980

July 26th
Set off at about 6.15am. It was a foggy morning with visibility down to 50yds at Market Weighton. Saw some hedgehogs and some men picking peas in a field. Two rabbits were also observed. Suddenly the sun appeared. The roads were empty. Saw a donkey on the side of the grass verge.

Passed through York and Thirsk. Saw a military police car on the A1. Potatoes £2 for 55lb. Crossed the river Swale, passed the Little Chef at Scotch Corner, hazing a little into the county of Durham. Saw a lot of rabbits, passed through Bowes and into Cumbria. Saw an old ruined castle and an army camp. Saw a De Havilland Vampire at Appleby.

The fog had just about cleared as we stopped for breakfast at a Little Chef. I had grilled egg, sausages, bacon and tomato with a cup of char. Onto the M6 and into Scotland. Saw sheep on a sheep bridge on the A74. On through Glasgow. Saw Blair castle and Doone castle and some vintage cars.

Stopped at Callander for a sandwich lunch, looked around and mum took photos. Set off again, saw good mountain scenery. A lot of hitch hikers. Through Glen Coe - massive mountains and waterfalls. took photo of reflections in a lake. Stopped at Glen Coe information centre bought post cards, a pen, a badge and took photos. Magnificent scenery.

https://goo.gl/images/M2iVi4

 Drove over Ballaculish bridge into Onich and arrived at Inchree House at 4.45pm. Stephen and I had a single bed each and our room had a good view of the hills behind. We asked if we could use the television to see the Olympics and we could. We were just in time to see Coe/Ovett and we also so Daley Thompson win gold. For tea we had orange juice, asparagus and butter soup then pork chops with carrots, greens and potatoes. For dessert we had apricots and custard. Then sponge cake with strawberry jam.

Then we went back through Onich to telephone nanny and grandad. We went across on a car ferry to the other side of Loch Linnhe. We went in a pub and i downed half a pint of shandy non-stop. We had only gone in as it was pooring with rain and it still was when we cam back on the ferry, so the captain let us go in his cabin to shelter.

https://www.obantimes.co.uk/2018/11/12/options-appraisal-on-corran-ferry-service-carried-out/

We went back to the hotel to watch TV. Then e had supper which consisted of about 4 or 5 pancakes with strawberry jam and a cup of coffee, then i went to bed and had a fairly good night, even though i was fairly hot.

July 27th
I woke up to the sound of pouring rain at about 7.50am. I got washed and dressed and went down to breakfast at 8.30am. First it was grapefruit, the scotish porridge. I ate mine without sugar and milk. Then it was bacon, egg and a beef burger with a potato pancake. We finished with two slices of toast with butter and marmalade and set off in the pouring rain to Fort William. On the way there, waterfalls were running onto the road and it was a little misty. We looked around the shops, then went on to Glen Nevis. There was a raging river at the bottom and massive waterfalls running from the top of the big mountains.

https://www.viinz.com/voyages/ecosse-roadtrip-randonnee-glen-nevis-glenfinnan-arisaig/

There were alot of chaffinches, all quite tame and as we were having our sandwiches we offered them some crumbs and they perched on our hands. Stephen and I went down to the river then after a while we decided to go for a walk. I put my wellies on and it was a good job too as we had to walk in a stream most of the way. It was quite easy going even though we had to cross four big waterfalls. After that we went back to the car and drove on, looking for Ben Nevis and a path leading to it.

Then we went back to the hotel  and got ready for dinner. We watched TV for a while before dinner. We had orange juice, some kind of soup then a piece of beef with peas and boiled potatoes. For desert we had ice cream and jelly with sliced banana. I had a cup of coffee and cheese and biscuits. After that we went on a walk to a waterfall, then after we had seen the raging torrent we went back some wild raspberries that were ready to eat. Then we (not dad) walked up the forest road and had a good view of Loch Linnhe and the surrounding countryside. On the way back we saw two bullfinches and some more raspberry bushes. Then we went back to the hotel and watched TV. For supper we had beef sandwiches and a cup of tea. I went to bed at 10.30pm.

July 28th
Woke up at 7.50am. It had not rained in the noght, but it was still cloudy. For breakfast we had grapefruit, porridge, then scrambled egg with bacon and sausage, plus toast and marmalade. We went into Fort William and Stephen and I looked around some fishing shops. Then we drove on past Loch Lochy and stopped on the shores of Loch Garry. We had our picnic lunch there and afterwards we went to the Loch and started fishing. The rod and reel were not in phase with each other amd we could not cast very far.

Then we went to Fort Augustus where i bought a badge and we had a look out onto Loch Ness - but we did not see anything. 

https://www.mediastorehouse.com/prints-prints-prints/scotland/loch-ness-sign-loch-ness-scottish-highlands-fort-augustus-15270383.html

On our way back we stopped at Fort William and I bought a new fishing rod, reel, line and lure with the help of dad. It took a long time deciding and we only just got back in time for dinner. We had bitter lemon juice, some kind of soup,the just as we were about to have our steak and kidney pie with cabbage and potatoes, we were called through to see Alan Wells in the 200m final. It was a good race and Wells was leading at 150m, but he had gone off so fast that he was tired out and an Italian won by about half a foot. For desert we had pineapple and custard. 

Then straight after, Stephen and I put the line on the reel. Then a man from Liverpool who was staying at the hotel gave me a weight and showed me how to cast. We went into a nearby field and practised. It took a bit of getting used to. The first time I nearly hit some horses, then i put it over some telephone wires, but after that I got used to it and could get quite a long cast. Then we went fishing in Loch Linnhe. We put the spinner on and as we did not need any bait we set off quickly. The fish must have gone to bed and the seaweed must have taken their place bexause the hook got caught on the seaweed. Stephen took his shoes and socks off and pulled it free just as dad almost slipped in.

We went back to the hotel and watched TV. Supper was tomato sanwiches, then tea and biscuits. I went to bed at 11 O'clock.

July 29th
I woke up at about 5 past 8 and wearily got washed and dressed. For breakfast we had grapefruit, porridge then fried egg, bacon, tomatoes and beefburger. We were going to climb Ben Nevis today.

https://getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/guides/reaching-new-heights-ben-nevis-is-now-officially-1345m-tall/

We set off to Ainchree Farm. It was a good sunny day and with only a few provisions we set off. It was a bit boggy at first, but when we got on the main path it was much easier apart from all the boulders that were in our way.

http://www.achinteefarm.com/

 It was a fairly steep climb at first but then as we got higher up it was a gentle gradient with only a few places of relative steepness. Then after rounding a corner the path became very steep and after a while mum decided to go back to the car. We three carried on straight up that stretch. About that time a girl called Fiona was walking about the same pace as us, so she tagged on with us. Now as we rounded the next corner we could see the summit, grey and covered in stones. I was quite thirsty now an was relieved to find a suitable stream running off the side of the mountain.

After ages of plodding on we came to a bigger stream and had another drink, the water tasted funny but we did not mind. Now there was a rather steep climb over a stream on stepping stones and up the side diagonally on a rough scree and boulder path.

http://www.loughtonac.org.uk/Images/Ben%20Nevis%202011/IMG_0068.JPG

This went on for ages in a zig-zag fashion. About 3/4 of the way up we had our lunch and plodded on again. Then all of a sudden it came very cold and windy and the clouds blocked out the sun.

https://www.tripadvisor.it/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g186545-d194657-i152208776-Ben_Nevis-Fort_William_Lochaber_Scottish_Highlands_Scotland.html

We put our kagoul's on and walked slowly on again. We asked people coming down how far it was an we got answers of 45-60mins, then 30-45mins. Dad decided to call it a day but the rest of us plodded on over the trecherous stones, tripping on the boulders with the wind almost blowing us over. We saw a big patch of icy snow and at one point the path at either side was a sheer drop.

Then there was yet another steep climb, we must be there soon; and yes, at first i didn't beleive it. The summit was a large cairn with a trig point on.

https://www.childrenincrossfire.org/ben-nevis-personal-account/20171021_131551/

 There was also a war memorial and some ruins of a stone mountain shelter. We were glad and relieved to have done it. After about 5 minutes we started off down. This was more difficult because it put a lot of strain on the knees and you had to be very careful you didn't slip. We met dad again and after having a rest we set off down slipping and sliding. It took a long time and it was hard work. We had a drink at the halfway stage and finished off the sandwiches and biscuits.

Then it became better ground to walk on but there were still alot of boulders. After we rounded a corner me and Stephen went off in front and went quickly over the bolders and the two aluminium bridges at the very end. We had a race to the car which i won. Mum was waiting there and we just flopped down in the chairs and then a little later we got out the ornage [cordial] and had a drink. We were dripping with perspiration. Dad came 5mins later and he also had a drink.

When we got back to the hotel we both had baths before dinner and changed our clothes. We had bitter lemon juice, then fish, chips and peas. It was apple and jelly and ice cream for desert and a cup of coffee. We watched TV about sharks and for supper we had beef sandwiches and tea. Went to bed 10.15pm.

July 30th
Woke up at 8.10am tired. Cloudy/windy day. For breakfast we had grapefruit then porridge, then egg, bacon, sausage and fried bread (i did not have mine though). The we set of to Oban. On the way up we went in an Aquarium [Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary] and saw all kinds of fish. Shark, Salmon, Eels, Octopus, Rays, Flatfish, Lobsters and Crabs.

http://www.scotland-flavour.co.uk/pictures/oban_scotland_7272.jpg

Went into Oban and walked around and had a bread roll with cheese, tomato and lettuce and a glass of milk. We walked back along the front and it was hot and sunny, then when we got back to the car park it was cloudy again. We set off back to Loch Etive to do some fishing, but the ebb tide was running so we went to another Loch and stopped for a while. We could not fish because the water was too low and there was some seaweed. 

We went into Glencoe village and looked round the folk museum. Afterwards it started to pour with rain so we headed back to the hotel.

https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/glencoe/folkmuseum/index.html

For dinner we had pork and apple sauce with potatoes and cabbage with grapefruit juice to drink. For desert e had strawberry and pineapple sponge and custard, then coffee wth cheese and crackers. Watched TV and for supper we had tomatoe sandwiches and tea. Went to bed at 10.15pm.

July 31st
Woke up 8.05am. For breakfast we had grapefruit, porridge, smoked haddock with bacon and egg then toast and marmalade. We went to Loch Eil and saw the north face of Ben Nevis. 

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g4281804-d9587629-i185215316-Travee_B_B-Corpach_Fort_William_Lochaber_Scottish_Highlands_Scotland.html

We drove right round the Loch and found a good place to fish. So we started but the spinner got caught on rocks and the line snapped. Luckily the weight was still attached. Then we went for lunch and then we went along the other side of the coast past Corran where the ferry was and up to Strontian through Glen Tibbert to Loch Sunart. After looking around Strontian we walked back along the beach and i got some scallops to use as bait.

We then walked back to the car and drove to a jetty where we were goiing to fish. My hook was too small and a man said scallops weren't too good for bait, so he gave me some bigger hooks and some lug worm. I cast out a long way and waited a while but I did not catch anything. We drove back and on the way saw somw hooded crows, two buzzards and a heron. There was a long queue at the ferry and as that was the only reasonable way of getting back we had to wait.

We just managed to get back to the hotel in time for dinner. Stephen did not have any because he had a temperature and a headache. For dinner we had cold corned beef, baked beans, carrots and potatoes with grapefruit juice to drink. We then watched the Olympics and had ice cream, jelly and pears, then coffee with cheese and crackers. We stayed in that night and had beef sandwiches and tea for supper. I ernt to bed at 10.25pm.

1st August
Woke up at 8am. Stephen was feeling better and ate some of his breakfast. I had grapefruit, porridge, then scrambled egg, tomato, bacon and sausage. Then toast and marmalade. We started off to Glencoe to go on a nature walk. When we got there me and mum walked through the woods to An Torr viewing point and then on to Signal Rock and took a photo of the mountain scene and river.

https://www.trover.com/d/11Riy-an-torr-carpark-highland-scotland

Then we followed a path onto the main road but we were in a different place from last itme and we were really lost. We walked one way, but then as it did not get anywhere we went back the other way and found Glencoe car park. We had lunch then dad went for a walk. I read part of The Moonstone and then when dad came back it started to rain so we decided yo go to Fort William. Just as we were leaving we saw a Mountain Rescue helicopter coming out of Glencoe towards us. We did not think anything of it at the time but later we heard some climbers had fallen and one was dead.

It was raining a little in Fort William so we put our kagouls on. Stephen was looking for a penknife so we went to look in camping and fishing shops. We found a lock-knife in one shop that was good value for money, so then we went back yo the car and showed dad. After a lot of persuasion he was allowed to keep it. I bought a spinner. Then we went back to the hotel for dinner.

I had orange juice, salad with three types of meat, then fruit cocktail and cream. We watched the Olympics and Coe won the 1500m final. For supper we had cooked meat sandwiches. Went to bed at 10.35pm.

2nd August
Woke up at 8am, it was a clear sunny day. For breakfast i had orange juice, grapefruit, [no porridge?] then sausage, egg, potato and bacon plus toast and tea. We packed up and put the suitcases on the roof rack. We said goodbye and set off for Boat of Garten. It was a beautiful day and when we were passing Loch Laggan dad stopped and took a photo.

https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/20850

I wanted to fish, but i didn't. At Newtonmore we stopped for lunch 15 miles from Aviemore. Then we went on to Aviemore and looked around the sports centre. There were all kinds of sports and games. Then we went on the wrong road to Boat of Garten but finally fot on the right road to the Hotel. It was called Doughlaggie. I had a very small single room like the Black Hole of Calcutta. 

Then we went to see the Ospreys at Loch Garten. There was a special hide about 250yds from the tree and another about 60yds from it. The supervisor was linked by a telephone system. By using dad's binoculars I could see the nest and the two young ones easily. The femail bird then flew in with a fish and started eating it and then allowed the young ones to have some.

https://community.rspb.org.uk/placestovisit/lochgartenospreys/f/loch-garten-ospreys/196700/daily-update-loch-garten-nest-tuesday-10-april-2018

There were also some bigger fixed binoculars and telescopes that gave a better picture. We came back just in time for dinner. Fatty pork with runner beans and new potatoes (avec le skinz). Then raspberries and cream (not fresh cream) and a cup of coffee. After that we went on a walk up a farm track behind the hotel. We saw a wasps nest and some interesting and colourful fungi. When we got back we looked in my bird book and then decided where we were going the next day. We played cards and had a cup of char. Went to bed at 10.30pm.

3rd August
Woken up by dad at 8am. For breakfast we had porridge, then bacon, egg and sausage plus toast and marmalade and tea. It had rained heavily during the night but i did not hear it. We set off to Aviemore centre to find a doctor. Stephen got some medicine and we set off to Landmark forest. We firstly had a look around the shop then went to the restaurant for lunch. After that me, mum and dad went on a nature trail and then me and dad went on a sculpture walk. Then we had lunch [again?] and set off to Glenmore by a Loch and watched people sailing, but quite a few were being blown right over because the wind was strong.

We saw a bird, I think it had a broken leg or something was wrong with its leg. We drove a little further and went for a walk. After that we went back to the hotel and I changed my trousers and got ready for dinner. We had cabbage soup with real cabbage leaves. Then a good sized chicken leg with cauliflower and potatoes with skins on. Then a kind of trifle with cream and a cup of coffee. Tonight we went to Landmark to see a nature film about Ospreys. Very good, also about the importance of not draining too much land. Then we came back and had a cup of tea and a biscuit. I read a little and went to bed at 11pm.

4th August
I woke at 8am, for breakfast i had porridge, scrambled egg, uncooked sausages. Three pieces of toast and tea. It was a dull misty morning when we set off to Inverness, but it had brightened up when we got there. We looked around the shops and then after our lunch e went to the Culloden Battlefield visitor centre, but it was too expensive so we went on to Cawdor Castle. 

https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/cawdor-castle-p245791

It was drizzling a little. Mum and Stephen looked around the castle and me and dad decided to do the pitch and putt. I lost my ball on the first tee and twice after I almost did again. Dad won 48-51. It then cane on to rain heavily and on the way back over Culloden moor it was very misty. We rested when we got back. For dinner we had chicken and onion soup, then lamb, potatoes, carrots and peas followed by pear sponge and custard. By then it was still raining heavily. Tonight we decided to go to the ice rink at Aviemore. The road was fairly flooded in some places.

https://canmore.org.uk/site/109131/aviemore-the-aviemore-centre-ice-rink?display=image

It was the biggest rink i had been on. I got size eight boots. I soon got the hang of it fairly well. Dad took a photo of me and Stephen. When we left it was still raining but not as much. On the way back we could see moths reflecting the lights and looking like fire flies. Also some frogs started jumping across the road and we had to swerve to miss them. When we got back Stephen went to bed and I read my book a little. I went to bed at 11.15pm.

5th August
I woke at 8.10am. For breakfast i had Rice Krispies, bacon, egg, toast and marmalade and tea. Today we were going to Balmoral, the Queen's holiday house. We had to go over the Cairgorms and it wass very foggy on top. We reched 2090m above sea level. We passed through Tomintoul. It was a very windy and narrow road. There were a lot of hump-backed bridges.

https://cairngorms.co.uk/discover-explore/planning-a-visit/getting-here/

Went to Balmoral for coffee. Saw the area for the Highland Games. Then went to Crathie and had lunch there. Afterwards we went in Crathie Church but we could not even go into the grounds of Balmoral, it had been closed from July 31st - 6 days too late. From the road we could see a fairly good view of the castle.

https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/balmoral-castle-p245771

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-4743846/Queen-arrives-Crathie-Kirk-near-Balmoral-Castle.html

It rained on the way back. For dinner we had tomato soup, then beef burger, butter beans, cabbage and potato. For dessert it was raspberry flan and ice cream and coffee. After dinner we decided to go fishing in Loch Garten. I lost my spinner again after a few casts, with no sign of fish. We then went back into Boat of Garten and phoned nanny. Then we went back to the hotel and had a cup of tea. Then i ready my book and went to bed at 11.20pm.

6th August
I woke at 8.10am, got washed and dressed for breakfast. We had porridge, poached egg on toast then toast and marmalade and tea. It was another wet cold morning when we set off to Forres. We had a drink there and then instead of going to Elgin as first planned we went to Inverness. After parking the car we crossed a footbridge over the river Ness.

http://www.trout-salmon-fishing.com/scotland-river-ness.htm

There were a lot of people in waders fly fishing in the middle of the river but we did not see them catch anything big. Me, dad and Stephen went for a walk along the river and then i read my book when i came back. Then we went back to the hotel. For dinner we had ox-tail soup, then fish and chips with assorted salads. Then rice pudding and peaches with coffee to drink. We went skating again tonight. The ice was dryer than last time. I went fairly well. Then we came back to the hotel and had a read and i finished The Moonstone. Went to bed at 11.05pm.

7th August
Woke at 8.15am. A bit better morning, not sunny, but not raining, For breakfast I had Rice Krispies, then bacon, egg and toast and marmalade and tea. Today e decided to go up Cairngorm mountain on the chair lift. When we got there it was drizzling so we wrapped up warmly and put out kagouls on. I went up with mum and Stepen with dad; it was good fun. When we got to the top we had a hot drink and biscuit.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2dszss77y6V5SyHj4Pj04zY/meet-the-summer-workers-of-the-cairngorms

Mum did not want to back down on the chairlift, so mum and dad walked back and Stephen and I came down on the chairlift. Then as mum and dad had not used their return tickets we walked back up and got the chairlift down again. Dad took a photo of us. 

Before we came to Cairngorm we went to a trout hatchery. Stephen and I bought a bag of food pellets to feed the fish. You could throw a handful in and half of the 40,000 in the pool would charge and leap to get the food. Sometimes if you just put one pellet in the effect would be just as good. There were all sizes. Some weighed 1lb, others were up to 15lb. We took a photo of a big one.

We had lunch at the chairlift car park. Then the clouds closed in and it started to rain again. We drove on and stopped at Loch Morlich. We played football but unfortunately i kicked it into a tree and we could not get it down. It started raining heavily so we returned to the car and went back to hotel. For dinner we had roast beef and yorkshire pudding with potatoes, peas and carrots. For pudding it was peaches and ice cream and coffee. 

Then we went to a Scottish evening in Boat of Garten. We had two shandies amd packets of crisps while we watched singers and some girls doing highland dancing/dancing waltzes etc. piano and accordian. Went home just before the last dance at half past eleven. Got to bed at 11.45pm.

8th August
Woke up at 8.30am at the sound of the breakfast bell. I quickly got dressed and hurried in. For breakfast I had porridge, smoked haddock with scrambled egg on toast, then toast and marmalade and tea. Took a photo of Floss (the dog) and Socks (Kitten). Set off after getting a newspaper in Aviemore. We joined the A9 to Pitlochery and passed through a scenic valley. The sun was shining on the heather covered hills. Saw extensive road works outside Pitlochery. At Pitlochery we stopped for coffee, then went on across the Forth bridge and stopped in Edinburgh for lunch in the car park beneath the castle. 

http://www.wow247.co.uk/2016/07/18/didnt-know-about-the-forth-bridge-scotland/

 

https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/travel/20-things-probably-didnt-know-princes-street/

After that we had a walk down Princes Street. After coming back we looked around a gallery. Dad found a place for us to stay out of the farm guide book and rang to see if they had rooms. It was about 20 miles south of Edinburgh. We arrived in time for a high tea. I had a ham salad, a slice of bread and jam, two pieces of ginger cake, one rice crispie cake, one fairy cake and two cups of tea.

Then we went to Peebles and looked around. When we got back, mum made a coffee and I read my book and watched TV. Went to bed at 10.30pm.

9th August
Woken up by dad at 8am. Our room was not bad but no wash basin and the ceiling was very low and I could not stand upright in it. Had breakfast of cornflakes then sausage, egg and smoked bacon plus toast and tea. Set off at 9.11am for Moffat. Passed the Beef Tub - a very deep valley.

https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/568362

Stopped at Moffat to buy provisions and had a coffee.Mum bought some material. Set off again and after a long time came to the A1 at Scotch corner. We had our lunch at the Little Chef there [now no longer].

https://www.thedrum.com/news/2013/04/15/buyer-sought-little-chef-restaurant-chain

I had a cheese and pineapple salad. Saw a big articulated lorry carrying an army crane. Passed though Thirsk and saw the white horse on Sutton Bank. Then back home.