This morning provided us with yet more rain on our drive down to the southern part of Skye where we were to catch our ferry.
This was my first ferry experience. I’ve decided I like ferries. I listened to the crewmen working and joking with each other, saw a dolphin, and snapped pictures of our oncoming port.
We were first in line to get off the ferry which for some reason made me giddy.
They let the ramp down, and off we went. We decided to drive along the coast to Arisaig and just happened upon some gorgeous beaches.
After Arisaig, we turned toward Glenfinnan, passing through various mountains and lochs. Anthony was in love with the area.
We then came around a curve, and BAM, a steam train was passing! I barely had time to get my camera out and snap a picture from the car.
We made it to Glenfinnan where I realized that I had planned out everything in order to see the steam train pass on the viaduct only to leave all of that planning elsewhere. I was a bit stressed as I was so determined to see the “Harry Potter train.” We found a little parking lot, and decided to try it out and hope for the best. We walked along a path, and apparently went too far along that path because I realized we really wanted to be up and back. We decided to just start marching up the hill without a path and ended up in the right place. We set up shop and waited for it to come across.
Of course, after I had my tripod set up and had been waiting for half an hour, an old English man decided to walk on down right in the middle of my view. Screw that. Anthony walked down to him and asked him if it would be ok if he moved just a bit to the right, and he seemed quite indignant at the idea. “No, no, I have to be away from the people. I was here just this morning, and I was up where you are, and some bloke’s phone went off, and it messed up my whole video, and I didn’t get the sound, and I really wanted to get the sound.” Anthony sympathized, but then pushed a bit more. “I understand, that sounds rough. But maybe you could move just a step or two this way? Would that ruin your shot?” And so the man reluctantly moved to the side, and Anthony was my hero.
At last, it came. I have now seen the Harry Potter train.
Right after, the sun decided to come out for the day and bless us on the rest of our stunning drive to Glencoe.
We made it to our B&B, walked past some chickens and a wee garden, were led up to our room, and took in our spectacular view.
We took advantage of our shower and laundry facilities, ate a picnic outside looking out over the loch, and walked around the beautiful town a bit.
Afterward, we made our way to the pub for a pint before tucking in for the night. The pub had stuffed animal heads (like, I do mean stuffed animals, not real, dead animals) hanging over the bar which I thought was hilarious. The TVs were on the sports station, discussing cricket and rugby and soccer. Anthony ordered a pint of Guinness, and I ordered a pint of “extra cold” Guinness (because apparently that’s a thing?). Overall, a very, very pleasant day.
