All the Way Back Again

New Zealand! Kiwiland.

Love it. :-D

Still sorting through photographs (some yet to load up!), and enjoying myself in the ever-relaxing paradise that is Canterbury. I think I'm very lucky to have a place like this to come home to - and my family, too. Wonderful, wonderful family! *hug*

Right Here and Now: Surrey (Day 104)

(Sidenote: 'She Walks in Beauty' by Nicholas Gunn is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I've ever heard. It's just... indescribable.)

Only 11 1/2 hours until my flight leaves. Still packing! Just wanted to say that this has been an amazing time for me, and I'm hoping never, ever to forget it. Can't wait to see everyone again!!!

- Ginny

Right Here and Now: Surrey (Day 102)

Somehow, it's gone unnoticed for two millennia that the Highlands are paradise on earth. We have all been deceived! Heaven lies not above us, but at Glen Coe! Glen Coe, people!!!

*grins* Yay! From 10-day holiday up north has emerged: super-wonderful, made-me-cry-it-was-so-gorgeous Scottish scenery, kayaking in Broadford Bay on the Isle of Skye (and falling out, needless to say), countless moments of breath-taking history (Greek amphora sitting in a corner of Durham Cathedral!), Viking coffins, castles, beaches with blue skies (this happens in Britain?), ancient town walls (take care: Elizabethan ramparts may be dangerous!), walking along the Northumbrian coast just after sundown, the Wallace Monument bathed in the last of the day's light, Robert the Bruce, Loch Ness, 'Nemo Me Impune Lacessit', men in kilts wandering the streets of Edinburgh on a Saturday night, rainclouds over the Cuillin Hills...

Gah.

Happy, happy Ginny. :D

Oh, it also turned up a sleazy Inverness man. *wrinkles nose* Luckily, imagining the look on Mum's face gave me good humour enough to get rid of him. Poor, sad guy...

Also, 'yummy' premade meals (the sweet'n'sour chicken wasn't too bad), a desperate last-minute trip to Burger King, and many bananas.

I've filled 3.5GB of memory, mainly with scenery (duh!) but with sufficient pictures of people, I think. There was a determined effort. :) Ah, and the demon sheep! He was a bulldog, I kid you not: a ram built like a prizefighter, and with a call as guttural as a tractor engine. The photographic evidence shall stand by me, and Dad: I'm counting on you to tell me what he was. *shakes head* Those crazy Border farmers.

Now begins the impossible task of fitting everything into my bag. Luckily both pairs of jeans are coming apart at the knees, so it won't be hard to say goodbye to one! Then, there's just the sleeping bag, the books, my t-shirts, the jacket (I wear this, perhaps?)... *laughs* Those thieves in Cardiff may have done me a favour, taking one of those bulky things off my hands. Presents much more important. :P

*yawn* Overnight bus trip from Newcastle... Eyes still a little blurry. Must go pack.

Only 52 hours left.

Right Here and Now: Skye (Day 94)

Time for a longer entry this morning, with a half hour before we head off to walk round the village of Torrin (just checked my spelling on Wikipedia). It's grey and overcast today, with the cloud quite close to the ground and a light drizzle: not perfect for a cruise to Coruisk! Gumboots instead.

It's very relaxing, being here. Very laid-back, and the landscape's just beautiful - though hard to photograph when shrouded in fog! Shall have to get some good photos of Lesley, Deirdre and everyone. They've been very kind to me. :) Now, I'll have to keep digging about something to do tomorrow: maybe Eilean Donan?

Oh, and Dad: you're impossible to get hold of! Honestly. :P Will call tomorrow morning at 8:30 Scottish time, 7:30pm Canterbury. *crosses fingers*

Love you!

Right Here and Now: Broadford, Skye (Day 93)

Just a very quick note to say that Skye is gorgeous, Linda's family are wonderful and I'm definitely enjoying my trip. The Highlands were bathed in sunlight today, and I took hundreds of pictures - Dad, I know you've seen them, but... Wow. :D

Right Here and Now: Surrey (Day 91)

This the super-quick, have-to-pack-now goodbye message: I'm off to Scotland! Wish me luck. :)

Right Here and Now: Surrey (Day 90)

I miss you all so much!!! Can't wait to see everyone again.
Family = love. :)

Ahh...

Ok. Not so good news today: even with all my frenetic planning and multiple checks of routes, costs and other such horribly practical things, there's still a snag. The Citylink bus people have informed me that the 3-day Explorer Pass I've purchased won't be ready for another week, and I need to get to Skye on Sunday. *groan* Nowhere on the website did it say it would take a week! Nowhere!

So, I'll lose the £35 for that pass, have to buy another ticket to Skye (£35) and to Eilean Donan (£3.50), and won't be able to go to the Isle of Harris or Urquhart. Argh!

*wry grin*

Wait. It's just hit me that I'm complaining because I won't be able to see some of the amazing sights I'd planned - but maybe, now I'm not visiting Urquhart, I could take the (now cheaper) bus to Culloden and spend some time there instead. And besides, there's still two and a half days in Edinburgh and Stirling, Durham Cathedral, that train ride through the Highlands and Skye. Not too bad. :P

Okay. Super-wonderful nostalgic songs on last.fm, time and coffee have led to me being me again. Yay!

See you on the 27th!

xox
Ginny

Flashback: Day 24 (Geneva - Grignan)

One of our first views of Geneva, an hour after leaving the campground. The skies were grey, but this was an amazing moment. ^^

Action shot! Parking tunnels, all fancy-like.

A shot of some of the most expensive waterfront property (and moorings) in the world. Just over the other side of the lake, a largish waterfront section could be sold for NZ$22,000,000.