Brad on our walk over to inspect the viaduct from a closer vantage point.

Up close, the viaduct has that old and gloomy feel that only concrete can convey. We decided to head under it and past it to the hills beyond so that we could get a look at the tracks and what the view might be like from the actual train.

After hopping from rock to rock and slogging through wet grass we reached a small but high enough hill to appreciate the entire Scotish country side. Brad wanted to go higher, trying to match some hikers on the opposite hill (pictured in the image bellow) trying to find a route all the way to the top. But given that the Scottish weather is always inviting one to be indoors having a nice cup of warm chocolate by a fire, we opted for that outcome instead.

So many train journeys so little time. There are a number of other train journeys we’ve had the pleasure of being on. Thanks to my mother we got to go on both the Oslo – Bergen railway and the Flåm Railroad. Both are through spectacular Norwegian country side and Bergen itself is a nice destiantion to end up in. The journey to Bergen is through the Hardanger plateau with 200 tunnels, 300 bridges and huge amounts of water changing state – frozen to liquid or vice versa.

The Flåm railroad is quick in comparison with a short 20 kilometer ride but follows the only way down the mountain, that of the water.

The Bernina Express in Switzerland has very little express in it as its name might intimate but the gorgeous countryside keeps your eyes busy.

These are some more journeys I hope to take:

• Cusco to Puno (Peru)
• Hiram Bingham (Cusco to Machu Picchu)
• Rocky Mountaineer (Canada)
• Canadian (Toronto to Vancouver in several days)
• Ghan (Australia, a recent track)
• Shangri-la Express (China)
• Pride of Africa or Royal Scotsman (for it’s luxury)
• The Voyage of Vientiane (Thailand-Laos-Vietnam)
• Los Mochis to Chihuahua (Mexico)
• Maglev Train (Shanghai Airport)

We need to go visit Scotland again for the Hebrides, I am sure while we are there we could find the time to actually take the train over the viaduct. It’ll be great to enjoy the view with a coffee in hand instead of standing on a moist and slippery hill.

Back at Stonehenge, we saw a little sign on a meadow about pregnant sheep getting stuck on their backs. Apparently it happens quite frequently that pregnant sheep try to scratch their back, fall over and can’t get back up again. It was a cute flier with a big, fat, pregnant sheep lying on its back, legs waving in the air. Walkers were asked to help these sheep roll over again or to call the nearest vet.

Fast forward a few weeks and we’re walking through a meadow near Inverness, loving the countryside and taking pictures of our future house (it’s gorgeous!) when we suddenly came across this sight:

Of course, first thought was ‘Oh no, it’s dead!’ followed by ‘Damn, it’s BIG’. On slightly closer inspection we saw that it was breathing though so now what? Let’s try getting a little closer.

Hmm, sheep appears to have two heads.

A different angle revealed that it was actually the ewe’s lamb, either guarding her mother or trying to smother her. We had a short argument about that one… Strangely enough, neither the lamb nor the mother seemed to be paying any attention to us. Even when we started shouting at them (to try and wake them) and shot our camera flash a few times, no reaction. Either these two were in a coma or they were so scared of us that they decided to play dead. That’s when the penny dropped – the poor ewe couldn’t get back up and was probably exhausted from trying! We had to push her over. (‘We’ being the royal we of course and meaning Conor.) Sheepman to the rescue!

As soon as he touched the ewe, the lamb woke out of its trance, took one look at Conor and bolted. That in turn woke up mama sheep and she looked just as terrified but obviously, she couldn’t run anywhere until he gave her a gentle nudge (okay, it was a pretty strong push because she was HEAVY).

As soon as she could get her four legs on the ground again, she barrelled off to a save distance and then proceeded to take the longest pee of her live.

Not a single bah of thanks but I’m sure she was just lost for words in all her gratitude.

A couple of nights ago we were invited for dinner at Jen’s and James’ house, friends of Vicky. The day before, Jen had asked whether there was anything we didn’t eat and I had replied in grand fashion “we eat anything”! (Note to self – remember you’re in Scotland.)

Yep, we got HAGGIS!

If you don’t know what it is, read up on Wikipedia. I’d rather not write about it here because that’ll spoil my having eaten it in retrospect…

I admit that it was rather tasty, as long as you don’t think about the ingredients. It’s spicy with a herby, nutty taste to it. And it looks just like any coarse sausage so nothing scary there. It also came stuffed into a chicken breast wrapped with bacon (?) so there was lots of familiar food around to take the ‘newness’ out of the haggis. But I’m glad I got to have my first haggis at a friend’s home rather than ordering it at a restaurant. What if you don’t like it? Not eating your haggis is probably akin to publicly declaring you hate Sean Connery or saying kilts look gay (which they don’t – they’re rather fetching actually…) So thanks Jen and James for guiding us through this potentially embarrassing tourist rite of passage!

Doesn't look scary, does it?

Next up, deep fried Mars bars! Ah, Scottish cuisine…