When I stepped out into the hall this morning, it was COLD!! I quickly returned to my cabin to change into warmer clothing. This is quite a change from the nice, warm weather we've been having! Breakfast was a high carb affair of fruit, porridge, and toast. No protein in sight.
Our first stop for the day was Achnasheen. Population 15, unless you count the sheep! I went for a walk--it was really a lovely area. Saw lots of sheep, a stone bridge, and the "Town Centre", which seems to consist of about 3 buildings and 3 houses! We left there after an hour, and Daddy and another train nut got to ride up in the engine. (Picture little boys at Christmas and you'll have the proper idea!) We all wondered if they were driving (they weren't) as the train lurched down the tracks!
We relaxed in the Observation Car until lunch. Hmmmm, not alot better than breakfast! A salad that was pretty much just lettuce with dressing, since the other items were artichokes (yuck), sun dried tomatoes (double yuck), and snow peas (yuck Yuck YUCK!!!) I think I'll need an entire protein bolus today! After lunch we stopped agin, and went to tour Ballindalloch Castle. WOW! It was gorgeous! We met the Lady Laird and her husband. It was amazing--they are so REAL, and here they are rich as all get out, and living in a castle! The tour of the house and gardens was just lovely. The steps were very steep, but I did just fine! This is the family that developed Aberdeen Angus beef (my favorite type!). We had tea there, and it was GOOD. I, on the other hand, was BAD...scones with cream and jam, shortbread, and some sort of brownie thing that wasn't really a brownie--more like fudge. YUMMY! I could see the calories adding up, and up, and UP!
After tea, we rode the coach back to the train in Boat of Garten, where we were stabled for the night. There was no internet, but we did have a cell signal. Our cabins were quite warm, especially given the chilly start to the day. It had warmed up considerably, but this was the first time I felt warm in the room. I opened the window wide, turned off the fan, and switched off the lights, which helped alot. Dinner was formal again--gotta love those men in kilts! Daddy managed to get dressed himself, with minor assistance from Mom and me (hooking on the sporran, and doing up the bow tie). I wore knee highs under my skirt instead of thigh highs--they were MUCH more comfy! We gave the extra kilt pin and sash to Doug Johnston to wear with his tux. He loved it! Dinner was a broth with langostines and scallops in it, followed by a rather fatty piece of lamb (which was still quite tasty), tatties with mint, and neeps. Dessert was fruit, but I only ate a bit of it before they brought out the cheesecake, which was made without egg. I should have passed it up, since I was feeling overly full. But I was stupid, and ate it all. BIG mistake. I felt nauseous and crummy the rest of the evening.
The entertainment in the observation car following dinner was great. Ray Owens, aka "The Highlander", told stories about the days of the clans in the Highlands. He even told some stories about the Johnstons, and they weren't pretty! He was really really good. I was pleased to see that I knew alot of the history he was telling us about. I would have stayed longer, but I knew the feeling I was having in my stomach...yup, hello again to that lovely dinner. Ugh, at least I felt better afterwards. I went to bed early, feeling sweaty even in a cooler room.
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