Up in Inverness

Came up yesterday on the late train. Found the hostel (which is a private one and a real dive, sadly), found some food, and THEN found a pub which has sessions (Scot's Trad) every night.

Got to bed rather later - slept well. Glenda and I went out this morning and bought some food and then picked up the rental car and headed down to Aviemore, because that is what Glenda wanted to see. From there we went 'cross-country' to Fort William.
Saw Ben Nevis - the mountain - and the ski area. In the summer it is a mountain biking track. The bikes go up on racks on the back of each gondola. This is serious rough mountain biking stuff. The part of the track visible from the car park was \ as. Have pics but they do not really show what I mean.
Went slightly the wrong way and on retracing our steps came across (literally) the Caledonian Canal. So we went in to have a look at Neptune's Staircase which is a series of 9 locks. Takes one and half hours to get through. While we were there there was a trailer sailor coming through so we waited because the road bridge and the rail bridge both had to be closed and swung from over the canal to let the boat through. All very interesting and I have lots of boring video to prove it. Road barrier come down to stop the traffic. In the time it took for the bridge to swing in, the boat to go through and the bridge to get back into position there was a back up of in excess of 60 cars and 6 motorbikes (Glenda counted them). This was not on a 'busy' road.....

While waiting for the lock to fill a woman came along on a pony so I went over and asked whether it was a Highland (and also got a little animal/pony fix). Yes - true 'mouse dun' - even has the primitive markings - I have pics. 7 yr mare Moshy (phonetic there) of Burnham. I gave the lady one of my spunk cards so hopefully she will email me and I will be able to get the pony's proper name ;)

Right fed and watered, off to the pub for more music.