1100 GMT - We hit the road, which is flooding over in many places. The water from the Loch is high, and the water coming down from the hills is hitting clogged and overflowing drains. Water is entering the roadway from the hills, and bubbling up through the drains on the sides of the road. We get stuck behind a recycling truck going up hill and for a few scary moments we fear that Amy has blown out the clutch. She can't get the car into first gear. Finally she gets it into reverse and backs into an uphill B&B driveway. She is able to use the momentum to get the car into first and get back up the road.
1230 GMT - We miss a turn in Stirling and end up in dead end road trapped for a few minutes as some large trucks come down the one lane road to enter parking lots. We finally get out of there and start up the switchback roads up the hill to the castle. This castle is one of the most important in Scotland due to it's strategic location. It is very well preserved. We buy our tickets and immediately stop inside for some snacks and coffee, since Eamon skipped breakfast this morning.
The castle is interesting. Our first visit is to a military museum within the castle which includes artifacts and stories about Scotland's history of regimental soldiers from the higlanders through to modern day war. Next we visit the great hall, the chapel and almost get blown away by powerful winds as we try to get out on the ramparts.
The palace itself is closed for restoration work and Amy is quite disappointed. We explore some exhibits in the palace vaults and then hit the kitchens which have lifesize recreations of the kitchens and their workers at work. We check out the canons and climb some tower stairs to explore a stable section of one of the towers.
We taste some whiskey from Deanston in the lower highlands in the whiskey store and Eamon checks out the books in the bookstore. Apparently Disney has made a movie of Greyfriars Bobby, we'll have to check it out on Netflix when we return. We have some lunch at the coffee shop and then explore the back side of the castle. In one new building there are weavers recreating a series of seven tapestries for the palace restoration. The tapestries tell the story of a unicorn hunt. Two of them are already on display in the chapel. The one in progress is called "The Unicorn is Killed and Brought to the Castle." The story is part mythical love story and part Christian metaphor with the Unicorn representing the life of Christ. My legs have had it from carrying Connor all day in the backpack and the winds are extremely intense.
I am also feeling the effects of this cold and my throat is aching for a "wee dram." We buy a bottle of the Deanston single malt and take a quick hike up the forward ramparts before returning to the car.
1630 GMT - After 20 minutes of non-stop screaming by Connor, Amy pulls over at a pub along the way called The Lion and the Unicorn. We are the only ones there and they are very sweet to us. I have a wee dram of Jamisons, Amy has a half pint of some local brew and the kids play with toys from a bucket the restaurant keeps for kids. Eventually we head out.
1800 GMT - Back at the lodge, we pack up our pool gear and laundry and head up to the recreation center. I take the boys in the pool while Amy exercises. After her workout, she starts a load in the now available laundry room. After our swim we try to switch over the laundry, but the dryers have yet to be emptied. Another couple is waiting for us to move ours to the dryer so they can start their wash. We head back to the lodge to drop off the kids, and I return to finish the laundry. After dinner I head up to the pub for a pint while I wait for the clothes to dry. Surrendering to some level of wetness I hike them back to the lodge. I end up drying the ones that are still damp in the Sauna.
2300 GMT - After some work on the days blog entry, it is time once more to sleep, we need to hit the road early tomorrow.
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