Scotland, 2005

June 26th, 2005

Our friend Sue
We visited our, Sue, in St. Madoes, near Perth. Unfortunately, husband Ken needed to be out of town.

Perth – 1
Walking to MacBeth’s fortress, with views towards Dundee.

Perth – 2
Walking near Dunkeld.

Oban
We managed to eat a “huge” breakfast at our B & B near Oban.

Oban – 2
View from the Oban harbour.

Ferry to Barra
5 1/2 hours from Oban to Castlebay.

Barra
Castlebay and the hostel where we stayed two nights.

Barra – 2
Medieval Chapel (St Barr’s Church) on the northern side of the island.

Vattersay
A day hike around Vatersay – beaches, sheep, wild flowers, seals, ruins.

Ferry to Eriksay
Looking back to Barra from Eriskay. The ferry took 50 minutes.

South Uist
Hiking at Bornais – flowers, rocks, oyster catchers. Beware of possible military shooting practice!

North Uist
Hostel near Cairnish

North Uist – 2
Hike to stone circle and chambered cairn

North Uist – 3
Scenes around the island

Berernay
Hike on north coast of island

Ferry to South Harris
About an hour to cover a short distance zig-zagging between rocky outcroppings in the water.

Hostel at Kershader (Lewis)
We stayed here 3 nights while touring the islands of Harris and Lewis.

Harris
Medieval church at Rodel – St. Clement’s

Harris – 2
Hike near Northton with a 16th century chapel, including lapwing, flowers, stray wool, and beaches.

Harris – 3
Sights on Harris, including one-lane road with passing places

Harris – 4
Hike near Hushinish – rugged climb with views of Scarp island and hidden lochs

Lewis
Hike at Butt of Lewis, the farthermost north point of the Outer Hebrides – lighthouse, birds nesting, rugged cliffs

Lewis – 2
Blackhouse  museum near Garenin

Lewis – 3
Standing stones near Callanish

Harris to Skye
Travelling from Harris to Skye (2 hours by ferry) and on to Ratagan on the mainland on a rainy day

Ratagan hostel
Views of the “Five Sisters” from the hostel.

Ben Nevis and Glencoe

Netherlands 2005

June 24th, 2005

Our friends Pieter & Gerdien

We had a wonderful reunion with our friends Pieter and Gerdien. We also got to meet their two granddaughters and had tea one afternoon with Pieter’s mother.
Biking near Zwolle
Walking near Zwolle

Sailing on the barge

We spent 3 days sailing on the canals. But first of all we needed to pack all our gear on the bikes and ride to where the boat is docked.
Sailing -1
“Ziet op u zelven” is the name of the 25-ton sailing barge. It includes many interesting details, including a hatch cover painted by daughter Martina citing Micah 6 verse 8 as the perfect text for sailing on the sea. 

Sailing – 2

There was plenty of wind for us to raise the sails several times.

Sailing – 3

The accommodations on the boat were pleasant.
 Sailing – 4
Scenes along the way

Sailing – 5

Several times during the day we docked the boat and visited near-by towns.
 Sailing – 6
In the evenings we docked the boat in a quiet canal and spent a very peaceful, quiet night.
 Pieter’s close harmony group
Pieter’s singing group (barbershop quartet) gave a program while we were there.