Iniitial blog posts

content/blog/day4.md

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+---
+title: 'Day 4: Livingston to Inverness'
+date: 2013-06-11T14:40:44+02:00
+Tags: []
+Categories: []
+---
+
+## Glenmorangie and Nessie
+
+Our departure from Livingston was smooth. We got up at around 8am, and after the customary showering ritual, we went to the Mall to handle
+some errands - specifically we needed some more fruit and good stuff for the road ahead of us, and I wanted to top up the SIM card I
+borrowed from Todd, so that we could Inter the Nets en route.
+
+So we went to this mall (the same one we were at yesterday night in search of a letterbox). It was more lively now, and stores were starting
+to open up. We got a sandwich at Baguette Express, and we went to the Iceland store for some groceries, and finally to the phone shop for a
+pay-as-you-go voucher. This was easier said than done, largely because the computer system was busted and the guy couldn't log on. So
+instead of topping up, he just got me a new SIM card and a 2GB data plan for 30d. We figured 2G would be more than enough, but who knows, we
+may actually run out tomorrow :)
+
+Then we set off to Tain where sixteen wise men make whiskey. We got there at about 1:45pm after a leisurely 220 mile drive through the
+Scottish highlands. We bought tickets for the distillery tour starting at 2pm, which was enjoyable. Rachele (our tourguide0 told us a bit of
+the history, the current ownership, production volume (6Mio liters per year), and that they were a sisterdistillery of Ardbeg (also very
+yummy!). They have 12 beautiful copper stills, 6 for the first distill round and 6 for the second distill round. Rachele dispelled a long
+standing urban legend, in that the shape and dents in the stills are allegedly very important for the taste, but she wasn't having any of
+that jazz, smart girl, and said it was just the master distiller's personal taste talking. Speaking of taste, we had a dram (or in my case:
+two \o/) in the tasting room and then went to browse in the shop. I made my choice rather much quicker than Paul did, so we had a
+salesperson explain the differences to us. Striking was, that she asked "Do you want something to enjoy or are you looking for an
+investment?" -- it turns out that if you buy certain bottles now (which will only be sold from one batch that they made 10-12 years ago), it
+can very well be that this becomes a collectors' item in 30 years. But alas, a bottle of Glenmorangie will not last 30 years in my cabinet
+as I'm too thirsty, too often.
+
+After the distillery we went back down to Inverness and through to Drumnadrochit (Bless you!), where there is the Loch Ness visitor center.
+I must admit I found Loch Ness itself somewhat disappointing, perhaps also because it was not swarming with monsters. I'm a sucker for lakes
+with monsters in it. So we went to the visitor center and the last shred of hope I had that Nessie existed was crushed like a ripe cherry
+under large leather boots. The exhibition there was a series of 6 chambers where the story of the lake was told - and it ended with a
+fine-tooth-comb fleet of boats armed with sonar gear, scanning every square meter of the lake from north-eastern side to the south-western
+shores. No monster. Proven with science and data. I now think that science owes me an apology because of all the childhood dreams it killed.
+I picked up a Nessie for Alexis!
+
+We then made our way back to Inverness where Paul had booked us a room at the Travelodge. Upon arrival, the woman said his name rung a bell,
+which did not bode well, and she said that she remembered we were registered for a room yesterday, and we were a no show (obviously, because
+we were at the Travelodge in Livingston ...). Oooops, Paul had booked for the wrong date. So we had to go again, but for some reason or
+other it was cheaper at the desk than it was on-line [which is generally exactly the other way around]. We asked Karalyne, the clerk, for a
+recommendation restaurant-wise and she offered Cafe1 on Castle Street. Right across from the castle we found it, a very nice place indeed.
+Not too fancy, not too cheap. Just right! We pigged out - fresh bread with evo/balsamic, and then an apple/brie/walnut salad for Paul,
+shredded beef springroll for me, followed by Sea Bass with spring vegetables and deep fried [as I write this, Paul and I have a complete
+blank what the thing is called again - Marina knows, because I don't like it. Not couscous, but the other thing, often in triangles and
+fried, .. damn what is the word]. I had a bottle of Pino Griggio and it went well with the fish. For desert, Paul had Scottish cheese
+platter and I had a 40yo (!) Glenfarclas whiskey. I've only once drank a whiskey older than myself (With Lissi). This was very special
+indeed - I counted 18, maybe even 20s of sensation while tasting.
+
+After dinner we went up to the castle for a quick few pictures and to enjoy the view of the river Ness and the surroundings, and I got the
+brilliant pim-idea to go touch the water. Paul reminded me that I had just cracked a full bottle of wine and a scotch, so perhaps my balance
+was not perfect? But I thought quite the opposite: I had just drank a full bottle of wine and a scotch, so my balance felt perfectly
+wonderful to me. We went over the bridge and down some stairs, stood on the bank of river Ness, and pictures were taken of each of us
+touching the water [which was nice'n'cold]. Then from above on the Key, a man started asking us questions. We stood and chatted with this
+elderly couple for a few minutes - she was born dutch (and still had it in her!) and he was born italian. They live in Australia, and come
+to visit Europe on occasion - quite enjoying the fact that in Brittain you can drive on the left side of the road :-)
+
+We made our way to the car and then to the hotel. I watched some TV and snoozed, then just decided to fall asleep right there, for the third
+night in a row before midnight, it's 22:30 and I'm going to bed! Tomorrow we go to Oban and Cairrrrrnrrrryyyyyan *FGGGRSFFT*!
+
+**Posted by Pim van Pelt at 8:00 PM**
+
+