Hassells in the Highlands

Blogger/Blogspot. It has truly been a blessing to me. But, as a lot of technology seems to be, it has also been a time-suck and source of frustration. When we learned that we were going to Scotland for an extended time, I knew I wanted a way to communicate with my family and friends in a convenient way. I knew we would experience fun and interesting things and have a few adventures and I wanted to be able to tell about them and show pictures. Pictures are really important, don't you think?  They let you 'be there.' You can see for yourself what might be difficult to describe with words alone. And sometimes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Several people suggested I start a blog. But I will admit I was reluctant at first. I do not journal and I have never been good at keeping a diary. I barely took notes on the calendar when my young children did things for the first time, like first words, and first steps, etc. I didn't think I had the self-disciplin...

Traveling here in the Highlands of Scotland can be interesting. And it can be complicated.  There is basically one main road to drive between here and Inverness, which is 100 plus a few miles south. That would be the A9.  It is mostly 2 lane (1 lane each direction) and the first hour down is mostly a windy road along the coast, with some steep parts and some hairpin curves.  It's a beautiful drive, for sure.  But if there happens to be an accident on the road, or if part of it should be closed due to weather conditions, then you could be stuck for several hours. Our first drive to Thurso in June took us 3 hours, but we have it down to about 2 hours and 15 minutes now. :) There are, technically , other roads you could take. You could plunge down the A897 - to Forsinard - and then head over to Helmsdale and meet up with the A9 again to continue on to Inverness. But most of the A897 is a single lane, windy road. That makes for an interesting trip. (We dro...

The First has come and gone. Kathryn is the first child and the first visitor to visit us in Scotland.  She arrived on Dec 9 and I just watched her board the plane to return home.  (written on Dec 21 - this was a delayed posting) Home. They say 'home' is where your heart is. Kathryn and I just talked about this last night.  Home used to be where my parents lived and where I grew up. Or at least where we lived together. But my parents moved from Las Vegas to Pennsylvania about 30 years ago.  And then they lived in a house that was not my home. And they lived in a town that I had not lived in. So, home changed. First day - Loch Ness Now my home is where Mike is.  And yet at the same time, home is also where my actual house is – where my ‘stuff’ is – where my kids’ baby pictures are hanging on the walls - where my long-time friends are. And yet again, home is now also our flat in Thurso.  Thurso is home no...