Sat August 11 - Manchester day

So today was a down day.  We had originally planned to go to the footy game tonight which is why we came early yesterday and were booked for 2 days in Manchester but plans change.  So instead of boring you with the details of our laundry and recoup day instead we will just share some observations, stories and maybe some unshared pics so far.

Our impressions of Scotland:

VERY friendly, kind people.  Not one person we met wasn't kind or uninterested or unwilling to take a moment to direct us or go out of their way to give us detailed directions.  The Highlands are spectacular.  Even in August, the mist coming down off the hills (I'm sorry once you live in the Rockies you cannot call these mountains) was breath taking.  Everything is so green.  Sheep reign supreme!  There are so many fields and pasturage's that everywhere you look there are sheep.  The weather has been nice - there have been rainy moments with drizzle or full on rain but they last very infrequently and the sun shines through the cloud breaks.

Story: When we were in Stirling at the games the announcer said that the sun was shining through which doesn't happen a lot in the highlands and everyone boo'd.  We were surprised but laughing that they don't like the sun.

Highland cows.  I really love highland cows.  The ironic part is that we didn't actually get to SEE any (just regular dairy cows) but they inspire art in the Highlands.  We saw it everywhere - shops and hotels and pretty much every washroom we used.  They are very cute.

Best part of this picture is the cheeky Scot at the bottom ;)

Story: So when we were in Oban the BnB we stayed in had predominantly stag head decoration everywhere.  When we went into town there were also stag heads for decoration everywhere.  When we checked out I had to ask if there was any significance or what it all meant.  She laughed and said she never thought of it but it was just a affection for the area.  They just really liked their deer!

Scottish people have sayings.  Throughout our Scottish journey when sending us off the Scots said something that I wish I could remember how it went.  It was something to the effect of travel safe on your journey.  It was beautiful how they said it as though they really did wish us a safe journey.

The food that everyone tells us is terrible in UK - hahahahahaha has to be the biggest kept secret about the UK.  We have not had a bad meal since we've been here!  It's hearty, full of flavor and hot!  Just about every meal is served piping hot to the table.  When we read about fish and chips a frequent serving with it is mushy peas.  The thought turned us off however we were still willing to try it and I can honestly say I will miss it being served when we get home.  Imho it has replaced ketchup as a condiment for chips.  Fries are called chips, chips are called crisps and their tea really is better over here and more widely drank than coffee.  Had some every morning for breakfast and almost every afternoon.  Waiting to have scones and clotted cream in England however.  We really like Irn Bru.  It's the Scottish soft drink and as popular or more so than coke or pepsi.  They have it on tap or in bottles everywhere.  I hope we can get it somewhere when we return home.  Oh their beer is really good.  A little bird told me we should always order what's on tap or local and we haven't been steered wrong on that account so thank you.  The beer doesn't have a bitter aftertaste and is smooth and nice going down no matter what food you have with it.  Kels says even the Guinness is different here.

Their chili nachos.  It was amazing!  What they view as chili seemed more like a pulled pork or beef however.

Steak pie with chips and mac n cheese with a buttery roll and salad

Plumbing.  Ok this one took us a bit to catch on and we would have never suspected.  Showers have their own piping.  You don't turn on the main faucet and then flip a switch for the shower to turn on.  Nope the showers have these boxes on the wall in the tub itself with an on/off switch or knob.  You press or turn it and then you can adjust the water temperature from them.  From these boxes in 98% of the places we've stayed in they all have detachable shower heads.  But the funniest part of it all is somewhere in all the accommodations it what looks like an old style light switch with the string cord going up to a small box.  This is how you turn on the hot water.  In the flat in Edinburgh it was in the living room, a few places had it in a closet and here in Manchester it's actually located on the roof in the bathroom.  And all faucets have two in sinks and tubs - one for hot and one for cold.  I remember my grandparents having this in their bathroom growing up but we seem to have moved to a one faucet to mix water system.

All showers in the UK are like this.

Pull switch to turn on hot water

All faucets have two

Electricity.  Besides the obvious different outlets which you need travel adapters for, the one thing you have to remember is sockets have power switches.  You have to turn the socket on before it will give you juice to use things.  We have forgotten multiple times.  Light switches are chest or head height.  I keep trying to reach to turn on a light and it's so high up!

I'm sure you noticed the keys I'm been posting to our accommodations.  Turns out that seems to be the standard here, well in all the places we've stayed anyway.  Really old keys even in what looks to be newer places.  Ironically in Langley Castle we had the normal standard key we are used to in Canada.

Scotland's roads are very narrow!  And only 2 lanes sometimes one - especially going over stone bridges.  No shoulder's and most of the time you brush foliage driving by.  But every road has trees and bushes that have been trimmed perfectly so that lorries (trucks) can pass by without brushing them.  It's almost comical how well cut they are.  

Their flowers are beautiful.  From heather in the highlands to purple ones abounding near the roadside and private gardens flourishing with all kinds of colors - it beautiful.

Heather

Scottish thistle

Besides the aquariums and of course the birds of prey outing we did, we've also see wildlife in abundance.  On a short walk through the woods to a site, we heard something rustling around in the leaves and it was a hedgehog!  It was quite a bit bigger than what we see in pet stores in Canada but he sure was cute.  Tried to get a pic but it turned out too blurry.  We also saw deer along the road besides the sheep and cows.

All in all we have really enjoyed this trip so far and are even more eager to spend the next week exploring.  Wow this post was longer than I thought it would be but we had a great rest day and are ready for more adventures tomorrow!

Up next - Bath & the Cotswolds, Tintagel Castle home of the King Arthur and Camelot legends and staying in Exeter!