Bernie Bell (small bear) and Mike go on a road trip
Aaaaaall sorts!
Friday 5th May – continued. To Fortrose – it’s golfers, caravanners and municipal tidiers saying “No” – we mustn’t’ go here, and we mustn’t go there. Come The Revolution…………..
On to Rosiemarkie, which is Fortrose’ much nicer counter-part. Walk at Fairy Glen, paying respects to Spirit of Place at waterfall at head of valley.
Talk with man who used to own the big house in the valley, and his great little Jack Russell, Corry . He says she “has no vices, but hates cats”.
Excellent veg curry at The Plough Inn , Rosiemarkie.
Gaze briefly at vast expanse of red-brown sand at Udale Bay before departing for Helmsdale.
Arrive at Belgrave Arms Hotel, given same room we have had before – can see it’s half of what was a much larger room – evident from the shape of the ceiling and position of the ceiling boss. (BB – The Belgrave Arms is a building of much history – an old coaching inn – if you stay there, and get the chance, talk with Wendy and hear about the canon-ball found under the floor when they had work done on the bar. Also – what was found under the floor-boards in one of the bedrooms! Honestly – it’s a hoot!).
Dinner at ‘La Mirage’ – substantial!
Place lacks the mad charm it used to have, becoming more ordinary each time we go there. Resolve to eat elsewhere next time.
Music from the bar still thumping away on our return to the hotel. Bernie asks friendly bar-man if he could turn it down, which he does. Bar quietens anyway, after we settle, and we get a good night’s sleep.
Saturday 6th May – Wendy, landlady of Belgrave Arms, tells us of her holiday in Vietnam – it was to celebrate her birthday. Interesting parallels between current social traditions in Vietnam, and some Neolithic practices. Bernie’s Stories: Death Days – Past and Present
Spent morning exploring the surroundings – harbour and north up the coast, following path past the lobster ponds. Mad knitting brightening up the tree trunks and fence posts outside ‘The Garrison’ craft and curios shop
Bernie gets glass paper-weight and discusses collecting ‘crap-off-the-beach’ with the proprietor – shows her the treasure we have picked up on the beach that morning.
(BB – another fellow ‘junk’ collector).
Lunch outside , by the river at ‘Timespan’
Then over the bridge to find the beach “covered in egg-shaped stones of many colours” described by the lady in ‘The Garrison’. This we find, and it’s very lovely, though the stones are not quite as perfectly egg-shaped as advertised!
Bernie and Mike continue their road trip. Follow the Orkney News to keep apace with them …….
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