We left Monturpie Guest House this morning under cloudy skies bidding farewell to our hosts, Duncan and Linda. Our drive to Aberdeen, according to the much cherished GPS, was about 2 hours. I thought it would be interesting to count the roundabouts (from now on referred to as rounders)
during the trip. About 30 minutes into the trip we crossed the bridge to Dundee and the count was at 18. At that point we hit a construction detour zone. Our GPS gal, from now on named BONNIE, became somewhat frazzled but eventually got us to the 4 lane motorway. Lo and behold, no rounders for 60 miles and we were even brave enough to travel the fast lane (some of the time). We loved reading the unique names of the towns along the way but were going to fast to capture a photo. I was delighted to see my 1st "heilan coo" but, again no photo. That will happen eventually.
We easily found our B&B, Cragganmore Guest House, near the center of town. Our innkeeper, Alistair, was a little disgruntled that we were a couple of hours early so off we went to find a petrol station. I swear went through 2 dozen rounders, somehow entered a secured parking lot and then had to beg for someone with a pass to let us out. We finally were able to diesel up at 1.42BPS per liter (CAD about $2.15). To get out of the petrol station we had to go through 3 more rounders, got lost and ended up in a supermarket parking lot. That was a good thing because there was food and we needed a break. Orange juice, scampi and fries refueled the weary travelers and back we went, easily, to Cragganmore.
So we unloaded at Cragganmore, an 1877 Victorian townhouse, lugging bags and clubs up the narrow, winding staircase. Our room is comfortable, clean and not quite as spacious as Monturpie. The problem lies not with the room but with the parking. As we are located close to city center there is a 3 hour parking limit at the cost of one pound per hour and one must move the vehicle every 3 hours between 8am and 8pm. At this point parking has cost us 5 pounds and RP needs to be at the car by 8am to move the car and pay again. Not happy that this little issue went unmentioned when we booked.
Note: red car above is owned by a resident who is lucky enough to have wee space in the back for a car park. Otherwise they pay 500BPS a year to park on the street.
Oh well, it is all in the experience. We were able to walk to the charming Ferryhill Hotel in a gentle rain for dinner.
We both selected a Guiness steak and mushroom pie, foolishly forgetting that in our old age it is usually best to share a plate. See picture below and you will see what I mean. We did it justice but could barely waddle back to the inn.
We were too tired to see the sights of the city other than to marvel at the beautiful architecture and enjoy the glimpses of the ocean nearby. Most of the buildings are built of granite stones. Unlike the sandstone of Edinburgh, these stones do not weather. Although drab in the rain, they glisten with silver in the sun. Tomorrow RP will play Royal Aberdeen while I take in some shopping therapy. I'm not sure there will much of that as he already complaining the bags are too heavy.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Aberdeen
No comments:
Post a Comment