Scotland | Peaches Prattlings

{June 12, 2024} A Ride…A Giant Fiddle…A Pub…A Distillery… and some rain…

Today started out early…again…well, for me anyway, go figure! Another beautiful, but cold day, do you love the gator that CWB gave me?! It matches my hair perfectly, who knew! It was KSU [Kick Stands Up] at 9a, another day we don’t have to load up the bikes with more than just us! We decided to go to a place for breakfast in town that was open, these resort towns, they don’t always open early or stay open late, all good, relaxing…

We started our morning at Bean There Cafe, don’t you love the clever names of some of these places! This is a charming, unassuming, and welcoming0 cafe that offers coffee, tea, bagels, brunch, lunch, and a few other baked goods. We waited in line, ordered one by one, then took our drinks outside while we waited for our breakfast sandwiches.

As PBP and I were outside looking for a place to sit, there was a young guy who asked us if we were on the bikes down the street, yup. We’re the two guys who passed you yesterday! What?! These are the two idiots who passed us going waaayyyy tooooo fast yesterday, uphill, there are 5 of us on bikes, MMH was riding with CDH again today. They passed all 5 of us going at breakneck speed! I can tell you when we had gotten off the bikes at some point, we were talking about the two of them and how crazy they were!

Too funny! What are the odds! I had to call everyone to come outside because of these two guys, who were sitting with their family and their poor mom, she just hung her head because of what she was hearing about her sons! Not that she was too surprised! We chatted with them while we all ate breakfast, then took a photo and we went in one direction, and they went in another.

Next stop…Sydney, NS! Home to the world’s largest fiddle! Yes, you heard me, the world’s largest fiddle! I kid you not! And friends…it was HUGE! It’s called The Big Fiddle because the fiddle and bow reach 60 feet! Do you have a scope of how big that is?! Look up…now look up further…further…further…does your neck hurt? um, yeah, that might be enough…

We walked around, took pictures in front of the giant fiddle, in the giant chair, walked into some of the shops, got a magnet, of course! Did someone say lunch?

Why yes, yes they did! LDL, CDH, and MMH went to a local brewery, Breton Brewery, to check out their selection and production, and MMH got me a magnet!!! while PBP, PSM, and I went across to Governors Pub & Eatery, it was a good looking Irish Pub and they had…yup, PSM’s mother’s milk…Guinness, they even had alcohol-free or non-alcoholic Guinness, imagine that! I tasted it, I couldn’t tell the difference, it tasted just like fully loaded sludge to me! ha ha. PSM could tell the difference, but I’m not a drinker, so I couldn’t tell and PBP was happy, and that’s what matters! Non-alcoholic beverages sure have come a long way! When I was first introduced, it was O’Doul’s, now the list is endless, and here is a site I found with a list, called Proof No More!

We had good food and drink, I love a pub…I can get a pot of tea without being looked at funny! Well, funnier than usual! Kidding. We had good food, drink, and conversation, and left just in time as a few raindrops started to hit our heads, but we were not deterred.

We met everyone at a petrol station near by and then it was on to our next destination…a whiskey distillery that we would have a tour, tasting, and dinner. A triple threat, sounds like a plan! We went to Glenora Distillery, we had passed it yesterday and a few of us thought we were going to stop, you should have seen the look on PSM’s face when we passed by, but not to worry…when we got to dinner last night, MMH called and made a reservation for us.

This place, let me tell you…stun-ning! It’s not only a distillery, it’s a hotel/resort. We were all mesmerized by the grounds, perfectly manicured, the flora and fauna were beautiful, then we went inside, warm, inviting, and welcoming. I know inviting and welcoming could be the same thing, but not in this case, you wanted to be invited in and felt incredibly welcome.

We sat down to have some drinks, a pot of hot tea for me, go figure, waters all around, iced tea for LDL, a non-alcoholic beverage for PBP, harder stuff for MMH and CDH, and for PSM, what else…a flight of their own whiskey. Truth be told, he wasn’t a fan, there was one that tasted like moonshine, straight out of the bottle, the others, I couldn’t tell a difference, but you know me, I don’t care of them, but I taste everything. For him, he approached it like he does all tastings, almost scientifically, go figure, he’s a scientist…

He listened to our server who explained what each one was, the age, the barrel, the best way to try it and try them he did. There was one he liked, it was smokey, but this whiskey just wasn’t for him, and that’s ok, not every drink is to everyone’s taste, and that’s what makes the world go round!

After a bit, it was time for our distillery tour, away we went. I have been on quite a few distillery tours, I may not be a drinker, but I enjoy learning about the process. In Ireland, I went to the Jameson Distillery, in Hawai’i, we went to the Ko’Hana Rum Distillery, in Branson, MO, we went to Smith Creek Moonshine Distillery, you name it, if there’s a distillery and I’m with PSM, we’re going!

We took the tour and learned a lot about the process, the water, the this, the that, the other, I honestly don’t remember, but it was cool and the stories are fun and at the end…a tasting. I tasted…well, a sip, then someone had to finish it for me! That’s my MO…I’ll taste it, then you can get drunk! kidding!

The tour was informational and entertaining, and now it’s time for dinner! We headed back to the restaurant and had a very nice meal. I think someone in our group had poutine at every meal! It’s french fries, topped with cheese curds and gravy. Yeah, doesn’t sound that appetizing to me, but I have to tell you…I had vegan poutine in Chicago years ago, I totally get it!

Dinner was good, the conversation was entertaining, the stories were plentiful, the drinks flowed, and then it was time to go. I got my toffee sticky pudding to go and we were in the parking lot at the bikes just as it started to rain, fun! It’s hard enough putting rain gear on when you’re standing, but standing in the rain…fun!

We made it back to the motel, got into warm comfy clothes, and started to pack up our stuff, in the morning, we’re off to Tatamagouche! I know, can you believe it! First stop…breakfast…next stop…petrol…then the Tatamagouche Brewing Company… then the coolest hotel ever! But that’s for tomorrow!

So for now…our last night in Baddeck, NS…sweet dreams…vroom vroom!

{April 1, 2024} London Day 3: Changing of the Guard! Here we come!

It’s a new day, day 3 and we have lots to do! First, I want to take you on a tour of the restaurant in the hotel, it’s fun!

It’s a nice restaurant, wide, open, and inviting, if that makes sense. They have a few walls with animal heads, but just wait…the animal heads are all made of newsprint! Most likely paper mache on the outside, if you look closely, you can see headlines and typeset in the ears and on the face, horns, etc. It is very clever, if you take the time to look at it all!

The food presentation is nice, they have everything you might want or need for breakfast, pre-made scrambled eggs, eggs made to order, potatoes, grilled tomatoes, grilled mushrooms, think full english breakfast, then there are pancakes and waffles made to order, breads, cheeses, yogurts, fruit, breakfast cereals, muffins, coffee, tea, juices, you name it, they probably have it!

It was time to head out and say cherrio to London, and btw…they don’t say that, just in the movies, and if they do, I haven’t heard it!

They do say love at the end of every sentence, and I have to tell you, I like it, it doesn’t bother me, like in the south when someone , who I don’t know, calls me hun, or sweetie, it’s syrupy sweet and I’m not a fan! But call me love, it works, it’s just part of their vernacular. Ooh, I love that word!

We’re off…we got an Uber to Green Park, we were meeting our tour guide by the Constance Fund Fountain of Diana, isn’t she stunning!? I could just imagine, when it’s summer and the water is flowing.

There were so many tour groups meeting there, we finally found our guide, Alan, who was fabulous, by the way! I always thought if I was retired or we were living somewhere for PSM’s job and I couldn’t work for whatever reason, I would get a job as a tour guide, I would love it! One of these days I’ll tell you about a tour business…shhh…

We started walking, and Alan was very knowledgeable, giving us all sorts of tidbits and history and also very conscious of where the steps would be that we would need to get Miss A’s chair over. For the whole tour, everyone in the group was very aware and helpful where we were and if we had to pull the chair over something.

We started off, our first stop was by this amazing statue, across from the guards station on Marlborough Road, at St James Palace. We were waiting for the band to come out, we had such a great vantage point! While we waited, Alan gave us lots of great information, like there were only 2 guards there, that meant the king was not there. Interesting!

I love that I got Alan’s audio! He was telling us that when you look at their hats, the higher the hat, the higher the rank. There was an inspection first, I hope they pass!

Sorry it was slightly shaky, I was holding my hand up above my head, harder to keep it steady, everyone was so much taller than me!

Alan was trying to guess what they would play, would it be something serious or something light hearted. These are the Scottish guards, apparently they passed muster, here comes the band. Do you recognize the song?

Did it make you think of Shrek?!

We hated to leave the band, they were so very talented and I love that song! But…if we didn’t leave, we wouldn’t have the fabulous spot we did for the next phase of the tour and changing of the guard! [a lot of really cool background in that link!]

Next stop…right near Clarence House, where King Charles and Queen Camilla reside. We watched and listened as the band marched and played down the road and then the Horse Guards came, cool fact, they have female guards now! Women first joined the regiment in 2018, and for Queen Elizabeth‘s Platinum Jubilee, it was the first time female members of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment participated! Go girl power!

As we waited for the guards, we learned a few things. King Charles does not want to live in Buckingham Palace, understandable, with 775 rooms…it’s more of an office, so that’s why he and Queen Camilla are taking up residence at Clarence House, which only has 5 bedrooms, a little more manageable, which, was where William, the Prince of Wales had their residence, but since the King and Queen are there they’ve moved to Kensington Palace.

Since there were only two guards, that meant that the king was not in residence, if he was, there would be more. Also…the reason they walk back and forth, about every 10 minutes, is because it was a rule set down by Queen Victoria, if they are walking back and forth, they are proving they are not drinking or gambling! Oh my!

And from where we were standing, we could have reached out and touched a horse, we didn’t, but we could have! oh wow! such precision! such beauty!

Here are the guards walking back and forth!

Here comes and there goes the band! I don’t know if I said this, they only have the changing of the guard on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, mainly it’s dependent on the weather! Check out the full schedule in the link!

Here’s Alan telling us about the women in the guard! We definitely saw one! And the police officer at the end was a woman, again, girl power!

Next, we walked through the Household Calvary Museum courtyard to get to the entrance of St James and Buckingham Palace to watch the horse guards come in. This is actually the Punishment Parade!

This was so exciting to watch, and this up close. Normally, you might be outside the gate or across the street, we were up close and personal! Turns out this is punishment duty! Oh my, that is quite the punishment!

After the tour was over, we got to stand and take pictures with the horse and guard! It’s definitely allowed, as long as you don’t touch their reigns or bridle, I think that’s what it was. I was ok, I didn’t touch anything! But…it was awesome! The horse we were standing/posing with put his head on my shoulder! He did!!!

After the pictures and me squealing about the royal horse putting his head on my shoulder, you are welcome for the ear worm! We walked to Trafalgar Square, it was right up the street. It wasn’t overly crowded, unusual, but nice. The fountain was doing it’s thing, people were walking around, climbing on things they weren’t supposed to, oh well, and the traffic was going by as if nothing would stop it.

I don’t know about you, but we were hungry! So…we went to The Clarence Pub in Whitehall. Thing thing about The Clarence…I was there with my dad in December 2022, then again with my dad, PSM, and my sister’s family in December 2022, a few days after dad and I discovered it. The food is good, they have a great veggie burger and sticky toffee pudding! I think I first saw it either on Gordan Ramsay or The Great British Bake Off and I first tried it in Glasgow, Scotland and fell in love with it and now, I try it whenever I can!

I just had to introduce it to SDL and Miss A and it did not disappoint! They went out of their way to find us a table, SDL had steak and ale pie and a beer, I had their veggie burger and a pot of tea, and Miss A had, you guessed it, sticky toffee pudding with ice cream, she was happy.

It’s a great atmosphere, warm and inviting, cozy, friendly, great staff, great food, great ambiance, what more could you want!? Would I go back? You bet, it might be my go-to for London trips for a good, affordable, convenient lunch!

It’s time to explore again! No the day isn’t even close to being over! We walked back down Whitehall looking at the architecture, the people, listening to the sounds of every day life in London, all the way down to Big Ben and Parliament. We learned somewhere that Big Ben is actually ‘just’ the clock and the tower itself is called the Elizabeth Tower, imagine that!

As we walked back down Whitehall, we were treated to another changing of the horse guard, but we were on the outside this time.

Let’s keep walking… we walked back to Buckingham Palace in all its glory and then we walked Constitution Hill to the Wellington Arch. It started to rain while we were walking, but did we care, nope, not at all! We were in London, the sun was out, and we were having a grand time! As we came out of Constitution Hill at the Wellington Arch, what did our eyes spy…THE Hard Rock Cafe! London!

Now…when I say THE Hard Rock Cafe, I mean THE Hard Rock Cafe, the very first, established in 1971, a very good year, if I do say so myself! The cafe was established June 14, 1971 and it was just that, a cafe. We decided we had to go in! [We really needed a looooo!] We maneuvered in, got a table, SDL ordered cheesecake for herself and a piece for Miss A and I had a pot of tea, there honestly wasn’t anything there for me, and we were just looking for dessert, I was happy with my pot of tea. Let’s just say the cheesecake was a big hit!

After we relaxed a bit and Miss A enjoyed the music, it was cool, they were playing classic videos on the TVs, things I haven’t seen in years! Next, you know we had to, we went across the street to the shop. I don’t know if I told you, but…wherever we go, we always look for the Hard Rock, SDL likes to collect their t-shirts, if it’s cool and the price is right, for me, I have a friend that I always get a pin for! I got him one when I was here the last time, at the store on Piccadilly, and I wasn’t originally going to get one this time, but it’s the original cafe/store! Shhh…don’t tell him!

As we were walking around, this guy who works there offered to take me on a tour of the museum downstairs, SDL wasn’t interested, so I went and it was cool! They had the corset Madonna wore in the Express Yourself video, Slash’s guitar, John Lennon‘s lyrics to Instant Karma (We All Shine On), a chair from Freddy Mercury and more! It was quite the treat!

When I came back upstairs, I found them waiting and Miss A was nodding off in her chair, it was time to go! I got us an Uber back to the hotel, there was no way we were walking! It was 3.2 miles and we had just walked how many miles, no thanks! 15 minutes by car or 60 by foot, hmmm…

We got back to the hotel, ordered some takeout and chilled out, it was a great day, but we were tired! I might fall asleep as I’m writing this to you, could you blame me?! What does tomorrow hold?! It’s only day 3, we have so much more to see!

Have a fabulous evening!

{March 5, 2024} I’m in planning mode! Weehoo!

So…last year, I haven’t had a chance to tell you about this trip yet, but PSM and I went on a 3-week motorcycle trip with some friends, and made new friends. We enjoyed the trip so much, we talked about the next year’s trip while we were on that trip. And here we are!

It’s almost a year later and we are in planning mode for our 10 day trip for this June. We would have loved to be able to take a 3-week trip again, but some folks don’t have the time this year to take 3-weeks, but there’s always a next time!

So…what are we doing this year? Well, let me tell you… and you know I will give you a day-by-day of what we’re doing, complete with photos! I tell you just about everything now, don’t I?! Ok, so…JD is our ride captain, he plans the routes and found the hotels, maybe one day he’ll let someone else help with that! ha ha.

My job, as cruise director, Julie McCoy, that was the nickname they gave me on our trip last year because I ended up in charge of figuring out where we were going to eat meals, dinners, at least, communicating these details, along with the meet time to head to dinner, and KSU, Kick-Stands-Up in the mornings. And don’t know I love it! I might need a name badge, or at least a t-shirt with that name on it!

So… we are starting in Middleborough, MA, well, some of us are, since we’re coming in from Lebanon, PA, if we don’t ride to Middleborough, we’ll meet everyone in Bar Harbor, ME, this is about a 6 hour ride and 360 miles. Our plan is to watch the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain, you know that means an unseemly hour of the morning, I can’t wait, then ride to the ferry terminal in Bar Harbor to load our bikes and persons and sail 3.5 hours to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. When PSM and I were in Nova Scotia years ago, we found out it translates to New Scotland, when you look out over the landscape it looked like Scotland to those who named it, and after being there two years ago, I couldn’t agree more!

Our trip is along the Cabot Trail, so every stop is going to be a part of that, passports at the ready! When we land in Yarmouth, we are going to ride about 4 hours and 193 miles to Halifax, Nova Scotia [NS], I am so excited about seeing Halifax again, I loved it and wished we had had more time there! Then, day 3, yes we are only up to day 3, can you believe it?!…from Halifax, we ride to Baddeck, about 6 hours and 270 miles.

Days 4-5, we’re going to do day trips on the Cabot Trail, even staying at the Cabot Trail Motel. Day 6, we ride Baddeck to Tatamagouche, NS for the night where we get to stay in train cars! Cannot wait! Then Day 7, Tatamagouche to St John New Brunswick, about 5 hours and 200 miles. Day 8m we ride about 6.5 hours and 300 miles from St John New Brunswick to Freeport, ME, and we’re back in the US! The last day, sadly…day 9, we ride from Freeport, ME to Middleborough, MA, about 5 hours and 180 miles. Most likely, PSM and I will go from New Brunswick towards PA and then make our way home by June 16th.

I just sent out a spreasheet for us to keep track of everything and as I was filling it out/in, I was getting more excited! I cannot wait to share the trip with you, a daily recount, and as I promised, chock full of pictures!

But for now, dear friends, I am going to bid you a fare fondwell, wait, what?! no, that’s a fond farewell and bid you goodnight!

And…I have to tell you, I am so happy that I started sharing with you again, I have really enjoyed the past two months! O M G! It’s been two months and I’ve shared so much, being as consistent as I can, I know I’ve missed some days, but I’m not as worried about that as I used to be. But we’re talking again and that’s what matters!

g’night!

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