All Clear

I had to attend the Western Infirmary yesterday for more tests on my heart.

They wired me up to a couple of machines, then took images of my heart at rest.

Then it was on to the treadmill. The aim was to get my heart under stress so that the workings of the heart valves could be measured.

I was not looking forward to this at all, as the letter had advised that there was the possibility that a heart attack could be triggered.

They were aiming for me to manage 8 minutes of increasing speed on the treadmill. I just managed 9 minutes.

There was no pain, just exhaustion. I am not that fit.

The results showed that no further action is required, no surgery, just to continue with the 4 pills I am on.

Thanks to all who prayed for me!

Some more photos from lake of Mentieth

The Lake of Menteith

The lake of Menteith is Scotland's only lake. All the others are Lochs.

The Lake is near to the Trossachs, a wild area of great beauty covering the area between Aberfoyle, Callander and Stirling.

We headed out that way this morning after Mass. We did not know were heading into thick freezing fog and frost.

There was little traffic though, and we had no problems, apart from drivers who had no loghts on despite the fog.

We had a pleasant stop in Callandar, and had a Petit Lunch at the Bank restaurant. But it was very cold, and because of my illness, my body does not like cold air.

Then we headed home via the Lake of Menteith.

As you can see from the photos, the lake was frozen over, even frozen waves.

If the weather is very severe, the ice can be thick enough for a Bonspiel. This is when hundreds gather on the frozen lake to play curling. Google it!

In the middle of the lake, there are the ruins of a small abbey, where Mary Queen of Scots spent a night when a little baby. It could not be seen today due to the fog.

Pictures show frozen foggy Lake of Menteith, Callandar, and mist shrouded hills

Day To Day

Life has settled down after the Christmas Season.

The snow has all gone, and it has been milder. My medication seems to be working. I am getting out for a daily walk and extending the distance. I have lost almost 14 pounds in weight since December began. I have to go back to the Western Infirmary next week for some more tests.

Our parish priest is back after his operation. He seems like his old self, Deo Gratias!

My wife has won tickets to "The Mousetrap" in London. It is I think, the longest running show in the UK....running for 30 years or so I believe.

We have to arrange transport and accommodation.

We might also book another Shearings self drive stay in Scotland. Balmoral, Strathpeffer or the Isle of Bute are possibilities.

Here are a couple of more pics from our Oban/Fort William jaunt

Saturday 8th January GlenFinnan

Today we headed up along the wonderful sounding "Road To The Isles."

This road runs from Fort William up to Mallaig, from where you can catch a ferry to Skye.

It was a beautiful crisp sunny day, and there were lots of photo opportunities.

The first stop was along the roadside to take some startling reflective images of the snow covered hills.

Next was GlenFinnan, where of course Bonnie Prince Charlie arrived in Scotland to begin his attempt to regain the Throne of Great Britain. This ill fated attempt, the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion famously ended at the Battle of Culloden.

A tower with a statue of the Prince stands on the place where he first stepped ashore.

If you are unaware of the Jacobite Rebellions of 1715 and 1745, take some time to research the facts.

Also, for any Harry Potter fans, the viaduct across which the train carrying pupils to and from Hogwarts is just bbehind the National Trust Visitor Centre.

From here we drove on to Mallaig, stopping briefly at Arisaig for coffee.

There wasn't much to do in Mallaig, so we headed back to our Hotel in Fort William, and then attended the 6pm Mass in the town.

Tomorrow we intend to go back to GlenFinnan for the 1 pm Mass there.

Photos from the journey.

Friday Jan 7 - Oban to Fort William

This morning we went down for breakfast in the room with the wonderful view at the Oyster Inn.It had snowed during the night.

I mentioned to the manager about my comment on it in my blog.He then informed me that Traffic Scotland have decided to install Toucan lights and warning notices outside the dining room as part of a Cycleway.

The lights are to allow cyclists to cross the road at this point. This despite the fact that at many of the cyclists will not be crossing since they are already on the cycleway, while those joining from the Fort William road, who might cross, would be quicker just turning left at the nearby junction and head towards Oban.

Lets be honest. How many times have you seen cyclists ignore stop lights, continually inch forward, cycle onto the pavement and cross with pedestrians, or jump off their bike and walk over a junction? So all these cyclists are suddenly going to start obeying a set of lights that are going to slow down their progress? I think not.

And of course the cars ,buses and lorries are going to be held up, meaning a queue of traffic affecting the Oban road and the Fort William road.

And the guests at the hotel will no longer see the beautiful view, but a traffic jam.The local community who will be most affected, are against the plans, but their wishes are being ignored by Traffic Scotland, who have issued tenders for the work already. Once again, Government has lost sight of the fact that it is there to serve the interests of those who elected it, not to ride roughshod over their aspirations.

Why bother with Community Councils if their reasoned arguments are just going to be ignored?

I understand that the gentleman responsible attended a meeting at the Oyster Inn to discuss the matter. He was not for being persuaded to change his opinion. When it was remarked that many would see the light poles and notices as being destructive of the view, and of being offensive, he remarked that he thought the blue colour of the Inn was offensive.

I think that sums up his attitude to the whole matter.

We have now arrived at the Caledonian Hotel just outside Fort William, after another scenic drive through falling temperatures.

We will be here till Monday.

Photos show road to Fort william and some views of Oban

http://www.theoysterinn.co.uk/

Oban break, day2

We had a leisurely breakfast this morning at the Oyster Inn.

I had porridge with warm honey, poached eggs and bacon. My wife had fruit and yoghurt, followed by slamon with scrambled eggs. All very tasty. And the view from the breakfast room was stunning...see the photo.

I'm sure that in ages past, when God created this landscape He thought to himself....this will astound guests at the Oyster Inn one day far in the future........

After breakfast, we headed into Oban. One of us.....not saying who....but not her.....left his winter jacket at home, over a chair in the kitchen.

It being-1C today, a warm jacket was a bit of a necessity. We found a nice one in the Cancer Research shop.

After a coffee, we drove to Lochgilphead. The road between Oban and Lochgilphead has some scenic views...see the photos. The landscape is also dotted with ancient Standing Stones, stone markings and even an Iron Age Fort.

We did a little shopping, had coffe, visited the local RC Church, then headed back to Oban.

We have just eaten...Steak Pie followed by Crannachan...google it. Outside it is bitterly cold but we, thank God, are snug and warm.

Photos of breakfast view and some stunning sunset photos.

Oban and Fort William January 2011

I found 2 really good deals on the internet, so we are off on a little Scottish jaunt.

We will be staying at the Oyster Inn, at Connal, just outside Oban. We will leave here on Friday and travel across to Fort William, where we will stay till Monday. £69 each for 3 nights 4 days with dinner and breakfast.

We left a grey Clydebank about 1 30pm. By the time we were along the Loch Lomond road to Crianlarich, we were in snow with sometimes mist, sometimes blue skies. Some glorious scenery and photos I had not thought I would be taking.

We will go and eat soon, then have an earlynight.

Oban tomorrow. First task will be for me to buy a jacket. It appears I left my jacket on a chair in the kitchen.....ooooops.

Photos at Loch Awe, and on road just past the Green Wellie at Tyndrum.