MeliGoesRogue

I awoke to the symphony of sea gulls. I had expected them in the evening when the fisherman threw the fish insides over for their pleasure but what could they be howling for this morning. It seemed as soon as I lifted my heavy body from the bed they ceased.

It was my first full day in Stonehaven and I was determined to make the most of it. I headed down the breakfast table for the much needed fuel for the long day of driving and walking I had ahead of me.

One of my favorite things about staying at B&B's, especially as a single women, is the owner typically turns into your mom for the day or two you share. Making sure you have enough to eat, wanting to know where your going and if you'll be back before dark. As Anne lovingly fried my egg, making sure it was a bit runny in the middle the way and the bacon was extra crispy the way I like. I know I'm paying her for it but the tenderness is still appreciated. Included in the attentiveness were the recommendations for the things I had planned, whittling down my large list to the must sees and the not realistic but nice if you can make it.

Once my belly had been stuffed till my ears I grabbed my bag and headed to the car. I had a reorganized agenda and the energy to match. headed first to Braemar- a lovely little castle high above the street sat next to a quite loud sheep farm.
My heart was set on the Balmoral so the Braemar got very little of my attention. Touring all these castles can get expensive and they almost never allow you to take photographs inside. I had this same experience in Ross Castle in Ireland- didn't make sense then either. I know in art museums its to keep the paintings in pristine condition as the flash can actually deteriorate the paintings but the inside of a castle is normally dark and really just stone walls, there doesn't seem much possibility to damage anything and nothing in there can be deemed proprietary and possibly stolen. Anyway sorry for the rant just gets annoying when I cant sure what I have seen. Jamie and I took a couple of pics outside which garnered some glances but we had a good ole time.

I eagerly left Braemar knowing that Balmoral lied just a few minutes on the road ahead. I arrived at the car park and situated all my needs in my bag and slung it over my head and headed for the bridge. I stopped in the middle to listen to the rushing waters below. Every time I see a stream or river with its rocks I think of one of the last truly good times I had with my brother on our way to Falling Waters in PA. On our way there just talking in the car one of us spotted the stream running beside the highway and we stopped to see its beauty and hear its song.
I saw the stream in my mind and missed him so much in just that moment. I'm trying to learn to remember these moments and then leave them there in the past without allowing them to influence my present. So I snapped a new picture of the new river and alleviated the memory.
I arrived at the gates of the Balmoral estate, purchased my ticket and opted to take the journey to the main house on foot instead of via the trolley. As everyone else formed a line to wait I took the opportunity to walk these woods- the trees towered above me obscuring the sky from my view. I navigated the recently rained roads, following the directions of the guide who furrowed his brow when I insisted on walking up. I took the right at the fork as instructed and landed at the stables, I collected my audio guide and began the route prepared. As is the case with almost everything I do I decided to break the rules and skip some stops and stopping in certain places before time. I spotted this lovely bench which seemed so small sitting beneath a great tree.

The tour walked me up a gentle hill only to reveal a lovely garden and conservatory. As some of you may know I have a slight obsession with doors, as mentioned before I blame my mother for this. As I approached the garden it was the first thing I saw.

I did as instructed and remained on my side of the gate and lovingly admired the different flowers growing wild and chaotic and yet in perfect harmony.

One of the groundskeepers noticed me I guess lingering in places others it seems pass over and decided to come over to talk to me about what I was seeing. I learned that the different greenhouses were necessary to grow fruits in vegetables out of season in order to be ready for the queens arrival. He was kind enough to actually let me sneak into one of the houses for just a minute to see the temperature and explain the different seasons each of the houses was. I thanked him for his time and left him to his work. He stood beside me for a few minutes as I snapped some pictures of his grounds, he asked if he could see his garden thru my eyes, so I should him. They weren't anything artistic I was simply documenting for the future but he smirked and said "Lovely"
After finishing in the gardens the Castle came into full view taking up all my breath as this behemoth stood before me.
The remainder of the grounds now seemed pointless and I now understood why they had planned the tour as they did. Once you have seen the estate everything pales in comparison. I headed back to the stables to hand in my audio tour, soon the sprinkle which had followed me around turned into a true Scottish rain storm. I waited reluctantly underneath the clock tower for the trolley that would take me back down to the entrance. I returned to the car and changed the soundtrack to my Claire de Lune. I would remain in silence for the hour long drive to my next destination. I allowed the curves of the road to match the notes of the violin.

I arrived at Castle Fraser, tired but excited to see the grounds and do the trails that I had found. I went towards the front of the castle to take my obligatory photographs before wandering aimlessly (kinda) my mind would be aimless while my feet would follow the path. I was only able to get one or two before the rain storm I had left behind in Balmoral had found its way here to me and had gained in strength on its journey. The rain began to come down with violent intention. I hid beneath the trees hoping that it would pass as I had seen them do before. But they only gained in strength and to be honest I didn't want to get my hair wet. Lol I opened the large wooden gate and began to make my way back to the shelter at the entrance. The rain was faster than me and the ground beneath me turned into mud, I hid my camera in my jacket and began to whisper a prayer, I feared the lack of strength in my ankle as I climbed the muddy and rocky path uphill. I finally made it to the shelter but seemingly pointless as I was soaked. I waited till the clouds eventually passed (20 minutes later) and I made it to my car where I promptly removed my soaked jacket and dried my camera and prayed it would be fine. Disappointed I turned the engine over and entered home into the GPS and set off.

An hour later I pulled into the Seaside haven and went to seek refuge and dry clothing before dinner. What happened after dinner….come one haven't you learned anything. Here's all you'll get…
lets just say he didn't drink alone..this post took three drinks and dinner to write. The bathtub in my current residence is calling me and I feel much obliged to answer. I shall return to this table with this view and give you another day.