Onesies Around The World Part 3

Posted on: 25/09/2014

Phillip's Onesie Adventure - Part 3

  Onesies Around The World So after London it was on to the UK Road Trip. Taking in Bath, Cardiff, Manchester, Edinburgh, Inverness, Aberdeen, Leeds and back to London. I love driving around the UK, so easy and I love the high speeds on the motorways compared to the boring and slow 110 km/h we have here… 130km/h is more like it!! So my little BMW hatch I rented did the job, got me around safely and I saw many beautiful sights along the way. None more stunning than the Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh up to Inverness. Onesie weather was well and truly upon me from about Manchester where the wind and rain just pelted down. During the day and certainly at night I had my onesie on keeping the body warm both day and night. Bath was just magic, it always is… After a short 2hr drive from London and stopping in at the majestic Windsor Castle on the way, it was into bath and checking in at The McDonald Francis Hotel. After it had had a recent referb I was very very happy with this hotel.  My single room came with a ensuite bathroom and the most comfy of beds. But Bath is not about staying idle in your hotel… Its about Mineral Baths and Roman Baths.. I had a good relax in the mineral bath and wow it did my body some good. My feet most of all enjoyed it. The Bath Rugby store… every time I go to Bath, my credit card always seems to cop a hammering.. No exception this time. After Bath it was onto Cardiff and a visit to the Millennium Stadium and Cardiff Castle. Millennium Stadium has fond memories for me… It's where Australia triumphed in the 1999 Rugby World Cup and John Eales lifting the William Webb Ellis trophy aloft. Cardiff then up the M5 onto Manchester, home of the famous Manchester United and Manchester City soccer clubs. Taking tours of both Old Trafford and Etihad Stadiums was a real buzz.. Yes it was freezing cold, but with my onesie I was toasty warm.. Onesies Around The World 3 nights in Manchester then it was onto Edinburgh. I love this joint… 4 nights staying at the wonderful Apex Hotel at Grassmarket with great views of Edinburgh Castle and a short walk from the Royal Mile I was all set… Yes I devoured a number of courses of HAGGIS… Yes with my breakfast, my lunch and dinner of course. This was also an opportune time to catch up on that all important LAUNDRY!!! Onesies, everything… In they went… Edinburgh allowed me to soak up the history of the Castle, check out the Royal Mile, buy me a kilt (hand made) that is of my clans colours. I had it mailed home, and it arrived just before I ultimately got home. The Tennents beers went down nicely also. I really love Edinburgh. So after a lovely 4 nights in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, it was time to hit the high country and go right to the top of Scotland… A almost full days drive from Edinburgh, up through Glencoe, Fort Augustus (Loch Ness) and into Inverness had me driving through some of the most stunning parts of the country I have ever seen. I set off about 9am from Edinburgh, up the highway into the high country. Passing Ben Nevis the snow and sleet was coming in quite heavily and made driving a little tricky, but I got through it. I loved how I could stop along the side of the road and take pictures. Although my hands went blue in a matter of minutes with the freezing temperatures and a wind chill of about -20 celsius. As one of those travellers who like to be prepared for the elements, my all-in-one onesie was sitting snugly under my clothes and it kept my body temperature at a level I could survive for that few mins outside.. Man it was cold. I travelled on further north driving up the western bank of Loch Ness… Unfortunately no sightings of Nessie today.. The weather cleared as I descended to a lower altitude. Onesies Around The World Arriving into Inverness about 4pm, I made my way to the hotel and put together my photo collection onto my Facebook and laptop. Where I drove through today is where my ancestors once lived all those years ago. So it was like a homecoming of sorts to me. Now, at this stage of my journey I was as far from home as I would be on this trip (so I think anyway). Inverness, to Aberdeen was quite uneventful, but the next day was anything but… En route from Aberdeen back to Edinburgh I passed though some simply gorgeous parts of Scotland. Most notably, The Royal St Andrews Golf Club (Home of the British Open). Walking up and down the 18th fairway, a path where legends walked was a great moment. Yes even having my photo taken on that stone bridge crossing the gully on the 18th was a special moment. Moving on it was back to Edinburgh via Balmoral. Unfortunately for me, Balmoral Castle (Her Majestys Scottish Residence) was closed to visitors at this time, but I can say I’ve been to the front gates… From here it was back through some of the mountains and down into Edinburgh where I would have 1 last night, and then it was back into Mother England as my Scottish Adventure has now concluded. Onesies Around The World