Thursday, May 26, 2011

Whistle while you work, just not to loudly.

 Good show!


So while I was off galevanting and getting engaged, Christopher was in Drum working at The Courtyard Restaurant. Its one fo the very few restaurants in the marvelous town of Drumnadrochit. They had they're opening weekend on Easter and Christopher worked almost every day from open to close.
When I showed up in town, I found him on a couch in the hostel with a nice Dutch boy we called Statue whose real name is Stanaslove-something-or-other. Somehow from that we got Statue. Turned out during the weekend him and Statue got into a little an adventure. One night they walked the mile to Urquhart Castle in the dark with only flashlights to light they're way and hopped the fence to the castle and went exploring at night. Urquhart Castle is a very old 6th century ruin, that is quite creepy especially at night. They light up parts of it which just illuminates the errieness of it. Its also built right on the corner of a cliff so you have the entire Loch laidd out in front. You can't help but think what it was like 800 years ago. It is claimed to be where St-Colombia stayed when he was converting the Pictish king. During excavations they found artifacts from 400 AD. The castle is also where the majority of the Nessie monster sightings were, and is said to be close to the Nessie Cave. kind of adds a little more mystery doesn't it? You can see the castle when driving into Drum and it is a amazing sight.


Once in Drum with Christopher we started up a routine of long days and food! I was worried about Christopher eating well while I was away, but as it turns out, as he said in his own words he was eating like a king. Ann was keeping him fed with all the specialties at the restaurant. Venison, lamb, pork, beef fancy dishes.
Working at the restaurant is fun and interesting. I have never been a waitress before but I remeber as a kid always pretending, and for the first few days thats what I felt like "Table for two, right this way" it was fun! :) Then I started waking up with feet that felt they had a car dropped on them and the novelty wore off pretty quickly.
the first night we both worked, after the long shift we all sat down and had some drinks. Darren the 16 year old son of the couple we work for kept pouring his father more wine and in turn was nice enough to topp me up as well. Only problem i,s that his father is a fully grown ex-cop Scotsman while I'm just not, so by the end of the night, walking in almost complete darkness, I had the sudden inspiration to hop over one of the field fences and try to catch a sheep.. I wanted a little lamb because they are so cute! Only problem is they are actually quite quick. And they "Bahh" really loudly when being pursued, so after a couple stumbled attempts I gave up and crashed in the hostel, not after Christopher took a couple of pictures of course, only to wake up with a terrible hangover which required me to run across the street at work to get some pain reliever.
Drum is a tourist town, Urqhart castle is the 3rd Anyone wanting to take a boat cruise on the Loch Ness looking for Nessie stops through Drum. Because of this almost 99% of the customers who come in are tourists. Germany and France had they're spring breaks so we got a slew of German and French. A few times I spoke French while serving and just like in Paris they spoke English back to me...
We worked in the restaurant all week, starting at 11 and usually finishing at 10pm. Long days, but they go by quickly. In a few conversations with our bosses Ann and Karl about the restaurants website sorrows, Christopher mentioned his modest skill with building websites and they hired him for the job! He will start building it soon. 
We have met many different people and tourists passing through town. Not only tourists but the 'Great Glen Way' which is a path that cyclist and hikers use to walk and bike across Scotland, the Great Glen as they call is passes right through Drum and therefore anyone needing a snack or rest, stops in town. We have alot of fun talkign to people. so far we have met these two men that set a goal to climb every mountain in Scotland over 3000ft, they are still working on it and have been doing so for 20 years! All longer conversations start off almost exactly the same way ahem- ME: "Hi, can I take your drink order" CUSTOMER: "Well THAT doesn't sound like a Scottish accent" ME: "your right" CUSTOMER: "well whats a American doing this far in the highlands" ME: "I'm not sure you'd have to find one and ask them, CUSTOMER: "OH I'm so sorry! your Canadian" AND SCENE! Then they ask why Scotland and I explain, and they also ask, if all the workers on staff are Canadian, because they here Christopher speak, and we give the entire schpel again. Its fun most of the time.
All week we were preparing for our first catering event. How the catering works is they have a massive canteen trailer, actually top of the line and spotless shiny. They drive this trailer to a event, we prepare, cook and serve to customer over the counter. What we were preparing for before hand is that it would be a 18 hour day and require us to wake up at 5am... blahdy bla. So the night before the evetn came and we got ourselves to bed at a decent hour and prepared for a dreamy night of slumber, oh wait! I forgot we sleep in a room with 4 other people and oh look at that, ones a snorer how nice.... I was woken up at 12:30 because a french couple was singing opera int he bathroom next door, and was so irritated I got up to ask them to be quiet, when leaving Christopher felt the need to yell "Just be nice okay"? Who me? After telling the turned-out-to-be-a-nice- couple to keep it down, I settled back into bed... then came the snoring... I wont go into to much detail, but let me just say they have stamina, I ended up int he hostel living room, punching a pillow, and not a wink was to be had all night. Also because of my constant getting in and out of bed, and groaning about this snorer I kept Christopher up all night also... we were BFF's in the morning :)
Walking along the street that Saturday morning with a mug of coffee I snatched from the hostel kitchen was pleasant. What was ACTUALLY pleasant though was the drive to the event. We were catering for Maggie's Cancer run. Maggie's is a organisation that helps cancer patient's be more comfortable. they pay for luxuries, and they also pay for accommodation for people who need to move cities for treatments. they were doing a walk and bike from Fort William to Inverness. That its literally from one side of Scotland to the other, of course at the most narrowest point of Scotland but still a feat none the less. We were setting up at one of the check points. The drive from Drum to fort Augustus took us the other way along Loch Ness, it was breathtaking. When you look into the distance you see layers of mountains. They look like a mirage, different shades and depths, but they're there. Its like nothing I have ever seen. We have mountains in Quebec, and to be honest sometimes when driving I think we could be driving up North to Tremblant, but this view didn't make me feel like I was in Kansas. Ann explained that in Fort Augustus there is mountain you can sit on and you have the perfect view of the lochs falling into each other.
The event itself was fairly calm and fun. Besides the throbbing headache from a sleepless night, it was entertaining. They had a band play, mind you they played the same 8 songs for 5 hours, but it was cool the first few rounds. Christopher and I got to hear alot of different Scottish accents which was exciting, and frustrating because we kept needing to yell and "Pardon Me!". At one point Ann left and Karl took over. When we were left alone I took over the grilling on the stove, while Christopher served and I kept remembering all those times I had seen people in these type of trailers over a hot grill thinking, "I am so glad thats not me that job sucks!" well there I was getting grim greese in my facial pores. Christopher and I had a pretty good routine, going though, and we stuck to it. Until Karl came in and told me I was a crappy griller.... just another career path closed to me.
The fun part of the day was when we had to change venues to the other check point which was back in Drum, and on the way the trailer got a flat tire or here they spell it "Tyre". Christopher and I had to sit by the side of the road for almost two hours while Karl went back and forth getting equipment to change it.
It was fun because we just happened to stop next to a path that brings us down tot he Loch Ness and it was a fabulous day! The water was all sparkley and the mountains so crisp! I had the genius idea of wanting to go for a dip and rolled up my pants, and stepped in... my legs nearly came off it was so damn freakn' cold! I forgot that one of the mystery's of the Loch Ness is that no matter what the temperature is outside the water never ever changes temperature, always stays a nice comfortable 4 degrees. I got Christopher to take a picture of me anyway, not before he grunted a "I told you so" of course. After this said adventure and mutual awing of the view, we sat in the blistering sun next to the trailer. I get sun stroked within minutes, so naturally I took off my uniform shirt (I was wearing another shirt underneath) and wrapped in on the my head. Karl thought this was just insane, but I like freaking him out sometimes :)
Christopher downed a few Irun Brues and I took a nap in the grass. Seems so pleasant, at least it does in movies and books, slumbering in a medow, but you know what lurks in grass! Bugs! lots and lots of bugs, that think if your in they're territory they have free range to crawl on you. You think this would deter me, so did I, expect that I was so tired I took a nap anyway and told the bugs to screw off.
We got back to the hostel that night exhausted and smelling like hog, to find out our room had been change and we now get a privet twin room yay! We walk around the hostel, past the dorms, past the staff room, take a right behind the laundry shed and tada! A lovely old wood shed converted into a room.... With the beds and table you have enough room for maybe 3 people standing. I did a quick spot checked and open the tiny curtain to the tiny window and regretted it instantly, not only was it filled with webs and little nests, but there on the panel was a chunky hairy spider. I flipped and ran into the dining room and asked very sternly if Niel (one of the hostel owners) would be so kind as to get rid of this thing for me. He obliged and tried to pry it off the ledge with his fingers that how big it was! He lost it though which was just great! I used my mind power ability to convince myself it have run out the door just so I could get some sleep. Turns out that while Niel was serving drinks later that night he felt something on his neck and smacked it on the table.. ( insert creepy shudder here). Before Christopher and I left Montreal, we made a deal that Christopher would kill all spiders, he has so far lived up to the deal, except coward around the corner when a big wasp flew in through our window one day. But this spider was so big I didn't even want him near it.
The next day we were heading home to our flat in Edinburgh. We needed to find a way out of our lease or come up with a plan to make sure we don't loose too much money going back and forth. We packed our bags, walked to the bus stop and waited... and waited... and w-a-i-t-e-d.... after 3 hours of sitting  with my big back pack on, a lovely lady came by to explain that no one here takes the bus on Sunday because it rarely runs. We had needed to catch a bus at 4 in Inverness to get back to Edinburgh but that was long past so we just waited another hour and a half, for a total of almost 5 hours. When in Inverness we were hoping to hop on another bus leaving, ah but that would be to easy. No more buses were running that night, and the train either. It was the first time we had been faced with no plan. I was a little excited. A true adventure! Christopher didn't agree too much, but as long as we found the cheaper option of anything he would be okay. So away we hunted the streets of Inverness for a place to stay. We walked along the water, the day had turned windy and cloudy and a little chilly. Finally we stopped someone to ask them where the closest hostel was, the man kinda stared at us, mumbled something and then with a direct look said "Where are you from?" We said Canada and he proceeded to contemplate and point us up hill. wasn't the most helpful man. After walking in circles we finally came to a sign for a hostel! At 10 pounds a night with free wifi we couldn't refuse. So we walked into a 50 person dorm, took a bed in the corner and set out to connect to wifi so I would skype for Brittany's baby shower. It was so good to see everyone! Especially Brittany. The skype on Christopher's Ithoch is pretty terrible, Chrstopher gave up half way through, figuring watching Brittany opening baby presents wasn't worth the craned neck. Unfortunately that night Christopher didn't sleep at all because the noes from the street kept him up all night, so we were both happy to be heading to our flat with our own rooms.
When we finally got home the next day we were so grateful to be back in Edinburgh. Again, we love the highlands but there is something about setting up somewhere as "Home" and having it be a comfort to you. I think it was because of this we sat around in our flat for most of the week, doing laundry and relaxing. enjoying our flat before we had to get rid of it. Most mornings though we woke up to the poundings of jackhammers and the general symphony of construction. Until it was time to head back up to Drum to stay for a week of work.
Which is where we leave you off now. In another few days we will post another post which will bring us up to date. We are finally now experiencing true Scottish weather it has been.... fun... Apparently this spring has been the driest spring in a century! Lucky Scots in 1911. It has been great, except it is affecting the crops and cattle here, and that is a major chunk of Scotland business. But if the past couple weeks are any indication I think they will survive.


Cheers everyone!!!



Saturday, May 21, 2011

Surprise Visit and the Winds of Change

Tali oh everyone!

We're very sorry. Its been a while since we've made a post. So much has been happening and I personally was trying to make the rounds with my big news before I made a post so no one had to find out the big news through a blog. I will be making a post every couple of days to get up to date, so check in if you are interested

Christopher and I have been on a full time schedule for the past three weeks and enjoying mostly every minuet.

After that first weekend in the Highlands we have been enjoying life in the city as much as we can, knowing we wont be spending much time there.
We had made our own special plans for Easter but I got a surprise change of plans. Mark came to visit! His daughters ended up going to Toronto to visit they're moms side of the family so Mark decided to use the time to visit me, or so he let me think.... 
WARNING: The remaining of this post will be mostly dedicated to the excitement of Marks visit and a play by play of what happened. I have been asked numerous time for details so I thought I would use the blog to let everyone in on "The Story" :) If you are a friend of Christopher, this is mostly about my personal life so you can skip it if you like. Christopher goes back to Drum thats all you need to know for now.
I wrote out the entire story but it was ridiculously long and detailed so I tried to sum it up... and its still long, so bear with me.
Mark got into Edinburgh on the 21st of April. I picked him up from the airport dressed in my spring finest, flowy skirt and heels! Created a great effect I think :)
We got back to the flat and I made him my own rendition of High tea so he got to try my newest addiction: clotted cream and warm scones with just a touch of raspberry jam..... ahhhhh little slice of heaven in the palm of your hand... 
After he napped for an hour or so, We decided to hike up Arthur's Seat. The weather in Edinburgh had been so reliable for the past couple weeks so I convinced both Christopher and Mark to wear shorts and t-shirts because last time we were sweating. The climb was great, Mark carried the back pack full of beer, gave Christopher a break from being the bag holder, I had had only clotted cream and tea as substance so it was a bit of a rougher trek for me, but the boys were patient while I wheezed my way up. Of course, our walk there was beautiful but while we got to the top a cloud covered the top and it was freeezing! Christopher and Mark weren't too impressed with my forceful suggestion of wearing only shorts and t-shirts... The peak was so clouded over we couldn't see anything, which was too bad for Mark but we had some good views on the way down. when at the peak, it was a little unsettling, we couldn't see anything, so when standing or sitting at the top you felt as if you were in abyss. Nothing below and nothing above. As if you fell you would fall into nothing. I needed to cling to the rocks just to avoid slight panic. I kept getting nervous when Mark or Christopher went too close to the edge. On the way down we stopped in our usual spot, at the chapel ruin and had some beers, but our hands were so cold Mark had to chug them so we could get moving. 
After deciding to walked up Royal Mile for Marks benefit made it only 10 minutes before we gave up and walked into the first decent shop we saw and sat to have some hot soup. We walked into this Scottish wannabe Italian Bistro.. we all ordered the soup that felt as if it was directly linked to our brains because it was exactly what we were looking for. Thick, buttery and big! The perfect answer to a damp Scottish afternoon, served with three kinds of warm fresh bread that had the butter melting in complete perfection.
Needless to say the day ended a little early because the weather wasn't cooperating. That night we decided to rent a car for the next few days and a get a hotel in the highlands. Just before Mark arrived we got called to work on the Easter weekend. When I was explaining this to my mom the night before Mark flew my mom on skype said very sternly "But you can't work!" which of course I am only realizing now the cause of such a response. :)
So that night while I was exhausted and lazy and wanted to go to bed, Mark INSISTED on booking our hotel and car that night while I thought we would just drive a end up some place... so we booked a lovely hotel right on the river in Inverness and decided we would drive Christopher to work also. The car turned out to be a great little VW, the driving however was worse then the up hill on a roller coaster.... I thought if I trust anyone to drive on the other side of the road it would be Mark, but turns out I was hysterical anyway. Edinburgh as a city already isn't very car friendly. Because it is such a  ancient city the roads were not designed for two way lanes, so cars are always a tight fit. A common fixture on a car in this city is foldable mirrors because they get clipped off otherwise. Being in the passenger seat was difficult, because I felt about 1 cm away from the parked cars, I kept yelling and gesturing "move away, more right!" I ended up having to close my eyes to get out of city. Mark had a ball driving on the other side, required a little extra concentration, but he said it was a novelty, like driving a go-Kart. We had great weather for the drive, and I kept freaking out trying to point out the mazing views to Mark which he obligingly said "oo" and "ahhh" at the appropriate times :)
Our plan was to hit Inverness that night and the next day do a tour of Spey Side and some distilleries. Mark has always been a huge Scotch fan, or I should say as we were taught, its called "Single Malt" or just Whiskey, no one says "Scotch" here, (I get laughed at at work). Spey Side single malts are his favorite. For a quick lesson, Spey Side is a region in Scotland. The single malts from Spey Side get they're water for the river Spey, and are all grown in the area. (The main town is Elgin, if anyone is interested in visiting the area.)
En route to Inverness we saw a sign for the Dalhwinni Distillery, which just happens to be one of MY favorite single malts. So we stopped in which was nice because Christopher could also partake in the distillery experience, plus a whiskey tour is on our photo Scavenger hunt! Check out website for photos, very funny...
The distillery itself is a sight just from the outside. All white with some dark borders, very Tudor-esk and these massive wood casks nicely nestled in front to create a picturesque distillery. We only had to wait a little while for the next tour which was worth it because we had our own privet tour. Our tour guy was named something I can't remember, but had floppy hair and a interesting voice, with crisp endings. He gave us his entire spiel, and Mark kept interrupting which I think had Mr.Tour Guide regretting saying "If you have any question please don't hesitate to ask." What I loved most about the tour is that Dalwinnie is one of the last major distilleries that still make whiskey in the old way without much fancy machinery. Everything is done in copper or wood, really adds to the romance to single malts I think. My favorite part though was in the end where they show you where all the casks are aged. You can only see them through a window, all these old rickity wooden casks piled on top of each other in the dark with ancient writing stamped on them which makes you think of docks in the 1800's. They have one cask that is 50 years old that is apparently just sitting there because the ownership of it is under dispute. Whiskey can't go much past 50 years because the malt evaporates from the barrels, thats why Scotland is such a great place to make whiskey because the weather is never that warm. The evaporated whiskey they call "The Angels Share" which when he told us this information I squeaked out a "awww thats so cute!" in which I received a very odd stare and a stumbled "uhh I've never quite heard that response before" After the full tour, which ended in where they show us what the huge wooden barrels are used for in the front, we got to taste! When we first got there they wouldn't allow Mark to have any tastings because he was driving, not ONE! Which was a huge disappointed because he was one of the reasons we stopped in the first place, so while I had the gold package where I got to try a 39 year old, Christopher got the base package Mark got nothing. We situated ourselves behind a wall to have our tastings. They were fantastic! My favorite is the 18 year old Distillery Edition, which is distilled first in regular casks and finished off in a sherry-wood casks, which gives it a really easy finish. To not waste the experience, I went up to the cash and since there was only two staff members there I ask one to take a picture of me with our tour guide, I insisted on taking the picture on the other side of the shop which gave Mark ample time to taste all the options. He agreed that the Distilleries Edition was top notch.
We continued our journey onto Drumnadrochit to drop Christopher off at work. I kept getting more anxious the closer we were to dropping him off, I'm guessing because it was the first time we were being separated, also I felt guilty that he had to work while I got to play around. Drum is such a tiny little town, I didn't want him to be alone... We took our time leaving him, which Mark teased me about, but just another proof of his love, he offered to take Christopher with us to Inverness, which NOW I know just what a wonderful gesture that was.
We got to our hotel and it was amazing. Perfect little Highland hotel. Wood moldings and fixtures, and classic decoration. Mark was a little worked up about the room, wanting everything to be perfect which I thought was sweet at the time, again not realizing the situation. That day was the 22nd and technically was our anniversery of our first date, so I thought it was fitting to go all out in a blue sequence dress and flashy earrings. We walked out of the hotel and were greeted with the most romantic sight I have ever seen. The sun was setting and fading on the horizan, the sky was a beautiful sea green, the river was feet away, flowing and all the trees that lined the river were lit up in twinkle lights, Romeo himself couldn't sculpt a more intimate evening, made me feel like the night was there just for us. (Also just happens to hold a wonderful memory for me now :)
It was a beautiful night, not to cold, and we took our time walking along the river to the restaurant. On the way to the restaurant, just up a hill is Inverness Castle. At night there are lights around to illuminate it. It quite a sight. We appreciated the view and decided we would try and walk up before we leave the city. 
The restaurant it self was beautiful, a old converted church looking over the running water. We closed the place having a tasty meal involving some sort of sea food, and shared a bottle of wine. After dinner, lazy and light headed from full belly’s and wine we decided to saunter slowly back to the hotel, on the way Mark asked if I wanted to walk across the little bridge or maybe walk up to the castle. I looked down at my black stilettos and decided I’ve walked in worse and up we climbed. It was a short hill, and we reached the top without much trouble. The castle really is pretty, exactly what you think a castle would look like, turrets and big round doors. In front of the castle is a statue of Flora McDonald, who is famous for helping Bonnie Prince Charlie escape from Scotland. The story goes that she dressed him up as one of her maids to get him past he guards. 
We walked around the castle and drank in the view, to get a better view we walked around the castle to sit on a bench right in front looking over the river. We sat there, relaxing, I had my head on Marks shoulder and he started talking, I was listening but apparently not well enough because only half way through did I realize what he was doing! I sobered right up and without much grace spurted “are you doing what I think your doing!” He smiled and after another few choice romantic words, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him!!!!!! He asked me with the most poetic phrase I have ever heard and opened a little ring box shaped like a bell..................... My intelligent response was to stare, stunned, it is one of the few times in my life I can ever remember being surprised speechless, literally speechless, no sound would come out. I kept trying to register what was actually happening, until my mind finally caught up and I nodded sheepishly and said “Yes, of course!” He slid the most perfectly sparkly ring on my finger that fit like a glove and I basked in the bliss! Sounds cheesy but it was wonderful. For anyone interested and curious in what Mark actually said during his proposal you will have to ask me in person, some things are just meant for a couples moment while others I just can't do justice by writing but it was amazing.
I kept going through waves after that, shock, excitement, wonder. Mark offered to go drive and see Christopher in the morning to tell him which I thought was sweet, and great. At the moment I didn't know what to do next so it was good to have a plan, then the word fiancee rang to mind and that sent me into flutters again. :) i got to hear the story about him asking my mother for her blessing, and how he brought his daughter shopping for the ring, how he had told his parents. About how he kept the ring on him personally for the past 48 hours through the airport and flight! What a effort that was! Everyone at home knew apparently. His parents, sisters, my mom and sister.... 
 In the morning we had breakfast by the window, which I will always remember because I discovered  that as it turns out diamond rings go with anything! Who knew! They go with forks, and stirring coffee, holding cups, resting on the table, adjusting purses, it really has nothing it wont look great with, still doesn't get old. 
After breakfast, we drove the windey road hugging the Loch Ness. We found Christopher working and I yelled our news! Christopher was gleefully happy! Him and Mark did alot of man hugging and hand shaking. Although apparently my mother already spilled the news to Christopher and he already knew, but he was happy none the less. We left him and headed for Spey.
On the way to Spey Side we saw the sign for Cullodon battle field and decided to stop for a bit, what we didn't anticipate was that the battle field would cost the entire afternoon. Well worth it we thought, there is so much to say on it, which I will discuss in a later post because the story and tragedy from Cullodon don't belong on this post of such happy news! Plus this getting really long again.
After our afternoon of Cullodon, we decided to take a detour to St-Andrews: Birth Place of Golf. What a hidden Gem! Well for me anyway, someone who doesn't know much about golf, we got there the sun was blaring on us, and we parked right next to the ocean, the waves were rolling in. We went and played on the rocks, and looked at the city of St-Andrew's which is built right up the tip of the cliffs, to one side ancient buildings the other side manse of golf courses.
We hunted for a golf shop because Mark wanted to get a golf ball for a co-worker, of course we ended up spending an hour in there, and I couldn't resist a few souvenirs myself, what I'll ever use golf ball for myself who knows but it will look cool on my mantel. We watched the sun set wandering around the old courses, taking pictures, especially on the old stone bridge, Famous, because its the first ever gold course. We had slow lazy dinner, at a local pub, while he was getting food I sat at the table taking pictures of my hand. After some good food and drink, we slid in the car to make our way back to Edinburgh.
The next couple of days we just strolled around Edinburgh, walking in the parks, shopping in the outside markets and fairs, showing him the sights, my favourite places. We stopped into Royal Mile Whiskey shop, which turned into a 2 hour affair of us talking with Mr Whiskey Expert #2. Whose name turned out to be Sean.. I think... On Marks last night in town we went out for dinner at a Irish pub, had some great tradition dishes and tried ginger beer, which taste like candied beer, haven't decided yet if I love it or hate it. Then headed to Bow Bar, which was recommended to us by Sean, to try different whiskeys because they had the largest selection in Edinburgh.The bar is very tiny, but popular, we stood at the bar for our first couple drams and then swiftly sat when a bench became available. We met Jan, a German who had gone to school in Edinburgh and was coming back for a visit. we had a wonderful night getting hazey off Scotch and wandering the quiet street of Edinburgh-at-dark. 
Really was a magical weekend. Watching Mark leave was terrible, and required some extra effort on my part not to go with him.... gets harder everyday. I hope this post fills everyones appetite, it was fun to relive the memory :) 

After Mark left, I hopped on the next bus to Drum  to join Christopher.  Which is where our story continues... stay tuned for the next chapter in Chris and Elles excellent Adventure int he next couple of days where we see just how sore feet can get and what life is like living in a shed behind a field.