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.
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