WOW!

 

I was amazed by this expanse of terrain!

 

Apart from the History, you get a GPS, audio tour, which

senses where you are and shows films, and tells you details!

(they have even recreated period building on the site.)

 

Sadly when it's under 6 inches of snow, no matter how good the GPS

is, you can't see a thing, outside the Museum. I had a few moments

of silense to remember the fallen on both sides....

 

Thankfully, despite the snow and winds, and thanks to my new

and wonderous new heart I remained ALIVE to leave

the Culloden Battlefields!  

 

But it was quiet, and a remorseful place to reflect on mans greed for land and power.

 

While en route to Ben Nevis, we stumbled on 

 

1) Some spectacular views!

2) A Memorial to all the Scottish Commandos killed in action.

 

It was in minus figures on the car thermometer, and outside it 

seemed even colder!! After finishing off our "memorial" we lept in

the warmth of our (now beloved!) hire car!!

 

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr !!

Jane wanted to see the staircase locks at the Canals,

so we visited (Via a chip shop! - Yes, i know!!)

 

What a feat of engineering!

 

My only critisism was that the place wasn't heated!!

 

I almost froze my a**e to a bollard!!

 

 

It is the iconic Castle that stands alone on a pinacle

jutting into Loch ness....

 

A magnificent view up and down the Loch.

 

Although in ruins, it is steeped in history.

 

It was freezing cold, and ice winds blew at me, but my Heart

pushed me up all the stairs, along all the sloped paths, and

kept my hands warm all morning!!

I had a little tear as I bound up the Castles spiral staircase....

:-)

Whilst watching a fascinating programme about Loch Ness,

I really wanted to see this spectactular water mass for myself!

 

Jane booked all the requirements, and we were off!!!

It holds more water than all the lakes in the UK combined!!

Despite 3 feet of snow, and sub zero tempreatures Jane and I

decided to go NOW!! (with no leaves on the trees to hinder the

view,and outside tourist season?!)

This was going to be cold, and a strain on (both!) our tickers, with

the freezing temps, and all the walking....So off we flew to Inverness!

 

(10/10 to Jane for TOP arrangements at relatively short notice!!)

WOW!....

As a child I was fascinated with Diggers, etc  as many young

lad are.....    (LONG before Bob the builder!)

 

 

I sit here exhausted! I wondered if removal of a line of conifers in

the driveway (thier subsequent stump grinding yesterday) would make

the drive bigger, and give more room?

 

 

Trees now gone, the remaining task was to dig down the embankment,

to drive level! Was my glorious new heart up to this labouring?!!

IT WAS, for about an hour!!....

 

After a phone call, I had a 6 year olds DREAM came true!!

.............MY OWN LITTLE DIGGER!!

I had a healthy, happy, day in the mud with my renewed vigour,

and gained 3 feet of driveway!! (And only smashed 1 bit of fence!!)

 

 

But then the horrible man took the digger away!    

;-).

 

 

 

 

 

 

After my year long build, I finished my Enduro machine!

 

BUT...It wouldn't run properly! After hours of diagnostic works, and numerous

(Yet undocumented!) swear words, today, it was ridden in anger!....

 

I threw on a helmet, boots, and gloves, (Didn't want to ruin all QEH's

wondeful work in one afternoon?!) and had a FANTASTIC time for a few

hours!

 

I had 3 things reinforced to me today:

 

1) (Whilst riding) How amazing my new ticker is!

2) (Whilst on my arse groaning) I am not as good, or

as skilled as I was 20 years ago!

3) These bikes are heavy to lift off of you!

(No harm done to my delicate constitution, but ruined my trousers!)

Just realised....

It's 23.11pm, on the 11th of January 2011 !

That makes it:

11.11 1.11.11 !

(not a date I'd have seen with out my Transplant!!)

 

Sharon at QEH just called.....

"...No rejection, and your medications stays the same. We

will se you now in June..."

I was so happy, I had a little tear!

(Manly one obviously!!)

;-)

Off for my first Biopsy, Xray, Echo, ECG, Blood tests etc

of 2011 at QEH tomorow!

REALLY nervous!!...

Wish me and the ticker luck!!