During the past week, a large surging ocean swell was created by easterly winds blowing in off the North Sea.

These wind driven waves crash into the rocky coastal cliffs creating a very confused and dangerous sea.

The “washing machine” effect made for unfavorable conditions to go out for even the large, well equipped, Rigid Hull Inflatable boats from the Caithness Seacoast Ltd.

Saturday, as the wind eased and the swell subsided yet, in true Scottish fashion as we prepared for our adventure along the coast, the fog began to roll in. But, a bad day on a boat is better than a good day at work!

So off we went and this is what we saw…

This morning started early as we prepared to leave Inverness and head to our next destination, Wick.

Our 4-hour train ride along the North East Scottish coast, would take us through parts of Scotland rarely seen by tourists.

We called it, The Scottish Outback” as it’s home to more Sheep & Newly born Lambs, Red Deer, Big Hairy Cows, and Pheasants, than people.

It did, however, give us time to work on this short video from yesterdays walk to the Inverness Botanical Gardens, enjoy.


More later,
Jeff & Wendy

This morning, after Coach Jane's morning stretch, we found ourselves at the Inverness Bus Station waiting for the 1015 Number 27 Bus.

What would be the best use of time? A fresh baked Sausage Roll at a local Cafe', yummmy!

After a 20 minute ride we were at Culloden Battlefield. Our admission, including a guided tour, were in included as part of out membership in the Scottish Heritage Society.

Here, the 2nd Jacobite Rising ended in less than an hour in what was basicially a family feud between British, German, & French Nobility.

An inadvertent shot from the Jacobite side of the field started a chain reaction that pitted thousands of multinational warriors under Scottish command against thousands of multinational warriors under British command.

No one knows the exact number killed on either side as bodies were stripped and buried in mass graves. After the British were ordered to "give no quarter"some of the captured wounded were locked in the field hospital before it was burned to the ground.

Decades later a memorial Cairn, a pile of stones raised usually as a marker or burial mound, was erected to honor all those lost on 16 April 1746.



More later,
Jeff & Wendy

Greetings from Inverness!

After three separate airplanes, it’s Monday evening around 1830 here and we are enjoying a glass of wine while cooking dinner.

We departed the New Bern Airport Sunday with stops in Charlotte, London Heathrow, and finial Inverness.

Once here, we found our Air BnB, ditched the bags, and then back out to get $ and hit the closest grocery store. I have to admit we love going to the grocery store when overseas, you find so many yummy things.

After a long trip with “airplane food” this creation of chicken & veggies, hits the spot.

More later,
Wendy & Jeff

Testing post

This morning starts like all mornings in the past week, early. At 0730, we leave the Paradise Premium Hotel not by bus, but on foot.

We visit a religious article shop next door owned by Palestinian Christians. This religious group makes up only slightly more than 2% of the population, surprising in this land were Christianity was established. Purchasing a few souvenirs such as olive-wood carvings helps support this community.

Bethlehem may not be the cleanest city in the world, but the focus of everyone we have meet is one thing, Peace. All you need to do is pass through a “Checkpoint” into the occupied territory, by Israel, or see the demolition of homes in Jerusalem by Israeli solders, to see there is a long way to go for that.

Brother Dave’s traveling rule #1; learn a few words in the local language, here being Arabic, as it will take you a long way. We found this very true while attending a Lutheran Church service and later with our guide George Saadi, who helped us navigate the busy streets of the Bethlehem Market for lunch.


We visited Shepard’s Fields Church, built on top of the caves where “Shepard’s Quaked” when an angel appeared to tell them of the birth of Jesus.


Several murals decorate the interior of the church but it is the acoustics that cause pilgrims, such as us, to break out into spontaneous Christmas Carols.

Next stop, the Shepard’s Caves.



Were it only seemed fitting to hear a reading about this event.

Finial, off to the Church of the Nativity. Here a 2+ hour line lead us to the remains of a small stone cave currently under the watchful eye of the Greek Orthodox Church.

I had wanted to get a picture of the “Silver Star” said to mark the location of Jesus’ Birthplace.


At the exact moment I took the photo, I was bumped, reveling what is most likely the true location.