 |
| Castle of Mey |
We reached the northernmost point of Great Britain's mainland. Thurso, where we stayed for two nights in a house, overlooks the North Sea and the Scottish islands, the closest is Stroma. The sun did not come out. Overcast, drizzly, rainy, damp, windy ...and fun.
Our first stop was the local Co-op where we bought some things for breakfast, and then we were off to the Castle of Mey, once the home of the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. The castle is now owned by the Castle of Mey Trust, established in 1996. The sole trustee is the King's Foundation.
 |
| Corgis are everywhere |
The Castle of Mey tours are led by informative and humorous guides. Of course, no photography inside.
The Front Hall, Drawing Room, Equerry's Room, the Clock collection, the Library, the Queen Mother's Private Room, bedrooms including the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret's, the Dining Room (with a magnificent carpet given by Queen Mary as a wedding gift to the newly-married Duke and Duchess of York), and the gardens.
It was not a sunny day, and it rained. My spirits were not dampened as I envisioned what the garden would look like in brilliant sunshine.
Our guide was funny and informative. She told our group how much the late Queen Mother loved cheap gifts -- she had everything she needed. She adored the cheap stuffies or silly figurines that friends would give her. These gifts had places of honor in her home.
One such gift was a small Loch Ness monster, which an equerry had placed on the top of a curtain rod in the drawing. According to our guide, one of the Queen Mother's best friends, a lady-in-waiting, was a snob. She thought it was soooo tacky to have the small toy on display at the top of the curtain, and she called for an equerry to get it down. The Queen Mother entered the room as the equerry climbed a ladder to grab the toy.. She told the equerry to leave the Loch Ness monster alone and told her friend that she loved these gifts, and the toy would remain at the top of the curtain. It is still there.
The bestie was Ruth, Lady Fermoy, the late Diana, Princess of Wales' maternal grandmother.
 |
| the Pink Arbor |
 |
| This is the window where Lady Fanny Sinclair (1854-1883) allegedly took her life. |
 |
| Charles and Camilla planted sycamores in 2005 |
The Castle of Mey also has an Animal Center in the Old Granary, which appeals to children and adults. It is a favorite place for local school kids.
 |
| Alice the Donkey |
Alison and Michael were ahead of me when they entered the center. Alison comes out as I head to the door: "Wait until you see what is inside."
My eyes grew wide as I said: "Lambies!!!!! Black lambs. Ooooh! I get down on the ground to say hello. So cute.
 |
| One of the lambs is kissing my ear ... |
 |
| Now both of them are whispering sweet nothings. |
 |
| a chance to photograph the front of the castle without people |
 |
After shopping at the shop, we went into the cafe for a repaste. I settled for Scones and tea!
|
King Charles III visits the castle, in late July before heading to Balmoral. The castle is closed when he is in residence.
Happy I was able to cross the Castle of Mey off my bucket list.
It was raining when we left the restaurant and walked to the car. The next stop was John O'Groats, the most distant point on Great Britain's mainland from Land's End in Cornwall.
Two words to describe John O'Groats: Tourist Trap!
 |
| If the weather had been good, we would have walked part of the trail. |
 |
| this is the Pentland Firth - the island in the distance is Stroma, which has been uninhabited since the 1960s. It is owned by a former resident. Sheep graze on the island, also known for its wildlife. |
 |
| Stavanger, Norway is about 344 miles across the North Sea |
After buying a fridge magnet and a cup of coffee, we got into the car for a short drive to Dunnet Head, the northernmost point on the mainland.
The parking lot was filled with cars from other European countries and the UK as Dunnet Head is a mecca for wildlife photography. I did not bring my 150-600mm lens with me. I relied on my 18-400mm lens.
 |
| My 150-600 lens would have been perfect for the PUFFINS!!!!!! |
 |
| Trying to get a good picture of the puffins |
Seeing the puffins was a bonus. A Dutch visitor let me look through his scope for a better view of the puffins!!!
We drove around Scrabster and then returned to Thurso for a walk through the town.
 |
| This Fish & Chips take out was across the street from where we were staying in Thurso |
 |
| For the record, I did not eat the entire meal. |
Our final evening was enjoying our fish and chips and watching a movie on TV. Tomorrow, the journey back to Harrogate.
Books on the Gardens and Castle of Mey.
.jpg)
