Category Archives: International Travel

A wee jaunt to Scotland – The Hogwarts Express

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Saturday, 20-Sept-2025


To be clear – we’d booked a trip on the Hogwarts Express. Which meant the fancy train from the movies.

In reality, we got a diesel engine pulling poorly washed, very normal looking, rail cars. We were… we were not happy. I believe someone stomped and said something about screaming. It may have been me. It may not have been. We’ll never know.

That being said, we made it through the disappointment and were able to enjoy the ride. Because let’s be honest – we’re inside the train, so what it looks like on the outside doesn’t impact our enjoyment of the views, right?

Right.

I mean, ignoring the dirty windows. And the mediocre “high tea” that we ordered.



Okay I may still be a little bitter.

But hey! Here’s some pretty views, and a gorgeous photo of Andrea! And we did get to spend the ride chatting with a really cool couple from Tasmania, so that was definitely a highlight.

A wee jaunt to Scotland – Driving into the highlands

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Saturday, 20-Sept-2025


I do miss long road trips. There’s something so therapeutic about getting in a car, putting on some music, and just driving for a few hours… it leaves my mind open, and keeps the body busy so that open mind can chew on ideas and thoughts, making connections and picking up details that I would otherwise have missed.

This drive… this was even better.

The views! The company! The winding roads and the good music!

Just magical. Simply magical.

A wee jaunt to Scotland – A Sylvan dinner

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Friday, 19-Sept-2025

I love getting an excuse to go out to a fancy dinner.

Dressing up, being excited for unique food… just really any excuse to have a bit of extra fun that I wouldn’t normally have, you know?

Sylvan was our chosen restaurant for the evening – mainly vegan, with a few vegetarian options for those who like cheese. Not my normal fare, to be clear, but something Andrea was very excited for. And thus – I was excited too.

And dear lord was it worth the excitement. Seriously, some of the best food I’ve had in the UK / Ireland, not a question. Just incredibly good.