Callander

We had breakfast at 08.30 this morning and had a relaxed morning off without having to get ready and rush off to the next place. This was really nice for a change. I text S. on his mobile and went into the bathroom to wash my hair. At 10.30 I received a text message back from S. telling us that they've landed and that they were having a bite near Stirling. They would be here in about an hour and a half. They arrived at the Abbotsford Lodge at exactly 12.00. They couldn't check in yet so we all went downtown to the village center which was about a 8 minute walk from the Lodge. We crashed at some pub for a while to have a drink and a chat.

Then we went for a short walk along the river, visited another burial ground that was situated near a pub. There were quite some old graves there! We found one that was dated 1747. I took a lot of pictures [again]. The weather was bright and sunny with a strong wind though and some showers in between. Because it started to rain again we all went to the pub next to the burial ground to have lunch there. We stayed for about an hour and walked back to Callander. On our way back we passed the Highlander that was grazing there in a meadow. I wanted to take a picture but I couldn't because there was again a coach full with Spanish people gazing at the beautiful Highlander. I reckon I will have to try again some other time.

When we got into Callander I had a quick look around at some stores to see if they sell hoodies and I found one after checking out three different stores, nothing but fleece and raincoats there. I bought that hoodie because I really needed to have a clean one *grin* and the lady at the counter asked me if I didn't want another one for free... I didn't understand but that was because I didn't see the sign there, buy one for £19.99 and get another one for free. A. calls me bargain hunter *grin* for that reason... We walked back to the Lodge to have a lie down for a while. We slept till 19.00 got up and got ready for dinner which was booked at 20.00. We had a nice evening together enjoying our meals and the company. Tomorrow we're gonna climb a munro which is called Ben Lomond and is situated near Loch Lomond; it'll be a 6 hours round trip. I'll have to get up at 07.00 and we'll have breakfast at 08.00 so I better get some sleep soon!

I. and C. are not joining us alas but they're gonna do their own things. We'll have some plans that we can all do together for the next couple of days so they can just chill and relax a bit. A. will have his birthday tomorrow so I can't wait to give him his presents. I will have to wait till we're back though; we're going to have dinner at some nice restaurant downtown to celebrate! Well I'd better get some sleep now, it's 00.15 and I'm ready to crash! Sleep well...