Learning to walk before I run

edinburgher

@EssexHebridean - it is quite impressive how well it is preserved - I wonder what it is made of? 🤔

The ferry has been rescheduled on the way out *and* back, and the ferry arriving at Oban for our trip here was also rescheduled (we know as a family member was on it) 😂

It is a bit of a disincentive to travel

teapot2

I've been on 5 CalMac ferries the last few days and have been lucky with no rescheduling though a couple were just turn up and go short trips.  Weather was grim on Monday, non stop rain from morning to late evening.  Sorry you had a tricky time with littlies and travel arrangements, hopefully some enjoyable bits in there too.

powerspowers

EssexHebridean said:

powerspowers said:

Have a lovely holiday when it gets here, Ed! I’m off the the Hebrides in a few weeks time, cycling the Hebridean way. Please do share any lovely food recommendations 🙂

If you're venturing off the main roads then The Dunes Cabin at the Balranald Campsite (RSPB Reserve) on North Uist does amazing homebakes, some of the best soup I've ever had and delicious sandwiches and filed rolls. There is also a farm-shop type thing with self serve vending machines and a coffee machine etc right next door. The Island of Grimsay has a little community Centre with a cafe (The Uist Scandi Bakery - lush cinnamon buns!)  and her food is also stunning. Another great tip if you are cycling round the west side of North Uist and just want a snack then the Oystercatcher bakery at the Claddach Kirkibost Centre is really good for a sweet or savoury bake and coffee. Keep an eye out for Croft & Cuan's timings with their mobile food truck - you can find them on social media. the Berneray Bistro does takeout pizzas and fish & chips on certain nights of the week - the pizzas are amazing!  Also on the west coast of N. Uist is the Wee Cottage Kitchen - more decent homebaking and sandwiches. Further South at the north end of South Uist is the Hebridean Jewellery cafe - used to do decent cakes etc but we've not been there for a while so can't really comment now. 

When you get the ferry to or from Leverburgh the Butty Bus is a bit of an institution! 

Amazing, thank you so much! I’ve done all the planning so far, so have delegated cake stops to my mum, always need to know where the next treat is! 

Ed, i remember the holidays when all you want to do is go back to bed! It does get easier as they grow. 

edinburgher

@teapot2 - well done you! I remain a big fan of CalMac but we've had issues for years now. It's entirely possible it is the routes we are using, as opposed to any issue with the company itself. 

On the way home.

edinburgher

Got up at 4:30 and home for 16:30. I could get back from NYC in the same time 😂 Absolutely knackered!

S&S ISA topped up by £5, SIPP topped up by £2.52 (£3.13) after I bought a lottery ticket. Back to reality tomorrow

edinburgher

Did some belated month end figures - +£15,000 odds - which seems like silly money Investments recovery, DB pension and OPs were to blame. 

£341.09 OPed today, which takes a month off the term. Hopeful we might have a mortgage starting with a "1" next month for the first time since we borrowed more for the attic conversion.  

*Edit: Opened the 7.5% Principality 6-mth RS that I saw mentioned by a helpful MFWer. I'd credit them if I could remember who it was, sorry! Mrs E doing the same.

*Edit the 2nd: £5 for a Y Live survey, only £2 until I can cash out!

Suffolk_lass

Sorry to hear the holiday was not all you hoped for. We have booked a place in Plockton for a week in September (along with a week at Mum's, which includes her 96th birthday). We have not stayed there before but we know the area fairly well. There do seem to be quite a few changes in the hospitality offerings, the last few trips. Not being on the NC 500 is one of the things in its favour but the prevalence of inappropriately parked motorhomes and campervans is really detracting from some of our favourite places in the Highlands. Completely the wrong sort of holiday. As motorhome owners, I won't say more

KajiKita

Cracking OP and well done on getting close to a number starting with 1!! 😊👏

The investment fluctuations sound quite roller coastery! 

KK

edinburgher

@Suffolk_lass - Thank you - I'm sure your trip will go better

@KajiKita - I'm working on a plan to prevent me being banned from MFW for not OPing

We are off to MIL's to meet her new "boyfriend" (quotes as it's an odd expression for a man in his 70s) Mrs E stressed and unsure about the whole thing, MIL not being very emotionally intelligent about introductions

KajiKita

Ha! When it comes to OPs I probably need to do similar ... 

I hope the introduction goes better than Mrs E is fearing.

KK