“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” Joshua 1:9

March 6, 2018

Snow in Scotland

LATEST UPDATE IN SCOTLAND: Unpredicted snow which left people without essentials like bread and milk for 4 days. The roads were extremely dangerous to drive on, and the lack of winter chains/tyres and grit on roads led to accidents. How did it affect me? Well, I went outside to build a snowman and made flat bread in my oven-less kitchen. Oh yes, so on the first day of the freak snow our oven decided to practically blow up. So we were stuck without an oven then until the snow allowed the new oven to be driven over to our flat. Hard times, freak snow and no oven. Luckily, we are creative students!! 

Meet our new flatmate!! And no, the hair was NOT inspired by Trump. 
On Sunday (day four of the snowy weather) I got a text saying that church was cancelled due to the weather. So Graeme came over to my place, and after chatting with my wonderful family in Finland on Skype, it was decided that we should go for an adventure. And so we did.

Setting out toward Loch Lomond 
A lookalike for the Harry Potter Bridge, near Callendar (the actual one is curved and is at Glenfinnan)
So magical
After stopping off  to have a fish supper (which is fish and chips) at Callander, which is the town between the highlands and lowlands, we drove a bit further on to Inverarnan where we could put on our warmer socks and start the trek along the West Highland Way. 

Distance to Callander from Musselburgh, and then from Callander to Inverarnan. 

Graeme and I full of energy at the start of the hike heading towards Loch Lomond
Amazing views!!!
Stopping at a little stream to pick up an ice lolly, aka. an icicle ;) I preferred eating the fresh snow.


Breath-taking!!
My amazing companion <3
Wee stream
A sturdy table where we were tempted to eat the chocolate raspberry cake that Iulia (my awesome flatmate) allowed us to take on our trip. We decided that it might be too wet to eat off unfortunately :(
By this point it started snowing, and so we were keeping an eye on the storm cloud to see whether there would be a blizzard :o Living life to the edge :D

The storm clouds in the distance
This was my highlight of the hike. Just sitting on a rock looking over a range of mountains and the endless Loch (lake) Lomond. Imagine small sprinklings of snow spraying towards and all around you, the smell of the freshest air, and the noice of wind blowing past you. Pure bliss <3


Overlooking Loch Lomond 
We made it!!





Graeme was fascinated by creating a snowball by rolling a small ball down the hill ;)
Graeme throwing snow at me. Mischievous fun ;) 
Getting closer ...
Didn't hit me, but made an awesome picture! haha
Graeme with his 'Lord of the Rings' style walking stick
Walking the narrow path to more mountains 
Graeme checking that I am alright
I borrowed Graeme's special stick due to my exhaustion on the way back. 
We arrived back at the car park!! I was so happy :D We parked our car at the Beinglas Campsite.
The Beinglas Campsite location, Inverarnan. We walked from the campsite to the start of Loch Lomond, and back again. Fair distance I would say ;)
My exhausted face
 About time we got back as you can see the sun setting in the background!
Graeme then suggested that we go to the Drovers Inn to have something to eat. I am so glad he suggested it, as I was soo exhausted and didn't realise how much I needed some sustenance!!

A Sunday Pork Roast with the most amazing potatoes!!
We then drive back in the darkness, and I was so glad that Graeme was a confident driver ;) There was one small road that was made one-way due to the snow being very poorly plowed. Just when we were saying that it would  be soo hard if another car came the other way, it happened :o Luckily we had just arrived at a part of the road where the snow had been been widely plowed. Phew...

What an amazing snow fall we had in Scotland <3 Although I am glad that the snow is melting now so that we can go to the shops to get milk. And public transport is working again :D

Till next post,

Laura xx