Meetings, plans and designs

First photo is view from Portree; the dots are birds
Next is view from the road to Dunvegan - can't be more specific.

We are now firmly ensconsed in room 1 at Carters Rest which we found at the second attempt after a small error in trying to remember the directions. (DON'T take the left hand turning as it is a dead end)
Anyway this is a welcoming B&B in a beautiful location; you can see the sea from the bathroom - or at least Gary can. There are chickens outside and it is liscensed. What more could we want?
So we have met with Dualchas architects - very impressed with knowledge and enthusiasm; met with Skye Homes, again expert in their field and very helpful. Also picked up some detail about planning permissions on a few plots we might be interested in.
The rain has blown away to the west, the clouds are white and fluffy and the sky is a deep blue. Have been out of contact for much of the day as we were driving through what we asumed to be mountains through the driving rain and cloud cover. Waterfalls to die for but too wet to take a single photo. Did I mention we drove through a rainbow near Kintail??
We will be keeping our eyes open for likely plots, ruins and shacks as we travel around north west Skye tomorrow. Are also seeing two plots just down the road and a cottage in Ose with unobstructed views of the sea - we stopped on our way here for a sneaky pre-view.
The only decision needed for now is jacuzzi bath or power shower? Then dinner, wine and early to bed ready for tomorrow.
Loving it so far - have uploaded a couple of photos of Skye we managed to take today for your viewing pleasure.

Strathfillan.....

Flight from Exeter to Glasgow on time. Picked up nice new Land Rover from hire garage. Now in Strarhfilan which is about 3 hours drive from Skye. Cannot wait to see what the archectects have to say. Meeting with 2 tomorrow. Off out for an early dinner ready for early start tomorrow.
In case you're wondering - yes it's raining but we have seen some blue sky and there is still snow on the mountains.
In case you're passing Tyndrum in the future, we can recommend the Green Welly Shop for good food, clothes, shoes (of course) and plenty more.
Nice comfortable B&B, quiet spot with a view of the mountains.
Ready for whatever tomorrow has to temp us with. (apologies for ending the sentence with a preposition)

Half packed and raring to go

Bag packed for Harris with our walking gear safely stowed away. We have the maps, books of walks (thanks Marie) and no firm idea of where and what we are going to do on our "relaxing" week.
Just the washing to do (note nothing needs ironing) and pack bag number two with the remainder of our clothes. We are trying to travel as light as possible.
We will be viewing one house, several plots and visiting two architects / builders on Thursday and Friday. Good job we have dinner already booked for Thursday evening at Carters Rest. Friday food will be a bit more ad hoc and will depend on where we find ourselves when hunger strikes.
One final view on-line before we head off to the reality. It still looks as good as it did last week and yesterday.
Have you seen the weather forecast for the end of the week?- anyone who knows us and our holiday destinations will be expecting at least some rain and wind!

6 days and counting

Itinerary printed and checked; saved in date order for easy reference. 
Lists being written; appointments made with agents and two companies.
Hebridean Contemporary Homes  ( http://www.hebrideanhomes.com/ ) and Skye Homes 
( http://www.skyehomes.co.uk/ ) on 31 March; 
ReMax on 1 April (no comment necessary!)
Dinner booked for 31 March at Carters Rest - always need to keep an eye on the next meal - this looks like a wonderful place to stay. ( http://www.cartersrestskye.co.uk/ ) 
Pictures to follow once we are checked in.
This time next week we will be in Tyndrum for our overnight stop en route to the islands. 

Trip approaching fast

Just over two weeks to go before we head north.
Information, property for sale info and plans arriving, getting sorted and ordered for meetings / viewings.
We have accommodation booked across Scotland and Skye.
Then we head to Harris for a week - hoping to visit Taransay and Lewis too. 
Lists to be written, itinerary to be compiled, appointments to be made and off we go. 
Fingers crossed for good weather - at least for the flights and ferries.
Meanwhile winding down at work in preparation for disappearing. 
Can't wait!

first post

Here we are at the beginning of who knows what?
Plane tickets booked, web sites scoured and ready for the adventure that is our future.
We will be keeping a travel and experience diary over the next few weeks - leading to a decision about where and how we will live.
Your comments and thoughts are welcome.