A Taste of Living in a Cold Chalet

Fort William/ Onich was our next stop after we left Callander or to be precise, the region of Stirling.

Together with Lochaber, Fort William are well known as 'Outdoor Capital of the UK'! and this was the day we arrived the Highlands of Scotland- which is very different from Lowlands, culturally and historically. When we were approaching the place, we gathered some information from Tourist Information Centre and learnt about Ben Nevis. Regrettably, it was more damp, gloomy and cold than when we just left Bracklinn Falls in the morning that day, we had to scrap the idea of having any outdoor fun.

Inevitably, I have equally fogging impression of Fort William, the Great Glen and the Lochs. All I can remember is the gloomy skyline and cold atmosphere.

Repair and Repurpose

1.  Repair

Remember the backpack that I almost lost in Edinburgh? I have not reveal its identity yet- a sturdy grey Deuter backpack. Well, the hanging loop was not sturdy apparently. After 5 years as travel companion, the bag gave up on me, the hanging loop particularly. I must have overloaded the bag too much and too often. Bad habit.

Without the hanging loop, the use of the backpack became very inconvenient. I had no help when i needed to lift up my bag, the bulky shoulder strap was the substitute instead. Cumbersome at times; panicking when the preschooler whining for immediate extra clothes from the bag. I had to adapt the old bag in a new way throughout the trip, as if it was another new bag that was without a hanging loop.

After our return, I was contemplating to replace the bag or find a way to repair the loop. It dawned at me that the small little hanging loop of a backpack was very important and I relied on it very much! I needed a backpack with hanging loop desperately. So it was timely when Agatha hosted a workshop on fixing haversack on her regular Fit it Friday Series. Gladly, I signed up and attended the workshop with my backpack.

Scotland: Eilean Donan Castle

Come to think about it, Eilean Donan Castle probably was the only castle we got to get so close in Scotland.

We were on A87 road, on our way to Isle of Skye, from Fort William. All of us needed a loo break after stuck in the car for almost 2 hours.