We are back in the charming village of Beauly. Just below the Black Isle and just above Inverness, where all the signs are in both English and Gaelic.
We went to The Free Church of Scotland in Inverness on Sunday. As we walked down the sidewalk along the River Ness there were church bells ringing all around us. It was lovely.
We went grocery shopping at Aldi after church. Aldi is a bit like Grocery Outlet in Ellensburg. We are in the Whiskey trail of Scotland, everywhere there are Whiskey distilleries. We’re waiting for visitors to try some of them out. In the mean time, I may need to give up my hunt for good red wine in the North of Scotland. However, I did find this one and cracked up at the pairing.
I wonder if it goes with Tater-Tot casserole or only Shepard’s Pie.
I continue to struggle a bit with the food. One day we were out to breakfast and as you can see I ordered Salmon and scrambled egg. Look at that Salmon! Impressive, tasty and inexpensive.
I took one bite of the egg and it was all I could do to not spit it out. I inquired if they had cream cheese. The lovely helper went to look. She came back shaking her head.
“Ach I’m sorry. We only have Philadelphia”
…Philadelphia cream cheese…, “Perfect” I exclaimed. “May I have Philadelphia and a scone, please?”
Here I am learning to adapt.
The house hunt continues…
There is no MLS in Scotland. There are a few different independent websites for house selling. Sellers list their homes with an Estate Agent/Solicitor. The Solicitor does a variety of functions for the Seller. Not all Solicitors do the same functions, none of them show the property, not all of them place the property on the large independent websites and some seem to only place a sign in the window. Looking for a property is a bit exhausting and we (as former Realtors) know what we’re doing!
We have a system. I check the 3 major websites for new listings everyday for the areas we want to live in. My Loving Spouse checks 7 Estate Agent sites to see, if they’ve listed anything new everyday. I did say it was exhausting, right? Mostly because we’re so hopeful everyday and then disappointed, but with the new year we’re more hopeful than ever.
Most of the homes come in two sizes….too big and too small. Being along the coast in old fishing villages lots of homes have no garden, no parking and no garage. We can deal with a lot of that, but a garden for Gunner and I is a must.
My Loving Spouse joined the local Facebook community group. He added a picture of Gunner and let everyone know that he needed a home, after all they do love dogs here.
We continue to do our best to uncover every potential lead.
Looking forward to the day, when we can put our feet up in our very own home.
…and may you be blessed.
Sharing fond memories of Inverness through your posts. I’m also laughing about the local oddities of the real estate market there, while hoping your frustrations end soon with finding your forever home!
Alice is going to be doing a sabbatical in Ireland later this year. Maybe a combo trip should be in the works?
Enjoy your Burns Night celebrations, and drink a “wee dram” for us. Hugs!!!
Oh, sweet Stace, a combo trip sounds lovely. We’ve just booked a table at the Cafe on the Corner (true name) for a Burns night dinner. Pat is busy trying to find a tartan vest (at Charity shops) to wear to it! We’re very excited. Thanks for your encouragement and connection. Loved getting your Christmas Card!
xx
Oh Ellen, I just love your updates. I know the perfect house will pop up when you least expect it. Miss you friend. It’s really cold here today with new snow.
Tonieka, so wonderful to hear from you! Miss you too. I think of school and all my dear ones often.
God is certainly asking us both to be patient with our home situations. Seven weeks after the water intrusion, work finally started today on opening up the walls. They have found some mold, of course. Looks like we will have to start eating out for some meals as the refrigerator and microwave are currently taped off. At least I can choose food with which I am familiar!!
Oh, I hope they are handling the bill for some of this! Yikes…after it is all over, hopefully you have a new kitchen that you love.
XO
Here’s hoping the perfect home will find its way to you in this new year! You’ve got such beautiful towns to choose from! Sending good home hunting thoughts your way.
Thank you so much Mims! We do have wonderful towns to pick from. Whitehills even has a pottery studio, so if we live there you could come and throw some clay!
Love the wine pairing suggestion! Hope your home search isn’t too long! I’m sure you’ll find a house soon!
Thanks Heather, some days it is so comforting to believe in others’ belief. I appreciate it!
Dear friend…No doubt your house is out there just waiting for you to find it!
It is such an arduous process!!… Tits up you will soon be planting your summer garden! 🥰CP
Bless you, I hope so! For Christmas Pat gave me new gardening tools!
Inverness and River Ness is our first stop in May…loving the pics and the details!!
Keep them coming!
Katy
Xo
Inverness is such a doable city. Like walking Old Town Pasadena…only cooler!
Hugs my friend.