Traveling abroad attracts me to doing various things. One of them is walking, which I like because I am able to enjoy natural landscape. I like the outdoors.

I always want to be one with nature in different countries in the world.

     Walking is a primitive way of moving from one place another. I can encounter unknown world through walking. Nothing is more pleasant than finding something new.

One day in the late afternoon during the study abroad in Scotland, in the Isle of Arran, I took an opportunity of free time to go out for a walk from the youth hostel.

It was a walking route on the main circular road from Lochranza to Catacol in the northern part of Isle. The road runs along the coastline.

     I could see the rock coastline full of variety, and various types of rock on the hillside. The houses were dotted along the road, and anyone wants to live in those nice houses. It is fun to walk imaging various things in the mind.

There were few cars running, and it was fun to walk in the middle of the road.

     On the sea, seagulls jumped into the sea to catch fish and they were in the sea for a while. It is incredible to catch fish in the sea which moves very fast.

     Everything around me was very quite and calm. I found a unfamiliar bird different from seagulls on the small rock off the coast. When it flew, it had a rather long wings. It touched down on another rack. I realized it was a golden eagle. I had no idea that golden eagles come to sea.

     I was approaching the village of Catacol, which features a series of twelve cottages. Each cottage has its different unique windows. It is said that a fisherman could recognized the sign in his different window’s light.

     There is a pay phone even in the small village. In Japan, the spread of the cellular phone has reduced the pay phone, and there is no pay phone in the small Japanese village. British telephone company is kind to people who don’t have a cellular phone.

     Walking makes me think from one thing to another. I always walk while thinking something, looking at the scenery.

     It was two hours walk there and back. Walking gives me good chances to think something and watch and feel the working of nature.   -  Akira
 
 
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Glanashdale Waterfalls
Just when I thought I saw everything our journey just keeps getting better!

Linda dropped us off to the starting point of the trail that would take us to Glenashdale Falls.  She had said she was going to set this one out but the trail was about 1 mile round trip and mostly flat. BOY were we in for a treat.

The trail was a 1 ½ miles to it, and as we got farther into the trail it continued to get tougher. I’m sure this particular trail is a piece a cake for the locals, but for me it was a challenge since I’m not used to climbing up hill very much. When we arrived it was very rewarding seeing the massive Glanashdale Waterfalls.

I have never seen a large waterfall like this in real life so it was quite an experience. I even got to stand on the rocks right by it. I’m usually terrified of heights, but today it was all or nothing, because I may only get one opportunity to see this falls. This has probably been one of my favorite places we’ve visited so far. There still a ton of stuff to cover on our trip, but time is flying by fast!

~ Jody

 
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 It was such a gorgeous day in Arran with temperatures of about 65 degrees. The sun was bright with blue skies and big white fluffy clouds. I keep forgetting that’s its still August with these cool temperatures.

We toured the huge Brodick Castle. It is neat how they decorate it like it would have been back when it was used. I was really disappointed that we couldn’t take pictures inside though.

However, we were allowed to take pictures in the castle’s beautiful gardens.  They really showcased how unique the Isle of Arran really is. The island’s weather and temperatures are susceptible for growing tropical plants such as palm trees as well as colder climate plants like evergreens. I know I didn’t make it through the whole garden, but all I can say is this garden is like no other.

If you ever come to Isle of Arran, Brodick Castle should be on your touring list!
   ~Jody