On leaving Nairn I set the GPS to Points of Interest/Attractions/All Attractions and found myself at John Dewar & Sons Distillery. More importantly I found my first paddock of Highland Cows (locally addressed as Hielan’ Coos).
The roads are narrow and largely devoid of verges. Where there is a verge it is generally above the level of the road, almost as if the road has sunk into the scenery through centuries of wear. In the land where Mr MacAdam invented the now ubiquitous tarmac, it’s spread is very sparing.
There was a lovely manor house nestled in the trees down a private driveway alongside the distillery. An elderly lady walking down the driveway was also showing interest in the cows. I introduced myself so as not to unnerve her and mentioned my interest in Highland Cows. “Where are you from?” She had a very cultured accent and wore woollen Black Watch tartan trousers of excellent quality. I like to think that she was a Lady or even a Countess. She told me she often walked down to talk to the cows. “Where are you from?” I noted that although it was a relatively warmish day the cows liked standing in the puddle. They are very slow moving beasts, gentle and lumbering with the typical bovine curiousity that in this breed only seems to evidence itself in a lazy turn of the head. Activity is limited. ”Where are you from?”
She mentioned that John Dewar & Sons was closed down but given her memory span “Where are you from?” it could have been for the weekend, the holidays or for ever.
These buildings are typical of Scotland. The whitewashed and the stone. I seek out the date of construction which is normally carved somewhere into the building- proving that most buildings here pre-date European occupation of New Zealand.
UK National Health System “Research” Findings
16 JulAfter a delightful evening last night with some Canadian, UK and Australian Colleagues at dinner in Bristol I suffered an unexpected allergic reaction to mussels.
I was swiftly transported to the Bristol Royal Infirmary by taxi by my colleagues and seen to immediately at A&E. Because of the threat to my breathing, I was triaged through straight away.
I was incredibly impressed with the professionalism, friendliness, care and concern of all staff I came in contact with. I was immediately hooked up to monitors, bloods taken, canula inserted.
An amusing moment also when I noted that the ubiquitously unflattering hospital gown was adorned with a lovely word design which on closer inspection was revealed to be “for hospital use only”. As if anyone would flog them!
Being esconced in A&E for 4 hours observation after being administered steroids and antihistamine I had plenty of opportunity to observe the goings on.
Cleaning was carried on unobtrusively and carefully, staff washed their hands and donned and changed gloves regularly, the nurses were pleasant and reassuring, the doctors were also excellent asking lots of questions and explaining everything. They took every pre-caution to the point of being reluctant to release me.
The Brits can be proud of their health system – long may it continue! Thank you BRI.