From Dumbledore, the Hogwarts Express, and other Potter-themed things.

Since us typical Germans had already planned our vacation in advance, today we had our first hike (on Scottish soil!!!) on the agenda!

The goal was the Glenfinnan Viaduct, about 4 km away on a beautiful footpath through the countryside (thanks to walkhighlands.com). We're starting small... the Grande Boucle doesn't start with a mountain time trial to Alpe D'Huez! After a satisfying camping breakfast, we set off right away to start our hike (or so we thought) BEFORE the hordes of Asian grasshoppers in busloads (and no, this is not a prejudice, but a painful experience). Like I said... so we thought! And apparently the Asians, or rather the bus driver, too! All the parking lots were already full and closed at 10 am. Luckily, we managed to get a spot. Someone was clearly smarter than us and arrived before us, just to leave the crowded parking lot laughing!

Without a schedule, we started hiking and once again had the luck that at the same moment we arrived at the viaduct, the Jacobite Steam Train was chugging through the valley.

Most of us and you probably know this train as the "Hogwarts Express" from the Harry Potter movies! Slowly, steaming and loudly honking, it went over the viaduct so that even the slowest tourist with a camera could take a picture! It was impressive!

After that, we climbed up the mountain, which Ida enjoyed a lot and completely refused any help from us. We were deeply impressed by the little hiking mouse and her strength and endurance in her little legs. And we were worried before the trip that she wouldn't be interested in hiking at all... Let's hope she keeps her wanderlust.

After a brief, but intense moment of panic, namely two fighter jets of the Royal Air Force, which apparently use the Glenfinnan Valley for their low-altitude training flights, we all needed a break! Unbelievable how loud those things are. For the next few meters, Ida tried to hex something into the jets' engines, just in case they would come back (oh yeah, I haven't mentioned it yet: when Bibi and Tina aren't hiking with us, Ida slips into the role of the little witch). Even though it was ear-splittingly loud, we have to admit that the British (compared to other industrialized countries) at least have two functioning fighter jets in their ranks........

In the end, our little one was exhausted and we had to carry her in the backpack! It's a great piece of equipment. I have to mention that here. And without any advertising for the manufacturer, of course! Deuter didn't pay enough to be mentioned by name here! Back in the car, it didn't take five minutes and the button eyes in the backseat were closed.

This had the advantage that Lena could really shout 'Stop' every few feet (as she already mentioned the day before)! Because here in the area, not only was the journey with the Hogwarts Express filmed. Many scenes from the last parts of the wizarding story were also shot in the Highlands. Among other things, the island with Professor Dumbledore's grave and the Elder Wand is very close to our campsite. We are nerds...

In fact, the weather also seems like magic to us. We woke up with cool 12 degrees, overcast skies, and a forecast of heavy rain. But we hiked in great sunshine, 20 degrees, and strong winds. No sign of rain at all! Which reminds us again that here one apparently shouldn't pay (much) attention to the forecasts! No problem for us... in Frankfurt, the weather announcements never work either! After a delicious portion of fish & chips at 'The Mission Café' in Mallaig, which was highly recommended by our camping neighbors, we strolled along the harbor for a while! That's when we changed our carefully planned vacation and moved our ferry to the Isle of Skye from Wednesday to Friday due to the weather (and we were lucky once again. An airline wouldn't have rebooked the trip so easily without a flex ticket). For tomorrow and Thursday, a storm with wind force 9 is announced here. Some of the caravan campers seem to be leaving and told us that it could get a bit uncomfortable! We're curious and waiting to see what happens... maybe! We'll see.

We then spent the rest of the afternoon on a very nice, small sandy beach, collecting seashells, and taking Kneipp foot baths in the Atlantic! No one could have convinced us to go any further into the water. So now we're listening (because we're finally 'live') to the roaring waves and enjoying the sunset.

Good night, everyone!