<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/brodie-castlemar15.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-2530" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/brodie-castlemar15-200x150.jpg" alt="brodie-castle(mar15)" width="200" height="150" /></a>For the first time since Jane's diagnosis we managed to get away for a break. We took the train to Scotland to stay with our good friends Tony &amp; Jude. They are such excellent hosts that we felt at home immediately and able to relax completely.

We've been before but there are certain places that are must see, such as <a title="Brodie Castle" href="http://www.nts.org.uk/property/brodie-castle/" target="_blank">Brodie Castle</a>. It typifies Scottish architecture and is just so majestic - the conical towers are stuff of fairy tales.

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/goldfinchesmar15.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-2537" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/goldfinchesmar15-200x150.jpg" alt="goldfinches(mar15)" width="200" height="150" /></a>After breakfast whilst washing up we had the delights of the local bird life with coal tits, goldfinches and a myriad of sparrows. It was great to just stand and watch them feeding to their heart's content.

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<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/skye-bridgemar15.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-2536" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/skye-bridgemar15-200x150.jpg" alt="skye-bridge(mar15)" width="200" height="150" /></a>We took a day out to visit Skye. We had hoped to stay over night but this was not to be because the hotel had refurbishment going on and it had overrun (builders ha!). This is a beautiful country, we wound our way along the Loch Ness shoreline until we headed off for the Skye road bridge and then on to Portree where we had time for lunch in <a title="Cafe Arriba" href="http://www.cafearriba.co.uk/" target="_blank">café Arriba</a> overlooking the port before a little shopping (don't ask) and then back.

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/jane-snowploughmar15.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-2534" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/jane-snowploughmar15-150x200.jpg" alt="jane+snowplough(mar15)" width="150" height="200" /></a>Another first was a visit to <a title="Aviemore" href="http://www.visitaviemore.com/" target="_blank">Aviemore </a>- we had hoped that we could go up the funicular railway to the top but unfortunately it was so windy they had closed the railway.

An indication of the kind of weather they get is the size of the snowploughs. Jane is dwarfed by this machine but she stands out well in her little red-riding hood get-up. It was shortly after this photo that she was bending down to take a picture and the wind blew her over - it was seriously windy.

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/steve-snowmar15.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-2533" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/steve-snowmar15-150x200.jpg" alt="steve-snow(mar15)" width="150" height="200" /></a>Do I look cold? The snow underfoot didn't make you feel warm and the howling wind cut straight through you.

The ski slopes still had snow on them and although there were a few people walking about with skis over their shoulder there wasn't anyone on the runs which was a bit disappointing but I couldn't blame them. I'd have been sitting in front of a lodge fire, wrapped in a warm tartan blanket and supping on drinking chocolate.

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/scot-rainbowmar15.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-2531" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/scot-rainbowmar15-150x200.jpg" alt="scot-rainbow(mar15)" width="150" height="200" /></a>We saw a number of rainbows, one over Aviemore and this one which appeared when Jane and I were out on a walk near Rafford (between Forres and Dallas). And of course with every rainbow comes rain but we were lucky as we didn't get too wet and we had the joy of watching this brilliant spectrum development on both sides of us and then slowly fade as the shower moved away. Of course a photo can never do the moment justice but take it from me it was a "moment".

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/tony-judemar15.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-2532" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/tony-judemar15-200x150.jpg" alt="tony+jude(mar15)" width="200" height="150" /></a>On the final night we went into Inverness to see a film at Eden Court (subtitled Czech about a dog that is treated badly and then gathers a pack of dogs to take their revenge - bloody and gore) followed by a superb meal at the <a title="Mustard Seed Restaurant" href="http://www.mustardseedrestaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank">Mustard Seed </a>(one of Tony &amp; Jude's favourites).

Another great night thanks to the delightful company, exciting surroundings and good memories. We shall return and do it all over again.