Wick (Double Diamonds): Week 3, 18 May

What a busy week that was! First, the bus to Inverness, and then the train to Stirling, where we stayed overnight before taking the train to York. There we found the luggage pickup at its appointed place – a man with a sturdy bicycle with a trailer attached. This is a free service offered by the hotel so you can stretch our legs and walk there unencumbered. Our rooms were ready when we arrived and we settled in as best we could until our suitcases were delivered. Being a ‘boutique hotel’, there were many arty touches – for instance, the kettle, coffee machine, cups, etc. were ‘housed’ in a large dolls’ house. The machines were in the ‘house’ and the cups and coffee in the ‘attic’. Additionally, on the floor below there was a ‘pantry’ stocked with sweets, crisps, fizzy drinks, and cakes – all free to guests. The Dollhouse The tour officially started for us with a reception for ‘newbies’ in the Guildhall. The other participants came along about half an hour later. Generally, the…