Arriving on the shores of Loch Leven

It is a new start for me. I have now arrived in Scotland, where i am working for a hotel on Loch Leven. I plan to stay here for the summer, whilst i save some more money for my next adventure, whatever that shall be. I am really looking forward to getting to know this part of the world better. 

The hotel i am working at is crazy, crazy busy. Which is a good and bad thing. Its good that i will be able to  earn and save loads of money, but it is bad for traveling and blogging side of me. I am working split shifts, so i am going to be relying on my days off for getting around. I have gotten so lazy recently with my ridiculously easy job in Chamonix and then just 3 hours a day of study in Lyon. 

There is an old bike in an out house of the hotel, that i am hoping i can get fixed up, then i will be able to go on amazing bike rides along the lochs. Despite the hills this part of the world is perfect for cycling, because loads of the roads are reasonably flat and run along side the lochs and valleys. I am wondering if i can make it all the way to Fort William and back in a day. Its been awhile since i have done any cycling, so we'll see. 

Anyway here are some photos i took on my first day. 

Future Plans - Scotland

So the time has nearly come for me to pack away my French books and head somewhere new. Its been a fun two months in Lyon learning French, but city living has left my bank account nearly empty. 

I've applied for some 'live-in' hotel work and was lucky enough to land a job quite quickly. The job i landed first was in Scotland, close to Fort William. I love Scotland, especially the highlands, so i instantly accepted the job. I have only been to Fort William once, a couple of years ago, when i climbed Ben Nevis. I did not really get see much more than Ben Nevis and the town, so i am looking forward a summer of being able to explore more of Western Scotland.

The only downside to me working in Scotland is i am unlikely to see a good summer. I missed out on summer last year, because the jet stream lost its way over the British Isles, i then headed to a ski resort for the winter, and spring has still yet to appear over France (jet stream again). It was only after i accepted the job that i realised i won't see a proper summer again until at least 2014, when i intend to chase the sun to wherever it may be hiding.

I have purchased a book on Amazon, that should be waiting for me when i visit my English home on the way to my new job. I am hoping it will be able to teach me how to use my new camera and take better photos. I really can't think of anywhere better, to try to teach yourself photography than the Scottish Highlands. So from next week, this blog should get chocked full of photos of mountains and lochs, and i can't wait.