There was something in the air tonight...

Monday 29th August - 2022

I honestly thought that l have seen most things in entertainment up until l had the pleasure to attend the new ABBA Voyage concert at their specially built ABBA Arena in Pudding Mill Lane (don’t you just love that name) in the vibrant east end of London, only a stone's throw from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Stadium.

Little did l realise that 10-years ago when l attended the 2012 Summer Olympic Games here in London that Pudding Mill Lane is only one train station away from Stratford on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) network.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think that l would ever return to this particular part of London. Just before arriving into Pudding Mill Lane train station as l was looking out of the train window there right before my very eyes was the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Stadium with the signage on the stadium 'West Ham United'. More of that coincidence later.

(Above) Some local ladies, outside the ABBA Arena, all dressed up for the ABBA Voyage performance tonight. Ready to go ballistic singing & dancing when 'Give me, give me, a man after midnight' comes on.

Many of you are to young or too old to remember way back to Eurovision 1974 when this new group ABBA burst onto the world scene when they won Eurovision ‘74 the same year that I was accepted as a Qantas ‘Trolly-Dolly’ only a mere 48-years ago.

Who ever would have thought that 48-years later l would still be bopping along to their wonderful music all these years later. Well l am here to tell each & every one of you, yes! l was doing just that yesterday afternoon, maybe not in the Mosh Pit but definitely in the aisles of this purpose-built ABBA Arena stadium.

(Above) At the West Ham Stadium as a side attraction, they are operating The Slide at the ArcelorMittal Orbit (that's it on the left) the world's tallest and longest tunnel slide.

This futuristic venue where digital avatars of the stars perform has 160 cameras scanning their movements & expressions. They appear (Agnatha, Frida, Benny & Bjorn) on a huge 65-million pixel screen.

During the Concert, l had to keep pinching myself 'that this is not real' this show is only one step away from Star Trek. The holograms, music sound quality, laser lighting, & everything else that went along with this performance actually blew my mind.

In one of my photos (see photo below) you can actually see the screen behind me, however that is only part of the screen, they created a sort of a wrap around screen that was shown half way around the arena like half an iMax screen, very hard to describe, however brilliantly done.

(Above) Me, inside the purpose-built ABBA Arena and my wonderful vantage point of the stage and the performance.

This bespoke Arena only holds 3,000 people, 1,650 seats & 1,350 standing. The show went for 90-minutes without an interval.

They performed some of my favourite songs including Waterloo, Dancing Queen, & Mamma Mia as well as their new ABBA Voyage songs like ‘l still have faith in you’ & ‘Don’t shut me down’.

(Above) The holograms, music sound quality, laser lighting, & everything else that went along with this performance actually blew my mind.

The Arena erupted in song & dance when they sang 'Give me, Give me, Give me a man after midnight' the ladies in the audience went ballistic dancing and singing to their hearts content. I have no idea why, do you?

During the 90-minutes performance you could here the whole audience including the 'Old Squire' singing along to the songs, it was absolutely sensational, to be quite honest with you.

All the original members of ABBA are now aged in their seventies, Frida (75), Agnatha (71), Bjorn (76), Benny (74). ABBA the group performed together from 1969 -1981. I will let you all into a little secret of mine, not only can they sing especially the two ladies in the group, Agnatha & Frida they are also good sorts.

(Above) The Pudding Mill Lane Station - don't you just love that name.

As a more humble spritely young man back in the '70s I was completely infatuated with Frida (Red head) she could have placed her slippers under my four-posted double bed at any time.

Finishing off now on yesterday’s concert l need to tell you the last two songs that they performed, second last song 'Dancing Queen' (see bright pinky coloured photo) even though there was no photography allowed, last but not least one of my favourite ABBA songs 'Winner takes it all'.

All l can say is. “Thank you for the Music”.

(Above) Though the Swedish pop band has not played London since 1979, holographic “Abbatars” of the band, modeled in their likeness from that year, are currently filling up a custom-built arena for a 90-minute concert of their greatest hits. A combination of motion-captured performance, animated sequences and a live 10-person band make up the spectacle, which makes a floor-thumping case for the music’s continued relevance.

Now getting back to the West Ham United Stadium (Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Stadium).

I am a staunch West Ham United EPL (English Premier League) supporter, as a matter of fact l was hoping to see one of their games on this trip at their new home ground (Queen Elizabeth Stadium). Unfortunately it did not happen due to other commitments, I even brought all my supporters gear with me like, footie jumper, scarf & hat so that l would fit into the scene & feel at home.

The footie season is only just getting under way here in the UK so l did not have too many options with dates, etc.

Ten years ago when I was visiting London for the 2012 Olympics a friend of mine took me to one of West Ham's home games at their old Boleyn home ground in Upton Park, East London that they had occupied for 112-years. They vacated that ground in 2016, because that property was redeveloped into a housing estate & then they moved into the 'Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Stadium' (see photos).

If you ever get the opportunity to go to any EPL Soccer match here in the UK just do it, the atmosphere is electric, ever since that memorable day 10-years ago l have been a loyal fan of West Ham just like I am a loyal fan of the 'Cronulla Sharks' NRL team back in Australia.

Seeing that I was so close to the West Ham United home ground I decided to take a casual 1km walk after the ABBA concert to check it out (see photo). Not only that it was like a walk down memory lane going over my footsteps when I was here 10-years ago attending the London Olympics.

Walking around this East End of London as they call it now, it has turned out to be a very vibrant part of the old Canary Wharf area that used to be the pits.

In 10-hours from now l will be in the waiting room at LHR airport waiting to board my Qantas A380 aircraft for the 24-hour flight back home to Australia. Undoubtedly l will feel a tinge of sadness because this will probably be my last visit to the 'Old Dart'.

As l have previously mentioned in my stories, that I first arrived here in England on the 6th July 1971, (51-years ago) at Liverpool on the day that Louis Armstrong passed away. I landed with Pam, my girlfriend, in our VW-Camper Van. We had sailed from Montreal, Canada with our van as hand luggage on the ship to start the European part of our round-the-world trip in our camper.

That my friends is all she wrote. I need to get myself packed because as you all know a Qantas aircraft does not wait for anyone. Speak to you all again from Sydney.

Warmest regards,

Warbo

Finding Bob Roberts

Thursday 25th August - 2022

I've had some amazing reactions to my story on my chance meeting with travelling Aussie, Bob Roberts, who is road-touring the UK in his imported 1926 Rolls Royce on his camping holiday.

The first reaction I received was from John DeBrincat, my International shipper who has helped me import a few cars from the US. 

John said: "Very interesting, I packed and shipped Bob’s car for him to the UK". John sent me a great photo of Bob's 1926 Rolls snuggly packed inside this trans-oceanic container, ready to sail from Australia to the UK.

(Above) Bob's 1926 Rolls snuggly packed inside this trans-oceanic container, ready to sail from Australia to the UK.
Photo: John DeBrincat 

Then I received this e-mail from my good friend Ron Cox in the Model A Ford Club in Sydney:

Good morning Ken,
You must have met our friend in Scotland because David and I both know Bob Roberts well in his 20hp RR, the poor bloke used to own a very nice Model A Ford but traded in on the RR, too bad. (See, I told you so!) I will see you when you get back to the land of Paradise, that’s Australia by the way.
Regards,
Ron

(Above) My fellow bus passengers brought to my attention Bob's car & trailer parked on an Edinburgh city street.

Then, this week during our Edinburgh City tour aboard our C·I·E Coach, guess what we stumbled across somewhere on the city streets. None other than Bob Robert’s 1926 Rolls Royce & trailer parked in the Edinburgh city center.

Actually all of my eagle-eyed fellow bus travelers spotted Bob's car first and they quickly remembered I told them Bob's unique story over the bus's PA system.

Can you actually believe all these coincidences - the chances are one in millions.

Warbo

Leaving Scotland, or it may stay with me forever...

Wednesday 24th August - 2022

Spoiler Alert: Folks this is my photo from last night, sitting in the bleachers along the Esplanade, waiting for the start of the 2022 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at the Edinburgh Castle. 

What an exquisite setting. As you can see it was an absolute glorious evening for it here in Scotland.

It's now the day after and my C·I·E 12-day Highlands & Glens Tour of Scotland has come to a sad end this morning. I'm about to board my bus for my 10-hour journey back to Milton Keynes, just outside of London.

And in 4-days time I'll be boarding my Qantas flight for my trip back home to Sydney.

Because our tour has gone at such a hectic pace, I haven't had time to sit down and write about the last few days. Hopefully when my brain unscrambles in the next few days, I can put pen to paper.

And I figured out there's a reason why a unicorn is the symbol of Scotland - it's a land of pure magic. There's still plenty of good stories and photos I want to share. Please bear with me.

Warbo

Day 9: A tour side-story from Culloden Battlefield

Sunday August 21st - 2022

Have I got a wonderful Day 9, side-story for all my motor vehicle enthusiast friends, plus any one else that wants to listen. As you all know by now l am holidaying over here for 3-months in England & Scotland during the Summer of ‘22.

Unfortunately my sensational holiday is quickly drawing to a close, right now l am in Scotland on Day 9 of this fabulous 12-day Scottish Isles & Glen trip. l want to tell you all about this Australian gentleman that l met yesterday parked in the car park of this very historic Culloden Battlefield near Inverness, the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands.

Most of you probably have no idea what happened here on the 16th April, 1746. The Battle of Culloden was fought on this moor that bought to and end the Clan system in Scotland.

(Above) Bob Roberts from Muswellbrook in NSW and his Australian registered 1926 Rolls Royce which is fitted with NSW historic plates (73686 H).

I will not go into all those historic & horrific details in this story, however I will let you know about this unbelievable meeting l had with an Aussie car tragic like myself by pure chance in the car park while visiting here yesterday, so here we go, you will not believe it.

Driving into the coach parking area, l noticed this vintage car parked towards the rear of the car park, & thought to myself l must walk over there & check it out, this will definitely worth a photo or two.

First things first, l am here to learn about the conflict that led to the end of the clan system in Scotland.

In this area the most ferocious hand to hand fighting took place at the height of the battle. Historians believe that around 700 Jacobite soldiers were killed or wounded here in just a few minutes of fighting. The Jacobites charge had broken the government front line but they were then forced back with catastrophic consequences.

(Above) As l got closer to the trailer, I noticed there was a boxing kangaroo, an Australian National flag & the word 'Australia' written on the side of the trailer.

Back to my story, our tour guide told us that we had approximately 1-hour at this memorial to explore out on the battlefield, check it out, then come back to the Museum complex. By the time l had walked out to the battlefield & returned l was left with only a half hour up my sleeve before it was time to jump back onto the coach for our departure.

I had to decide there and then what my priority was, either explore the Museum or walk over to where this vintage vehicle was parked right at the rear of this huge car park. Of course you know what l decided to do, don’t you. I had absolutely no idea of the surprise l was about to walk into.

Thankfully the vintage vehicle was still there, as l approached the vehicle l noticed this middle aged man hop into the driver's seat & I thought, ‘how lucky am l’ as he was about to leave.

(Above) Bob's touring vintage 1926 Rolls Royce

As I drew closer to the vehicle, I noticed that it was a vintage Rolls Royce, l had no idea what year model it was, then l noticed that it had a trailer hooked up to it. The closer l got to the trailer, I could quickly distinguish some familiar logos. There was a boxing kangaroo, an Australian National flag & the word 'Australia' written on the side of the trailer. (see photo).

I introduced myself to this bloke behind the wheel & immediately we struck up this unbelievable conversation.

He wanted to know what l was doing here in Scotland and more importantly l wanted to know what he was doing here in the UK with his vintage RR & trailer. Here is the story.

This gentleman’s name is Bob Roberts from Muswellbrook in NSW, which is a country town about a 3-hour drive north from where I live in Sydney. l started asking him all these question like what model of Roller is this & I sort of recognised the box trailer for some unknown reason.

(Above) Bob with his vintage 1926 Rolls Royce and trailer on a camping tour across the United Kingdom.

Bob told me that his vintage vehicle is a 1926 Rolls Royce with a 20hp engine that just happens to be the smallest engine that RR made for this model.

He told me that he is a real estate property valuer. I then said to him what on earth are you doing here? Rob told me that he is 69-years-old & if I don’t do this trip now l will never be able to do it in the future because l will be too old. I asked him who are you traveling with? I am travelling on my own, I have left the cheese & kisses at home & here l am having the time of my life. He shipped the vehicle & trailer over here from Australia to drive it all around Ireland & the UK.

Then l asked him why are you towing the box trailer? his answer completely blew me away. Bob said l have my swag & tent & camping gear in there, l am sleeping under the stars. He then said, do you know how expensive the hotels are over here, not only that he said even the B&Bs are completely over the top.

(Above) Check out the trailer's spoked wheels, they are definitely Model A Ford rims

During our conversation l mentioned that I am a Model A Ford tragic & his eyes lit up. He told me that one of the worst decisions he had ever made in his life was the day he sold his Model A Ford to purchase this 1926 RR. He said that the Model A Ford was a much better car than this Roller.

Once he discovered that l was a Model A Ford man, he said have a closer look at the trailer, you wouldn’t believe it, he made the trailer up using Model A Ford parts. Check out the spoked wheels, they are definitely Model A Ford rims, l would guess ‘28 or ‘29 rims with small wheel caps if l am not wrong.

Bob also mentioned that when he was driving around Ireland near Cork, he had the misfortune of having five punctures in one day, yes five punctures in one day. Bob said that was a challenge, indeed.

(Above) Culloden Battlefield Trail map.

I asked him why did he have his vehicle & trailer sort of hidden right up the back of the car park away from everything (see photo) with Bob standing in front of his RR. He told me that the authorities of the Museum told him that he had to move it away from the entrance because it was creating too much attention away from the Museum & Battlefield, so he had to hide it away from the punters, can you believe that?

I was quickly running out of time because l had a deadline to meet to join my tour group back on the Coach in less than 5-minutes. l would loved to have spent another few hours with him to listen to his stories, experiences, & adventures of him driving around Ireland & the UK.

I asked him where he was off to next, he told me that he was on his way back down to London via Edinburgh. He wanted to see the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo tomorrow night.

Then came the big question from me, are you going to ship your vintage RR & trailer back to Sydney when you have finished here in the UK. Hell no, he said, I am on my way back down to London because l am going to one of the Classic Vehicle Auction Houses (Sotheby’s) l think he said to offload them. I asked him if he was going to sell both of them together. No, he told me they are worth more money sold individually.

By now l had to leave Bob & his Vintage 1926 RR and trailer in the grass car park & run back to our coach because l knew they would be waiting for me. On the way back into Inverness in our coach yesterday afternoon l asked our tour guide John if I could tell our group of 30 travelling companions the experience that I had just had back in the car park. He handed the PA microphone to me & away I went. 

Our group mainly consists or Americans, Canadians & three of us Aussies. Of course the North Americans could hardly believe my story & were completely flabbergasted with what l told them.

Right now l am sitting in my room here in Edinburgh, reporting live to you all from my hotel which is the Apex Grassmarket Hotel, with a commanding view of Edinburgh Castle directly across the street.

Next up: the 2022 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Warmest regards

Warbo

Day 6: Highland scenery & ferry to the Orkney Islands

Thursday 18th August - 2022

Day 6: Today, from the whitewashed Ullapool, we drove the far remote Northwest coast of the Scottish mainland - doing the North Coast 500. Taking in the incredible rugged coast and scenery on roads that were no wider than our coach at many stages.

What is the North Coast 500? The North Coast 500 (NC500) is named this way because it is around 500 miles long. In fact, it is an 830-kilometre (516-mile) long scenic route. This complete circuit winds its way along the coastline of the north Highlands.

It was launched and branded as the 'Scottish Route 66' in 2015 and has grown in popularity since. The route is dotted with historic sights, charming fishing villages, and whisky distilleries.

(Above) Travelling along the North Coast 500 - you can expect these kind of sights almost around every corner.

You can also expect an impressive natural backdrop to it all. The entire route is dotted with gold sand beaches awash with turquoise waters, heather-covered hills, and rocky cliffs with sweeping sea views.

Today, we traveled a distance of only 160 miles or 257 kms, actual driving time 5 1/2 hours which works out to be approximately 30 mph or 48 kms per hour, not too shabby under the conditions.

(Above) Gary concentrating behind the wheel of our brand new C·I·E coach that has only covered 22,000 miles or 35,500 kms almost brand new, hardly run in.

We rotate all the passenger seats every day on the coach and today it was my first opportunity to be up the front with the driver and what a day to snag the best seat in the house.

(Above) The 'North Coast 500' road is unique, as you can see by the way the motorcyclists are waiting for us in the passing bay.

The scenery on today’s North Coast 500 road (A838) was breathtaking, spectacular, rugged, expansive, exquisite, inspiring, awesome, challenging, all of the above plus some.

(Above) Arriving in the seaside coastal town of Durness

(Above) The coastal town of Durness has a strong connection to singer, songwriter and Beatles member, John Lennon. He spent his boyhood seaside holidays there. It is said that he wrote the song 'In My Life' about his early memories in Durness.

Earlier on in the morning the weather was very overcast, later on around midday the sun came out from behind the clouds & we enjoyed glorious weather for the rest of the journey right up until we arrived here at the Orkney Islands this evening.

(Above) A local family in the old style general store, once they knew l was an Aussie wanted to know if l wanted to go surfing with them at there local beach at Thurso where they regularly surf.

(Above) Some sections of the road are only as wide as out tour bus. Our driver Gary has to concentrate every inch of the way.

(Above) Our ferry, the MV Alfred, awaits us at the Gills Bay Ferry Terminal to transport our C·I·E Tour Group motorcoach to the Orkney Islands.

(Above) Our ferry, the MV Alfred, awaits us at the Gills Bay Ferry Terminal to transport our C·I·E Tour Group motorcoach to the Orkney Islands.

Ready for our 10km journey across the Pentland Firth from Gills Bay in Caithness on the northern tip of Great Britain to St Margaret’s Hope in South Ronaldsay, Orkney.

(Above) Our C·I·E Tour Group motorcoach onboard the Pentland ferry MV Alfred and headed for the Orkney Islands off the northern tip of the Scottish mainland.

It was a 1-hour ferry trip on enclosed waters of the Pentland Firth from Gills Bay to St Margaret’s Hope in South Ronaldsay, Orkney.

We spend two local nights at the Kirkwall Ayre Hotel on Orkney and we get a chance to explore around the main island tomorrow.

Warbo

Day 5: Inverewe Gardens and Ullapool

Wednesday 17th August - 2022

Day 5: Our fifth day on the road for us today. We are still in the western highlands of Scotland. Continuing our journey to northern Scotland, we departed our hotel, the Balmacara Hotel in Kyle this morning.

(Above) Coach outside Balmacara Hotel in Kyle before we hit the road this morning.

(Above) Looking towards the Isle of Skye from the restaurant while enjoying breakfast.

(Above) John (our Guide, the big fella on the right) & Gary our C·I·E Tour Group motorcoach driver loading all the punters suitcases onto the coach while we enjoyed breakfast inside the hotel.

(Above) What a gorgeous Scottish morning. Our coach preparing to leave the Balmacara Hotel in Kyle with the Isle of Skye visible across Loch Alsh in the background.

We made a stop into the Inverewe Gardens. A lochside garden amid a barren wilderness on the Atlantic coast in the North West Highlands.

This impressive garden was designed & built by Osgood Mackenzie, some of the mature specimen trees of pine, beech, eucalyptus and abies date back to garden founder Osgood Mackenzie's original 19th century plantings.

(Above) Inverewe Gardens. Rare species thrive in this heritage garden as the effects of the Gulf Stream meet the Highlands.

(Above) A layout map of the huge Inverewe Garden.

(Above) The wonderful name tag tree where l discovered the P. Warburton name tag.

(Above) Guess what l discovered hanging on the welcome tree as l entered the gardens? A tag with the name Mr. P. Warburton, my first cousin's name was Peter he has gone to heaven & l know that he never visited these gardens when he was alive.

(Above) Some of the garden flowers (yellow flowers in garden bed).

(Above) When I was sitting in the gardens having my lunch today this beautiful Red breasted Robin decided to join me & ate all my crumbs. He was so beautiful, he stayed with me within less than a metre, so tame.

(Above) The National Trust for Scotland plate. The garden and estate has been the property of the National Trust for Scotland since it was given to the Trust along with a generous endowment for its future upkeep by the founder's daughter Mairi Sawyer in 1952

The reason why these Inverewe Gardens survives is because here in this area it is a Micro Climate from the Gulf Stream with perfectly good air quality. Truly a natural wonder, because nothing needs to be nurtured especially in these very harsh conditions in the Scottish Highlands.

(Above) Our C·I·E Tour Group motorcoach at one of our many pit stops along the way.

(Above) Me watching on as they prepare the dog's life jacket before venturing out onto the freezing cold water of the Loch. Hope that you are all noticing the Blue Sky.

(Above) A dog going for a ride on a ski at one of our pit stops beside a Loch.

Our fifth day's journey will end at the Caledonian Hotel in the tiny port town of Ullapool this evening.

(Above) Our accommodation in the tiny port town of Ullapool for tonight, Night 5. The Caledonian Hotel.

(Above) Moored in Ullapool harbour, the 700-passenger cruise ship Azamara Quest. Ullapool has several cruise ships a week calling in here to western Scotland. Azamara Cruise lines is based in Miami, Florida and operates four cruise ship on worldwide itineraries.

The ferry terminal at Ullapool harbour runs a daily service to the Isle of Lewis. Routes south of Ullapool pass through Gairloch and Poolewe to Kyle of Lochalsh and the bridge to Skye. Ullapool is also the main terminus for the ferry to Stornoway.

That's it for Day 5 of 12 on the Scottish Highlands road.

Warbo

Day 4: Isle of Skye, Dunvegan Castle & Portree

Tuesday 16th August - 2022

Day 4: Our fourth day on the road we left the Scottish mainland at the Skye Crossing and headed across Loch Alsh to the Isle of Skye, where we had a tour of the remote Dunvegan Castle and then stopped for lunch in the island's largest settlement at Portree.

The Isle of Skye is the largest island of the Inner Hebrides group of islands, you access it by crossing the Skye Bridge or Skye Crossing from the Scottish mainland at Kyle of Lochalsh.

(Above) We stopped for lunch at the picturesque village of Portree, the biggest town on the island, where all the house are painted in bright colours.

Portree was chosen as one of the "20 most beautiful villages in the UK and Ireland" by Condé Nast Traveler, and is visited by many tourists each year.

(Above) On the Isle of Skye, we visited the Dunvegan Castle & Gardens which is remotely located 1-mile (1.6 km) to the north of Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye, off the west coast of Scotland. It's present architectural form dates back to about 1840.

Dunvegan Castle is the oldest continuously inhabited Castle in Scotland. The castle is built on an elevated rock overlooking an inlet on the eastern shore of Loch Dunvegan, a sea loch.

(Above) A lone piper plays along the clifftops high above the Sea of the Hebrides on the Isle of Skye.

 

(Above) The McCleods Clan have occupied this Castle continually for 800-years.

Clan MacLeod ruled the wild, mountainous and very beautiful islands in the north western edge of Scotland - Skye, Lewis, Harris and Raasay. The clan descend from seafaring Norse Kings and its rich clan history stretches back over 800 years.

Check out this impressive family crest (Above) consisting of bull's head cabossed sable, horned Or, between two flags gules, staved at the first.

(Above) A waterfall flowing off the rugged cliffs into the open ocean on the Atlantic side of the Isle of Skye.

(Above) Our fearless C·I·E Tour Group Guide, John, pouring shots of 'Isle of Skye Liqueur' Drambuie on the bus.

(Above) The potent Scottish bus medicine

(Above) Flora Macdonald grave site on the Isle of Skye.

Flora MacDonald was a member of Clan Macdonald of Sleat, best known for helping Charles Edward Stuart evade government troops after the Battle of Culloden in April 1746. Her family generally backed the government during the 1745 Rising and MacDonald later claimed to have assisted Charles out of sympathy for his situation.

Arrested and held in the Tower of London, she was released under a general amnesty in June 1747. She later married Allan MacDonald and the couple emigrated to North Carolina in 1773.

Their support for the British government during the American War of Independence meant the loss of their American estates and they returned to Scotland, where she died in 1790.