We were up early and out the door by 8:00. We took a taxi to Heathrow Airport where we began our long flight home.
It was a wonderful trip with many nice memories.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Day 16: London and Home
Weather: Fair
We were up early and out the door by 8:00. We took a taxi to Heathrow Airport where we began our long flight home.
It was a wonderful trip with many nice memories.
We were up early and out the door by 8:00. We took a taxi to Heathrow Airport where we began our long flight home.
It was a wonderful trip with many nice memories.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Day 15:Punting in Cambridge
Weather: Sunny and cool
We all got up early and Jay went to pick up another rental car. We drove about 30 minutes to a Park and Ride outside Cambridge, named for the original bridge in the town that crosses the River Cam.
The city is gorgeous! Cambridge University is made up of 31 colleges. All, criss-crossing the pretty river. The university is celebrating its 800 year anniversary this year.
We took a punting ride down the river with a guide who told us the history of the city and university. The sun was shining and it was a becoming a beautiful day. It was a little cool but they provided blankets to keep us warm.
We spent the day visiting the many colleges and other historic sites. One of the prettiest as King's Chapel of King's College. The stained glass windows were beautiful and covered all sides of the church.
Next it was back to Hitchen where Jay drove us around their town---seeing the first "round-about" built in England. Obviously it was successful because they are everywhere!
We had a nice dinner and then back to their flat for our last night in the UK.
Cheers!
We all got up early and Jay went to pick up another rental car. We drove about 30 minutes to a Park and Ride outside Cambridge, named for the original bridge in the town that crosses the River Cam.
The city is gorgeous! Cambridge University is made up of 31 colleges. All, criss-crossing the pretty river. The university is celebrating its 800 year anniversary this year.
We took a punting ride down the river with a guide who told us the history of the city and university. The sun was shining and it was a becoming a beautiful day. It was a little cool but they provided blankets to keep us warm.
We spent the day visiting the many colleges and other historic sites. One of the prettiest as King's Chapel of King's College. The stained glass windows were beautiful and covered all sides of the church.
Next it was back to Hitchen where Jay drove us around their town---seeing the first "round-about" built in England. Obviously it was successful because they are everywhere!
We had a nice dinner and then back to their flat for our last night in the UK.
Cheers!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Day 14: West Coast of Scotland
Weather: Fair
The day started very early---3:30am--- when the fire alarm went off again. Off we went to the evacuation spot where we stood while the police and fire department checked everything out again---maybe another smoker?? The strange thing was the sun never really goes down completely and as we were standing outside the sky was light---not completely dark! Very strange!
Back we went to our rooms and finally back to sleep. Next, we had a knock on the door. Someone had the wrong room. Needless to say, not much sleep!
We set off after packing the car. This was a challenge but we were able to get everything in and were off. We drove along the coast through some small towns stopping at a few beaches.
We decided we weren't paying to go in any more castles so we found some back roads and were able to get a good view and take some pictures.
We found another distillery and had a sip of "whiskey" and moved on.
After a relaxing day we returned our rental car at the airport. We had driven 1999 miles!
We boarded our plane (Easy Jet) and flew to Luton like a herd of cows. It was cramped and hot! No assigned seats! Jay had a cab meet us and took us to their flat where we crashed.
Cheers!
The day started very early---3:30am--- when the fire alarm went off again. Off we went to the evacuation spot where we stood while the police and fire department checked everything out again---maybe another smoker?? The strange thing was the sun never really goes down completely and as we were standing outside the sky was light---not completely dark! Very strange!
Back we went to our rooms and finally back to sleep. Next, we had a knock on the door. Someone had the wrong room. Needless to say, not much sleep!
We set off after packing the car. This was a challenge but we were able to get everything in and were off. We drove along the coast through some small towns stopping at a few beaches.
North Berwick by the sea.
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| Dirleton Castle |
We decided we weren't paying to go in any more castles so we found some back roads and were able to get a good view and take some pictures.
After a relaxing day we returned our rental car at the airport. We had driven 1999 miles!
We boarded our plane (Easy Jet) and flew to Luton like a herd of cows. It was cramped and hot! No assigned seats! Jay had a cab meet us and took us to their flat where we crashed.
Cheers!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Day 13: Edinburgh
Weather: Sunny
Today we spent the day in Edinburgh. We drove to the city, parked and took a bus tour through the city. It was very nice, clean and historic.
After the tour, we went through the Edinburgh Castle. It sits high on a hill on top of an extinct volcano. There are several different buildings built throughout the centuries.
I was most intrigued with the Prisoner of War building. I never knew Americans were taken prisoner during the Revolutionary War and taken to Scotland and housed in the castle. They were never released and died in prison.
The castle sits atop the hill at the end of the Royal Mile which is lined with shops selling everything under the sun mainly souvenirs but also some nice cafes and pubs with sidewalk seating. This was nice since the sun was shining. There were also many woolen shops selling official plaids.
We toured the city on the hop-on bus and rode down to the harbor and had a glimpse of the Royal Britannia---the Queen's ship. We continued on to the Royal Queen's Palace.
It was not open as a royal diplomat was staying there at the time.
After a nice day of touring and shopping we returned to Perth and went to dinner at Bothy's. It was a really neat pub. While eating we met some Scots who were very anxious to talk with us. Had a nice dinner and returned to the hotel where we planned to call it a night.
We were sitting in the lobby talking and the fire alarm went off so the entire hotel evacuated to the parking lot in the back of the hotel. As it turned out there was a couple smoking in their room. It is legal to smoke in some rooms but you must open a window. They did not and the alarm sounded.
I really hate to leave Scotland. It is a wonderful place with wonderful people---as was Wales.
Cheers!
Today we spent the day in Edinburgh. We drove to the city, parked and took a bus tour through the city. It was very nice, clean and historic.
After the tour, we went through the Edinburgh Castle. It sits high on a hill on top of an extinct volcano. There are several different buildings built throughout the centuries.
I was most intrigued with the Prisoner of War building. I never knew Americans were taken prisoner during the Revolutionary War and taken to Scotland and housed in the castle. They were never released and died in prison.
The castle sits atop the hill at the end of the Royal Mile which is lined with shops selling everything under the sun mainly souvenirs but also some nice cafes and pubs with sidewalk seating. This was nice since the sun was shining. There were also many woolen shops selling official plaids.
We toured the city on the hop-on bus and rode down to the harbor and had a glimpse of the Royal Britannia---the Queen's ship. We continued on to the Royal Queen's Palace.
It was not open as a royal diplomat was staying there at the time.
After a nice day of touring and shopping we returned to Perth and went to dinner at Bothy's. It was a really neat pub. While eating we met some Scots who were very anxious to talk with us. Had a nice dinner and returned to the hotel where we planned to call it a night.
We were sitting in the lobby talking and the fire alarm went off so the entire hotel evacuated to the parking lot in the back of the hotel. As it turned out there was a couple smoking in their room. It is legal to smoke in some rooms but you must open a window. They did not and the alarm sounded.
I really hate to leave Scotland. It is a wonderful place with wonderful people---as was Wales.
Cheers!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Day 12: The Distilleries
Weather: Showers
We drove to Stirling Castle this morning. It was quite a place. The castle was originally built in the 1100"s but was added onto in various stages over the years.
It was built for King Robert and was used for many uses throughout the centuries. We also saw an amazing tower/monolith that was used in the filming of Brave Heart with Mel Gibson. I will have to watch that when I get home.
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| View From castle |
We had some light showers and clouds but we managed to get through the castle before the downpour occurred.
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| The Royalty |
Here in Pitlarchy we went to two whiskey distilleries. One was Edrador, which is one of the smallest distillers in Scotland.
They produce 15 casks a year; the larger ones produce 15 casks a week. It wasn't bad but I am not a fan of Scotch.
Next we went to Bells. They are only one of several distilleries owned by a company called "Diagio". We did the tour, tasted the whiskey. Wow! What a difference! It burned all the way down.
From Pitlochy, we returned to our hotel in Perth to make plans for dinner. We had the hotel clerk call a restaurant called Duncans where you normally had to make reservations a month in advance---or so they say! But we were able to get a reservation at 9:00. We sat in the lobby/bar with several young Scots who were getting ready to go out. One girl, "Kathleen of Aberdeen", came over to talk with us. She had a "few" whiskeys and suddenly became our best friend. She won't remember us tomorrow!
We had dinner at Duncans and enjoyed it. Off to bed.
Till Tomorrow!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Day 11: St. Andrews
Weather: Fair
We met Jay and Ashley for breakfast and then headed to St. Andrews. Jay played golf at one of the courses and Sally, Ashley and I toured St. Andrews.
We shopped for a while and then walked around the old part of the city and saw the university. We walked past the castle ruins and into the ruins of the cathedral. Very impressive! We came across a stone for a Scottish golf celebrity, Tommy Morris. He is buried vertically in a grave within the old cathedral cemetery with his golf club in his hand.
We drove around the coast to a little village called Crail, went to a local potter's and bought some pottery with a thistle on it.. Later we found out they were a quite well-known potter.
We continued our drive ending up back in St. Andrews where we picked up Jay and went to the "official" St. Andrew's pro shop. We did some shopping, ate lunch and drove along the coast to the North Sea.
We stopped along the way and walked along some cliffs and a beach that was supposed to be a "golden sand" beach! I'll take North Carolina beaches any day!
We stumbled upon the Beatrix Potter Garden near Dunkeld. It was a a quaint little garden with statues of the characters from her books and a small museum.
Back in Perth we ate dinner in a restaurant next to the hotel and headed to bed.
Cheers!
We met Jay and Ashley for breakfast and then headed to St. Andrews. Jay played golf at one of the courses and Sally, Ashley and I toured St. Andrews.
We shopped for a while and then walked around the old part of the city and saw the university. We walked past the castle ruins and into the ruins of the cathedral. Very impressive! We came across a stone for a Scottish golf celebrity, Tommy Morris. He is buried vertically in a grave within the old cathedral cemetery with his golf club in his hand.
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| St Andrews University |
We drove around the coast to a little village called Crail, went to a local potter's and bought some pottery with a thistle on it.. Later we found out they were a quite well-known potter.
We stopped along the way and walked along some cliffs and a beach that was supposed to be a "golden sand" beach! I'll take North Carolina beaches any day!
We stumbled upon the Beatrix Potter Garden near Dunkeld. It was a a quaint little garden with statues of the characters from her books and a small museum.
Back in Perth we ate dinner in a restaurant next to the hotel and headed to bed.
Cheers!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Day 10: Drive Through the Highlands
Weather: Sunny
Today we got another early start and head South. We drove from Inverness to Balmoral through the Highlands. The mountains looked very desolate but later found out they are covered with heather in the summer and appear purple.
We are a little early for that. It must be beautiful! We passed some ski villages---really just small areas compared to our ski resorts and even saw some snow on top of the mountains.
We drove along windy roads with some sheep in some areas and some areas with nothing at all. We stopped at Balmoral Castle which is home to the Queen in the month of August. It was beautiful!
Leaving Balmoral we passed an unusual white castle in the shape of a star. Very pretty!
I was surprised at the number of people who travel with their dogs! We even saw an older couple with a stroller carrying their two dogs! Please! The castle and gardens were lovely. We did an audio tour and took lots of pictures.
After leaving the castle we happened on a small town where we decided to get a bite to eat. We haven't been eating lunch but decided we better get a bite to eat since we would be having a late dinner.
On we went to Perth, found our hotel and checked in. A little while later we drove to Edinburgh Airport to pick up Ashley and Jay. We gave Jay the driving job for the next few days. We drove back to Perth and found the name of a good pub, but when we got there the door was locked. We could hear a lot of people but could not get in. Oh well.
A few locals came by and told us about a place called Witherspoons. We had a lite dinner and headed back to the hotel.
Until tomorrow!
Today we got another early start and head South. We drove from Inverness to Balmoral through the Highlands. The mountains looked very desolate but later found out they are covered with heather in the summer and appear purple.
We are a little early for that. It must be beautiful! We passed some ski villages---really just small areas compared to our ski resorts and even saw some snow on top of the mountains.
We drove along windy roads with some sheep in some areas and some areas with nothing at all. We stopped at Balmoral Castle which is home to the Queen in the month of August. It was beautiful!
Leaving Balmoral we passed an unusual white castle in the shape of a star. Very pretty!
I was surprised at the number of people who travel with their dogs! We even saw an older couple with a stroller carrying their two dogs! Please! The castle and gardens were lovely. We did an audio tour and took lots of pictures.
After leaving the castle we happened on a small town where we decided to get a bite to eat. We haven't been eating lunch but decided we better get a bite to eat since we would be having a late dinner.
On we went to Perth, found our hotel and checked in. A little while later we drove to Edinburgh Airport to pick up Ashley and Jay. We gave Jay the driving job for the next few days. We drove back to Perth and found the name of a good pub, but when we got there the door was locked. We could hear a lot of people but could not get in. Oh well.
A few locals came by and told us about a place called Witherspoons. We had a lite dinner and headed back to the hotel.
Until tomorrow!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Day 9: North to Inverness
Weather: Sunny
This morning we got an early start, around 8:30am. The first time we had no one to talk to at breakfast! We headed north through Fort William and Fort Augustus to Loch Ness. The main road led to the west coast of the Lock but, as we have been doing, we took the "road less traveled" and headed along the east coast. Ethel was really confused!
We arrived in Inverness around 1:00 pm, found our hotel and went to the tourist center to find a tour around the city. Well, there was none! Apparently, there are few local attractions aside from the castle and a battlefield.
Our hotel is located along the River Ness which runs through town and a short walk from the castle which houses government offices, therefore no tours. It is a very pretty town and we had a nice view of the river from our hotel. We took a walk around town following the road to the main shopping area and walked through some shops and the Victorian market.
We went to a whiskey store and sampled some local Scotch (which they call whiskey). The casks in which they age the scotch come from the US. During the Depression the casks could only be used once to provide more jobs so they were sold to Scotland. They re-make them in Scotland to distill their own scotch. The practice continues to this day. No scotch can be sold anywhere in the world unless it comes from Scotland. They are very proud of their whiskey. We saw several lads on the streets who had been to the local pubs for a good while!
Later we drove up the coast of the Firth of Carmarty to a small fishing village. It was very quaint and interesting. We took a back road up a hill to a spectacular point where you can overlook the water.
The road was very narrow, one lane, and we drove to the end. It began to shower and then stopped and a beautiful double rainbow appeared. I have never seen one so pretty. I think I took a hundred pictures!
We headed back to Inverness and found a nice restaurant. We had dinner and headed back to our room. We have a nice sitting area where we can sit and overlook the river. It is 10:30pm and just getting dark. We are very far to the north.
This hotel actually has Internet access so we were able to borrow a laptop. Email checked, called Jim and now we are calling it a night.
Cheers!
This morning we got an early start, around 8:30am. The first time we had no one to talk to at breakfast! We headed north through Fort William and Fort Augustus to Loch Ness. The main road led to the west coast of the Lock but, as we have been doing, we took the "road less traveled" and headed along the east coast. Ethel was really confused!
We arrived in Inverness around 1:00 pm, found our hotel and went to the tourist center to find a tour around the city. Well, there was none! Apparently, there are few local attractions aside from the castle and a battlefield.
Our hotel is located along the River Ness which runs through town and a short walk from the castle which houses government offices, therefore no tours. It is a very pretty town and we had a nice view of the river from our hotel. We took a walk around town following the road to the main shopping area and walked through some shops and the Victorian market.
 |
| Inverness Castle |
We went to a whiskey store and sampled some local Scotch (which they call whiskey). The casks in which they age the scotch come from the US. During the Depression the casks could only be used once to provide more jobs so they were sold to Scotland. They re-make them in Scotland to distill their own scotch. The practice continues to this day. No scotch can be sold anywhere in the world unless it comes from Scotland. They are very proud of their whiskey. We saw several lads on the streets who had been to the local pubs for a good while!
Later we drove up the coast of the Firth of Carmarty to a small fishing village. It was very quaint and interesting. We took a back road up a hill to a spectacular point where you can overlook the water.
The road was very narrow, one lane, and we drove to the end. It began to shower and then stopped and a beautiful double rainbow appeared. I have never seen one so pretty. I think I took a hundred pictures!
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| This is a road??? |
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| Canola Fields |
This hotel actually has Internet access so we were able to borrow a laptop. Email checked, called Jim and now we are calling it a night.
Cheers!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Day 8: Hebrides Isles
Weather: Sunny
This morning we had a full Scottish breakfast consisting of Bacon (ham), link sausage, poached egg, fried bread, tomato and baked beans. It was very good!
Next we decided to take a tour. We took a ferry to the Isle of Mull. It took 40 minutes and we passed an old light house and a castle.
We docked at the pier at the Isle of Mull where our tour bus was waiting. Our driver, Adrian, entertained us with history and stories all the way across the 38 mile-long isle. One funny story was:
'When he first came to the isle he asked a local resident how far it was from Craignure (where we docked) to Fionnphort (where we caught the 5-minute ferry to the Isle of Iona). The bloke said, "I don't know". Adrian said, "What do you mean, you don't know. You've lived here all your life." The bloke said, "All I know is from Fionnphort to Craignure is 38 miles." So Adrian said, "Well it must be 38 miles from Fionnphort to Craignure." The bloke said, "No, not necessarily. It's just a wee bit from Christmas to New Years but a long time from New Years to Christmas." '
The Isle of Mull is the 2nd largest of the Inner Hebrides. It is also the wettest, but we lucked out. It was a beautiful sunny day with NO RAIN! It has a population of 2500. It is very desolate in parts but the moors and small lochs and, of course, the sea made for beautiful scenery. It is home to 4 castles but we only passed 2 of them.
We saw sheep (of course), red deer, golden eagles and lost of bluebells. We saw highland cows which were the funniest animals I have every seen. They have long hair on their heads which look like bangs. We were not able to get pictures, however.
Once we reached Fionnphort, we took, a small ferry to the Isle of Iona, the home of Christianity. It is 3 miles long and about 1 mile wide. Upon leaving the ferry there were a few shops, cottages and one small restaurant. Further up the path were the remains of an Augustinian Nunnery with pretty gardens still in bloom.
Further up the hill was the Iona Abby. Apparently, St. Columba, originally from Ireland, was banished and fled to Scotland where he landed on the Isle of Iona. He settled a village (only some remains left) in 563 AD. He established a monastery and was responsible for the conversion of more or less all of pagan Scotland as well as much of northern England.
Three crosses were erected in front of the Abby and what is left of the original crosses are on display in the museum in the Abby.
The Abby dates from the arrival of the Benedictines around 1200 and was extensively rebuild in the 15th and 16th century. It has been completely rebuilt with many of the original stones, etc.
We returned to Oban by boat around 5:30 pm and found an Internet Cafe. We caught up on email and later, went to dinner at a nice restaurant. I had local lobster (1/2 of one). We reorganized our luggage and packed the car. I opened our door to take my suitcase out to the car and a cute little gray cat ran into our room. I think he was just as surprised to see me as I was to see him.
Slainte! (Cheers!)
This morning we had a full Scottish breakfast consisting of Bacon (ham), link sausage, poached egg, fried bread, tomato and baked beans. It was very good!
Next we decided to take a tour. We took a ferry to the Isle of Mull. It took 40 minutes and we passed an old light house and a castle.
We docked at the pier at the Isle of Mull where our tour bus was waiting. Our driver, Adrian, entertained us with history and stories all the way across the 38 mile-long isle. One funny story was:
'When he first came to the isle he asked a local resident how far it was from Craignure (where we docked) to Fionnphort (where we caught the 5-minute ferry to the Isle of Iona). The bloke said, "I don't know". Adrian said, "What do you mean, you don't know. You've lived here all your life." The bloke said, "All I know is from Fionnphort to Craignure is 38 miles." So Adrian said, "Well it must be 38 miles from Fionnphort to Craignure." The bloke said, "No, not necessarily. It's just a wee bit from Christmas to New Years but a long time from New Years to Christmas." '
The Isle of Mull is the 2nd largest of the Inner Hebrides. It is also the wettest, but we lucked out. It was a beautiful sunny day with NO RAIN! It has a population of 2500. It is very desolate in parts but the moors and small lochs and, of course, the sea made for beautiful scenery. It is home to 4 castles but we only passed 2 of them.
We saw sheep (of course), red deer, golden eagles and lost of bluebells. We saw highland cows which were the funniest animals I have every seen. They have long hair on their heads which look like bangs. We were not able to get pictures, however.
Further up the hill was the Iona Abby. Apparently, St. Columba, originally from Ireland, was banished and fled to Scotland where he landed on the Isle of Iona. He settled a village (only some remains left) in 563 AD. He established a monastery and was responsible for the conversion of more or less all of pagan Scotland as well as much of northern England.
Three crosses were erected in front of the Abby and what is left of the original crosses are on display in the museum in the Abby.
The Abby dates from the arrival of the Benedictines around 1200 and was extensively rebuild in the 15th and 16th century. It has been completely rebuilt with many of the original stones, etc.
We returned to Oban by boat around 5:30 pm and found an Internet Cafe. We caught up on email and later, went to dinner at a nice restaurant. I had local lobster (1/2 of one). We reorganized our luggage and packed the car. I opened our door to take my suitcase out to the car and a cute little gray cat ran into our room. I think he was just as surprised to see me as I was to see him.
Slainte! (Cheers!)
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