Thursday, November 24, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Day 12, and the last full day in Scotland
(Al here -- dont let the blog author fool you. My iPhone has runout of space for photos until I delete some. Not the first time.) Probably the last post for a while. Can't imagine too much on the day of flying home tomorrow that will be worth blogging. Bunch of looooong flight time. Blech.
Spent today in Stirling checking out some architecture and getting in the last shopping. The most exciting part was looking for that perfect memento to remember the trip. My folks sent us with some funds to pick out something as a wedding present. We spent all sort of time looking in galleries in Edinburgh yesterday only to find what we were looking for was a five minute walk from our apartment this whole time! We found a beautiful painting of two Highland Cows -- feeding Hamish was one of the most memorable things we did here (funny how animals have that effect) so when we saw this painting we knew right away we had found what we were looking for.
While out we stopped at the chocolate shop and grabbed a few goodies for the plane (and a chocolate goldfish for Les) and then took a new route home where we saw a great little place for dinner. And boy was it good! I have a new favorite food:
BLAGGIS!
Haggis and blood sausage mixed together. Oh wow. Talk about man food. I feel like a Scottish animal! Aye!
Les had a great chicken and chorizo skewer, and Chuck & Pam shared a steak skewer. They don't know what they were missing, though. BLAGGIS! Aye, BLAGGIS!
Although... the apple & calvados tart and Les's creme brûlée were pretty fantastic, too. Even the mocha was phenomenal.
No, I am not looking forward to McDonalds. :p
See you all soon!
Spent today in Stirling checking out some architecture and getting in the last shopping. The most exciting part was looking for that perfect memento to remember the trip. My folks sent us with some funds to pick out something as a wedding present. We spent all sort of time looking in galleries in Edinburgh yesterday only to find what we were looking for was a five minute walk from our apartment this whole time! We found a beautiful painting of two Highland Cows -- feeding Hamish was one of the most memorable things we did here (funny how animals have that effect) so when we saw this painting we knew right away we had found what we were looking for.
While out we stopped at the chocolate shop and grabbed a few goodies for the plane (and a chocolate goldfish for Les) and then took a new route home where we saw a great little place for dinner. And boy was it good! I have a new favorite food:
BLAGGIS!
Haggis and blood sausage mixed together. Oh wow. Talk about man food. I feel like a Scottish animal! Aye!
Les had a great chicken and chorizo skewer, and Chuck & Pam shared a steak skewer. They don't know what they were missing, though. BLAGGIS! Aye, BLAGGIS!
Although... the apple & calvados tart and Les's creme brûlée were pretty fantastic, too. Even the mocha was phenomenal.
No, I am not looking forward to McDonalds. :p
See you all soon!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Day 11
More haggis! And not just for lunch. Lunch (haggis Stromboli at the Elephant House in Edinburgh -- J.K. Rowling's haunt while writing her Harry Potter novels), but also a stuffed toy haggis! Found a stuffed Herman to lay claim to the stuffed haggis, too. :)
Spent the day in Edinburgh checking out art galleries (most of which were closed! Grrr!) and the rest of the Royal Mile and the surrounding area. Got to see Greyfriar's Bobby (google him -- great story), more stunning architecture, and FINALLY K1 Yarns. :) Cool place. Les got some great yarn including some great "organic" yarn to make a scarf for me. Still smells like sheep! Baaaaaah!
Last day tomorrow. :( Need to figure out how to get all this stuff home! May just have to drink all that Scotch. ;)
Spent the day in Edinburgh checking out art galleries (most of which were closed! Grrr!) and the rest of the Royal Mile and the surrounding area. Got to see Greyfriar's Bobby (google him -- great story), more stunning architecture, and FINALLY K1 Yarns. :) Cool place. Les got some great yarn including some great "organic" yarn to make a scarf for me. Still smells like sheep! Baaaaaah!
Last day tomorrow. :( Need to figure out how to get all this stuff home! May just have to drink all that Scotch. ;)
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Day 10
Well Les is really sick today and needed the peace of just a day in bed. So Pam, Chuck and I took the train to Edinburgh. Cripes you needs day or more just for the sights on the Royal Mile! We mostly just did lots of oohing and aahing but one of the highlights was definitely St. Files Cathedral. Stunning is an understatement.
But for me the day was extra special because I got to make a private pilgrimage to a geologic site more important than any other -- James Hutton's Section (or just Hutton's Section). It was here in the mid-1700s that Hutton,the Father of Modern Geology, formulated many of his theories that form the backbone of the geological sciences, including Uniformitarianism.
Without Hutton geology as we know it may have taken many more years to decipher, I may have never become a geologist, and Les and I may never have met (it was, after all, my job that brought me back to Wyoming).
Oh, and I had haggis for lunch.
But for me the day was extra special because I got to make a private pilgrimage to a geologic site more important than any other -- James Hutton's Section (or just Hutton's Section). It was here in the mid-1700s that Hutton,the Father of Modern Geology, formulated many of his theories that form the backbone of the geological sciences, including Uniformitarianism.
Without Hutton geology as we know it may have taken many more years to decipher, I may have never become a geologist, and Les and I may never have met (it was, after all, my job that brought me back to Wyoming).
Oh, and I had haggis for lunch.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Day 9
Craaaaaaaaap. Blew a tyre today (or tire as we colonists prefer). Have to call Avis/Budget in the morn and see about getting a vehicle swap. Bet Chuck and I can lay claim to being in a pretty select group. How many Americans do you think have ever changed a tire in Scotland? (Probably a heck of a lot, actually with having to learn to drive on the other side of the road and all.)
Les and I finished up our "honeymoon" with breakfast at Ballochneck, a farewell to our guests, and a trip to Glengoyne distillery. Grabbed a haggis roll on the way back to town. :)
Back in Stirling I took the kilts back and checked on the book we had to order for a friend of ours (how we are going to fit a hard bound UK edition Harry Potter book in our luggage on top of all that whisky is beyond me ;) ).
Finished the day off with fish and chips on Bridge of Allen (and a blown tire). Don't order the large. The fillet was as long as my arm from elbow to fingers.
Les has a wicked cold, so tomorrow is either Edinburgh or a day of the last Stirling stuff (Wallace Monument). Depends on what she's up for.
Les and I finished up our "honeymoon" with breakfast at Ballochneck, a farewell to our guests, and a trip to Glengoyne distillery. Grabbed a haggis roll on the way back to town. :)
Back in Stirling I took the kilts back and checked on the book we had to order for a friend of ours (how we are going to fit a hard bound UK edition Harry Potter book in our luggage on top of all that whisky is beyond me ;) ).
Finished the day off with fish and chips on Bridge of Allen (and a blown tire). Don't order the large. The fillet was as long as my arm from elbow to fingers.
Les has a wicked cold, so tomorrow is either Edinburgh or a day of the last Stirling stuff (Wallace Monument). Depends on what she's up for.
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