In Portsmouth 23/6/2010

Flat Kennedy and I at the Tailor of Gloucester's shop.

Cathedral at Chester the day before.

The Cathedral at Gloucester.

The author of America's National anthem was born in Gloucester. A plaque commemorating him.

We made it to Gloucester (pronounced Gloster) last night from Chester and settled in. We finally had a normal time of supper (around 7) and went to bed immediately after. All this touring really wears a girl out! They only had 2 rooms available at this hotel (apparently having more than one bed in a room is an American thing b/c people look at you like you have 4 heads if you ask for a double room) and so mom said she needed a cot for her daughter who was 15 (the oldest age they'll allow for a third person in the room). I'm not sure I really can pass for 15, but I tried. Probably should have taken off my wedding ring though in hind sight.

This morning we went into the city centre and visited the Gloucester Cathedral and The Tailor of Gloucester's shop (Beatrix Potter's book) and looked around there. Tula, I really thought of you today. You would have loved it. I did get a book about Ms. Potter and her life. It was really neat to see her inspiration for the book. We leave for the ferry before 6 (AM!) for Normandy, France. It should be about a 6 hour ferry ride. Really looking forward to that. Have been reading a French phrase book, but don't think that, "Get a license, Grandad!', 'I did not know he was married', or 'May the fires of Islam burn you and your degenerate ways!'" will come in as handy as I'd like.

Side note: England just won against Slovenia in the World Cup and the world can start up again. It kind of came to a screeching halt at the beginning of the game. We were watching the news this morning and the reporters were campaigning for everyone to leave work to watch it. I think they did.

The troops flight home.

(This is an email from Cala we received after hearing that they all made it home after a hang up in Chicago's airport. We now know why...)

You know the first part that I was selected for the body cavity search at Heathrow. Mark and I were also selected for the extra baggage scan at customs, and then they had to search one of Mark's bags because of the can of haggis that we brought back. Then, Mark missed getting on the tram to the next terminal (don't ask me how, he was right behind me). Then at security, as I was once again selected for the body cavity search, but I had to go through it twice. At Chicago they had an escort come over and I think that his job was to stay with me during the entire process. Of course, because he works for the government, he didn't do his job. He handed me off to the person at the metal detector who handed me off to the woman who did my pat down, who told me not to touch my stuff until someone told me I could and then everyone disappeared. It must have been break time. So, I stood there waiting for around 5 minutes before we flagged a guy down to ask if I could take my stuff. He got really upset because we didn't know if anyone had looked at my bags and if they didn't know, I had to go through the entire process again. I told him do to what needed to be done, but to hurry up about it because at this point, I really thought we were going to miss the plane. I tried to find the woman who did my original pat down but couldn't. The guy handed me off to another woman to do another pat down. (Keep in mind how tired and irritated I am at this point). I told her that I didn't see the original woman anywhere, but that I did see a bunch of people standing around doing nothing. She said that they may look like they aren't doing anything, but they are. I told her that the only thing they are doing is standing around and talking and laughing and that I recognized 'nothing' when I saw it. She said, oh those are supervisors. I said well, maybe they should be supervising then and things like this wouldn't happen. She said if you have a problem with it take it up with them. I wanted to say, no I understand that government employees don't do anything and complaining isn't going to help, but at that point I thought I should just shut up. Needless to say, she made me go through every check possible and unpacked my entire carry-on. Anyway, so we run over to the gate and realize at that point that there are all kinds of cancellations and delays. They kept changing the time of our flight every 15 minutes or so and I was sure they were going to cancel it. I told you about the offer they had for people to volunteer to fly out the next day(editor's note: At Chicago they offered all 7 of them $250 in fligh vouchers, a night's stay in a hotel, and transportation back to the airport, to take a later flight, but Jed said he didn't want to b/c he wanted to get home to go camping with his family and not spend his birthday flying), but Jed didn't want to and I said that if everyone wasn't going to stay then no one was. So, we finally got in the plane around 6:30 and departed the gate at 7. We taxied toward the runway, but didn't get very far. The pilot comes on and says it is going to be around an hour because there are 75 planes waiting to take off. I promptly went to sleep. I woke up around an hour and a half later and thought the plane was going down. It was the worst turbulence I have ever felt. I guess the lady in front of Rob and Jess threw up and Jess almost did. Sarah slept through it all, and I only woke up for the last 5-10 minutes of it, which was apparently the worst. Jed said that he just kept thinking that he had killed Sarah because he was selfish about not wanting to travel on his birthday. At one point the plane did what Rob & Jed referred to as a death role. Rob said that we must have had a mig on our tail. They were both too funny. Anyway, we did make it home safely.

We were all so tired. On the way home Rob and Jed were singing, and Jed was doing the "this is the note" thing to Rob, so then Rob started doing it to Jed, and Jed said "I'll match any note you put out there because I was in show choir in high school". Rob said "was your husband in show choir too?" It was hysterical!!!!!!


(as we sat at Jessie and John's kitchen table in Scotland reading this email, we almost all wet our pants so thought I'd share. Thanks for making our day, Cala, and hope you have recovered from this traumatic, albeit hilarious, encounter with the TSA.)

21/6/2010 Back in England

In one of the hotel rooms. Notice the stained glass windows behind. Very posh rooms indeed. ;) Dad and I in the hotel's elevator (smallest elevator ever, but not half bad for 1881)

Our hotel, The Westminster.

Having a picnic/tea on our way down to Manchester. The 'Flat Kennedy girls' (the picture that Mom has)enjoyed the 4 cuppa carrier (the cardboard tea carrier Mom has) the most.

At the Square Bottle Pub in Chester.

Today we left Scotland for the last time and headed down to Manchester, England to return "Van Diesel" and then continue down to Chester. Returning the van was pretty simple and we were all sad to see it go. Having our own vehicle, instead of using public transport as is so popular, had allowed us to see all we wanted to on our own timeframe. Jessie and John are accompanying us to France and so they are driving. Over here most cars are small (compact to say the least) and so all 5 of us have squeezed into their car, bags in the 'boot'. We took a walk around Chester after checking into our 19th century hotel (1881-beautiful). Chester is famous for all of the Tudor style buildings (white wood with the black beams) and still having a town crier. Unfortunately he is off tomorrow b/c of some cycle tournament going through. Apparently there will be no news tomorrow! We had supper in a pub and will do more exploring in town tomorrow. Having a wonderful time with Mom and Dad and Jessie and John but do wish all the siblings, husband, and Sarah were still here. :)

6/20/2010...or when in Rome 20/6/2010

The very front of Glamis Castle.

Posing with Robert the Bruce after the re-enactment. L.to R. Catherine, Jessie, Robert the Bruce, Mom, Stefen, me, and Aiden.

Carol, her kids, John and Jessie, Mom, Dad, me and now another old Gauldry neighbor, Catherine, all met for lunch today in Brechin. After, we went to Glamis Castle (the Queen Mum's family home) for the re-enactment of the signing of the Arbroath Declaration (seemed to me like some sort of a peace treaty during the 13th century). It starred Robert the Bruce. Quite interesting. We also toured the grounds but as we've all been to Glamis before (I thought of you today Anne, and our 4 star picnic) we did not pay the price to get inside the castle. After that, Carol and family went back to Inverness after spending the weekend with us and we all went back to Brechin for tea and strawberry tarts.

Tomorrow, we will be leaving for Manchester, England to return "Van Diesel" and head on to Chester, England. (Are you following me on the map, yet?) Then we will go onto catch the ferry at Portsmouth to Normandy, France. I'm hoping to have internet on Dad's computer by then (cross your fingers) so will try to update the blog again daily. If not, no scathing emails, please. ;)

Keeping a slower pace

Finally cracked the book that I have lugged across the ocean with me. The second leg of the journey should be much slower paced. (Cala and Mom didn't do the itinerary!)

6/19/2010-Happy birthday Jed!

Saw an oil tanker in Montrose that Dad had to stop for and inspect.

The farm shop where we had lunch called Paula's.

We left Gauldry and Ann with a fond farewell and headed back up to Brechin for a couple more days with Jessie and John before we head over to the Continent. We went via Monty Feith (no idea if I'm spelling that right and neither do you) and did manage to find their old house but apparently did not look to much the same. (Dad knew that if the two women would have just listened to him yesterday, we would have found it. Can't you just hear him...)

We heard from the troops today and all have arrived safely although there was a hiccup with a late flight in Chicago.

We had a lovely lunch outside of Brechin in a farm shop (all the rage here as we're finding out) that has been converted from an old stone school house. Reminded me of Stuff in Such (or Cypress Bridge for my Abilene friends) with a cafe attached. Lovely decorative things and had we the space, would have bought out the store. Carol, the boys, and Nicola (Carol's daughter) arrived in the afternoon and we will all go out for Indian (dot not feather) for supper with Mom and Dad's old neighbor from Gauldry, Catherine.

Back to Gauldry, Scotland

Mom, Ann, and Dad in Newport on Tay after tea at the Manna Coffee Shop.

Mom, Ann, and Dad after lunch in Cairne at the strawberry farm. Yum!

After the troops left on the Night train to London and we got one more night of sleep in Edinburgh, we checked out of the apartment and have headed up to Gauldry to spend the day and night with Ann. It only takes about an hour to get there so will have the whole day to catch our breath before the last half of the touring begins. We toured around the Kingdom of Fife (where Gauldry is), had lunch at Cairne on a strawberry farm, and then went to Monty Feith to try and find (without luck) where Mom and Dad lived before they moved to Gauldry. They're going to see if they can't find a return address label when they got home from an old letter and have Ann go find it. After that we went to the Manna Coffee Shop in Newport on Tay and had a nice cup of tea and a piece of cake (I could get used to this too!). This coffee shop was neat b/c not only did it use fair trade tea/coffee but the local Church of Scotland runs it through all donated baked goods and uses the money to fund their youth group. They also have now started selling fair trade craftie goods there too from Africa. I bought a necklace from Kenya and a local artists picture of the Isle of Skye. Just wonderful. Now I'm all caught up and this takes us to today 6/18/2010. Sorry about the lag. (although you wouldn't have ever known, would you?)

We're working on the Night Train!

Jed, Jessie, and Rob in front of the sleeper.

Giving kisses to Autine Ann before we left for the station.

Looking out the night train to London.

That was the song that was being sung all night long as we came home from visiting the castle and walking The Royal Mile never quite making it to Hollyrood Palace as we just ran out of time. We met the Wrinklies (their name not mine, mind you) for supper by our apartment, Loch Fyne. A great seafood restraunt actually still located where the fish market was in years past. We then came home and Cala, Mark, Rob, Jessie (Daryl), Sarah, and Jed all hopped in the shower and repacked their bag and got ready to head to the night train headed for London at 11:40 PM. There was a bit of a mix up with the tickets when we got there so it was touch and go for a while but everyone got on the sleeper train in their own cabins and were ready to go. Mom, Dad, and I bid them adieu and they were off. They arrived in London at about 6ish AM and then caught the tube into Heathrow Airport for their 12:30 flight back home. The 9 passenger van with the empty car seat was pretty quiet on the ride back to the apartment after that.

Edinburgh Day 2

in front of Edinburgh Castle.

Looking down the Royal Mile.

Stopping at Haggis Cafe to have cup of tea (or smoothie in Sarah's case).

Eating brunch before visiting Edinburgh Castle. clockwise from top...Jessie, John, Ann, and Mom.

We got up and around as quickly as 12 people can (one of them being a baby who decided to have a blow out as we were walking out the door) in the morning and finally made into town 11ish. We stopped and had brunch and then all walked up (and I mean UP) to Edinburgh Castle . There was a piper playing outside of our street cafe so Mom and I went to listen while waiting for our food and got this photo op. I could get used to this. I haven't heard a piper in person since our wedding! By the time we finished what seemed to be a bazillion steps to the top of the mount that the castle is situated on and found out that the entrance fee was £14, the `wrinklies` (John, Jessie, and Ann) decided to have a rest at Haggis Cafe while we all went in. It was wonderful. We all split ways and explored for about 3 hours before we all met up again for a spot of tea at the cafe. My favorite part was the Prisoner of War exhibit that showed where lots of POW from th 17th century and on were kept. They had it done up as it would have been and then showed actual items that were made by the prisoners. They were allowed tools and materials to make crafts to sell to people through the castle gate each afternoon. Earn their keep as they say. The American POWs that were caught during the Revolutionary war time were treated the worst as they were not recognized as part of a military. They were considered pirates. Some were kept for decades. 100s at a time. It's interesting to hear about that period in history from a different point of view. Especially a British one....not quite as revered as we think of the revolutionaries.

Edinburgh, Scotland

The girls from Kennedy Primary in Edinburgh.

St. Giles Cathedral behind us to the left.

On the bus into downtown Edinburgh.

We left Inverness and went back to Brechin and stayed the night with John and Jessie and got up in the morning and headed down to pick up Ann (that's right, the 12 of us now.) to go to Edinburgh. We were there for 2 nights stay. Scotland Jessie had got us 3 apartments in a building by the sea right outside of town but still on the bus route. We parked `Vin Deisel` (our blue VW van) and John and Jessie's car at the apartment and hopped the bus into town. We visited St. Giles Cathedral and did some shopping, our new favorite past time. The Cathedral was beautiful although no pictures were allowed inside. We did get one out front though. St. Giles in located along The Royal Mile between Edinburgh Castle and Hollyrood Palace.

Horseback riding in the Highlands

Jessie looking a bit nervos.

The gang.

In Inverness Rob, Daryl (Jessie Dee), Mark, and Jed all went horseback riding up in the Highlands. They all had a splendid time and took lots of good scenery pictures. Rob was afraid it would be a pitiful trail ride with rest home-type horses, but he was pleasantly surprised. They did quite a bit of rough terrain and Jessie was even a bit nervous when riding occassionally because of it all. They all came home in one piece after a 3 hour tour and none worse for the wear. Mom, Dad, and Cala stayed home to watch Sarah and I and Carol went to Aiden's (Pete's 10 year old son) school and did a wee talk on Kansas. The last time they were over they all came and talked with my students about Scotland, so I tried to return the favor. Hope I did my country proud. There were pretty normal questions..."Have you ever been in a tornado? Where would you go? Does everyone have a basement? How long does it take to get to an ocean? What's the temperature? What kind of animals/bugs do we have? Why do movies come out 6 weeks later over here and what movies are out back home that they can expect in 6 weeks?" I think they were all suitably impressed with Kansas and might have some new travelers in 10 years.

Inverness, Scotland

Urqhart Castle on the banks of the Loch.

Jed and I at Loch Ness.

Cala and Mark at the Loch.

Rob, Pete, and Jed playing knights at Carol and Pete's.

From John and Jessie's in Brechin, we coninued up the way to Inverness. I'm sure you've all heard of Loch Ness! We visited the Loch and Urqhart castle (on the shores) and our friends Carol and Pete and all of their kids. No worries, no sighting of Nessie. We got there in the afternoon and had a lovely meal of take away (take out) fish and chips. And off to bed we went for another busy day of touring tomorrow.

John and Jessie's in Brechin, Scotland

Jed at St. Andrew's Old Course.

The North Sea at St. Andrew's.

The old crew on Cherry Grove St. in Gauldry. (from l to r. John, Jessie, Dave, Mom, Ann, Anna (Dot and Dave's daughter), Cala, Dad. Cala (my sister) and Anna were the babies that were born here.

Going over the Tay Bridge at Dundee across the bay to Gauldry.

We made it to John and Jessie's on Saturday evening in time for a gorgeous supper of Salmon that John had made. They live in a very old house (built in 1830s. Splendid!) but has been remodeled for modern conveniences. The next morning we woke up and went to St. Andrew's (home of golf and the British Open) and did some sightseeing and shopping. We went to the Old Course. They were busy building for the British Open. We then went to Gauldry (where my parents lived) and met old friends, Ann Johnson, and Dot and Dave Montgomery. We had a lovely meal and went on a walk to see the old homestead.

Hadrian's Wall, England

On our way up after leaving Bob and Marge's in Birmingham, we stopped at Hadrian's Wall by Carlisle, England. This is the Roman Wall that Emporer Hadrian had built to signify the outermost edges that the Roman Empire reached. (as well as keep those wild Scots from attacking them) It was very neat. There were castles (guard stations built for 40-100 guards) built about 1 mile apart all the way down the wall. The wall now rests almost on the modern day border between Scotland and England.

I'm back.

Ok. We have had a hiccup in the internet service and the fullness of the schedule. Somebody (I will not names) made a very full itinerary and so we haven't even been having supper until after 10 each night. The nice thing about that is, it's still light. It doesn't get dark here until after 11 or so. The sun comes up again at about 3:30. Needless to say that makes it hard to keep your night and days straight. (which is good b/c we're going full steam during all daylight hours.) We haven't had internet either in the last few places we've stayed. So let me do a few posts to get you up to dated. Sorry, Karla.

Birmingham

Blowing of the glass.

He's blowing on the end of the rod and it expands it. This ended up being a bowl.

Aunt Margaret with Baby Sarah and Jed.

Walking to Broadfield House (glass museum and art gallery) where we saw the glass blowing.

We got here in the evening of the 10th and was greeted by Bob and Margaret with a delicious meal of Shepard's Pie and Bread Pudding for Dessert. I hadn't ever had it before and it was just lovely. It's made of lamb (yum). We played Gin Rummy deep into the night with Maragaret. They kept us in stitches. Bob is 87 and Margaret, 81. Cala said she hopes that she has that much energy when she's 81. I wish I had that much energy now! We've had 4 course meals for every meal and they've gone around touring with us today.

In Birmingham, a big trade is hand blown crystal. And although it's not as big as it once was (It's expensive and India and China can make it cheaper.) there are still shops doing it. We watched a bowl being blown and all of us have bought something to remember our trip. Jed and I bought a glass plate that the artist made yesterday and signed it for us. Mark and Cala bought a vase.

We also were going to go to Cadbury World and see how chocolate is made but upon ringing them, we found out it cost 14 pounds (about $25) to go in and so decided the money would be better spent at the local market just buying the actual chocolate and forgetting about how to make it.

We spent the remainder of the day doing some wash and hanging it out to dry in the garden (backyard) and catching our breath for the second leg of the trip. We will leave for Scotland tomorrow. Onward and upward!

Bath, England Day 6

The Royal Crescent

Having Lunch.

The Roman Bath.

We were in Bath yesterday. It was my favorite place that we visited from the last time I was here and it had not dimmed from memory. It was just gorgeous. We visited the Roman Baths that were originally built in 75 AD. It almost boggles the mind. We think things are old here when they were built in the 1800s! They were rediscoverd in the 1700s and brought back into popularity with the Victorians. Jane Austen referred to Bath in many of her books. We had lunch afterwards in an open courtyard with street performers (music) abounding. Some English and some from Barcelona. (Jed bought 2 of the performers C.D.s.) We then continued our way up North (with Cala driving!) to Birmingham to visit my Uncle Bob and Aunt Margaret.