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.