Edinburgh, Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, Inverness, Highlands, Glasgow Hello, everyone -
My thoughts on what was undoubtedly a memorable visit to Scotland...
From "An American's Guide to Britain":
"Edinburgh - The Athens of the North"
"Charlotte Bronte in her Letters described Edinburgh:
"Edinburgh - A lyric, brief, bright, clear, and vital as a strike of lightning"
Jolly Judge - very good name for a bar, very funny...
Tolbooth Kirk - Incredibly beautiful. It is kind of interesting that they have a church called "Tolbooth."
Flags - one quick note I thought was interesting -
Apparently the blue-and-white "X" flag - the St. Andrew's Cross - is the flag for Scotland as a whole, while the Lion Rampant - the red lion on the gold background - is the flag of the Kings of Scotland, their personal emblem.
Royal Mile/Holyrood House/St. Giles
Incredibly cool place to visit. Beautiful architecture....
Holyrood Palace - That was where Bonnie Prince Charlie held court for five weeks, in 1745, in what was the last attempt for the exiled Stuart dynasty to reclaim the throne...
Scottish Coat of Arms - that has everything - the Unicorn, the St. Andrew's Flag, and the Lion Rampant...
Arthur's Seat - Very cool place.... great view of the city...
The White Hart Inn - 1516! Awesome... (A "hart" was a deer back then, and so I looked to see if there was one on the left-hand side, on the sign. It's a little small but I think I can see one, w/ the antlers...)
I assume Cricket's garb changes with the host country...
Ensign Ewart - I looked him up online:
He was a hero for the British army at Waterloo in 1815, against the Napoleon-led army, capturing the standard of one of the elite French regiments, the Invincibles (capturing a standard of an enemy force was a major coup, and all regiments sought very hard to avoid this. The standard was in the shape of an eagle - and so it's the symbol of the bar - and you can see the eagle over the right shoulder of Ensign Ewart on the sign.
(from - http://www.ensignewart.demon.co.uk/ensign/index.html)
Tempting Tattie - I would enjoy trying one of those build-your-own-baked-potatoes....
Granny's Green Steps - on first reading, I would have guessed that the steps themselves were green...
and then looked it up and learned that the Granny's Green got its name because the wives of 19th-century soldiers would use the "green" to dry clothes. It also said that the steps themselves were added in 2002.... if I read it correctly...
The Last Drop - tremendously witty gallows humor, I echo Jackie's comment above on that point...
The Beehive Inn - I was surprised to learn that there were several in the UK. Looking at the Edinburgh one, it said that there are ghosts in the basement (which I assume is related to its presence on the Literary Pub tour)...
Military Tattoo - undoubtedly quite a spectacle... the Dramatic Architecture of Edinburgh was also a great shot...
Katie's favorite - the Old Town Bookstore/Katie loves her libraries! Katie- awesome to see that you're still visiting the bookstores and libraries - it's an avid interest of mine, obviously..
Stirling Castle - unbelievably beautiful architecture and rich history. (BTW - I actually am not a
"Braveheart" movie fan, which you may find surprising....) That castle is incredible, though... The role that it has played in Scottish history is something that I can understand that Cricket would feel it worthwhile to contemplate it!
St. Andrews- likewise, gorgeous, gorgeous. It appears that you had a really nice day for it, too - clear weather...
22 holes of golf, originally - very cool!
The Scotch tasting - undoubtedly something that you tremendously enjoyed, with your appreciation of fine wines.... and the Polynesian hut is funny...
Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle - Anytime a Loch Ness show is on cable, I watch it - and the beauty really is remarkable. The lore about the monster is interesting, but it seems like a cool place to visit even w/o the lore... great scenery captured (and the sheep were cool, too...) Urquhart, apparently, has had some kind of castle on it since the 13th century.... awesome ruins...
Braemar Games and the bagpipes - looked very cool. (Bagpipes are awesome, if I happen to be at an event where they are, I always go listen)...
Isle of Skye - this figured prominently in the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745-46.... unrelated, though - I once had a conversation with someone who had been there, who described the Isle of Skye as one of the most beautiful places on earth... I'd love to see it for myself sometime...
I particularly like the scene of Portree, Isle of Skye...
Great shots of Inverness - both stunningly beautiful - I particularly like the one with the bridge, but they're both awesome...
Does Findlay the Fallow Deer = The White Hart in Edinburgh?- Looks the same!
Glasgow - great shot of the cathedral....
It seems like you've had an incredible time.... keep us all posted!
Bon voyage -
Craig
Cwickie in Kilt Cwickie, you look so cute in your kilt! It appears to me that a bit of time was spent in pubs on this excursion. I LOVE the Last Drop!
Living vicariously,
Jackie
hi Katie it me Annie Zwarg hi Katie have you gotten alot of rail? email me back saying the awser OK, Katie, and leah Friedman my neighbor wants to say hi to you now she is saying it right now (hi Katie Zwarg) Ok she said hi now goodbye katie.
from Annie Zwarg
Machu Picchu I guarantee it was nothing but dumb luck!
Where are your next travels? Any chance you'll be in Europe? We're on the Whisky Trails of Scotland at the moment.
xoxo
next time you're in the bay area hey katie! my 20th reunion is coming up, so feeling a little nostalgic. i googled you . . . what a fantastic journey! continue to have amazing travels. when you're back in town - runkkrun@gmail.com.
best -- kk
booby-licious!! Katie - Thanks for keeping me on your blog list. Reading your blog makes me feel like I've been to all these places myself! Can't wait for the next installment. My Fav Pics on this trip: the seal pups and the colorful crab! Beautiful!!
Animal Planet Hey there! Happy belated birthdays is right! I am sure you had fun. I am glad to see that Cricket now also has a trusted sidekick, Kiwi. And Katie, your mothering instincts appear to have kicked in with that Roo - very cute! Australia looks like No. Cal to me in many regards. (Wistful sigh...) Its great to catch up with photos of your smiling faces. We think of you often as we enjoy a quiet, sedentary (i.e. boring) life in the Old South. (I am still trying to figure out how to meet you in Ireland in April - please do let me know where you will be when if you have time!)
Love and hugs-
Lynnie
Where's MY wine delivery? "Strong work!" I'd like a little wine delivery in that li'l blue van thingy. Hell, I'd like to drive that thing around! Chase - we have a few old speedo picks of Green we can send you on the down-low if you want...!
Where's dem waves?! Hey you two. Happy Blated BDays! It's good to see Cwicket carrying her share of the load! Snap me a couple pic's of some of those sandy beaches, maybe take in a sunset or two for me, and Katy, shhhh, get Jason into a speedo for some bodysurfing- I'm sure he'll remember how- and get a pic for the ladies! Ohhh Yeahhhhh! That's what I'm talkin' 'bout. Sexy beastie! Enjoy!
Check out this photo Look carefully at the photo titled "Opononi Beach Lookout" - does it or does it not look like Shekel's left hand is dangerously near Katie's crotch??? Great times and great photos guys!
Thanks Thanks Jackie for sharing your trip to New Zealand. I will save this one and look at the pics again.
Leaving for Bahamas on Monday for a five day trip. Please call me,
Baba
Wow! I hope everything is as fun as it looks and you're having the trip of a lifetime. You're an inspiration to those of us stuck working 13 hours a day. Kudos to you and safe travels!
now at Jones Day/DC One word - WOW! Well, maybe a few more words - unbelieveable, stupendous, fantastic, incredible. An opportunity of a lifetime. Keep enjoying and thanks for sharing. It means a lot for those of us who won't have the opportunity.
NZ You guys really know how to have fun!!! I enjoyed looking at the pictures and learning more about your NZ travels. Jackie told me about zorbing, so I was anxious to see what that looked like. Also the wardrobe was great... surfing gear, fly fishing gear, Toxic masks, C.O.W. shirts, zorbing and my all time favorite...the cave outfits!!! Ha. Needless to say, I love the updates to the blog! Can't wait to see you again! Anita
not enough herb Dear Shekels and Erin and friends,
This looks like a real great vacation, I am not sure there was enough drinking for the irish, and how was the local herb? Y'all look like you belong in sheep country.......
Chris Stein a.ka. Shekels personal assistant( anesthetist)
Greetings from Jason & Katie! We've been bit by the travel bug, quit our jobs, sold some of our worldly possessions, stored the rest...and are now off to explore the globe...... full info
Jackie
non-member comment
I wanna know...
...who won the battle of wits: Cricket or Kell? Great photos - looks fantastic! Love, Yackie