Another day - another castle

On April 8th we started our trip back to Leeds. We woke early, had a bit of breakfast, packed up our "stuff", loaded the cars and headed out. We stopped in Edinburgh and had a proper English breakfast (veg) consisting of eggs, toast, haggis, tomatoes, potato scone, corn cake and tea. After breakfast we started home. Along the way, surprise - We visited another castle, Bamburgh castle. This castle is still lived in and has 14 apartments which are available/occupied. This castle is privately owned and is a showplace for the family treasures for many generations and was not really a defensive castle in English history. We took a leisurely walk thru the parts that were open. Went down to the stables and the kid had a play in the stalls. We then loaded back into the car and continued the drive back to Leeds.

A castle in a loch - Loch Leven

We visited yet another castle on the 7th of April - this one in the middle of a lake. We took the ferry over and it was a pleasant ride. The castle was mostly ruins, but there were underground rooms that we could access as well as one remaining tower that had been stabilized and had access. The children had a wonderful time exploring, running and playing Tig. The island was peaceful and beautiful. We spent a couple of hours there and then went down to the dock to await the ferry for our return to the mainland.

Once back to the mainland we planned our lunch and our afternoon journey. There was a trail that went about 12k around the Loch and had many geocaches hidden along the way. Stu and I took the cooler and the kids and started on the hike. Olivia and Adam took both cars and drove to the end of the trail where they left one car. They both got into the same car and drove back to the beginning of the trail, parked, and the hiked over to where Stu and I were feeding the kids lunch. They had some lunch too and we got started on our hike! We hiked the entire 12k (about 8 miles), found almost all the geocaches and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The kids walked, ran, skipped all the way under their own power. We saw swans. We saw gliders launch and fly. We saw para-sails. We saw deer. We saw bunnies. All in all a good time was had by all. Again we went out for dinner and then back to our flat in Edinburgh totally exhausted one and all!

Falkirk Wheel & Stirling Castle

Today we visited a tribute to modern engineering the Falkirk Wheel which is a mechanism designed to move boats from one level to another without the use of locks. It is absolutely amazing. We were able to take a boat ride in the wheel. It was fun and so quiet. We were able to get some fantastic pictures, have a nice ride, and enjoy more time with our family. Originally, there were a series of canals in Scotland to move goods from the ocean to the inland. Over time the canals were used less and less and then fell into decay. The Scots decided that they were going to re-open the canals for pleasure boat/recreational use. Rather than re-create all the locks they created the Falkirk Wheel - it is now a big tourist attraction.

After the boat ride we had a picnic in the cars - too wet, windy and cold to picnic outside. Then we drove on to Stirling Castle. Stirling Castle dates from the early 1100's. It is in a strong defensive position with the castle built on stone face on three sides of the hill. The geologic formation is that of a volcanic Crag and Tail which is the result of glaciation and is prevalent in Scotland. The Castle was incredible and we had a fantastic afternoon wandering about, learning some British history and being amazed at what was accomplished without use of modern machines and architecture. It was truly fantastic. There were plenty of exhibits to keep the children interested. After we had obtained appropriate education and English culture for the day we went back into Stirling and had a delightful dinner, then back to Edinburgh for a sleep to prepare for another adventure tomorrow!

Holyrood House & Edinburgh Castle

We have now traveled the length and breadth of the Royal Mile. Yesterday we visited Holyrood House where the queen stays when in Scotland (directly across from the Scottish Parliament). This is at the lower end of the Royal Mile. Holyrood House and the Abbey are spectacular. We very much enjoyed the visit and the education. (I personally am fascinated with Mary Queen of Scots and need to learn more about her life.) Today we hiked up the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle and toured there. Among other things we saw the honours of Scotland (crown, scepter, and sword) which are very impressive. We also saw Edinburgh from the castle mount. The history is amazing. The views spectacular. The weather wet and blustery. We all came back to the flat with wind burned cheeks.

The children are amazing. We are walking between 6 and 8 miles daily. They are also making some interesting observations. Elie realized and commented that only Christians were involved with the Scottish Monarchy. Isaac gave me gray hear by lifting his feet off the ground while leaning out the hole in the wall where the cannon's were fired. Talia focused on being cute. Leila shared with me that "Mommy told me that I don't have to wash my hands after I go potty" which Olivia claims to have no knowledge of this statement. They read the menus in the restaurants and order for themselves. This has been a challenge as we are in the midst of passover which means that we do not consume wheat, spelt, barley, rye, and oats so no bread, oatmeal, or beer!!

Holy Island

Today we were on our way to a Castle south of Edinburgh and we took a turn for the wild. My daughter, who is the driver of the lead car (we can't all fit into one vehicle) saw a sign for Holy Island and immediately took the turn. Stating that she remembered reading about Holy Island 10 or 15 years ago in a National Geographic. So after a family discussion and a quick check of the tide tables we proceeded out the causeway to the island. The thing about Holy island is that it is a huge castle that is only accessible at low tide. At high tide, the causeway is completely under water. So we arrived at the island, got parked and then we hiked out and up to the castle. It is truly amazing. It is part of the British National Trust, and has been preserved/cared for/maintained. We were able to go out onto the parapet and see the places the cannons had been. We were able to travel thru 10 main rooms. We saw where there were newer additions (a mere hundred years old) and we admired beautiful antique furniture. We left the island about 40 minutes before the high tide mark and just got off the island when we were stuck in a que at a railway gate. We were worried that some were going to be stuck on the causeway but it appeared to have resolved prior to the high tide. After a lunch in the car (tuna salad on matza) because by now the wind is howling around us, we headed into Edinburgh for more adventured. We are now installed in our flat after a yummy Turkish dinner. (Keeping kosher for passover while traveling in a foreign country is a unique challenge all its own.)

Happy Pesach

Today was spent cooking and cleaning and picking and putting and sorting and preparing. Tonight, we shared the seder and the meal with family. The kids were wonderful and three of the four actually read from the haggadah. We did the passover story completely and the children did a talent show for us before we ate the festive meal. We had a delicious dinner and then we finished the passover story and had delightful family singing. It was wonderful! Tomorrow, we will cook again and after dark we will share the second night seder with our family and their friends. The only thing that would make it better would be to have our daughter and her husband from Portland here with us also!

Travel across the pond

My last post was ages ago, and work continues on and on so I won't belabor that point. The great thing is that months ago we planned a vacay with our daughter and son-in-law and the 4 grand children at their home in England. So Olivia had her thyroid surgery, had a bit of recovery (2 weeks) and now we are both here with them for some real fun.

My last week of work was treacherous, long hours and hard births. Then I picked up an upper respiratory infection which has left me sounding like a seal at feeding time. However, at the appointed hour we boarded the large metal tube, with several hundred of our closest friends, for the long days night across the pond. I was thrilled to note, when seated in the aircraft, that there were others who sounded just like I did. This was perfect because then I did not draw undue attention to myself while coughing and choking. We traveled thru Amsterdam which is totally weird because we flew right across our destination and then back-tracked. None the less, we made it. The family picked us up at the airport in Manchester England and we spent the day visiting some of the sights of Manchester. We went to the Manchester Museum and the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry. It is delightful to get the grand children's take on things in the museums as we flew by. They quickly peruse the exhibits and then ask to go to the next room. They push every button, lift every lid, tug every rope or chain, and generally attempt to "DO" everything. They stop to read only when forced, and 3 of the 4 now read. It is a blast sharing their explorations with them. After the museums we went to a street called the curry mile filled with an amazing selection of, you guessed it, restaurants serving middle eastern food - yummy! After this we walk back to the car park and the 90 minute drive to the kid's house and blessedly bed. We had a long sleep and today after a yummy brunch of eggs, home fries, and banana pancakes we headed off to a brewery about an hour from where the kids live. We arrive and the Dads take the tour, as children under 10 (which all are) are not allowed in the brewery. Olivia and I take the take the kids on a walking tour of Masham (the village where the brewery is located), visit a delightful chocolate shop and then back to meet the Dads so Olivia and I can take the tour. The Dads take the kids to the pub and give them chips for tea while we are on the tour. We return and have a sample of the beer and provide juice for the very thirsty kids to drink. Then it is off to dinner, Italian this time, then a walk back to the car park and off home. Tomorrow, another day and more adventures. We are cooking for first night seder and will be sharing with all tomorrow night. For now - off to bed, so I can stay awake tomorrow.