Scotland & York

Well we are back from our trip to Edinburgh, Scotland and York in England. We decided to come back a day early as Jason's schedule was starting to look to overwhelming.

May 26-28
Scotland was, well rainy to say the least. It was also everything I had imagined it to be. We took the kids out of school early on Friday and drove up after lunch, arriving after 8 (long drive!). Once we got past Newcastle, the drive and scenery improved greatly.

I book us on a bus tour of the Highlands & Loch Ness. We made several stops along the way and it was a great method to see the Highlands with little time on our hands as well as the compromised mobility of my dad. We saw misty hillsides, green rolling hills, lots of sheep. One of the most beautiful sights though were the hundreds of waterfalls and rivulets of water flowing down the hills and mountains to the rivers. The people were very friendly and love to tell stories (our bus driver included!)

After feeding the kids and leaving them with the grandparents, Jason & I went out on George Street (taxi driver tip). I felt overdressed in jeans and a sweater despite the biting chill in the air. Most of the girls were in shorts or jeans and camisoles with high heels. Girls in really short skirts and heels are known as Tarts.

Our first stop was a pub we were told to go to for a cheap round. It looked to be in an old bank with its high ceilings. It was quite loud inside, despite no music being played and most people were carrying around 1 drink in each hand.

After the pub we went into a dance club (its been awhile since we've been to one) I even got carded! The dance floor was good people watching. After a few songs a girl came up to me and wanted me to join her and her friend. Then they pulled Jason out. The Scots generally seemed like a fun loving society and want everyone to join them.

The next morning Jason had to interview someone who flew in from Singapore, so the rest of us had breakfast and packed up the car. After Jason finished we toured the castle and had lunch.

May 28-29
We arrived in York around 7-8, checked into our B&B and walked into town to have a quick look and wear out the kids. It didn't seem to have much to offer us, my dad was having a tough time walking, Jason was stressing about his travel schedule and we were waiting word on the imminent passing of Jason's grandmother. We decided to only give York 1 night.

After a full English breakfast, we packed up and drove into town. With the roof rack and topper we couldn't find a place to park, so Jason dropped us off and searched for a spot. It started raining (ya-I thought winter was done too, even put my sweaters away)so we waited for Jason in a coffee shop. After he found us we checked out the 'Minster.' The Minster is actually a medieval cathedral that was only saved destruction by Henry VIII because it didn't have a monastery. It is called a Minster because its purpose is to minister to the people-it was impressive. Jillian dropped her candle and melted down, so we decided to skip the castle, go straight to the National Rail Museum and then home.

The shuttle stop for the museum was right next to another church, this one Catholic. My dad surpised me by going in on his own and saying a prayer. Bit of an aside: Last week we went to our church here and told him if he wanted Sunday Roast he had to come with us, but he could wander around while we were in church. Well the clouds split open just as we got to church and he had to come in and sit through Mass. The homily was about loving one another no matter what and that the church doesn't turn people away after mistakes (despite what others believe of us Catholics). I think my dad thinks we set him up! Well, the Holy Spirit was. It worked, because he went in on his own and I don't think he has been into a church since walking me down the aisle. Anyway, it was a lovely simple church.

We got to the rail museum and it was free! What a museum it was--the best rail museum I've seen by far. Griffen was in heaven. There were some Royal Trains on display, Winston Churchill's funeral train, a cut open steam engine that showed how it worked and more. We got tired and ran out of time, so we will be back for a visit there.

We finished the day by going in the York Wheel, which is a bit like the London Eye. My parents claimed fear of heights and waited for us. I though I'd be able to handle the height and with the windows the claustrophobia shouldn't be a problem. Besides there is a panic button if you want out before your time is up. I was fine at first. Then we had to stop about halfway up to load more people in the pods. My leg started to shake uncontrollably, Griffen wouldn't sit down, Kaitlyn was laughing at me. But we were how many feet above ground? Just stopped midair, with the wind howling through the doors and the pod swinging ever so slightly my stomach started to churn a tiny bit. Then we went back down to let out some others who couldn't handle it. I decided to be brave and stick it out. Once everyone was loaded and we just went around without stopping I was find, but still had a tough time enjoying the view. Griffen and I decided that in the future, we will skip the London Eye and just wait for Jason and Kaitlyn below.

So now we are home once again