Saturday, June 6, 2009

Scotland Sightseeing

Remember that trip we took to Scotland & London around New Year's? Me neither, hardly! And I kept promising photos, but we only did York and Aberfeldy (wordful and wordless). I've still got to post about Edinburgh and London...

And we got just the incentive to do it, since Christina at Christina's Home and Travel Adventures is celebrating her 100th post with a sightseeing tour and fabulous giveaway!
And it just so coincides with IHeartFaces' Telling My Story: Vacation Edition on Monday! So let's get their little button in here so we can join that party, too!
Step into that time travel machine thingy with me, folks, and go back to January 3rd, 2009. Is that really me? What happened to all my hair?

That's the day we made the trek from Aberfeldy to Leeds via Edinburgh and Glasgow. Sound like a lot of driving? It was. Especially at the rate I drive.

So in order to get anywhere, I had to let someone else drive and then entertain myself in the back seat by trying to get my whole foot in my mouth.

And sucking on my dummy when I got bored with the bare trees whizzing by. I NEVER do that anymore. Bare my trees, that is.

We made a detour to Perth the night before. Hooray for Facebook! It let us connect with friends from South Africa now living in Scotland.

Here I am lying low with my new buddy Joshua.
Then on to Edinburgh. First the famous bridge...

And proof that I was there. See that bridge through the guardrails of OUR bridge? We were not worthy to go on the other bridge, you understand.

This is just an ordinary school. Imagine going to school in a building that fancy. It could be rather distracting.

We stopped at St. Paul's Cathedral. What a grand place! Think of the time it took to build, let alone to keep it maintained?

Here's the inside...

Mommy's always intrigued by the organs.

And here's Sir Walter Scott's pew.

More church stuff. There are loads of beautiful old churches to see, and the stained glass effect was gorgeous on this sunny day.



Here we are touring the cemeteries, which are also everywhere.

Here's imposing Edinbugh Castle, which dominates everything...

And a couple of other skyline shots...



The ferris wheel I never got to ride...

Ahh! Now I see the big attraction - the REAL Edinburgh Castle! Never mind that big castle-like thing up on the hill behind it.

My very favorite part of the whole trip...

Kilts for Father's Day, anyone? If Dad likes it, I'll take all the credit.

On to Glasgow for lunch and to visit some other friends from South Africa. Yeah for Facebook! Here's the guy who MC'd Mommy and Pappa's wedding - in front of his church plant.

And daughter Meghan, sharing grapes, or not...

Checking out the shoes!

Group hug before we leave - including her big brother...
Then the long drive to Leeds and the hospitality of Ms. Ruth and Mr. Aidan.

Yeah, we did it! Check off Edinburgh. Now we've only got the London episode left (unless you count Pappa's squash game in Leeds, which I won't).
There's not that much to see in London, so it can't be too difficult, right? 'Til next time...

9 comments:

xinex said...

These are incredible pictures! I love that Cathedral especially. What a gorgeous piece of architecture, love the inside too! And Esme, you are just the cutest!Thank you for joining me for Sightseeing Saturday and helping me celebrate my 100th post. I hope you join again for another sightseeing and please feel free to copy the logo. I'll
have a separate one next week....Christine

Chandy said...

Wonderful places and buildings. Edinburgh castle is amazing! How cute is our host today! Scotland is beautiful... Thanks for sharing this beautiful country with us today.

Glad to see you in this week's SS!

Debra Kaye said...

Esme,

What wonderful pictures. I have missed you but have been extremely distressed over the loss of another family member. Your sweet smile was able to make me smile! Thank you for that!

Blessings to you!

PS...my husband used to live in London and he also loved the historical buildings and found them fascinating!

ShEiLa said...

I love the famous bridge... definitely unique.

Also cute little face on that Little Esme.

ToOdLeS.

Tracey said...

Terrific pictures! I love the cathedral. My husband and I enjoy visiting old churches and cathedrals when we vacation in new spots.

Tina said...

haha what a great little story piece. loved the pictures

Madeline said...

Wow! What a trip!! The pics are gorgeous.

Unknown said...

Esme, you are so pretty! And expressive, too.

Unknown said...

Beautiful pictures! Thanks for the tour.

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey