London and St.Pauls 25-8-10

Brenda and Sue in London's rain on the steps of St. Pauls.

Today we travelled by train to London--2 hours. We are back at the Thanet Hotel by on the 1st floor---thank you Lord!!! It is pouring with rain but we left our bags and walked to St. Paul's Cathedral---a 3 three hour round walk and in the rain!! We passed Fleet Street and walked on but it wasnt cold---just wet!!
We went into St. Pauls and spent a couple of hours in this beautiful Cathedral. We went in the crypt and saw Nelson's tomb and Sir Christopher Wren's. William Blake there too and lots more. I love the domed ceiling and had to stand directly under it to see the smaller top dome---amazing architecture!!

I loved this room in the crypt that was called "The Eye of St.Paul's". You satnd in this room and there is a projection that shows the time-line of St. Pauls. The gReat fire of London goes around all the walls. Then it takes you up to the whispering gallery and moves around---bit scary for me and my height problem but THEN it went up to the Golden Gallery-----this goes around the OUTSIDE of the Dome!!! I shut my eyes at first but when I peeped it was the most mgnificent view of London 360o !! Then it was back to the Hotel in the rain---bit wet but a good walk!!

York and the Railway Museum

 Toady we had rain for some/most of the day so I headed to the Jorvic Viking Centre. This was a great place and I would have loved to take my grandsons with me!! This is the result of excavations by archaeologists from 1976-1981. Many artefact's were uncovered and this centre shows life as it was then. You walk over a glass floor where excavations have taken place and see an old shoe bones etc!! David you would love this!!!

Rainy day at the Art gallery York

I then headed off to the Railway Museum. Now young Oliver this is heaven for you!!! All the trains you love are here and more!!! I think all my grandchildren would love it really and it was fun to while away time among the old engines. The Royal Train even had a bath and of course a full size bed!! They really rough it when they travel!!

I finished my day in York with a walk around the river path as the sun came out at last for a while.For Oliver!!!

York 23-8-10

We arrived in York yesterday and strolled through the city and a beautiful walk along the river near our B&B. We open the front gate and we are on the River Walk!! There are Narrow boats on the Ouse River and they are so picturesque---a glimpse of the old way of life on the river. people used to live on these boats and raise their families as they travelled through the lochs.

People enjoying the sun in park in York.

It was a beautiful sunny day yesterday in York but today it has been raining hard so most photos will be from yesterday!!

 Tudor building York

This is a charming city with many beautiful Tudor buildings and lovely flowers in pots everywhere. We visited The Art Gallery in York and saw a very good Exhibition on China called "Journey to the East"---great for a rainy day!

We love the ancient city wall around the city. Many of the old city gates are still standing! A beautiful old city!!

To York 22-8-10

Tartan  in the Mill being checked for faultsA Close on the Royal Mile Edinburgh

Today we travelled to York by train. Last night it rained so hard and we felt sorry for those lining up to see the Tattoo. Two sessions last night who had heavy rain!! Weren't we lucky to have a lovely mild night. Before we left Edinburgh we had a lovely wandering day and walked up to the Royal Mile and many miles beyond!! We went through a Tartan Weaving mill.So hard not to buy a beautiful tartan rug but they just wouldn't work with the heat of Italy!
I loved the many little lanes on the Royal Mile that are known as a "Close".

The National Art Gallery Edinburgh

Street performer Edinburgh

I would like to paint these as they reek of history--days gone by---horse and carts etc. I have done many little paintings when I felt inspired with our travels. I like the "inspiration of the moment type" paintings!! A good record of our trip. Tonight we are in York---tell you more after a sleep and heaps more walking!!----not together I hope!!!

Edinburgh Tattoo 20-8-10

Walk around the river in Edinburgh.

 Edinburgh is packed with tourists for the Tattoo and Festivale. We had a good day wandering the city yesterday. Brenda went to the Museum and I went to the Art Gallery to see "The Impressionists Garden" Exhibition. This was the best exhibition with Monet's waterlillies Gaugin etc etc.
We walked around the river yesterday and it was very peaceful --away from the maddening crowds!

Great seats!!

Then we were back in them last night for the Tattoo. Crowds were packed along the Royal Mile----you had to wait for ages to get in but it was worth all the crowds and waiting!!The First Minister of Scotland spoke to me as he went to his box-----bit of a surprise!!

Massed pipe bands!!

It was just a night to remember--words are not enough for me!! Bit tearful in places as I loved it so much!! The bagpipes sure do stir the soul!! So I'll leave you with a photo!!

Inverness and the Orkneys 18-8-10

The Ferry to the Orkneys.

On the Orkney Road

We had a big journey to the Orkneys. Hope you are all following your map of Scotland---especially grandchildren!!   The bus travelled to John O'Groats in the North of Scotland. This was a three hour bus trip but great scenery. John O'Groats is the longest land distance from Landsend in Cornwell in Britain. There are 20'000 people on The Orkneys and 70 islands. Only 20 of these are inhabited! We caught the ferry here to the Orkneys. This island is on the same latitude as St. Petersburg in Russia and Greenland so imagine how cold it was---and this is summer!! I wore as much as possible and topped it off with a rain coat!! Sure were icy blasts as we made our way to the ferry. Had a photo taken here but it really was too awful---we look so cold and fat with clothes!! So imagine! There are no trees on the island but it is very green and lush!! the main industry is cattle, sheep and barley(for the whisky that's made on the island!)

Magnus Cathedral

Our first stop was Kirkwall and we found a beautiful Cathedral here called Magnus, I loved this place. It was very spiritual and a man was playing the organ for a service while we were there so that made it very special. there is a strong association with the Vikings here that my brother David would love. They have a Viking ship on the Altar and a statue of an Artic explorer---theres a story here but no time to tell!!
I must say that its very hard picking the photos tonight as I  have so many I love!!! Oh Dear!!!
Also for David--- there were 40.000 stationed here during the war and a prisoner of war camp and ship wreck that I'll have to tell you about when I get home!

Skara Brae 5,000 years old.

Next amazing stop was Skara Brae. Here a farmer discovered the roof of a Neolithic house and a whole village was unearthed that is 5,000 years old. We walked a time line to get to it that had markers such as Great wall of China Stone Henge The Pyramid at Giza but this village at Skara Brae was before them all!! This place was truly amazing---like a family home in stone It is the best preserved Neolithic Village in the world.

The Ring of Brodka

Next we travelled to the Ring of Brodka, This is 4,000 years old > There were 62 standing stones in a circle but only 62 are standing. It was an incredible experience walking around this circle of stones. As in stonehenge you ask Why did they build it and who built it---same problem moving stones as Stonehenge. What made it rather beautiful was the masses of heather growing in the circle and around the base of the stones. I must say this had me painting late at night as the colours were so beautiful.

The Italian Chapel--The Orkneys.

Lastly (a 6 hour trip around the Orkneys!) we viewed the Italian chapel---built by Italian prisoner of wars in the second world war----built around a tin hut and from scaps they could find.
We arrived back after the ferry trip for another very long bus trip home---didn't arrive till 9 then had a 20min walk!! So although very exhausted we both had an amazing day on the Orkney islands  and saw not only their lives now but also there lives 5'000 years ago!!  Great Day!!

Journey to Isle of Skye 15 to 16th August 2010

Duart Castle Isle of MuLL

Yesterday we bag an the long trek from Tobermory on the Isle of Mull to Oban and Glasgow. Then today we had a long train ride from Glasgow 3 hours and 20 minutes to Inverness where we picked up a hire car and drove to Skye. A long journey and last night we were exhausted after travelling on bus, ferry, then a 3 hour train ride to Glasgow. We didn't arrive till 7.30pm so we didn't really see much of Glasgow but a nice room helped.

Driving through the Scottish Highlands was very special. It was cloudy with mists hovering over the distant mountains. The Heather was purple on the hills and it was just beautiful. I couldn't stop thinking of Brigadoon as the mist came down over the valley and expected that mystical village to appear any moment.(For those grandchildren too young to know about Brigadoon it was a wonderful old film!!) WE drove over this huge bridge that spans the mainland to the Isle of Skye----I let Brenda drive here!! It was very high. Then when we reached Portree we decided to drive north around the road that loops around the East side of the island. What amazing country that was!!Sheer cliffs dropping to the sea with Heather clinging to the rocks. it was raining so the photos are not bright but I loved the mood created by the mists. We saw 3 incredible waterfalls and the one pictured is at Kilt rock. For the boys---especially Jakob this is highly populated dinosaur area in the world!! Dinner tonight was (yes you guessed!!) fish and chips in Portree. However it was pouring with rain and we walked from the B&B so we had to stand in a doorway to eat---Portree not big on sheltered outdoor eating areas!! So glad we didn't have cameras here as we looked like two drowned rats!! To bed now listening to the sound of rain---nice!!