June 20th on the road to Edinburgh

Leaving Keswick we stop at Castlerigg stone circle.  To get there you drive down a narrow road/path, and park on the narrow road/path and merely walk in this field.

On the outskirts of Glasgow we stop at The Kelpies, the most beautiful sculptures I've ever seen.  Around this area is the Scottish canals, and  another amazing place to visit The Falkirk Wheel a rotating boat lift, the worlds only rotating boat lift.

After such a great day, we arrived at the Holiday Inn at the Edinburgh airport, where much to my delight they were prepping for a big livestock show right now door - sort of like the Houston Livestock show!  So I went out and stalked the fence line in hopes of seeing my West Highland Cow, or West Highland Coo.  I had seen pictures everywhere and even bought my apron with one, but had yet to find them.  Stalking works!

Trip over, gotta catch a plane in the morning, back to reality!

Up to the canal

The Falkirk Wheel

June 19th - on the road again

After breakfast with Russ, off to Keswick in the Lake district!  A place to go back to!  Our quick overnight stay was at the Skiddaw.  One of the biggest hotel rooms I've ever stayed in.

A local dog show fun match was going on.  Keswick has the reputation as being the most dog friendly town in the UK.  Shops have signs that say dogs welcome, and most of the pubs.  Unlike my dogs, their dogs lie under the table and are well behaved.  Can't even imagine taking Khaos in a pub!

A started a hike around the lake but it was more than a mist and I was afraid that it would be a real down pour and I didn't want to get the camera soaked.   Beautiful lake, and walking trails, I need to go back and complete the walk! 

Later than evening we had a real pub meal at the Dog and Gun I think the most realistic and down to earth pub, and of course dog friendly. 

I would go back to!

Sheep along my hike

June 18th

Off to the Dales Festival of Food and Drink in Leyburn, it was so much fun tasting all the cheese, local whiskey's and sweets!  Lunch at Upstairs at Serendipity .

Then off to Helmsley to meet up with Russ and Kathy. 

We arrived in Helmsley to a SEA of bikers!  Bikers look the same but with a cool British accent!  I mean they were everywhere, coming out of every sandwich shop and pub.  Empty kegs being hauled out back buy every pub I saw.  Sam dropped me at the front of the hotel while he made the block, I had to walk through this sea of bikers blocking the door.  The Feathers had a small car park out back, and Sam managed to park our Volvo in the only spot available, afterwards a group of bikers had been watching me guide Sam in, and they applauded my efforts!

I ask about a laundry, and they were so nice they let me use the hotel laundry!  I did a quick trip around the village before we met up with Kathy and Russ at the Black Swan, the only pub with space!

Later a cab to dinner with Julien, Adele, Russ and Kathy to celebrate Russ' early retirement from Invista.  We also saw Kracks doppelganger at a pub that later that evening.

Over the Dales and Moors - June 17th

Off with  Julien and Jill in North Yorkshire over the hills, dales and moors.  Beautiful villages with shops and pubs. 

We came very close to Wensleydale Creamery (you can find their cheeses at HEB). 

Dinner at the Crown Inn

Road trip in the UK!

June 16, on the road to Burneston in the North Yorkshire area.

Hmmm, glad Sam is driving, especially on this cold, drizzly day.

On the way we stop at Rosslyn Chapel,  It's only 7 miles south of Edinburgh.  This chapel built in 1446 has an extraordinary history and thanks to Dan Brown and his novel this the Da Vinci Code, in 2003 this building was brought back to life.  Included in the fee is a talk buy a curator and it's very informative.

Onward south.  Roundabout after Roundabout!  We only made 2 wrong exits the whole trip, but one was ok because I needed to stop!  McDonalds in the UK!

Our second big stop was BIG!  So many castles, so little time.  We only had time for 1 so it was hard to choose.  Well Lindisfarne Castle was out because of our timing and the tide, so we went with Bamburgh.

Our day ended with arriving at the Hillmans, then out for a nice dinner at the Crab and Lobster in Thirsk.  Thirst is was the home of the famous veterinarian James Herriot.

And these are my iPhone pictures, my pictures are missing from the chip????  Or most of them are anyway.
 

Edinburgh Day 2

Day 2 started off with weather about the same, but it's what you expect in Scotland!  So raincoats and umbrellas in hand off we went to visit to the Edinburgh Castle.  I had already bought our tickets so no standing in the queue, so we picked up our headsets for our self guided tour. 

I took on the many steps of the castle, and Sam kept me up todate on the history I was missing. 

Afterwards we found a great lunch spot down one of the many allys along the Royal Mile.  It was just a soup and sandwich place, but perfect!  The Deacons House Café.

After lunch we went and found the Hop on Hop off bus of Ediburgh and toured sitting atop the bus (with NO RAIN).    We found numerous mexican food places along the way (didn't go to any), I read a menu and one had Haggis Nachos!

Dinner was special, it was a place we had tried to get a room at but already booked.  So we settled for the restaurant.  It was called The Witchery and it's right next to the castle.  Really pretty, pricy and devilish décor!  I had the Scottish Dish of Haggis and it was good! 

On the walk back to the hotel we stopped in a pub with live music, and it was so much fun!  I stuck with beer while Sam sampled different whisky's!   The Ensign Ewart so was so much fun, it was exactly as I thought a pub playing Celtic and traditional music would be. 

Arrived in Edinburgh June 14, 2016

Arrived a day later than planned, but arrived!!!  We arrived in typical wet and cool weather but we were prepared.

No problem checking in, since we didn't show up the night before.  The G & V on the Royal Mile was a lovely and modern hotel, décor was different but fun and bright.  

We dropped luggage after flying all night and took off down the Royal Mile towards Holyrood Park (you know, the Queens Scottish castle when she comes calling). 

My final destination was going to be at Holyrood Park to walk up Arthurs Seat.  On the way we would be stopping at Sam's final destination of Caldenheads, Whisky Shop est 1842.  But after flying overnight we stopped to eat before we took off to our adventures!  Clarinda's was a typical, awesome little tea room. 

My climb up to Arthurs Seat was cold, slippery and wet but it was really enjoyable.  It was a small, only 6 including me our guide, like being with a park ranger.  It was a free tour that I signed up for.  It was difficult to see the views, but the guide was really knowable and he was a nice kid.   The tour included history and science.

I made my way back to the hotel where Sam was resting after his strenuous whisky tasting and we got ready for dinner.  Again we walked back up the mile to a place called the Devil's Advocate.  A

Oh and walking back I found the first of about 8 Mexican Restaurant's.  Mariachis

A day late but we didn't let that stop us!

Not all guys can pull off a Kilt, but this one can!