Cork Ireland
Highlands of Scotland
Dingle Peninsula Ireland
Eastern Coast of England
Hadrian's Wall England
More to come about our new home and the rest of our trip
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
NEW and IMPROVED PHOTO LINK
I think we finally figured out this photobucket thing. Go to this link. Or to save you the time if you are not really into sitting through 300 photos here are five of my favorites:
Cork Ireland
Highlands of Scotland
Dingle Peninsula Ireland
Eastern Coast of England
Hadrian's Wall England
More to come about our new home and the rest of our trip
Cork Ireland
Highlands of Scotland
Dingle Peninsula Ireland
Eastern Coast of England
Hadrian's Wall England
More to come about our new home and the rest of our trip
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Sept 11-17
Fri, Sept 11
We went to a few castles, Warworth, Dunthorpe, Bambaugh, and Narnia Supreme. Yummed some tasty ice cream straight from the cow’s utter at Morwick Dairy. Had a little walk and a picnic on the beach, cheese and ocean and seahouses. We went to Holy Island, where Christianity was first brought to England by Saint Something Or Other. They was a really old ruined church and a really old, but not quite as old church that wasn’t ruined. Holy Island can only be reached at low tide. Water flooded the causeway at high tide. We had an hour until the tide was supposed to come in and Becca was getting nervous. We were in a shop and the storekeeper called her “Miss Panic Knickers.” I thought it was a funny name and I laughed heartily and repeatedly. I bought mead and sipped it next to castle that was old. We rolled on up to Edinburgh and stayed in a hostel outside of town. We took a tram into the city centre and sampled some Caldonian 80 and McEwans. I ate a brick of fried haggis from a dodgy looking takeaway place. In the Scotsman Lounge an inebriated gentleman kept pestering me to hit on my wife. So I did. Took a Beatles taxi back to the hostel
Sat, Sept 12
Edinburgh day. We went to the writers museum (burns, scott, Stevenson and all that) I ate an ice cream and we sat in the park. We ate a pig sandwich at this place that had a whole cooked pig lying in its front window. Walking out of this store we ran into Nate Dumas and Nate Rose. Small world. It was quite a pleasant surprise. We decided to drink ale and whisky together, Deuchar IPA, Suffolk Pride, Blackbox, etc. Good times. Ate some Indian food. Hung out at Domino’s. Almost ordered an anchovy pizza for the bus ride back to the hostel.
Sun, Sept 13
Wakey and drove to Pitlochory and toured the Edradour distillery, which was an independent distillery and the smallest in Scotland. Excellent whiskey. We then drove up to the Isle of Skye in north western Scotland, stopping at the Highlander castle for a smoke. We stayed at Saucy Mary’s hostel in Kyleakyn on the Isle.
Mon, Sept 14
We had a tour around Skye and went on a long hike up in the clouds, scrambling up and down rocky cliffs and peaks with sheep and their poo. Lots of poo.
Tues, Sept 15
Rolled from Skye to the Lake District. Did some laundry and ate some Goulash in Keswick at the Dog and Gun. Played a little Texas Hold ‘em.
Wed, Sept 16
Played a little pitch and putt golf. Had a little hike around Buttermere lake. We went to a play in Keswick, A Midsummers Night Dream.
Thurs, Sept 17
Drove from Keswick in the Lake District to Holyhead in Wales. A little lunch of Leek soup and jack potatoes, then Becca and I departed from Adam and Kayla and had a splendid ferry ride to Dublin. I had a pint of Guinness along the way and it was delightful. It was a bit of a walk to out B and B in Dublin. We walked around Dublin city center – Temple Bar, Grafton, Trinity, St Stephen’s Green, etc. Ate pizza and pasta, then visited Palace Bar and The Stag’s Head.
We went to a few castles, Warworth, Dunthorpe, Bambaugh, and Narnia Supreme. Yummed some tasty ice cream straight from the cow’s utter at Morwick Dairy. Had a little walk and a picnic on the beach, cheese and ocean and seahouses. We went to Holy Island, where Christianity was first brought to England by Saint Something Or Other. They was a really old ruined church and a really old, but not quite as old church that wasn’t ruined. Holy Island can only be reached at low tide. Water flooded the causeway at high tide. We had an hour until the tide was supposed to come in and Becca was getting nervous. We were in a shop and the storekeeper called her “Miss Panic Knickers.” I thought it was a funny name and I laughed heartily and repeatedly. I bought mead and sipped it next to castle that was old. We rolled on up to Edinburgh and stayed in a hostel outside of town. We took a tram into the city centre and sampled some Caldonian 80 and McEwans. I ate a brick of fried haggis from a dodgy looking takeaway place. In the Scotsman Lounge an inebriated gentleman kept pestering me to hit on my wife. So I did. Took a Beatles taxi back to the hostel
Sat, Sept 12
Edinburgh day. We went to the writers museum (burns, scott, Stevenson and all that) I ate an ice cream and we sat in the park. We ate a pig sandwich at this place that had a whole cooked pig lying in its front window. Walking out of this store we ran into Nate Dumas and Nate Rose. Small world. It was quite a pleasant surprise. We decided to drink ale and whisky together, Deuchar IPA, Suffolk Pride, Blackbox, etc. Good times. Ate some Indian food. Hung out at Domino’s. Almost ordered an anchovy pizza for the bus ride back to the hostel.
Sun, Sept 13
Wakey and drove to Pitlochory and toured the Edradour distillery, which was an independent distillery and the smallest in Scotland. Excellent whiskey. We then drove up to the Isle of Skye in north western Scotland, stopping at the Highlander castle for a smoke. We stayed at Saucy Mary’s hostel in Kyleakyn on the Isle.
Mon, Sept 14
We had a tour around Skye and went on a long hike up in the clouds, scrambling up and down rocky cliffs and peaks with sheep and their poo. Lots of poo.
Tues, Sept 15
Rolled from Skye to the Lake District. Did some laundry and ate some Goulash in Keswick at the Dog and Gun. Played a little Texas Hold ‘em.
Wed, Sept 16
Played a little pitch and putt golf. Had a little hike around Buttermere lake. We went to a play in Keswick, A Midsummers Night Dream.
Thurs, Sept 17
Drove from Keswick in the Lake District to Holyhead in Wales. A little lunch of Leek soup and jack potatoes, then Becca and I departed from Adam and Kayla and had a splendid ferry ride to Dublin. I had a pint of Guinness along the way and it was delightful. It was a bit of a walk to out B and B in Dublin. We walked around Dublin city center – Temple Bar, Grafton, Trinity, St Stephen’s Green, etc. Ate pizza and pasta, then visited Palace Bar and The Stag’s Head.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Sept 9, 10
Wed, Sept 9
Woke up in York. Breakfast British-style – beans, tomato, mushroom, egg, toast, sausage, tea. Yum town, UK. We went to the York Castle museum and saw things, fun times, then had a tasty cucumber and cheese sandwich for lunch and walking tour of the city. Then a delectable steak and Stilton pasty. Headed to the York Minster Cathedral for evening prayer.
Aside:
This cathedral is the largest “north of the alps” according to the literature. There were about 40 people in attendance at evening prayer. I didn’t really expect too many, but it's been striking how secular England is considering the huge and rich religious history. Hundreds (thousands?) of churches shut down, the rest functioning largely at museums. The future of America? (Minus the beautiful buildings, I suppose)
After Evening prayer, we walked the old city walls back to the B and B. Stopped in at the Swan for pints of Tetleys and Moorhouse Black Cat.
Thurs, Sept 10
Drove to Durham and checked out the wonderful cathedral and chilled out with St Cuthbert’s bones. Gave NT Wright a high five. Ate a sandwich. Exchanged some bills and bought a phone. Cruised up to Hadrian’s wall and had some great hikes along those old Roman stones. Saw some tree that Robin hood lived in and a cow eating grass in a very humorous manner. We stayed in a hostel that was near the ruins of some old Roman fort from 3000 BC or something. We went to a pub on the side of the road and had diaper tasting fish and chips, but some un-diaper tasting pints of Samson Ale (Maxim Brewery) and Black Sheep Ale
Woke up in York. Breakfast British-style – beans, tomato, mushroom, egg, toast, sausage, tea. Yum town, UK. We went to the York Castle museum and saw things, fun times, then had a tasty cucumber and cheese sandwich for lunch and walking tour of the city. Then a delectable steak and Stilton pasty. Headed to the York Minster Cathedral for evening prayer.
Aside:
This cathedral is the largest “north of the alps” according to the literature. There were about 40 people in attendance at evening prayer. I didn’t really expect too many, but it's been striking how secular England is considering the huge and rich religious history. Hundreds (thousands?) of churches shut down, the rest functioning largely at museums. The future of America? (Minus the beautiful buildings, I suppose)
After Evening prayer, we walked the old city walls back to the B and B. Stopped in at the Swan for pints of Tetleys and Moorhouse Black Cat.
Thurs, Sept 10
Drove to Durham and checked out the wonderful cathedral and chilled out with St Cuthbert’s bones. Gave NT Wright a high five. Ate a sandwich. Exchanged some bills and bought a phone. Cruised up to Hadrian’s wall and had some great hikes along those old Roman stones. Saw some tree that Robin hood lived in and a cow eating grass in a very humorous manner. We stayed in a hostel that was near the ruins of some old Roman fort from 3000 BC or something. We went to a pub on the side of the road and had diaper tasting fish and chips, but some un-diaper tasting pints of Samson Ale (Maxim Brewery) and Black Sheep Ale
Sept 6, 7, 8
Sunday, Sept 6
We woke up this fine morning in Santa Rosa, California and went to St Luke’s Lutheran. Went home and packed our stuff for our mythical and fantastic journey to the great beyond. We took the Airporter to SFO - 6:50 flight to London on British Airways. What wonderful entertainment! I watched 3 episodes of The Wire and some Alec Guinness movie, the Lavender St Mob, I think. Becca watch some girl movie. Nice free wines, I must say twice. Nice free wines.
Monday, Sept 7
We landed in "The Great United Kingdom of Her Royal Highness, her Majesty the Queen of England and Sovereign protector of the crown of Richard the Lionhearted" around 1pm. We stumbled upon Adam and Kayla Burke from Concordia St Louis in the baggage claim. The smelled of bubble gum. The four of us caught the 2:05 Nation Express coach to Cambridge from Heathrow and arrived at 5ish then taxied to Westfield House. After a moment or 5 of getting settled in our new abode and meeting Tutor Humann, we went to the Mitre for some fish and chips and pints. After, we wandered Cambridge city centre and drained pints of Old Speckled Hen and Magners at the Eagle where Watson and Crick announced the discovery of DNA. Great place.
Tues, Sept 8
Early wake @ 7.30. Adam and I rode bikes to National car hire. UK bike, mind you. They are wily creatures they are. We got lost, passed a Dominos pizza a few times, got buzzed by a bus but ended up with a Peugeot hatchback manual drive. I drove to the market across the street. Wah wah wee wa! Crazy times on the left side. Thankfully I ending up eating bacon, egg, English muffins, oj. Later we met Wanja and Hilary, who work at Westfield. Eventually we drove to Lincoln. it was a delightful town. There was quite a Steep hill with a road called "Steep Hill Road," which I found quite descriptive and helpful. Immediately following Steep Hill, Pints were required at the Wig and Mitre. Then Bangers and Mash were called upon at the Magna Carta in the shade of the Cathedral and castle. There was the Lincoln University graduation going on during our visit. We we fortunaely to catch some evensong choral practice at the cathedral. Then we drove to York. Roundabouts are fun. It stared raining. So i pulled over on the curb, drove on the sidewalk for a while and saw a guesthouse for a good rate. Instead of driving through the living quarters we decided to stayed there. Indian food was eaten and enjoyed and was satisfying. Kingfisher was consumed by my gullet and savored. Becca and Adam raced up a hill. Becca lost. We wandered around York city centre. We turned a corner and heard some scrumptdillyumpious tunes emanating from an inviting establishment called the Last Drop Inn. We entered and demanded ale immediately. I rather enjoyed the Ghost Ale Stout (York Brewery) and Becca partook of some Rick Steves approved Scrumpy.
We woke up this fine morning in Santa Rosa, California and went to St Luke’s Lutheran. Went home and packed our stuff for our mythical and fantastic journey to the great beyond. We took the Airporter to SFO - 6:50 flight to London on British Airways. What wonderful entertainment! I watched 3 episodes of The Wire and some Alec Guinness movie, the Lavender St Mob, I think. Becca watch some girl movie. Nice free wines, I must say twice. Nice free wines.
Monday, Sept 7
We landed in "The Great United Kingdom of Her Royal Highness, her Majesty the Queen of England and Sovereign protector of the crown of Richard the Lionhearted" around 1pm. We stumbled upon Adam and Kayla Burke from Concordia St Louis in the baggage claim. The smelled of bubble gum. The four of us caught the 2:05 Nation Express coach to Cambridge from Heathrow and arrived at 5ish then taxied to Westfield House. After a moment or 5 of getting settled in our new abode and meeting Tutor Humann, we went to the Mitre for some fish and chips and pints. After, we wandered Cambridge city centre and drained pints of Old Speckled Hen and Magners at the Eagle where Watson and Crick announced the discovery of DNA. Great place.
Tues, Sept 8
Early wake @ 7.30. Adam and I rode bikes to National car hire. UK bike, mind you. They are wily creatures they are. We got lost, passed a Dominos pizza a few times, got buzzed by a bus but ended up with a Peugeot hatchback manual drive. I drove to the market across the street. Wah wah wee wa! Crazy times on the left side. Thankfully I ending up eating bacon, egg, English muffins, oj. Later we met Wanja and Hilary, who work at Westfield. Eventually we drove to Lincoln. it was a delightful town. There was quite a Steep hill with a road called "Steep Hill Road," which I found quite descriptive and helpful. Immediately following Steep Hill, Pints were required at the Wig and Mitre. Then Bangers and Mash were called upon at the Magna Carta in the shade of the Cathedral and castle. There was the Lincoln University graduation going on during our visit. We we fortunaely to catch some evensong choral practice at the cathedral. Then we drove to York. Roundabouts are fun. It stared raining. So i pulled over on the curb, drove on the sidewalk for a while and saw a guesthouse for a good rate. Instead of driving through the living quarters we decided to stayed there. Indian food was eaten and enjoyed and was satisfying. Kingfisher was consumed by my gullet and savored. Becca and Adam raced up a hill. Becca lost. We wandered around York city centre. We turned a corner and heard some scrumptdillyumpious tunes emanating from an inviting establishment called the Last Drop Inn. We entered and demanded ale immediately. I rather enjoyed the Ghost Ale Stout (York Brewery) and Becca partook of some Rick Steves approved Scrumpy.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
ireland
There are lots of Darrens in Ireland. Also, The preference seems to be for air blowing hand dryers over paper towels. Things are green. I swear I saw the offspring of a leprauchan in Dublin. Galway is an amazing town.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
2 more days till UK
Got visa today. Much Stress prefaced receipt of the goods: car crash, incompenant bank tellers, loan officers, visa advocates. Give me a Fullers.
We are in Santa Rosa now. Good wine, good brews, good family.
Muy excited for Uk life. beer, beer, whisky, whisky, highlands, castles, ocean, leprauchans, churches, beer, knights and such.
Thanks to all for the prayers and support.
We'll say hi to the queen for you.
We are in Santa Rosa now. Good wine, good brews, good family.
Muy excited for Uk life. beer, beer, whisky, whisky, highlands, castles, ocean, leprauchans, churches, beer, knights and such.
Thanks to all for the prayers and support.
We'll say hi to the queen for you.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
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