I have some days to report in between but I'll get back to them ...
Came back today from the wonderful weekend in the Highlands that Dereen treated me to. She did so much driving! Basically we went North of Edinburgh across the bay, through the highlands along a mountain range called the Grampian Mountain Range and a ski area. I think I don't have that name right. Anyways, once we got through we went to the west where we followed the line along the borderlands South to a village called St. Agustus along the banks of the Loch Ness :) The Highlands are magical! Much different than I thought. I couldn't really get all the pictures I wanted, but imagine this:
High, steep green hills, covered in mist and purple heather and yellow wildflowers, with white running water carving lines through them or flowing over black granite rock outcroppings. Or big hills with tons and tons of green spruce and pine trees. Or the Lochs- surrounded by banks of mountains and greenery, and ferny, moist dense, forests and secluded, hidden waterfalls! :)
Gorgeous and kinda spooky! There was an air of something refreshing and majestic and different about the place. Hope I can get back there one more time on this trip.
St. Augustus was an adorable little village, located where Loch Ness and the Caldoninan Canal. One of those cool canals that use multiple water levels to assist ships. Just looked up the town on the web- there is alot more history and natural beauty there than what we got to see. Maybe later :) Had dinner at a wonderful place called the Boathouse with stunning views. I had really yummy Scottish salmon and apple pie (mom yours was better) we split a bottle of red wine too. Walked around a bit and tucked in laughably early at about 9pm at our B&B which was in the grounds of what used to be the Abbey! Apparently the town was used by the English as a stopping post in battles. Learned a lot about Scottish history from Dereen on the drive and it was inspiring! I wanna pick up a book and read more about it. And I may have to watch Braveheart with them because the way Dereen talked about it, it was such a moment for their country! Though I will remain firmly intact of my dislike for Mel Gibson
woah I am going way off track here! haha Sorry...
Watched the finale of Celebrity Big Brother. Started watching the new season today, and I do have to say it is interesting, I guess.
Got up to a wonderful hearty breakfeast of a perfectly cooked egg, mushrooms, hashbrowns, roasted tomatoes, brown toast, tea and OJ. We ate in the dining room, which was like a greenhouse, all on pretty white plateware.
Hit the road and drove on the other side of the mountains which was totally different from the first side. Passed the gorgeous waterfalls (that my camera missed) and marshes and old battlelands. And the Stirling castle and monument to William Wallace before getting back to Musselburgh. Got out a bunch of times to take photos, hopefully they will come out good despite the fog and rain of the day.
I had no idea Scotland was so big and interesting, or that it had such a cool history.
Cleaned up a bit and then went to the University just to check out my flat key. The guy liked that I was from California; he sang it. lol. My building is kinda plain on the outside but it has a great location! Five minutes walk from "the Craggs" and Queens park = free outdoor gym! The main thoroughfare with all its shops and restaurants is two blocks away and Prince's street is only a 15 minute walk. As I discovered after I failed to find the location of the free dinner that housing arranged. Whoops I will get this eventually.
My room and the flat is actually pretty spacious. Right off the entrance to the building so it will probably be noisy but whatever. And my room is kinda isolated and at the end. There is a nice view of the Craggs (and a not so nice view of industrial rooftops and graffiti lol) Right across the street from two of the restaurants I liked earlier and a market which is nice.
Tomorrow its out early to attend the International Centre Open House and finally get some money out of an ATM and buy a belt at the charity shop that helps pets get vet appointments across the street. Then its back here for a final lunch with the Masons, a last minute shopping trip for food and some pants that actually fit!! (something went wrong when I packed) and then move- in! And one of the first things once I move in is the gym finally!!
Last night in this room. Ahh man it was really nice!!
I guess I am ready for "school mode." Just wish this cold would go away!!
Came back today from the wonderful weekend in the Highlands that Dereen treated me to. She did so much driving! Basically we went North of Edinburgh across the bay, through the highlands along a mountain range called the Grampian Mountain Range and a ski area. I think I don't have that name right. Anyways, once we got through we went to the west where we followed the line along the borderlands South to a village called St. Agustus along the banks of the Loch Ness :) The Highlands are magical! Much different than I thought. I couldn't really get all the pictures I wanted, but imagine this:
High, steep green hills, covered in mist and purple heather and yellow wildflowers, with white running water carving lines through them or flowing over black granite rock outcroppings. Or big hills with tons and tons of green spruce and pine trees. Or the Lochs- surrounded by banks of mountains and greenery, and ferny, moist dense, forests and secluded, hidden waterfalls! :)
Gorgeous and kinda spooky! There was an air of something refreshing and majestic and different about the place. Hope I can get back there one more time on this trip.
St. Augustus was an adorable little village, located where Loch Ness and the Caldoninan Canal. One of those cool canals that use multiple water levels to assist ships. Just looked up the town on the web- there is alot more history and natural beauty there than what we got to see. Maybe later :) Had dinner at a wonderful place called the Boathouse with stunning views. I had really yummy Scottish salmon and apple pie (mom yours was better) we split a bottle of red wine too. Walked around a bit and tucked in laughably early at about 9pm at our B&B which was in the grounds of what used to be the Abbey! Apparently the town was used by the English as a stopping post in battles. Learned a lot about Scottish history from Dereen on the drive and it was inspiring! I wanna pick up a book and read more about it. And I may have to watch Braveheart with them because the way Dereen talked about it, it was such a moment for their country! Though I will remain firmly intact of my dislike for Mel Gibson
woah I am going way off track here! haha Sorry...
Watched the finale of Celebrity Big Brother. Started watching the new season today, and I do have to say it is interesting, I guess.
Got up to a wonderful hearty breakfeast of a perfectly cooked egg, mushrooms, hashbrowns, roasted tomatoes, brown toast, tea and OJ. We ate in the dining room, which was like a greenhouse, all on pretty white plateware.
Hit the road and drove on the other side of the mountains which was totally different from the first side. Passed the gorgeous waterfalls (that my camera missed) and marshes and old battlelands. And the Stirling castle and monument to William Wallace before getting back to Musselburgh. Got out a bunch of times to take photos, hopefully they will come out good despite the fog and rain of the day.
I had no idea Scotland was so big and interesting, or that it had such a cool history.
Cleaned up a bit and then went to the University just to check out my flat key. The guy liked that I was from California; he sang it. lol. My building is kinda plain on the outside but it has a great location! Five minutes walk from "the Craggs" and Queens park = free outdoor gym! The main thoroughfare with all its shops and restaurants is two blocks away and Prince's street is only a 15 minute walk. As I discovered after I failed to find the location of the free dinner that housing arranged. Whoops I will get this eventually.
My room and the flat is actually pretty spacious. Right off the entrance to the building so it will probably be noisy but whatever. And my room is kinda isolated and at the end. There is a nice view of the Craggs (and a not so nice view of industrial rooftops and graffiti lol) Right across the street from two of the restaurants I liked earlier and a market which is nice.
Tomorrow its out early to attend the International Centre Open House and finally get some money out of an ATM and buy a belt at the charity shop that helps pets get vet appointments across the street. Then its back here for a final lunch with the Masons, a last minute shopping trip for food and some pants that actually fit!! (something went wrong when I packed) and then move- in! And one of the first things once I move in is the gym finally!!
Last night in this room. Ahh man it was really nice!!
I guess I am ready for "school mode." Just wish this cold would go away!!
