Monday, October 12, 2009

Scotland revisited -a video tour (part 3)

This is one of the bed and breakfasts we stayed in. Sorry! I know ...it's sideways but I don't know how to fix it. It's short so just lean your head over for a few seconds. I loved the flowers that were everywhere. I know it's hard to believe but they were all real. They have so much rain that they never have to water them. Amazing!
Here ...maybe this is a little better.
A bus tour of the world famous St Andrews golf course. Sorry, it gets a little crazy at the end and I don't know how to edit videos yet. No the bus didn't flip over ...I just forgot to wait for the camera to shut down before starting to put it away!
Putting on the 18th green
The home of the Queen Mum
Scottish heather
This is our rental car. We stopped by the side of the road to look at the beautiful hillside.
Thanks for joining us. I hope you had as much fun as we did. We'll end our tour on a high note ...with some bagpipes and wishing you all a fond fare thee well.

Scotland revisited -a video tour (part 2)

Gary in the wind by the river.
More Gary, more wind, more of the river
Couldn't get enough of this beautiful scenery.
We went on a hike that took us across a bridge that spanned this fast moving stream.
Gary and Whitney check out the view from the bridge.
This is a little alcove in the forrest where Scotland's poet Robbie Burns was inspired to write "Aber Felch" or some such thing (spelling?). Tough to read the plaque when I was moving at lightening speed. I was in a hurry to get down the mountain. Mother Nature was calling and there was water, water every where!
FREEDOM!!! The William Wallace memorial from one of the windows in Sterling castle.
This was the home of Mary Queen of Scots
This is a statue in the Glasgow museum. It's of a father and child comforting each other just after the child's mother had died. Very sad and beautifully sculpted.
It wasn't the "Y" mountain but it was the best we could do!
Check out Gary's great technique!
Whitney Lawn Bowling for the very first time.

Scotland revisited - a video tour (part 1)

An ice-cream shop near one of our bed and breakfast. Lots of interesting flavors: Ferero Rocher, Banana Marshmallow, Rhubarb Ginger, Honey Comb, Licorice -all sorts, Bounty Bar, and Chilli Chocolate. I think I'll pass on the Whisky Crunch!
The beautiful River Tay (spelled phonetically)
One day we hiked up to a dam over looking the town we were staying in.
The water as it began it's decent
Loud ...but interesting to watch
A night at the local pub (sorry ...it's little dark) but a girl who works in the pub is doing the highland fling while a man plays the bag pipes in the background.
The "Clapping Song" This is an amazing musician (can't remember his name) who was in town from Edinburgh where he plays for "Oor's Walking Tours" He followed the local talent with a fast paced, 3 hour singing, guitar, banjo, harmonica playing extravaganza! He was so funny and entertaining. He asked where we were from then started referring to Gary as "Texas"! We were so impressed with his show that we bought his 2 CD's to take home with us ...and he threw in a free t-shirt. What a deal! Gary told him that he wanted the t-shirt to wear when he plays raquetball -and the musician told him he'd be honored"
A short bit to show his skills as a banjo player.
Care to join us in a little sing a long?
"Take me Home Country Road" with Gary driving along the Scottish country side. As you will see Scotland has very narrow roads. Note the signs that say "slow" painted on the roads at each curve. This is to warn you that an on coming vehicle may be in your path. Usually the Scots drive in the middle of the road at great speeds until they see an on coming vehicle, then they try to move over. Obviously on the curves it's hard to see if someone is coming so they are hoping you'll slow down enough on each curve so you'll have time to avoid a crash! Oh boy!!!

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Labor Day Weekend

We had a great labor day weekend with visits from Eric, Mike, Jessica, Ben Grace and Sabrina. The only ones missing were Whitney and Stephen. We enjoyed having Mike's family here for a couple of days. They were in town for the blessing of Jessica's brother's new baby in Lake Jackson. Congratulations John and Emily on your new arrival.

Our beany baby barn is one of our grand kids favorite things. They love being able to pick some animals to play with when they come for a visit.
Ben made a compound for the lizards to play in.
Grace wanted to add a few finishing touches to his master piece.
Even Uncle Eric got to take a break from the Army and come home for the weekend.

The Sergeant got in some PT with Grace's help. He let her jump on his back then did about 30 push ups. Pretty impressive!

Uncle Eric unleashes the giggles!
I'm not sure which was more fun ...seeing the kids and grand kids or going to Dallas to watch BYU beat Oklahoma. Either way it was a great weekend!