Isle of Mull 10/1-3/2006

We left Stirling on a morning train, passing through Glasgow on our way to Oban. Oban is a pretty port on the west coast of Scotland, and the gateway to Mull and other of the inner Hebrides. We did not get to stay and visit it, only passed through quickly. We caught a ferry to Mull, arriving towards evening. Mull is a very picturesque island, a great getaway for folks in the UK, and very popular. The time we visited Scotland, however, was ideal for visitors, as the locals were working or in school.

We found lodging at the Pennygate Lodge, a B&B, and found it most restful.






This is Duart Castle on Mull, we passed it several times, but had no chance to visit it.





A lighthouse between Oban and Mull. 

Stirling Part III - The Bruce

The view of the neighboring countryside from the top of the Wallace Monument.








Not far from the city of Stirling is the area of Bannockburn,



where Robert the Bruce, King of Scots, fought and won the battle of that name over the forces of Edward II, son of Longshanks, forcing the English to recognize Scottish sovereignty and Bruce as King.


A long view from a Bruce statue in Stirling across the valley to the Wallace Momument.

Probably this was our favorite city of all!

The next morning it was off on another train for the port city of Oban and a ferry ride to Mull. 

Stirling Part II- The Wallace

A short bus ride out from Stirling brought us to Stirling Bridge, site of Wallace's greatest victory over the forces of Edward I "Longshanks". The original is gone, of course, but this one is beautiful and gets lots of pictures.


The Wallace Monument extends into the sky exactly 273 steps and affords a gorgeous view of the landscape 36o degrees.

Statues of Wallace, similar to this one on his monument, are found all over Stirling.








Wallace's sword, the claymore over 6 feet long, is showcased on the second level of the monument.


By the way, did I mention that I am also a Wallace, from my Mother's side? It's true!

Stirling Part I - 9/29-30/2006

Our next stop, Stirling, a beautiful spot, where heroes of Scotland are held in continuous honor.
We stayed two nights in the Burnsview B&B, across from a little park with statues of Robbie Burns and Rob Roy.




A short walk from there took us to the Church of the Holy Rude, where John Knox preached and is buried, and where James VI of Scotland was crowned James I of England.

John Knox' statue above his grave.





A little walk further brings us to Stirling Castle, home to many Scottish kings, but little used since the time of the Union of the kingdoms.
 

Edinburgh Part II

Holyrood Palace, at the other end of the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle, is a working palace which is the home of Queen Elizabeth when she is in Scotland's capital city. Attached to it is Holyrood Abbey, largely destroyed during the Reformation, but still quite beautiful. The gardens are kept quite lovely, as well.

While in Edinburgh, we stayed in a very nice B&B, the Armadillo. The average cost of our stays in UK was 30 pounds per person. At $1.80/pound, nothing is cheap right now.

 

Edinburgh Part I

Edinburgh castle is set high on a hill in the "old town" overlooking the more modern "new town." Pictures, of course, fail to do it justice.









Robert the Bruce, King of Scots, is the national hero, along with William Wallace. Their statues adorn the entry way to the castle.


Here are the two Bruces, Robert and Roger, alongside each other, for comparison.






Just a glimpse at the next picture will reveal the similarity which came as quite a shock to both of us. Who knew?! 

Our Trip over the Ocean 9/24-27/2006

Well, we're back and on the web after over a month of travels! On Sunday the 24th of September, after a wonderful time of worship at Christ's Place, Lincoln, our friends took us to Omaha to await our Monday flight. We flew Southwest to Philadelphia, then took transportation to Dover AFB in Delaware. The next flight to Ramstein was leaving on Tuesday, so we passed a good night's sleep in the Gateway Inn on base and then checked into Space-A terminal before 0730.
We were picked up on the flight to Ramstein aboard a C-17 transport. Here we are strapped against the walls, our luggage nearby. The flight was diverted from Germany due to heavy ground fog, so we were forced to land at Mildenhall RAF, England (our primary destination in the first place.)








A short cab ride to the nearest city, Ely, and we took the train to Edinburgh, Scotland, arriving about 5 PM on Wednesday the 27th.


Truly one of the world's prettiest cities!