tartans and kilts

The York Minister, built over the course of 300 years
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Before I get going about Scotland, I'll finish my adventures from England.  Last I wrote I was in York, which was really fun.  We ended up going out that night and meeting up with some funny airforce guys.  They had left their training base by trying to boat up the river with no gas and a broken paddle and definintely a lot of alcohol.  We were having a chat when an entire pint was broken on my foot - glass everywhere.  Pretty funny, they felt badly and I drank for free the rest of the night.  And! the bartender gave me some pretty fun bandaids.

The Shambles in York. Slanted houses and overhanging eves
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Saturday morning (yesterday) we left York and made our way through the country side to Scotland.  The views were breathtaking.  Rolling hills, lots of mountains and plenty of sheep. Around lunch time we made a visit to Hadrian's Wall.  It was built by the romans and was 80 miles long.  Most of it is still there and it now used as fencing for the farm lands.  I met a woman and her elderly mom who had been walking along the wall since tuesday and said they'd likely reach in end in another 3 days.  They were just saying in bed and breakfasts along the way.  What do you think mom?  Another 20 years and we'll give it a go?

top of the mountain we climbed in Edinburgh
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We made another stop on the boarder of England and Scotland and took some incredible photos.  I got a short video panorama which turned out really well.  The roads from there on in were really topsie-turvie.  The kind that make your stomach jump into your throat whenever going over a hill.  Nevertheless, we arrived in Edinburgh in good form.  We picked up a couple new travellers and did a bus tour of the city to get a feel for the major sites.  I can't wait to post the pics, I just can't do it justice.

me at the top of the mountain
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We went out again last night to a place called 'Three Sisters' where apparently everyone has their bachelor/bachelorette parties, except here they call them 'stags and hens'.  Full costume and everything.  really funny.

This morning Ally and I hiked up a scenic mountain that gave us views of the whole city and in the distance we could even see the Scottish Highlands where we'll be going tomorrow. We hiked for about 2 hours and then explored the downtown streets.  The  most popular one is called the Royal Mile which really caters to the touristy type things and traditional shops.  I spent more than an hour ducking in and out of tartan shops trying to find some good Wallace items.

Ally and I out in York
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I also made it to the Museum of Scotland, the Royal Museum of Scotland (they're not very creative here with their naming), and the National Gallery of Scotland.  All were really interesting; I feel like I'm taking an intense history course.

Now I'm all tuckered out so I'm going to walk back to the hotel, drink some wine, have a hot tub, and do some journalling.  Tough living.

VIc- Ally says hello.  You'd be very proud of her new Scottish friend, sadly no pictures but she'll just have to find another.

Kelly M - thanks for letting my mom and sister stay the weekend.  Hope you're finding work less stressful

Mom- happy Mother's Day!

All the best,

Laura

- who is a very happy kid.