Going to Michigan in a month to see my family for the holidays and to meet my newest granddaughter who is now 3 months old.
Last week there was a bit of snow on the top of the mountains across the loch. Now it's melted.
Sunday, 14 November 2010
Still around...
No major events here, just quietly retired. We're going to Glasgow later this week to spend two nights in the city to celebrate Danny's upcoming birthday. A wee bit of culture with a ballet and a classical concert.
Going to Michigan in a month to see my family for the holidays and to meet my newest granddaughter who is now 3 months old.
Last week there was a bit of snow on the top of the mountains across the loch. Now it's melted.
Going to Michigan in a month to see my family for the holidays and to meet my newest granddaughter who is now 3 months old.
Last week there was a bit of snow on the top of the mountains across the loch. Now it's melted.
Thursday, 14 October 2010
A walk in a garden
Yesterday Danny and I went to Edinburgh to visit the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. There was a heavy mist for a couple of hours after we arrived and the less heavy. No sun all day though. This garden is much bigger than Benmore which is near us.
Lots more of my photos in the gardens
The building in the bottom photo is part of the memorial garden to the late Queen Mother. She loved seashells and this small building is wallpapered totally in shells.
Lots more of my photos in the gardens
The building in the bottom photo is part of the memorial garden to the late Queen Mother. She loved seashells and this small building is wallpapered totally in shells.
Monday, 11 October 2010
OMG it's the sun!
a wee walk in the village.... and a stop at Gallimaufry for tea and a fresh fruit scone. Gallimaufry displays beautiful art by local artists and also serves lovely lunches and snacks. Gallimaufry - Blairmore Gallery
Friday, 8 October 2010
Why do I like living here?
During my visit today at the hairdressers I overheard a fellow customer chatting about how she and her husband would love to live in the US. She detected my American accent and asked how I came to be here and wondered why I enjoyed living here. Obviously she thought I was daft for preferring her country to mine.
I've been asked this question a few times before. A few years ago a colleague told me she'd love to live in the US because they have great theme parks. Uh huh. Good reason, hen.
To answer the question, I guess a list is best.
I've been asked this question a few times before. A few years ago a colleague told me she'd love to live in the US because they have great theme parks. Uh huh. Good reason, hen.
To answer the question, I guess a list is best.
- It's stunningly gorgeous here! Lochs, mountains, green, countryside, coastlines, islands.
- The Scottish sense of humour, although I don't always appreciate it....
- The slang, the lowlands Scots language - very entertaining to listen to.
- The accents.
- The pride in being Scottish, so many people knowing their history well.
- The long distinguised history of Scotland - the Enlightenment, free education, free university tuition, inventors, engineers, there was a high literacy rate in Scotland even in the 17th century, etc.
- People are easy-going and friendly and will talk to people they don't know. Nobody is suspicious when spoken to by a stranger.
- The open-mindedness of Europeans in general. The lack of prudishness.
- My interest in ancient history and culture is easily satisfied here as it's at my fingertips.
- I like old architecture and find it interesting and full of character.
- There is a charm in old villages, old churches, well-preserved and cherished.
- The NHS.
- The Scottish goverment takes care of its elderly.
- The ease of taking short trips to continental Europe, Ireland and the rest of the UK.
- I feel at home here.
Thursday, 7 October 2010
Autumn
Benmore Botanic Gardens - Redwoods, Japanese Maple on the pond.
A waterfall in Puck's Glen near our home.
More photos here
A waterfall in Puck's Glen near our home.
More photos here
Thursday, 30 September 2010
York, England
My sister and I spent 4 days and 3 nights in York. Danny opted out. When I planned the visit I had no idea there would be a food faire going on, so we discovered the city was very crowded.
Our B & B was very close to the old city and to York Minster. The Hazelwood B & B was very comfortable with fabulous breakfasts. Our twin room was on the 3rd floor and we found the bathroom quite small, but otherwise everything was fine.
Restaurants
We both recommend The Phoenix Chinese Restaurant. Delicious meal. We also highly recommend
Cafe No. 8 for a nice, but somewhat expensive, meal. The steak was fabulous! The famous Betty's
(almost) always has a queue outside the restaurant. Luckily we went at just the right time - 11.30 am on a Monday. Betty's is a restaurant but specializes in baked goods. The Fat Rascals (giant fruity/nutty scones) are simply gorgeous.
York is charming with a long, interesting history including Romans, Vikings, Normans. Old York is surrounded by the old city walls. The city is well-preserved with cobbled streets and old buildings. Charming!
We visited York Minster, the largest cathedral in Northern Europe, an amazing building with a long history. York Castle Museum was very interesting but we were most impressed with Jorvik Viking Centre. Jorvik is on the site of an amazingly well-preserved Viking settlement. The umm...authentic smells are included, but I could have done without them.
York Photos Here
Our B & B was very close to the old city and to York Minster. The Hazelwood B & B was very comfortable with fabulous breakfasts. Our twin room was on the 3rd floor and we found the bathroom quite small, but otherwise everything was fine.
Restaurants
We both recommend The Phoenix Chinese Restaurant. Delicious meal. We also highly recommend
Cafe No. 8 for a nice, but somewhat expensive, meal. The steak was fabulous! The famous Betty's
(almost) always has a queue outside the restaurant. Luckily we went at just the right time - 11.30 am on a Monday. Betty's is a restaurant but specializes in baked goods. The Fat Rascals (giant fruity/nutty scones) are simply gorgeous.
York is charming with a long, interesting history including Romans, Vikings, Normans. Old York is surrounded by the old city walls. The city is well-preserved with cobbled streets and old buildings. Charming!
We visited York Minster, the largest cathedral in Northern Europe, an amazing building with a long history. York Castle Museum was very interesting but we were most impressed with Jorvik Viking Centre. Jorvik is on the site of an amazingly well-preserved Viking settlement. The umm...authentic smells are included, but I could have done without them.
York Photos Here
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
Tour - Italy, Switzerland.....
Danny, my sister and I did an 11 day coach tour which included an overnight ferry trip to Amsterdam, a drive through Germany, France, Switzerland, and on to Italy. The return trip also took us through Luxembourg and Belgium.
I have done a travelogue which is located here:
Italian Adventure
Photos are currently being uploaded here:
Tons of photos!
I have done a travelogue which is located here:
Italian Adventure
Photos are currently being uploaded here:
Tons of photos!
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
Prince Charles - hypocrite
Prince Charles should practice what he preaches
Yesterday as I was travelling through Glasgow Central train station with my husband and sister, we spotted the royal train with many police and cameras scattered througout the station. Around a display labeled Green we saw a crowd and in the centre of it the very recognizable back of the balding head of Prince Charles. We discovered that Prince Charles was travelling around the country to promote sustainable living.
Cost to the taxpayers: at least £50,000. Cost to the environment: too much.
As the article above states, he was travelling the country in the royal train which consisted of 8 cars and carried a total of 14 people.
Of course, you have the option to read the propoganda on the BBC site which praises the Prince.
BBC praises Prince
Yesterday as I was travelling through Glasgow Central train station with my husband and sister, we spotted the royal train with many police and cameras scattered througout the station. Around a display labeled Green we saw a crowd and in the centre of it the very recognizable back of the balding head of Prince Charles. We discovered that Prince Charles was travelling around the country to promote sustainable living.
Cost to the taxpayers: at least £50,000. Cost to the environment: too much.
As the article above states, he was travelling the country in the royal train which consisted of 8 cars and carried a total of 14 people.
Of course, you have the option to read the propoganda on the BBC site which praises the Prince.
BBC praises Prince
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
Doreen, bus crash, sister, Italy
Doreen arrived back in Uganda safely on the 28th. After a day in Kampala she caught a coach home to Mbarara to see her family. As is a common occurrance in Uganda (bad roads + bad drivers) her coach crashed. Doreen was slightly injured as she banged her mouth on the seat in front of her. At least 6 people were killed in the crash.
Doreen begins her 2nd year shortly at Makerere University.
This Friday my sister arrives for a month. An 11 day tour of Italy and 3 days in York are part of our plans. Many pics to follow.
Doreen begins her 2nd year shortly at Makerere University.
This Friday my sister arrives for a month. An 11 day tour of Italy and 3 days in York are part of our plans. Many pics to follow.
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
Robert Owen - New Lanark, Scotland
Robert Owen –A man ahead of his time
Yesterday on our first visit to New Lanark, a World Heritage Site, Danny, Doreen and I learned about an incredible man named Robert Owen. New Lanark was a Milltown which operated for nearly 200 years. In researching Robert Owen I am amazed that neither of us knew anything about him. New Lanark is only 30 miles from Glasgow.
Robert Owen was born in Wales in 1771, the son of a saddler and ironmonger. A highly intelligent and progressive-thinking man, he was influenced by the Scottish enlightenment.
Robert Owen purchased the New Lanark Mills from his father-in-law in 1799 and managed it from 1800-25. New Lanark became a model community and gained a reputation for its social and educational reforms. Owen began the first infant school in the world, a crèche for working mothers, free medical care, free education for the children and evening classes for adults. Children under 10 were not allowed to work in the mill and this was at a time when it was common for very young children to work. Owen also realized leisure and recreation were important and there were concerts, dancing, music, and a beautiful landscaped area for use by the members of the community. Owen also opened a store for the workers with lower prices and higher quality. The profits paid for the school.
Owens was a feminist, believed in equality for all no matter what their class, race, religion, and his work inspired fair working practices, the Co-operative Movement, and trade unions.
Extract from Robert Owen’s "Address to the Inhabitants of New Lanark"
New Year’s Day, 1816
"What ideas individuals may attach to the term "Millennium" I know not; but I know that society may be formed so as to exist without crime, without poverty, with health greatly improved, with little, if any misery, and with intelligence and happiness increased a hundredfold; and no obstacle whatsoever intervenes at this moment except ignorance to prevent such a state of society from becoming universal.”
Another bio
Robert Owen - Utopian Socialist
Robert Owen Museum, Wales
Robert Owens and New Harmony, Indiana
Interesting note: All of Robert Owen’s four sons became US citizens. His eldest, Robert Dale Owen became a congressman and drafted the bill to found the Smithsonian Institution.
Doreen in the 200 year old New Lanark classroom
Yesterday on our first visit to New Lanark, a World Heritage Site, Danny, Doreen and I learned about an incredible man named Robert Owen. New Lanark was a Milltown which operated for nearly 200 years. In researching Robert Owen I am amazed that neither of us knew anything about him. New Lanark is only 30 miles from Glasgow.
Robert Owen was born in Wales in 1771, the son of a saddler and ironmonger. A highly intelligent and progressive-thinking man, he was influenced by the Scottish enlightenment.
Robert Owen purchased the New Lanark Mills from his father-in-law in 1799 and managed it from 1800-25. New Lanark became a model community and gained a reputation for its social and educational reforms. Owen began the first infant school in the world, a crèche for working mothers, free medical care, free education for the children and evening classes for adults. Children under 10 were not allowed to work in the mill and this was at a time when it was common for very young children to work. Owen also realized leisure and recreation were important and there were concerts, dancing, music, and a beautiful landscaped area for use by the members of the community. Owen also opened a store for the workers with lower prices and higher quality. The profits paid for the school.
Owens was a feminist, believed in equality for all no matter what their class, race, religion, and his work inspired fair working practices, the Co-operative Movement, and trade unions.
Extract from Robert Owen’s "Address to the Inhabitants of New Lanark"
New Year’s Day, 1816
"What ideas individuals may attach to the term "Millennium" I know not; but I know that society may be formed so as to exist without crime, without poverty, with health greatly improved, with little, if any misery, and with intelligence and happiness increased a hundredfold; and no obstacle whatsoever intervenes at this moment except ignorance to prevent such a state of society from becoming universal.”
Robert Owen - Utopian Socialist
Robert Owen Museum, Wales
Robert Owens and New Harmony, Indiana
Interesting note: All of Robert Owen’s four sons became US citizens. His eldest, Robert Dale Owen became a congressman and drafted the bill to found the Smithsonian Institution.
Doreen in the 200 year old New Lanark classroom
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