Posted in Photography, Scotland, Travels, United Kingdom, tagged Castle, Culloden Battlefield, Inverness, Photography, River Ness, Scotland, Travels, UK, Zipline on Monday, 21 July, 2014| 3 Comments »
We spent two nights in Inverness but didn’t spend a lot of time in the city itself. Rather we used it as a base for our drive to the northernmost part of Mainland Scotland and to visit the Culloden Battlefield. We visited Inverness last year and chose to go back to a few of the places we enjoyed such as walking along the River Ness and going to a local park with a “zip line.”
Inverness Castle
Along the River Ness
Zip Line Fun
Posted in Photography, Scotland, Travels, United Kingdom, tagged Falkland, Falkland Parish Church, Fife, Outlander, Photography, Scotland, Travels, UK on Sunday, 20 July, 2014| 6 Comments »
Why visit Falkland? I’m a fan of the “Outlander” book series by Diana Gabaldon and heard the soon-to-be-released Starz series based on the books has scenes filmed in Falkland.
In 1970, Falkland was designated as the very first conservation area in Scotland. As we drove into the town, it was easy to imagine what it must have been like centuries ago. Most of the buildings are stone and impressive on their own but the Palace and my favorite, the Parish church dominate the city.
Falkland Parish
Royal Falkland Palace was once the country residence of the Stewart kings and queens who used it as a base for their hunting trips ~ they hunted deer and wild boar in the forests of Fife. The Palace was built between 1501 and 1541 by James IV and James V. The architecture is advanced for Britain considering the time it was built. It also has a 16th century tennis court ~ one of only two in Britain. The other one is at Hampton Court (near London).
At the Palace gates
Falkland Walkway
Falkland Palace
Rainy Day in Falkland
Flowers in Falkland
More Flowers in Falkland
The Bruce Restaurant
Fountain in Falkland
Stone house in Falkland
The Smitty
If you bring a dog into town, take heed!
It was a quick stop but I’m so glad we took the time to enjoy this gem of town in Scotland.
Posted in Photography, Scotland, Travels, United Kingdom, tagged Anstruther, Edinburgh, Isle of May, Lighthouse, Osprey, Photography, Robert Stevenson, Scotland, St Andrews, Travels, UK on Saturday, 19 July, 2014| 2 Comments »
If you’re looking for a wonderful day trip while visiting Edinburgh or St. Andrews, be sure to take a ride on the Osprey of Anstruther and wander around the Isle of May. Located just five miles across the water from the beautiful town of Anstruther, it’s only a 25 minute ride to the island. We spent about 2.5 hours on the island and felt like we could have stayed longer. I’ve already posted my puffin photos on a previous post and here are a few non-puffin photos.
Suited up and ready for the water
The “Osprey”
The beautiful town of Anstruther, Scotland
We were greeted by curious Grey Seals as we approached the Isle of May
As we approached the Isle of May
On the Isle of May
Bird protecting its home
Building on the Isle of May (c) 1636
Isle of May Lighthouse built by Robert Stevenson (father of Robert Louis Stevenson)
Lighthouse on the Isle of May
Beautiful trails on the isle of May
The puffins were my original reason for booking the tour and I was rewarded by seeing thousands of them! I can’t resist sharing one more puffin photo!
Truly a great afternoon enjoying nature!!
Posted in Travels, tagged Lambs, Scotch Broth, Scotland, Sheep, soup, UK on Saturday, 19 July, 2014| 1 Comment »
Posted in Photography, Travels, United Kingdom, tagged Bottle Dungeon, Cathedral, Photography, Scotland, St Andrews. Castle, St Rule's Tower, Travel, UK on Thursday, 17 July, 2014| 1 Comment »
This was our second visit to the small but lively town of St. Andrews, UK. There were a lot more golfers around town as opposed to our wintry visit last year. We stayed at “Ogstons on North Street.” A quaint B&B right in the center of town. Very convenient and a delicious breakfast was available each morning. We also had dinner at the inn one evening – yummy!
We visited St Andrews Cathedral and the Castle ruins. It’s interesting just to wander around and read the historic sign posts. Imagining what it must have been like when it was all one building. Must have been spectacular. We especially liked the view from the top of St Rule’s Tower ~ located next to the Cathedral area. A token from the Cathedral visitor’s center is required. We climbed the 500+ stairs to the top and were afforded a nice panoramic view of St. Andrews.
St Rule’s Tower ~ looking up
View from St Rule’s Tower
The Cathedral ruins are quite impressive and it’s easy to imagine the scale of the building when standing close to the main altar area. It was founded in 1160 but not consecrated until 1318. It was a pilgrimage center until 1559 when it was destroyed during the reformation.
St. Andrews Cathedral
St. Andrews Castle was founded in the early 1200s and sits along the coastline. It is mostly ruins but you still get a sense of what it must have been like back in the 1400-1500s.
St Andrews Castle grounds
The most eerie part of the castle for me was the hideous “Bottle Dungeon” – prisoners were lowered into an unlit well. Truly, there was no escape possible and I can only imagine the terror they must have felt.
Bottle Dungeon
There are also tunnels below the castle. These were built by reformers who killed the Bishop and captured the castle. Their attackers also built a tunnel. It was interesting to go underneath the castle but, again, an eerie adventure.
St Andrews Castle Tunnel
Castle Grounds
Inside the Castle
Castle Steps
Posted in Photography, Scotland, United Kingdom, tagged Anstruther, Birds, Isle of May, Photography, Puffins, Scotland, St Andrews, Travels, UK, Wildlife Reserve on Thursday, 17 July, 2014| 3 Comments »
Isle of May is an interesting Nature Reserve and an easy day trip from St Andrews. More to come on the details of our wonderful outing but for now feast your eyes on my favorite birds, the Puffin.
The Clowns of the Bird World…
One of these is not like the others!
All photos are by me ~ it took me a while to figure out how to catch them in flight since they are FAST flyers. I smiled the entire time we were watching these fun creatures. And will definitely go back when we’re in the area again.
Posted in Edinburgh, Photography, Travels, United Kingdom, tagged Aer Lingus, Edinburgh, edinburgh castle, Photography, Premier Inn, Princes Street, Scotland, Scott Monument, Tram, Travel, UK on Monday, 14 July, 2014| 7 Comments »
I’m so excited to be in Scotland again! My last two visits (November and March) were both bone-chillingly cold. As cold as it was, I still loved being in Scotland and now even more since it’s warm and sunny!
When I booked our flight, I searched extensively for the cheapest fare with the best flight times. Ended up booking a flight on Aer Lingus which flew from Dulles (Virginia) to Dublin then on to Edinburgh. It was the Red Eye flight (we ended up taking off at 10:40pm). Luckily, we had tailwinds and the flight was only 6.5 hours! From Dublin to Edinburgh it was a little under an hour.
I’m traveling with my husband and daughter. We have different ideas of how to get “on local time.” I have to take a nap for an hour or two while they force themselves to stay awake. While I napped, they went to the top of the Scott Monument (which we did while here in March)
View from the top of the Scott Monument
The view from our room at Premier Inn on Princes Street, Edinburgh
On the newly opened tram from the Edinburgh Airport to City Center
Charlotte Square buildings, Edinburgh, Scotland
I’m so thrilled with the view from our room but it makes me want to just hang out and stare at it but we’re heading out to hike “Arthur’s Seat” and then to lunch with a friend who lives locally. Did I mention I’m thrilled to be here!!
Posted in London, Travels, United Kingdom, tagged Gentlemen's Clubs London, London, Mad Hatter, Mark Rowland London Ramblings, Photography, Regents Park, Travel, UK, Walks on Monday, 31 March, 2014| 3 Comments »
The weather in Northern Virginia has been foggy (yesterday) and rainy (today). It’s a great time to write about London and our last day in the UK. With all I’m planning, we’ll have no time for sleeping! We can always sleep on the way home (well, at least John can ~ I’m a stay awake on the plane kind of person).
One thing I’d love to do but will have little no chance convincing John and Logan to join me: the Mad Hatter Tea at the Sanderlin. It’s a whimsical Alice in Wonderland inspired afternoon tea which sounds fabulous. This will stay on the to-do list for when I’m on a solo trip to London.
On to what we’ll do…
When we lived in London, I went on numerous London Walks tours which I thoroughly enjoyed. On a couple of the walks they would point out the Gentlemen’s Clubs of years past. Having been teased about those clubs, I’m very intrigued with Mark Rowland London Ramblings tour “The Gentlemen’s clubs of St James’s: Victorian London’s LinkedIn ” and I’ll definitely be booking the walk as soon as his July schedule comes out. Then we’ll head over to Regents Park for lunch with friends.
We had a picnic in the Regents Park on the day before we flew back to the states. We grabbed a couple of sandwiches from Pret a Manger and met up with friends in the park on what was one of the nicest weather days we’d had all year. We were witness to a proposal while we had our lunch ~ very romantic of them.
Leaving Regents Park
Feeding Time in Regents Park
Fountain in Regents Park
Flowers in Regents Park
People Watching in Regents Park
We still have the “last” evening in London ~ the vote from the rest of the family is to spend the rest of the day in Covent Gardens for dinner and a West End show. Now to decide which show and which restaurant. Any recommendations for a vegetarian friendly but will still appeal to a meat-eater kind of restaurant?
Posted in London, Photography, Travel, Travels, tagged Beer, Borough Market, Globe Theater, London, Photography, The Rake, Travel, UK on Thursday, 27 March, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Last summer, I attended The Taming of the Shrew at Shakespeare’s Globe theater. The all-women cast did an excellent job, but the storyline is not my favorite of the Shakespeare plays. I would love to see Much Ado About Nothing but it’s not playing until April 2014. In any case, I was thrilled to see a play with fantastic actors at the iconic Globe theater.
Shakespeare’s Globe is a fabulous building with an interesting history. It’s located a few hundred yards from its original site. The building itself is as true to the original as they could surmise since there was next to nothing left of the original. The rebuilding of the Globe came about through the efforts of the American actor and director Sam Wanamaker. He founded the Shakespeare’s Globe Trust which reconstructed the theater. The foundation is also responsible for the education center and permanent exhibition. Thanks to Sam Wanamaker, there’s a beautiful and historic theater in a fabulous location (Bankside) in London.
Globe Theater and the Millennium bridge
Audience at the Globe Theater
Even if you don’t get a chance to see a play there, go for a tour.
Borough Market is about a 5-minute walk from the Globe Theater. Borough Market has become so popular and hectic at peak times (weekends/lunch). But if you go early, it’ll be less of a crush. It’s recommended in all the travel guidebooks and there’s a reason for that ~ it’s a fantastic market.
Variety of Mushrooms
Bright colorful peppers for sale
Fish at the Market
Cheesemonger
Gorgeous flowers for sale year-round
Flowers in the Market
Coffee Lover’s Favorite place in the market
The Market Porter pub always looked so inviting when I went by it but then one day a group of us decided to go in and the stench of urine was overwhelming. We just looked at each other and walked out. I was so disappointed. I still love the look of it from the outside.
The Rake Pub is a pub I’ve walked past many, many times and every time I would read the extensive beer selection on the sign outside. I seem to always say “next time” but we ended up leaving London before I made good on next time. The Rake is known as the smallest pub in London and, because it’s in busy Borough Market, I won’t be going on a Friday or Saturday night when it will be bustling with way too many people. Best to check it out in the afternoon while sitting outdoors watching the market-goers go by. They have 130 beers available ~ the Flying Dog K9 Cruiser looks like the one for me.
Posted in Food, London, Photography, Travels, United Kingdom, tagged Japanese Food, London, Maguro Sushi, Photography, Travel, UK on Tuesday, 25 March, 2014| 1 Comment »
One of my previous jobs required I prepare itineraries for visiting VIPs. One thing I learned is to always be flexible ~ it’s not a matter of IF things change, but WHEN things change. Only a week into planning our UK trip and the schedule has already been turned around. Due to John’s work constraints, we’ve decided to go to Scotland first then to London.
Day One in London will now be John’s graduation event so we’ve only got the morning to ourselves. Sounds like a good day to sleep-in, do laundry (from our week in Scotland) and then enjoy lunch at Maguro, our favorite Japanese restaurant. It’s located in Maida Vale.
My friend, Leslie introduced me to Maguro early on and we returned frequently throughout the year. I went once for dinner but I prefer their lunch. I always opted for the Tofu Teriyaki and it was consistently delicious. So yummy that my mouth is watering as I write this…
Tofu Teriyaki Bento Box
Maguro is located at 5 LANARK PLACE, LONDON W9 1BT, TEL 020 7289 4353 Take the Tube to Warwick Avenue Station (Bakerloo Line) then it’s a short five-minute walk to the restaurant. The restaurant is tiny (!) and I would highly recommended making reservations. Great food, wonderful service and intimate atmosphere ~ you won’t be disappointed.
After lunch, we’ll head to John’s graduation ceremony and then the evening reception which hopefully will be followed with a last round with friends at a local pub. I better make day two a late start as well!!
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