Day 39 (May 11): Durham to Edinburgh

Fairly early departure on the train to Edinburgh, arrival mid-morning.  Weather somewhat rainy but not too dismal.  Checked in to our hotel and left our luggage, headed straight to the Castle.

Robert Bruce and William Wallace are in the alcoves

After the Castle we walked down the Royal Mile, stopping to visit St. Giles Cathedral. 

back of St. Giles Cathedral and statue of Adam Smith

Rest in our hotel room and dinner and then another short walk down the rest of the Royal Mile to the bottom of the hill where Holyrood Palace and the new Scottish Parliament building is.

very interesting building/complex

words from I Cor 13 carved into stone on the ground inside the Parliament building

We had fun watching American Idol on the TV in our hotel room -- since we don't usually have TV and don't usually watch American Idol.

the sky outside our hotel room that night gave me hope about the next day's weather

Day 38 (May 10): Durham

In-between day, just chillin' mostly.

Day 37 (May 9): Hadrian's Wall

Easy train ride to Newcastle + a day-ticket on Bus AD122 "The Hadrian's Wall Country Bus" and we were all set for a day out.

First stop was Housestead's Fort.

 

the Roman fort included the Wall along one side

Then we walked 3+ miles along the Wall which was really fun.  Lots of photo ops.

perspective on this is kinda funny -- the body of water is a HUGE lake that is very far down

up and down, up and down...  beautiful views everywhere!

At the end of our walk we had a nice lunch at a pub along the road and then got on the bus to our next stop which was Vindolanda.  This is a working archeological site and had some really wonderful ruins as well as a very informative museum.  Great spot.

crazy to think of all the people who lived here for hundreds of years

Easy bus ride back to Newcastle, train back to Durham.  Great day!

Day 36 (May 8): Durham

Another quiet day, a bit of shopping, mostly more resting up for Zachary.

In other news, I am reading through the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series.  Nicholas Nickleby is somewhat on the back burner.

Day 35 (May 7): Durham

Quiet day here, rest and recovery for Zachary, and we've joined in.

We did venture out for a bit in the afternoon for a brief visit to the Oriental Museum.  (Which is all of about 50 feet away from our flat and not in the least bit over-whelming.  In fact, one might call it under-whelming.)

Day 34: Durham

This afternoon we walked the 325 steps up the Cathedral Tower and enjoyed the sunny day view.

view towards Van Mildert College (where we are living)

view towards St. Cuthbert's

across River Wear, to the southwest

railway bridge in the distance

Day 33: Durham

Today Zachary arrived from London and has joined us here in Durham for a few weeks.  It was an adventure this morning involving a few extra trips to/from the rail station and a missed stop and an extra train trip...  but I won't bore you with the details.  Suffice to say we are all here now, walks have been taken,  cows have been visited, sunshine has been appreciated, several meals have been eaten, lots of conversation and laughter has occurred, and some Dr. Who is being watched even as I speak/type.

the train comes into Durham from the south on this bridge

skies were blue much of today

Caroline the cow-whisperer

All is well.

Day 31: Durham

After an emotionally draining morning (lack of sleep didn't help things) Caroline and I decided to figure out the Park & Ride bus system here in Durham City.   We successfully navigated ourselves into town without walking much at all, stopped in the post office, Waterstone's books (yay!), the bank, and the library.  Much reading material was acquired.  We were not exhausted upon getting home, which was a good thing.  I like the Park & Ride.

our driver was very helpful

Today (for Caroline)  also included ice cream with a Cadbury Flake.

they are really yummy

In the evening there were walks -- some of us went searching for cows and another of us was just out enjoying the sun and the evening sights and sounds.

Day 30: Durham

Today's walks, in pictures.

on my right as I walk into town...  and look up

the indoor market (just a wee glimpse) is one of my fave places in Durham

here's the outside of the market (there are two entrances)

I walk on the other side of the river going back home (view of Framwellgate Bridge)

so now the Cathedral is to my left

later we walk through some pasture with cows (that's Caroline over to the right)

really cool trees in one end of the pasture (and lots of cow poop on the ground)

Day 29: Durham

Another quiet day.  Cool and windy outside. 

We read and ate.  I worked on plans for going back to Paris with Erin in the end of May, did laundry, and placed a grocery order to be delivered tomorrow.

Chris travelled to London (on the train) today and is there for meetings until Thursday evening. 

It's good to have some slow, not-do-much days.  I'll look back on this with fondness, I expect, once the craziness of July is here.