tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85277809391866475072024-03-12T23:52:13.816+00:00Travelblogue, with an "e".Brief daily posts and a photo-or-two, as my family spends a few months in the UK and beyond.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172242920157461768noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8527780939186647507.post-20999741245336390812012-06-26T23:58:00.000+01:002012-06-27T01:21:43.808+01:00Last week in DurhamThis'll have to be quick because I'm now on the other side of the Atlantic and faced with the somewhat monumental task of moving our household and family across the country... in a few short weeks!<br />
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Monday of our last week -- met our friends at the train station and enjoyed a lovely evening with their jet-lagged and exhausted selves.<br />
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Tuesday -- beautiful weather for the second day in a row. The day included a cathedral tour, climbing-up-the-Tower, walking around town, card-playing... Evensong at the Cathedral followed by a yummy dinner at a Spanish restaurant in town. <br />
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Wednesday -- day trip to Lindisfarne (the "Holy Island"). Perfect weather. Really nice. Dinner tonight at a Thai restaurant.<br />
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Thursday -- the rains came down. Quiet day -- didn't do much, me just mainly getting ready to leave and the rest of us taking it easy, shopping, Chris finishing up his work. Our plans to visit a local 13th century manor house and gardens were scratched due to the weather. A Castle tour was on the itinerary but there were no guides... I guess the students weren't available, it being a graduation day for a lot of them. Early dinner at our flat. Some of us went to Evensong at the Cathedral.<br />
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Friday -- our friends departed for Edinburgh, we packed up and headed in the opposite direction, for London. Nice weather -- I took the Underground just a few stops to the National Gallery and enjoyed a few hours there, just me and my audioguide! Very much the perfect way to do an art museum, I've decided.<br />
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Saturday -- last "full English" breakfast and then off to Heathrow. Flight home was uneventful. I watched 3 movies.<br />
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So there it is. I would add photos but they are on my laptop and I'm too lazy to go get them. Not really, I'm not lazy, but I am prioritizing, and moving the photos is NOT on the top of my list.<br />
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Thanks for reading over these last few months!Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172242920157461768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8527780939186647507.post-42268771934821602402012-06-18T11:27:00.001+01:002012-06-18T11:27:38.441+01:00Day 76 (June 17): DurhamLast Sunday in Durham.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3qRKJ6y-4CggsasXBQJ502qkovL2hBY2b7PG3xq-vGKP2TPX8nG_YIKCPYoBF5ijal741vB-OfH6nadAdo3iJ2T6uVFspnFPZTsK3QjeWmd5L9CbnNnahawphXJIkWoTwaAciUmmWD8/s1600/IMG_1640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3qRKJ6y-4CggsasXBQJ502qkovL2hBY2b7PG3xq-vGKP2TPX8nG_YIKCPYoBF5ijal741vB-OfH6nadAdo3iJ2T6uVFspnFPZTsK3QjeWmd5L9CbnNnahawphXJIkWoTwaAciUmmWD8/s400/IMG_1640.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we have really enjoyed Mass at St. Cuthbert's</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBS2OrI8TO5qfsTafmoKFQJhUvMKjl1yDsozSC6ydFitkFz0wFgJ9hLgEhujFf1EfAgMn-dAZC8uwcPVoLX6EB2Jnbrns12fezCVxRbpbptebRiwKTqYU0gXsxLEqY3emlQTRLu5y4Wxs/s1600/IMG_1639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBS2OrI8TO5qfsTafmoKFQJhUvMKjl1yDsozSC6ydFitkFz0wFgJ9hLgEhujFf1EfAgMn-dAZC8uwcPVoLX6EB2Jnbrns12fezCVxRbpbptebRiwKTqYU0gXsxLEqY3emlQTRLu5y4Wxs/s400/IMG_1639.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there's a sweet little garden in front of the church</td></tr>
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After Mass we had the pleasure of a visit and lunch with a family and some of their friends from the church. Their two oldest children had their First Communion at that morning's Mass. We enjoyed eastern Carolina-style barbeque, yummy quesadillas and salsa, and sangria! It was a very nice way to spend our last Sunday afternoon in Durham.<br />
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Long naps, a long walk for Chris, reading, and a bit of TV. Good day.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172242920157461768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8527780939186647507.post-67315513258638122912012-06-16T20:28:00.000+01:002012-06-16T20:44:24.969+01:00Day 75: DurhamThis evening the Olympic torch relay came to Durham City.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTySumV8iaOSbCLx2G2IaRR082AvwuaHgSjfzezbidtzqhYhlt06kV404-Kfo3Vc0TDq4v9sO1XTTclQOdO86kUwEGSpXFQuRbIpznoQvXZf2qaVbAj8apuZgIsAYWRoT01-tNAzHLc9w/s1600/IMG_1624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTySumV8iaOSbCLx2G2IaRR082AvwuaHgSjfzezbidtzqhYhlt06kV404-Kfo3Vc0TDq4v9sO1XTTclQOdO86kUwEGSpXFQuRbIpznoQvXZf2qaVbAj8apuZgIsAYWRoT01-tNAzHLc9w/s400/IMG_1624.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">waiting on Framwellgate bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceZ0VUK49kzGTElxclML7g-n_sk7WcloIJ5quUbnMvu8DNaQbe0xtk0r4X6TbTkH9WOivxDxAb91WcKBi5TzeIOeWPmydeve6w9P_UzuHQY1982JVaWOFmygiYiltHM4mZ7KsG_XtFMU/s1600/IMG_1631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceZ0VUK49kzGTElxclML7g-n_sk7WcloIJ5quUbnMvu8DNaQbe0xtk0r4X6TbTkH9WOivxDxAb91WcKBi5TzeIOeWPmydeve6w9P_UzuHQY1982JVaWOFmygiYiltHM4mZ7KsG_XtFMU/s400/IMG_1631.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">any minute now...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWL61lquumVX-ZdVwSN4BS6n-oIM20gRKjcSLYrGANJC48V1_H7j_6vGgOYbIJ8xBnbPd65UdwJcxlQ1S-QxYGtsk0xGW_0UZF0PlSMpY1b_jHkC5ZCQwb3DEHnOdo54Cj9jBDTTojeYM/s1600/IMG_1633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWL61lquumVX-ZdVwSN4BS6n-oIM20gRKjcSLYrGANJC48V1_H7j_6vGgOYbIJ8xBnbPd65UdwJcxlQ1S-QxYGtsk0xGW_0UZF0PlSMpY1b_jHkC5ZCQwb3DEHnOdo54Cj9jBDTTojeYM/s400/IMG_1633.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this looks promising</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-u8pLLH0GgjlFqGdbNJ2Trua5Ff64qFUdN4JX2P_rwHtApgcEtZhhPSW_G8xNcoDZ3Ene8YDpeBjMTS_ZRmHMltS9FCK-lqJ00IG3acvg-vPavs9bxKnK-pR7_GQGFY15s9V__Ope9Hw/s1600/IMG_1634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-u8pLLH0GgjlFqGdbNJ2Trua5Ff64qFUdN4JX2P_rwHtApgcEtZhhPSW_G8xNcoDZ3Ene8YDpeBjMTS_ZRmHMltS9FCK-lqJ00IG3acvg-vPavs9bxKnK-pR7_GQGFY15s9V__Ope9Hw/s400/IMG_1634.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there it is!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there it goes</td></tr>
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The only other time we saw the Olympic torch was in 1996 when it came through Durham, North Carolina -- on its way to Atlanta. So yeah, there's a theme there, I think.<br />
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<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172242920157461768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8527780939186647507.post-51275243609376004872012-06-16T20:27:00.002+01:002012-06-16T20:27:41.532+01:00Day 74 (June 15): DurhamLast full Friday in Durham. Lotsa rain. <br />
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Chris and Caroline checked out the Chinese buffet in town this evening. I am making good progress on <i>Great Expectations</i> and finished <i>Wives and Daughters</i> tonight.<br />
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<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172242920157461768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8527780939186647507.post-35582766896763054672012-06-14T23:32:00.001+01:002012-06-14T23:36:30.212+01:00Day 73: Durham<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Good day. Took the Park & Ride into town this morning to do a few errands. Then I did a bunch of laundry.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqY0o-VVCC-QX48mgo3GhrOnGUzyicioo9-pktfE4W8tkvGph5mWXRKRrkhQknrbMhilHFHVCLj1CifsD-oUC44eUB0d0U1wLnkbvHIwfFkZJqd5HEbS8M8bnHM6DlexFsIMHrNQMKjo/s1600/IMG_1609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqY0o-VVCC-QX48mgo3GhrOnGUzyicioo9-pktfE4W8tkvGph5mWXRKRrkhQknrbMhilHFHVCLj1CifsD-oUC44eUB0d0U1wLnkbvHIwfFkZJqd5HEbS8M8bnHM6DlexFsIMHrNQMKjo/s400/IMG_1609.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we bought Caroline a DU sweatshirt yesterday</td></tr>
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This evening I got to attend a lecture given by <a href="http://www.historycambridge.com/default.asp?contentID=814">Eamon Duffy</a>, who is a very famous and highly-regarded historian from the University of Cambridge. That was cool.<br />
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And so now I'm watching <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0215364/">Wives and Daughters</a> </i>for a little while before bed<i>.</i> The Van Mildert students are having some sort of carnival thing and have rented a ride of some sort and are screaming with glee outside our flat. Fortunately it's not as loud as last night's event was.<br />
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These English uni students know how to live it up.<br />
<span id="goog_1774799929"></span><span id="goog_1774799930"></span>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172242920157461768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8527780939186647507.post-91133814903925999872012-06-14T15:39:00.000+01:002012-06-14T15:39:03.241+01:00Day 72 (June 13): DurhamOK so today didn't actually prove to be all that exciting after all.<br />
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In the morning I walked into town to give Chris his lunch. Walked back home.<br />
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After lunch Caroline and I walked into town to do some shopping and errands. Accomplished everything, walked back home.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ENL7dOTshZlDOvwIlTmHm5RzjgtmwNgvUCJnASytIowBPUFaMfvuIWzR6nGYtRTFNJp3TfqEglbuhgOnYy9poq0mufcFMPPpYP93Oy5ogdrJlRtK6TehTdjkCN8Co8XSxvz0Bx4VnQw/s1600/IMG_1599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ENL7dOTshZlDOvwIlTmHm5RzjgtmwNgvUCJnASytIowBPUFaMfvuIWzR6nGYtRTFNJp3TfqEglbuhgOnYy9poq0mufcFMPPpYP93Oy5ogdrJlRtK6TehTdjkCN8Co8XSxvz0Bx4VnQw/s400/IMG_1599.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sky was dark and sun was shining on the river, looked cool</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">flowers growing on the side of a stone building</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5Spzt4PoT7PlIa00p3VfPc1DIjMtyYlygvMOHCBSXgoVaMJ9cOiJOBVH87nXs6DGi2VUsWDC3Wb9dieVyg5PSM9tox13YqijK-zYpUXcJ71UXmSO6p7YXHTNawbxrHj6GQGy3C9yK24/s1600/IMG_1604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5Spzt4PoT7PlIa00p3VfPc1DIjMtyYlygvMOHCBSXgoVaMJ9cOiJOBVH87nXs6DGi2VUsWDC3Wb9dieVyg5PSM9tox13YqijK-zYpUXcJ71UXmSO6p7YXHTNawbxrHj6GQGy3C9yK24/s400/IMG_1604.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty wall decorated in flowers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDpC7qADiW5vAoaEI8NmUUtu0TfvbU9VyoMqP-BhdqrwqdZWa6__ORyvRYd0YmzM0jJ0nDzGKKPVszE-LgJAcmcQb64ckvBOkTBXNaZV6hwuIvmW7zwZNioOazfLIelcl1mNcY-xUiaU/s1600/IMG_1606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDpC7qADiW5vAoaEI8NmUUtu0TfvbU9VyoMqP-BhdqrwqdZWa6__ORyvRYd0YmzM0jJ0nDzGKKPVszE-LgJAcmcQb64ckvBOkTBXNaZV6hwuIvmW7zwZNioOazfLIelcl1mNcY-xUiaU/s400/IMG_1606.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more pretty flowers</td></tr>
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I was tired. Too tired to go back out again (via my tired legs and feet) to go to Chris's talk which he was giving last night. Turns out good I didn't go because then he went out to dinner and wasn't home until late. So Caroline and I had a quiet dinner & evening at home. Well, sorta quiet. One of the colleges (across the road) was having an outdoor party so there was loud music blaring, but it did end (mercifully) by 11 pm, so that was good.<br />
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Another day-in-the-life in Durham, U.K.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172242920157461768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8527780939186647507.post-46794484710763994532012-06-12T21:51:00.001+01:002012-06-14T15:32:05.039+01:00Day 71: DurhamNothing much to report about today except for that I finished <i>Nicholas Nickleby</i> and walked 2 miles to get a Starbucks latte.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaya40Aml3_04CTVGIV5wM61M4cvuom3pCTAECT7LF81onAQ6BWKqaLlzIsSZ3PX6WIoXzvbrdjfSN9RUxEl9eD2qCqNEBMP2j7PZ0aFhQzMKQSkQDKDqrSNe78fGU4AzsoCTWv2z73b0/s1600/IMG_1592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaya40Aml3_04CTVGIV5wM61M4cvuom3pCTAECT7LF81onAQ6BWKqaLlzIsSZ3PX6WIoXzvbrdjfSN9RUxEl9eD2qCqNEBMP2j7PZ0aFhQzMKQSkQDKDqrSNe78fGU4AzsoCTWv2z73b0/s400/IMG_1592.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty field that I walked through on my way to the Starbucks (tiny cathedral tower in distance)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjin8-x128ePz2xC3c8nDzmxD-9s_9P2-7pdm79u8ZEA2KlI4QujKwVT1Us4CymiobIP6yg8e_VjcpXzFA-nXhob8lyN4a608E6GoWrlv8IXzTa3kXRoDEKdHD6nNKr1bE5HPD-VXxqifU/s1600/IMG_1597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjin8-x128ePz2xC3c8nDzmxD-9s_9P2-7pdm79u8ZEA2KlI4QujKwVT1Us4CymiobIP6yg8e_VjcpXzFA-nXhob8lyN4a608E6GoWrlv8IXzTa3kXRoDEKdHD6nNKr1bE5HPD-VXxqifU/s400/IMG_1597.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pedestrian tunnel that goes under the cathedral</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Tomorrow should definitely be more exciting. <br />
<br />
<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172242920157461768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8527780939186647507.post-78743886370026907922012-06-11T23:29:00.002+01:002012-06-11T23:36:58.505+01:00Day 70: DurhamCloudy & rainy day here in Durham. Chris and Caroline came home just after lunch. We had a quiet afternoon. I'm almost finished <i>Nicholas Nickleby</i>.<br />
<br />
This evening I attended a Taize prayer service at the Cathedral. It was great. I'm so glad I went!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxteVU4kTo0pBClWgKAtxYtCat6cY2MH4-M0EqStpGoSkmffimF9OmXGZwu2MAStja6uTjKtRwnuGk5jkafeqTiD32_7MVi_R-vuzuA5FNSRmy5hT3OgxVm4ZJtT1bYhEImmwK9OoSQKM/s1600/IMG_1536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxteVU4kTo0pBClWgKAtxYtCat6cY2MH4-M0EqStpGoSkmffimF9OmXGZwu2MAStja6uTjKtRwnuGk5jkafeqTiD32_7MVi_R-vuzuA5FNSRmy5hT3OgxVm4ZJtT1bYhEImmwK9OoSQKM/s400/IMG_1536.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the skies cleared and the sun came out during the service and shone brightly through the stained glass</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOgVTcNRss07a8oUhHBQ3AiLMwcRp2Qj-Ykf2BUc0hic2fSgOL46dmhF36PKpQXkEAF4cnLtDdBHVGAD17qHAVaWxsPIW7LTJObMc4W1EChYtVwCoPOixzsQ22Gc3xA8NERc4hULZ934/s1600/IMG_1546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOgVTcNRss07a8oUhHBQ3AiLMwcRp2Qj-Ykf2BUc0hic2fSgOL46dmhF36PKpQXkEAF4cnLtDdBHVGAD17qHAVaWxsPIW7LTJObMc4W1EChYtVwCoPOixzsQ22Gc3xA8NERc4hULZ934/s400/IMG_1546.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the river is calm and clear tonight... what a difference a few hours makes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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When I got home it was close to 9:30 pm and though the sun had just set the sky was still bright and turning pinkish so Caroline and I headed to our favorite hill to enjoy the prettiness and take some pictures.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJx51ujzJHq8PaRDewtukr9GB4u1txw3EOCEWQO5QyBDyyoMqNH7mDGpIoX0aCE019neLoBYFid9MqxMd0qSQI_yNX8qb6PXrPkOcNIQcMd2IRFQHc3a0UWbTr2Gigo7ja7WheuLUkZIE/s1600/IMG_1554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJx51ujzJHq8PaRDewtukr9GB4u1txw3EOCEWQO5QyBDyyoMqNH7mDGpIoX0aCE019neLoBYFid9MqxMd0qSQI_yNX8qb6PXrPkOcNIQcMd2IRFQHc3a0UWbTr2Gigo7ja7WheuLUkZIE/s400/IMG_1554.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the flowers on the hillside are perfect </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJc3936JK8VTsO85w3MzQNGghVv0sCV7LYunZF72nT3kE-urcI13ma9NN5BUItW2LQlvjVapzMIzv6VaFppqeGEjfwk1rkUHNubXjkMeoR0DJ7Z8gRI4KQi7_Tbcyy9jXOcH6Q0N6aI04/s1600/IMG_1563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJc3936JK8VTsO85w3MzQNGghVv0sCV7LYunZF72nT3kE-urcI13ma9NN5BUItW2LQlvjVapzMIzv6VaFppqeGEjfwk1rkUHNubXjkMeoR0DJ7Z8gRI4KQi7_Tbcyy9jXOcH6Q0N6aI04/s400/IMG_1563.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the hills are alive...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQ7So6tK93E10v6vwq0LcP3DVPjIl67xLtkmlhZ7LBNRRTIpX8gmuq4aKS8HZYFSyHAPkKEd98i4NdyugPB2orQ_8vIsWXovbE35h3stGolD5R4ArD8RY8JHatOxFwRprDcZItF-uAMw/s1600/IMG_1589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQ7So6tK93E10v6vwq0LcP3DVPjIl67xLtkmlhZ7LBNRRTIpX8gmuq4aKS8HZYFSyHAPkKEd98i4NdyugPB2orQ_8vIsWXovbE35h3stGolD5R4ArD8RY8JHatOxFwRprDcZItF-uAMw/s400/IMG_1589.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so pretty and pink</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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p.s. Erin is on her way back to North Carolina today. She should be there by now.<br />
<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172242920157461768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8527780939186647507.post-83870439952951830252012-06-10T20:11:00.000+01:002012-06-11T23:34:04.807+01:00Day 69: Durham (and Exeter)We had lots of rain last night and the night before and so the river is very high. This is unfortunate for the rowers and city planners and those who were looking forward to the <a href="http://www.durham-regatta.org.uk/">179th Durham Regatta</a>. The whole event (which was to occur yesterday and today) was cancelled.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1z4ceBvJKpA3dBfS7yYUvdAm8rATdf3KXgn1AocMZPJRaiLTiVMUpxKaieg9P15uDKtOUSLN7xsjb4WZZJNgzu0AmGLR_JIyvUT9LgS5dusZJPef08-IYtxXJUxXdDNIpsX5SUAvULk/s1600/IMG_1519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1z4ceBvJKpA3dBfS7yYUvdAm8rATdf3KXgn1AocMZPJRaiLTiVMUpxKaieg9P15uDKtOUSLN7xsjb4WZZJNgzu0AmGLR_JIyvUT9LgS5dusZJPef08-IYtxXJUxXdDNIpsX5SUAvULk/s400/IMG_1519.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">river is very high and the water is fast & rough</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EjhlIRTZawAK3WkcSQmd71K4eq9GvU1D7LERxTKeRV61_AMnOBtyyEu35pEqZTd14SbYvsNw2Gl93yNiQWqFpmTo1NEWtEJkT5g3snV9amcZlSVNjUAyrLE5uPRsWwpI_Qy7Fa1ipoI/s1600/IMG_1520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EjhlIRTZawAK3WkcSQmd71K4eq9GvU1D7LERxTKeRV61_AMnOBtyyEu35pEqZTd14SbYvsNw2Gl93yNiQWqFpmTo1NEWtEJkT5g3snV9amcZlSVNjUAyrLE5uPRsWwpI_Qy7Fa1ipoI/s400/IMG_1520.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it's also really brown today</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I took a walk this afternoon along the river and through town. Two nice ladies (from Cambridge) asked me for directions, which I gave them. That was fun.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSlmP_F4Kt6_MYWw2TfyMZNWVDmDgyvY2sEAoAz1sjSJEAMmC6D6j2n6VmWPs8sTTnPP-Q-ep463WkrLcjSd4m6LKnNKAQXWeqLyRqHrE9CRbrVULeu2R25WcwnKIfz5cl9p6OqEJud6Q/s1600/IMG_1521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSlmP_F4Kt6_MYWw2TfyMZNWVDmDgyvY2sEAoAz1sjSJEAMmC6D6j2n6VmWPs8sTTnPP-Q-ep463WkrLcjSd4m6LKnNKAQXWeqLyRqHrE9CRbrVULeu2R25WcwnKIfz5cl9p6OqEJud6Q/s400/IMG_1521.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is what they were looking for -- it is a bronze copy of the wooden original</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The sculpture is "The Journey" and depicts monks carrying the coffin of St. Cuthbert. (The one lady said she didn't like it at all.) <br />
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The river under the Old Elvet bridge was quite calm (whereas on the other side it was running very fast). I took a few photos of the boats and the valerian growing on the bridge.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVRZFCnSYKVAvbqW96KvoJmEqlFBzITiC3jwkE9SANC3bOxGLMGVyt_xoQoQnmOfS6reZAwEawMhNMjq8iwmCzxCgoojcasI1o9LwjYOwvHAD2jEjrECME3-8nDuP3LpbCNdqTBjvtNw/s1600/IMG_1524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVRZFCnSYKVAvbqW96KvoJmEqlFBzITiC3jwkE9SANC3bOxGLMGVyt_xoQoQnmOfS6reZAwEawMhNMjq8iwmCzxCgoojcasI1o9LwjYOwvHAD2jEjrECME3-8nDuP3LpbCNdqTBjvtNw/s400/IMG_1524.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">you can rent these boats</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIpYs2cdULsblkF3mNjaDiaMgOjoHnZSu_mXoOd1DPj7NplHOTsNVnQ6qBzhbXgF2FjCE6JjBUaj5Px_MqTouZmQ9CdSZEnQmkZOSbSfEGsXho1uHIyIo9Sk4DCOZdwPapJFIaIaNEp4/s1600/IMG_1526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIpYs2cdULsblkF3mNjaDiaMgOjoHnZSu_mXoOd1DPj7NplHOTsNVnQ6qBzhbXgF2FjCE6JjBUaj5Px_MqTouZmQ9CdSZEnQmkZOSbSfEGsXho1uHIyIo9Sk4DCOZdwPapJFIaIaNEp4/s400/IMG_1526.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my attempt at an artsy picture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7QmG5umfckSTXhCKfDJ_bMP4km5gudpff73viy4MUuOn5mmW_PvUsw7xovzcO3nXT3bT7omD9v_i80flwnrT-W9Drnnn0dk-J81YmqUq7_frFZe6hLhfmrxabyDURL5t0c3zRAcXdWQ/s1600/IMG_1529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7QmG5umfckSTXhCKfDJ_bMP4km5gudpff73viy4MUuOn5mmW_PvUsw7xovzcO3nXT3bT7omD9v_i80flwnrT-W9Drnnn0dk-J81YmqUq7_frFZe6hLhfmrxabyDURL5t0c3zRAcXdWQ/s400/IMG_1529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll call this one "Still Life with Boats and Valerian"... </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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p.s. Chris and the girls were in Exeter today and taking the train back to London this evening. <br />
<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172242920157461768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8527780939186647507.post-53589539250990895362012-06-10T20:10:00.003+01:002012-06-10T20:10:54.024+01:00Day 68 (June 9): Durham (plus London to Exeter)<br />
The girls and Chris left early this morning for London.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95KJJyNEPTnM7KsRUll7z3vcJW-TvGqwUYYqiYbnN5b6HnyGnocXdStV9KekgGwJa5YiUCiNk_DkQTCZM-E9YetK4GIJI-eCjhYMjuNjcj1uRXNOg0DhbOCFzgFSZs6L0vJ2SfF0Mwb8/s1600/IMG_1506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95KJJyNEPTnM7KsRUll7z3vcJW-TvGqwUYYqiYbnN5b6HnyGnocXdStV9KekgGwJa5YiUCiNk_DkQTCZM-E9YetK4GIJI-eCjhYMjuNjcj1uRXNOg0DhbOCFzgFSZs6L0vJ2SfF0Mwb8/s400/IMG_1506.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">waiting for the train...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Erin will be seeing Sweeney Todd this afternoon and then they are all
getting back on a train to Exeter where they'll spend the night.
Tomorrow they will be in Exeter, taking a trip down memory lane --
Exeter is where all five of us lived for 4 months back in 2006 and the
girls really wanted to visit.<br />
<br />
So I get a few quiet days here, by myself!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgz-Z-QYJ1iQex2CU1AmahNELCpKQ1blXBQuo8JO_qKnKaalzZSRDKyeZjJFlTVSa47bEy9cN0T_n16iz7AL7Fdv8UCd3RZgKEP4oSAqQvq3_4kkPm4X1kHO7RapKjaohhSW7eIlFp4nM/s1600/IMG_1507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgz-Z-QYJ1iQex2CU1AmahNELCpKQ1blXBQuo8JO_qKnKaalzZSRDKyeZjJFlTVSa47bEy9cN0T_n16iz7AL7Fdv8UCd3RZgKEP4oSAqQvq3_4kkPm4X1kHO7RapKjaohhSW7eIlFp4nM/s400/IMG_1507.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there goes the absent-minded professor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGa1mPApUJA3Xq_09cSmstIYzvZlSvZM_Ek2Ax_TxjJfUNvErUuahyphenhyphenK3tzc5UH3g9WK_nvRaRHYPF4klw48r7IErBXWhOS4AavZkzzRzvdU6VCGLImR3L41CLEJDtUDmYxPn8KAQCaYV4/s1600/IMG_1508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGa1mPApUJA3Xq_09cSmstIYzvZlSvZM_Ek2Ax_TxjJfUNvErUuahyphenhyphenK3tzc5UH3g9WK_nvRaRHYPF4klw48r7IErBXWhOS4AavZkzzRzvdU6VCGLImR3L41CLEJDtUDmYxPn8KAQCaYV4/s400/IMG_1508.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm pretty sure I've been dismissed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172242920157461768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8527780939186647507.post-8546205100079596462012-06-09T21:29:00.003+01:002012-06-09T21:29:29.434+01:00Day 67 (June 8): DurhamIn-between day. The girls and I did some shopping in the afternoon which was quite successful -- we bought a few really cute dresses for them in the Indoor Market in town. <br />
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Packing, laundry, and generally getting ready for another departure in the morning.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172242920157461768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8527780939186647507.post-44508320433673991932012-06-09T21:24:00.000+01:002012-06-09T21:27:09.162+01:00Day 66 (June 7): Bowes Museum & Barnard CastleToday's outing proved a bit more challenging due to the fact that we missed our bus connection because of a late bus leaving Durham, and had to wait for the next bus in a town that was, well, not the least bit interesting. So we walked up and down, ate our sandwiches, looked at our watches, and just tried to enjoy the fact that we were sitting at a bus stop in a random village in northeast England, in the rain. (We did have rain jackets and umbrellas so no worries there. We've learned to be prepared for rain at all times.)<br />
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Then, the bus that came through and picked us up took a rather roundabout "scenic" route to our destination... but again, the bright side here is that we got to see some more of the English countryside for nothing extra!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4AQgUXR0-jpp5IFy6RyEk_G1vNdA4qmXDqTxMyPkle_0POj7sL1OBWF1I5TfOyo0k7nV8hpXhq-pG_rzzWGLmCoEE48-PNUXogRvsPl9AwReZV-Lw-B8Mjx5tbMCDpILN-6nQna7hv0/s1600/IMG_1473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4AQgUXR0-jpp5IFy6RyEk_G1vNdA4qmXDqTxMyPkle_0POj7sL1OBWF1I5TfOyo0k7nV8hpXhq-pG_rzzWGLmCoEE48-PNUXogRvsPl9AwReZV-Lw-B8Mjx5tbMCDpILN-6nQna7hv0/s400/IMG_1473.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Bowes Museum</td></tr>
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Turns out if we'd gotten to the museum when we'd originally planned that we'd probably have had too much time. So it all worked out.<br />
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The museum was interesting, mainly for its fabulous building and over-the-top collections of paintings, porcelain, furnishings, and household decorations. A lot to look at so at some point one does start to kinda "glaze over".<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XW1D_qA1jIrB81ZKzttNO3mjcxltKL1hkBAyCKNgk9FAKGxCOJhYPvZVBAdELpqJgkFMwTfrWTEcUvIJGrqrXX-1kx66W6-HmtlXyIQIN7SUYOsGRPWU9haYTdWffTIL0AF1vBMfn7c/s1600/IMG_1480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XW1D_qA1jIrB81ZKzttNO3mjcxltKL1hkBAyCKNgk9FAKGxCOJhYPvZVBAdELpqJgkFMwTfrWTEcUvIJGrqrXX-1kx66W6-HmtlXyIQIN7SUYOsGRPWU9haYTdWffTIL0AF1vBMfn7c/s400/IMG_1480.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't remember what was so funny but I like this photo</td></tr>
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Also in the town is Barnard Castle (ruins) which we visited in the light rain, after a short walk down the High St. and a stop in Costa Coffee.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LdG2RG1q-5BQS7I7tIkOTYul89Hr1stFnhvRG1tgpVlFYWX9AE8REn5aQfh4ieTe8cQFe5Y560EFdRz-0gxUjznXo6TSnODLvkir_Nl5F3U62Pj-1rBqnT_CUj8NWtIzcTDHJxUC-_c/s1600/IMG_1489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LdG2RG1q-5BQS7I7tIkOTYul89Hr1stFnhvRG1tgpVlFYWX9AE8REn5aQfh4ieTe8cQFe5Y560EFdRz-0gxUjznXo6TSnODLvkir_Nl5F3U62Pj-1rBqnT_CUj8NWtIzcTDHJxUC-_c/s400/IMG_1489.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">girls are peering through the opening to the river below</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">today was Caroline's 14th birthday</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDxlhfb36NWWhhAiv9cxWZ2soJO4LHUdQFTfxI74kmCG3RQTHTVSPRkI9V3kO3K3qhywBiGjLzZG_Q2PDki7hPNuJzy9vP0QcfWCHTS1YNODrx9PQnchiWsLvl_PMtWHK-WanS23YEr4/s1600/IMG_1496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDxlhfb36NWWhhAiv9cxWZ2soJO4LHUdQFTfxI74kmCG3RQTHTVSPRkI9V3kO3K3qhywBiGjLzZG_Q2PDki7hPNuJzy9vP0QcfWCHTS1YNODrx9PQnchiWsLvl_PMtWHK-WanS23YEr4/s400/IMG_1496.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inside one of the castle towers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqUDW_t6IZ4bC4nXWZSU41agG6W8nonL7A8zdlRvCPl9Z6Y3nx-JxHkLuVE-z_vP7DulYrSHelKksW3c7eRu-dRa5Z5cFtVzF6QaQnJphGSfPCchyinUWiIzkVDZqnnJTNP7tYuPMtmVU/s1600/IMG_1499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqUDW_t6IZ4bC4nXWZSU41agG6W8nonL7A8zdlRvCPl9Z6Y3nx-JxHkLuVE-z_vP7DulYrSHelKksW3c7eRu-dRa5Z5cFtVzF6QaQnJphGSfPCchyinUWiIzkVDZqnnJTNP7tYuPMtmVU/s400/IMG_1499.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view of the river Tees</td></tr>
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Fortunately the bus ride back to Durham was efficient and uneventful.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172242920157461768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8527780939186647507.post-51254477276657273262012-06-09T21:08:00.004+01:002012-06-09T21:08:56.608+01:00Day 65 (June 6): Durham & Raby CastleThe girls and I woke up the next day with the energy for a half-day outing and, realizing that one of the places we were interested in visiting was only open Sunday through Wednesday, we studied the bus timetables and routes (online) and headed out! <br />
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There was some stress at the beginning but it all worked out and we arrived at <a href="http://www.rabycastle.com/The_Castle">Raby Castle</a> shortly after it opened for the afternoon. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIpbq8oIcpg_HHbVkZNtNrBo8Mce0pioYlN1yhJuRV9bDpSL0O0_RmN0ek4drA8EkZqgWhqN4GxO8mp4ldiajqjf6Prw8ovCnGbJSVujG22gBrST0IMYMj5JKfb6B-KAspLpeQYv7Ozo/s1600/IMG_1465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIpbq8oIcpg_HHbVkZNtNrBo8Mce0pioYlN1yhJuRV9bDpSL0O0_RmN0ek4drA8EkZqgWhqN4GxO8mp4ldiajqjf6Prw8ovCnGbJSVujG22gBrST0IMYMj5JKfb6B-KAspLpeQYv7Ozo/s400/IMG_1465.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there are also gardens to enjoy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGV85DKSXjnVcHR2EDx1-K6X0klKJqp1odmzXQUA3I3vvWuHf9ZG6jida0yzSBjwRjGH2C8vYmeai3rs1BqhkPQYXUZx5rF9cl7hk7r5gRobUwVhIZ3ZGiPSWkijSOWk9iLizvJClo4VU/s1600/IMG_1422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGV85DKSXjnVcHR2EDx1-K6X0klKJqp1odmzXQUA3I3vvWuHf9ZG6jida0yzSBjwRjGH2C8vYmeai3rs1BqhkPQYXUZx5rF9cl7hk7r5gRobUwVhIZ3ZGiPSWkijSOWk9iLizvJClo4VU/s400/IMG_1422.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with really cool 200-year old yew hedges</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRH0mvc5wRn3i-j-Ylk0ouJRRCxQBVBNyhz5s201Z4iLJIFOilZPANH_NFOPWYf_W4Kg3ZKA0Tgf7sJ1_e59hgX-i5TZ1YeggY2YE7X-W8e9IYUdhluXYs4uaWE09xtgrS02za8KpEjLs/s1600/IMG_1442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRH0mvc5wRn3i-j-Ylk0ouJRRCxQBVBNyhz5s201Z4iLJIFOilZPANH_NFOPWYf_W4Kg3ZKA0Tgf7sJ1_e59hgX-i5TZ1YeggY2YE7X-W8e9IYUdhluXYs4uaWE09xtgrS02za8KpEjLs/s400/IMG_1442.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">front door</td></tr>
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The current Lord and his family still live in the Castle. (That is why it isn't open every day, all day, I expect.) Parts of the Castle date back to the 14th century when it was originally built. The interior was quite impressive, but not overwhelming.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBx6GQCbTxF59yuFfB1HrS26be2Hju1Da0tCYGoALLaMOMQd7qPb-b8EIOQyGRU1XivsrhWfLfPJ_Js9sn78LUBsSLJ1nXzIr72yclPLvwzNVr4OVZ2LIJs-SO5yTAvXr_G2bQtqiuSI/s1600/IMG_1449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBx6GQCbTxF59yuFfB1HrS26be2Hju1Da0tCYGoALLaMOMQd7qPb-b8EIOQyGRU1XivsrhWfLfPJ_Js9sn78LUBsSLJ1nXzIr72yclPLvwzNVr4OVZ2LIJs-SO5yTAvXr_G2bQtqiuSI/s400/IMG_1449.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">no photography is allowed inside but I took lots of pictures outside</td></tr>
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The outing was really quite perfect, topped off with a visit to the Castle's tearoom for a late lunch, plus dessert and hot drinks. <br />
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We took the bus back to Durham with no trouble. A really good afternoon out.<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172242920157461768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8527780939186647507.post-75834794784710736112012-06-09T20:14:00.001+01:002012-06-09T20:14:56.469+01:00Day 64 (June 5): Back to DurhamUneventful day, travelling back to Durham via train through the beauty that is much of Scotland.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Je6Ie0FKGykbnXQv1rf7fNh49SMUSD0oAn3qcEyhVB8_7xhtJvDeuq7Rw_VBa1jiJLXOWIcM31O3g6ueR0JawUn6YWsElwWubgCLy4Df12QenmcExhSEud4dU2iiViAJJsSrKm8Tpas/s1600/IMG_1417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Je6Ie0FKGykbnXQv1rf7fNh49SMUSD0oAn3qcEyhVB8_7xhtJvDeuq7Rw_VBa1jiJLXOWIcM31O3g6ueR0JawUn6YWsElwWubgCLy4Df12QenmcExhSEud4dU2iiViAJJsSrKm8Tpas/s400/IMG_1417.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">crystal clear loch and reflected hills </td></tr>
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<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172242920157461768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8527780939186647507.post-53144827216169245402012-06-09T20:12:00.001+01:002012-06-09T20:12:56.062+01:00Day 63 (June 4): Train to MallaigThis was our second trip on the "Harry Potter" train -- the Jacobite steam train that departs from Fort William and chugs its way through the Scottish Highlands to the "sleepy little port town" of Mallaig.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8fcvsRCQcR3XyaxkZ1X4Nm65Lv5a5OYL7hkCHeE5Ajypn6UAmDxHDcNYylEbfsTeSEvU5MFS6nkydynK3_UeBJUrB_8pFdcwNrQzv3g9lr2jM1K8GrBvPUAUTaZ5QFOJkJuriQ4wdjQ/s1600/IMG_1395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8fcvsRCQcR3XyaxkZ1X4Nm65Lv5a5OYL7hkCHeE5Ajypn6UAmDxHDcNYylEbfsTeSEvU5MFS6nkydynK3_UeBJUrB_8pFdcwNrQzv3g9lr2jM1K8GrBvPUAUTaZ5QFOJkJuriQ4wdjQ/s400/IMG_1395.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the girls and Grandad in front of the First Class coach</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6JdoC6jQLnopP1Z-jJRR0tepQ2FR5hE20Dj8Hhd-BH0NqYlFKOs0TLt1uvEs5M4jWkYQNxfh8XLT0umLASKusBk_aFwI71AN887RENlrh1TbES6t_2YcCKG5UOJsmEF4C1GPlVd7pNA/s1600/IMG_1403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6JdoC6jQLnopP1Z-jJRR0tepQ2FR5hE20Dj8Hhd-BH0NqYlFKOs0TLt1uvEs5M4jWkYQNxfh8XLT0umLASKusBk_aFwI71AN887RENlrh1TbES6t_2YcCKG5UOJsmEF4C1GPlVd7pNA/s400/IMG_1403.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the train stops part way into the journey and we took a little walk to take this photo</td></tr>
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Once in Mallaig the girls and I took a little walk up into the hills above the town. It was a perfect day and a pleasant walk!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_SOhH2OYUDHyV-q0RdYBKgJL9wAb8Zh5qQK-zwQXophjsr4aqNzCm69dmUMLISHVuLGcdKN4eMSfpWfu_w9sIK_-cAOH_J5SUOZ39Yl48b1sJhRJrzzq4JtcrCD1qu9rDpz7ybkivHXs/s1600/IMG_1405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_SOhH2OYUDHyV-q0RdYBKgJL9wAb8Zh5qQK-zwQXophjsr4aqNzCm69dmUMLISHVuLGcdKN4eMSfpWfu_w9sIK_-cAOH_J5SUOZ39Yl48b1sJhRJrzzq4JtcrCD1qu9rDpz7ybkivHXs/s400/IMG_1405.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">foxgloves grow wild everywhere</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcq2hNEtGOoh5sgJERJPLPPYG9RNes_dfNz0hgTmTry8K6Uffjn3MJKDvX_NA7J2p29nN76L2mqbw-VyHbcdrA-xkKFhyfziLYp_-SeqPSxIIvTNn6oVSALpXHLcH_3fSyXEaHEYF6kI/s1600/IMG_1410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcq2hNEtGOoh5sgJERJPLPPYG9RNes_dfNz0hgTmTry8K6Uffjn3MJKDvX_NA7J2p29nN76L2mqbw-VyHbcdrA-xkKFhyfziLYp_-SeqPSxIIvTNn6oVSALpXHLcH_3fSyXEaHEYF6kI/s400/IMG_1410.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty view of the town and the islands of Rum, Eigg, and a bit of Skye</td></tr>
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At the end of this trip we were pretty tired and eager to read and relax in our hotel room, watching a bit more of the Jubilee celebrations on TV.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172242920157461768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8527780939186647507.post-47361263421574223932012-06-09T19:41:00.000+01:002012-06-09T19:56:08.631+01:00Day 62 (June 3): Oban to Fort WilliamSunday morning was bright and sunny, another beautiful crisp day! In the morning we took a walk up to <a href="http://www.obanargyll.com/mccaigs-tower.html">McCaig's Tower</a>, a "folly" built overlooking Oban harbour, and enjoyed the views.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_54lOiuGPo6ZIEinjsZb6sMJhfwGo239etlkXIDr4_KoOTH4Df7Z-ZvELyWi44hJ_P4JgVY71uJTP9LejCqJdQnoxVKUq9WFXfCs1pz-Nc1NFRxJUF9AaVE3-e23zWTq41pUCDBYDwCo/s1600/IMG_1372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_54lOiuGPo6ZIEinjsZb6sMJhfwGo239etlkXIDr4_KoOTH4Df7Z-ZvELyWi44hJ_P4JgVY71uJTP9LejCqJdQnoxVKUq9WFXfCs1pz-Nc1NFRxJUF9AaVE3-e23zWTq41pUCDBYDwCo/s400/IMG_1372.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">unfinished but interesting nonetheless</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbjUJz87fGxzxILn69kmhuZ271AKe01QyjcZEpfG88pTB9r5zyNV6LR9CmwX0ZOWk1WFELCvJ5SL0M1XP2QKUCR5ehrxAaa-6kPHxAyCPUf4BL7UbbgTB0X0rHIaJ3iMLSTcoIqkfCY0/s1600/IMG_1374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbjUJz87fGxzxILn69kmhuZ271AKe01QyjcZEpfG88pTB9r5zyNV6LR9CmwX0ZOWk1WFELCvJ5SL0M1XP2QKUCR5ehrxAaa-6kPHxAyCPUf4BL7UbbgTB0X0rHIaJ3iMLSTcoIqkfCY0/s400/IMG_1374.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking to the left towards the ferry dock</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznfdH-ulBShJ4hd9EIKCvK2J2Z_uNdM9lkH3K6fi9-1TXoWTLoiQFyjlmx_xxd-2WVrZF6hOlUO0vMCBvZOxeCzn13jqcLRF9x9xbXj0ysiHEM7aXiBt9Ix1k5xpFtRvHNgK7ueWUlus/s1600/IMG_1376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznfdH-ulBShJ4hd9EIKCvK2J2Z_uNdM9lkH3K6fi9-1TXoWTLoiQFyjlmx_xxd-2WVrZF6hOlUO0vMCBvZOxeCzn13jqcLRF9x9xbXj0ysiHEM7aXiBt9Ix1k5xpFtRvHNgK7ueWUlus/s400/IMG_1376.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and to the right (St. Columba's Cathedral is that tower on the far right)</td></tr>
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Our train tour continued with a ride back to Crianlarich where we picked up the Fort William train. This part of the journey takes the traveller along lochs, around mountains and hills, over bridges and up into the Scottish Highlands. We arrived in Fort William, a rather humble loch-side town, in the late afternoon. The town is popular with backpackers, climbers, and walkers as it's the endpoint of the <a href="http://www.west-highland-way.co.uk/theroute.asp">West Highland Way</a> and is very close to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Nevis">Ben Nevis</a>, the highest mountain in the British Isles at 4,409 ft.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAn_MqZQeQvrhg6e9z8xL12vtsMrTJlQbOhswxPFVkOg1tzoQ4K7NxtaYAvSMYYUZuZRuZL6UCNmrhFs_kPjfhgNeXzWNyoMy09RlnuYkUjUrZxqnvMa-J6jmCc99xTq4n7AdThjzVPg/s1600/IMG_1386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAn_MqZQeQvrhg6e9z8xL12vtsMrTJlQbOhswxPFVkOg1tzoQ4K7NxtaYAvSMYYUZuZRuZL6UCNmrhFs_kPjfhgNeXzWNyoMy09RlnuYkUjUrZxqnvMa-J6jmCc99xTq4n7AdThjzVPg/s400/IMG_1386.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">before dinner we took a walk along the loch</td></tr>
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We had a yummy dinner in a pub called the <a href="http://www.grogandgruel.co.uk/">Grog and Gruel</a> (I had an extremely yummy mushroom quesadilla) and then embarked on an impossibly long walk into <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glen_Nevis">Glen Nevis</a> to see what we could see.<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glen_Nevis"><br /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwhrzU8lY5bF_pEvCDX9PI4432KCzzpyCSDF5z9wa5oTnd0DsVjEVjZKoNUjHxD5_gh67HDx_rQHoM1W1UbDydz9lvYSTrX6eg0mDqAzZDmBPQwGs_ZLADDiFmT7lWQ7Eu3mm7WFWJ7io/s1600/IMG_1392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwhrzU8lY5bF_pEvCDX9PI4432KCzzpyCSDF5z9wa5oTnd0DsVjEVjZKoNUjHxD5_gh67HDx_rQHoM1W1UbDydz9lvYSTrX6eg0mDqAzZDmBPQwGs_ZLADDiFmT7lWQ7Eu3mm7WFWJ7io/s400/IMG_1392.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben Nevis is behind this hill, not visible, and about twice as high, apparently</td></tr>
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Our lodging for the night was rather humble as rooms were scarce in Fort William this weekend. I shared a bunk room with two pleasant Japanese students while everyone else was together in a four-person bunkroom next door. Shared bathrooms down the hall... I felt very backpacker-y and student-ish.<br />
<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172242920157461768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8527780939186647507.post-63418586741428174512012-06-09T18:02:00.001+01:002012-06-09T18:02:16.526+01:00Day 61 (June 2): Isles of Mull & IonaOur plans for today were a day trip to two islands in the Inner Hebrides. At 9 am we queued up for the ferry which would take us from Oban to the Isle of Mull. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDwSyZxUVZWOn2e_LU3O76qPSM6giJBq6vUARjYQVrKwIOJ7hQGGylH4lBzzNrH6mDtHVZud7APKu0si9EaO1FSOD1y54J0KsK0rKvpNB-SduP9OQAq06UnR65GJuHRAi8uaCRpGAKMA/s1600/IMG_1320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDwSyZxUVZWOn2e_LU3O76qPSM6giJBq6vUARjYQVrKwIOJ7hQGGylH4lBzzNrH6mDtHVZud7APKu0si9EaO1FSOD1y54J0KsK0rKvpNB-SduP9OQAq06UnR65GJuHRAi8uaCRpGAKMA/s400/IMG_1320.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">you probably can't make it out but there is a small castle tower (ruins) in amongst those trees</td></tr>
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Then we rode in a coach across this beautiful island (while being informed and entertained by our driver/guide) to catch another small ferry to the gorgeous Isle of Iona. We had almost 3 hours on Iona, most of which we spent walking and enjoying the views and scenery.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizp0NQze14dBDbfLk5Zdx5AaLCN6aYt3s8O9ptBpXHnPOXyeORDZjX0X_tcVGIE4GYuftSL_tfgvcCHDZhIBF9l5uTIn2FwEkezkr3l-hmmQtHupepb1YnXEYYCvI1K-6nbFBHunwpGcs/s1600/IMG_1340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizp0NQze14dBDbfLk5Zdx5AaLCN6aYt3s8O9ptBpXHnPOXyeORDZjX0X_tcVGIE4GYuftSL_tfgvcCHDZhIBF9l5uTIn2FwEkezkr3l-hmmQtHupepb1YnXEYYCvI1K-6nbFBHunwpGcs/s400/IMG_1340.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">taken from the highest point on Iona</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjY3_MsUDhvaA2xTdQCgrHoSqEcGuy3E93xtK9mUqXL3LIkMShbeouAt4_438xmTaGr5uqZA0L_q9Jduv6r5t4r4ERt9Z_TiIy5UrlvZHG0pwPyuILIr0uKOxMx3ZwB8lH4xFPJMyhgw/s1600/IMG_1354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjY3_MsUDhvaA2xTdQCgrHoSqEcGuy3E93xtK9mUqXL3LIkMShbeouAt4_438xmTaGr5uqZA0L_q9Jduv6r5t4r4ERt9Z_TiIy5UrlvZHG0pwPyuILIr0uKOxMx3ZwB8lH4xFPJMyhgw/s400/IMG_1354.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my husband and youngest daughter are those two specks on the rocks</td></tr>
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Just before catching the ferry back to Mull, we quickly toured the abbey on Iona which is on the spot where St. Columba and his followers built a church and established a Catholic community way back in the mid-6th century.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRtFMQNWFvCC2Pb815kYk_762Kav2YHdVKC4o8oe10yO1wfEMJ0p6G6Dr9PLH2QJ8XMx1iwhDWKqQRYzlxC2aUeZ7I8SmqC2KBzv2R5G8tWMKxjcAXrHMTcK68_fJ5_RXBuQiXyA9nMA/s1600/IMG_1356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRtFMQNWFvCC2Pb815kYk_762Kav2YHdVKC4o8oe10yO1wfEMJ0p6G6Dr9PLH2QJ8XMx1iwhDWKqQRYzlxC2aUeZ7I8SmqC2KBzv2R5G8tWMKxjcAXrHMTcK68_fJ5_RXBuQiXyA9nMA/s400/IMG_1356.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the restored abbey, built on a medieval foundation</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKpiZMhFYmzKAkBJZS1m6WF6hxqHFMh63x_ZIasgJEnXl2JDoBdmrBsSqomQBYzME2MLr1dN0-wkG9E-26ZSvIcnPzwF6Dxmu5e0Xa_TWkSUKiy9ICEFY_bmxMQD6JnMPx-isVi6M-RI/s1600/IMG_1366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKpiZMhFYmzKAkBJZS1m6WF6hxqHFMh63x_ZIasgJEnXl2JDoBdmrBsSqomQBYzME2MLr1dN0-wkG9E-26ZSvIcnPzwF6Dxmu5e0Xa_TWkSUKiy9ICEFY_bmxMQD6JnMPx-isVi6M-RI/s400/IMG_1366.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bracken grows everywhere on the mountains and hillsides around the sea lochs</td></tr>
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We at dinner on the ferry because we needed to attend Mass that evening, which we did at St. Columba's Cathedral in Oban. </div>
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A bit of relaxing in our room and welcome sleep!</div>
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</div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172242920157461768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8527780939186647507.post-67879956612352274622012-06-09T17:44:00.000+01:002012-06-09T17:44:25.864+01:00Day 60 (June 1): Durham to ObanOur second Scotland sojourn began again at the Durham rail station -- this time we were to take the train all the way to Argyll and the Isles, to the coastal town of Oban. Our train ride involved a change in both Edinburgh and Glasgow, and took us through mile after mile of beautiful mountains and Scottish lochs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKoGYWQUOZ0ItyUzAlLG2l_kd5gSW5QDpqMlRQs8Invbtu14YmXbvVXujH56LEVJDm0Q9Vy8bt-WR_anThoWtOjOhkKxBmhCIrO0klk6aapL63_vd0XV56UthN3yzhbW4AK7C2qvC8qQ/s1600/IMG_1286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKoGYWQUOZ0ItyUzAlLG2l_kd5gSW5QDpqMlRQs8Invbtu14YmXbvVXujH56LEVJDm0Q9Vy8bt-WR_anThoWtOjOhkKxBmhCIrO0klk6aapL63_vd0XV56UthN3yzhbW4AK7C2qvC8qQ/s400/IMG_1286.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">on the waterfront</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCddZ9OzptkrVow2xxiypJC4in0cMqV3DrpAoJFtzSU6Oxw2n-F7JlspCSXSsKgAou99k4XIfhCIRsnVyHouBKcCNslUnaVy8fDRbbieU6vKZVeBG05Nwwxszw2PKkySC74C5hDMsdvkw/s1600/IMG_1287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCddZ9OzptkrVow2xxiypJC4in0cMqV3DrpAoJFtzSU6Oxw2n-F7JlspCSXSsKgAou99k4XIfhCIRsnVyHouBKcCNslUnaVy8fDRbbieU6vKZVeBG05Nwwxszw2PKkySC74C5hDMsdvkw/s400/IMG_1287.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">part of the little town of Oban</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigJdJ6WXOHt_p44oiBpONgjY0B-P9sofT7UEaen6dorVovP3WsVxsnAGgwSbMbaThWP162AmpHxX1lw_rqucVOa8FZJijR1_JLHx4VD1kgQcty0kvcHjzKVzSAarB_Amg52HIV6bgNZE/s1600/IMG_1298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigJdJ6WXOHt_p44oiBpONgjY0B-P9sofT7UEaen6dorVovP3WsVxsnAGgwSbMbaThWP162AmpHxX1lw_rqucVOa8FZJijR1_JLHx4VD1kgQcty0kvcHjzKVzSAarB_Amg52HIV6bgNZE/s400/IMG_1298.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the "Seafood Capital of Scotland"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqIpTOXw5OuKnI9RA7W3rdyxHFao7AJobb9J-xma_PsAZSgNJj6Bz4xanwntDRCqB_7Hi9YU4O8hgdBjQyhGeliBkrA_IQfsUusKcSGgS4nYjq7DJxo5fj0AUL49R5HjWerSnvJjJZZU/s1600/IMG_1301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqIpTOXw5OuKnI9RA7W3rdyxHFao7AJobb9J-xma_PsAZSgNJj6Bz4xanwntDRCqB_7Hi9YU4O8hgdBjQyhGeliBkrA_IQfsUusKcSGgS4nYjq7DJxo5fj0AUL49R5HjWerSnvJjJZZU/s400/IMG_1301.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the sun does not go down up here until close to 11 pm and is up by 4 am</td></tr>
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We had a yummy seafood dinner in a pub and watched some "Jubilee Weekend" TV in our room.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172242920157461768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8527780939186647507.post-15906218502013803452012-06-09T16:53:00.002+01:002012-06-09T21:42:18.287+01:00Day 59 (May 31): DurhamThe girls and I got somewhat itchy this afternoon, on this our third "quiet day" at home... so we did go out for a walk at one point.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnfPvzrpxJfiyTm3ymTLRBILSw35ms61tlAgJYPsqDG4VvtcHSA2grlrsuDD8Bi7NPR3oZlHatLn1i8nsmaEL-kr1u7EkBv8uLSY3QKD0qvilpoEMRfXgcMDv91s6k0jAorxD2-rgAjA/s1600/IMG_1277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnfPvzrpxJfiyTm3ymTLRBILSw35ms61tlAgJYPsqDG4VvtcHSA2grlrsuDD8Bi7NPR3oZlHatLn1i8nsmaEL-kr1u7EkBv8uLSY3QKD0qvilpoEMRfXgcMDv91s6k0jAorxD2-rgAjA/s400/IMG_1277.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty public footpath nearby</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7as8Tu6ZJ93QAEUsQkRg9AT9TYlvrbhJP_6Aqbvok_ugAQTGhBgufwCj5dS5FvfeU4Q2DlqdM2_ZX7gqdskdR0q75mKS3rbTalz5tj-jG3ee6dtnGnWVKoYrKR9js0XxZAZToFck78A/s1600/IMG_1278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7as8Tu6ZJ93QAEUsQkRg9AT9TYlvrbhJP_6Aqbvok_ugAQTGhBgufwCj5dS5FvfeU4Q2DlqdM2_ZX7gqdskdR0q75mKS3rbTalz5tj-jG3ee6dtnGnWVKoYrKR9js0XxZAZToFck78A/s400/IMG_1278.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cute little house down our street</td></tr>
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Getting ready for our big Scotland-by-train trip, leaving in the morning!Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172242920157461768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8527780939186647507.post-83124221826105612762012-06-09T13:57:00.004+01:002012-06-09T16:53:53.497+01:00Day 58 (May 30): DurhamAnother recovery day. <br />
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I walked into town to do some errands. Afterwards the girls took a walk through the University's Botanic Garden which is nearby. Unfortunately they chose the one hour in the day when it rained... but they said it was pretty anyway.<br />
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Getting ready for another trip this weekend.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172242920157461768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8527780939186647507.post-83668830244457355592012-06-09T13:55:00.001+01:002012-06-09T16:53:53.502+01:00Day 57 (May 29): DurhamIn-between day, not much doin'.<br />
<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172242920157461768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8527780939186647507.post-24480212637039311342012-06-09T13:43:00.001+01:002012-06-09T13:43:30.569+01:00Day 56 (May 28): Paris... and then back to DurhamTo the Tower this morning. We had perfect weather and a very minimal wait for the stairs.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKNK5Uh5CtqcZlXrsk1dpHcEZUFUE4XSrAZh05_M3pSaeJBy_cyCO8y0Nzv5rVYF8lNO0ggO5qypQSRmOQP8QryKkqHWwwLSzZ9xt8BPUJxR-uVblI2RzPlKW6H_kTSpHSDGaNkx-yQM/s1600/IMG_1231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKNK5Uh5CtqcZlXrsk1dpHcEZUFUE4XSrAZh05_M3pSaeJBy_cyCO8y0Nzv5rVYF8lNO0ggO5qypQSRmOQP8QryKkqHWwwLSzZ9xt8BPUJxR-uVblI2RzPlKW6H_kTSpHSDGaNkx-yQM/s400/IMG_1231.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> I can't understand why people wait hours for the lift when walking up the stairs just isn't that hard.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglf0RwKxdevxC6C5n2LekYF2ePFnBxKhzl-2d6tGRN8sQSObjEH3wvGtzyNWp0eGdZErb-peptg2drjhQhZYgcfEImUubn3FnVOEqZiUahorIWRm5Fujq6HyLzEsI2I-6iAIvdG2pAICI/s1600/IMG_1238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglf0RwKxdevxC6C5n2LekYF2ePFnBxKhzl-2d6tGRN8sQSObjEH3wvGtzyNWp0eGdZErb-peptg2drjhQhZYgcfEImUubn3FnVOEqZiUahorIWRm5Fujq6HyLzEsI2I-6iAIvdG2pAICI/s400/IMG_1238.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view across the River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlV98SLkgytFxute9eiA6_xGxVxPKPi80ocT79qxxGaEGqt8b8ozMYJyK0f9oK-Ceh1n0FYjZAMOZd-xoT45XVQM7qZOnzCIfdC4DkZHMeFKsLp6EGhM1fcuJfp79BTfGXW6SoyJFj-Ww/s1600/IMG_1239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlV98SLkgytFxute9eiA6_xGxVxPKPi80ocT79qxxGaEGqt8b8ozMYJyK0f9oK-Ceh1n0FYjZAMOZd-xoT45XVQM7qZOnzCIfdC4DkZHMeFKsLp6EGhM1fcuJfp79BTfGXW6SoyJFj-Ww/s400/IMG_1239.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nutella crepe is what one needs when one has conquered the Tower</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwqSfPsKSQMiZNrTsEAN6GcKPGX_ulfSQlvlPus9kLESIXzqwmh80DMjuIp3AnQYvVDKuyfXcY_q6tprn192dmhzajygeTrXvT2ERfF80cXc1ybtNNXosK9jWacJxnSOJOrpUspZBoB0/s1600/IMG_1241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwqSfPsKSQMiZNrTsEAN6GcKPGX_ulfSQlvlPus9kLESIXzqwmh80DMjuIp3AnQYvVDKuyfXcY_q6tprn192dmhzajygeTrXvT2ERfF80cXc1ybtNNXosK9jWacJxnSOJOrpUspZBoB0/s400/IMG_1241.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">blue sky and airplane trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We still had energy and a few hours left in the city, so after buying some food in a small grocery and eating our lunch in our hotel's breakfast room, we walked a few blocks to the Pantheon -- a quite impressive and beautiful memorial to dead and famous French people. (Lots of 'em are buried in the crypt.)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdmxaETvWAcjgqB8cteH1TuKK-0n3Q9vqeEaKJdT-Pgz57CTti5eklpP2204MV2hE-i8tfARedYyV2EJMG-O0cXyeood5AhLc1IPlGOH_h0BhnWYVFACxiYhJXB2eYz-HlAKTjpFrNn0/s1600/IMG_1253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdmxaETvWAcjgqB8cteH1TuKK-0n3Q9vqeEaKJdT-Pgz57CTti5eklpP2204MV2hE-i8tfARedYyV2EJMG-O0cXyeood5AhLc1IPlGOH_h0BhnWYVFACxiYhJXB2eYz-HlAKTjpFrNn0/s400/IMG_1253.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inside of the Pantheon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiAJIcDp0Ftdaf3BioOy-815m1KwlabaDm0T8ew2tX7k6_JMK1oldlllMEQkP9LDtGLQTdtJy7QmauR7a7wYw2-gyaSpbd5TRGG9kwmOLYjUS-slEiWpL2Sqprq9Qt_QzsbuDM7cAXQM/s1600/IMG_1256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiAJIcDp0Ftdaf3BioOy-815m1KwlabaDm0T8ew2tX7k6_JMK1oldlllMEQkP9LDtGLQTdtJy7QmauR7a7wYw2-gyaSpbd5TRGG9kwmOLYjUS-slEiWpL2Sqprq9Qt_QzsbuDM7cAXQM/s400/IMG_1256.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we went up to the top of that dome and enjoyed more city views</td></tr>
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In the late afternoon we made our way to the train station and caught our Eurostar train across the French countryside, under the Channel, and into London's Kings Cross station. Dinner was enjoyed there and then we got on our train back to Durham, arriving just after midnight.<br />
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Good trip overall, glad to have gone and glad to be back home again.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172242920157461768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8527780939186647507.post-37199635766570563852012-06-09T13:25:00.000+01:002012-06-09T14:02:35.176+01:00Day 55 (May 27): ParisSunday morning in Paris, so we attended Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aLdVaKa2xe5P3TFIL5klecJ2iJ-Tciz5qASxkHWX8jpe5n3gfUMwyLp63vGoMXB09mML6lgKnD-rSFDrByCnopRXVf0WcQ53tTTNmP0t-YFNh4uiiayPj9fJDvkgP_1BxuhbCKlPu-Q/s1600/IMG_1203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aLdVaKa2xe5P3TFIL5klecJ2iJ-Tciz5qASxkHWX8jpe5n3gfUMwyLp63vGoMXB09mML6lgKnD-rSFDrByCnopRXVf0WcQ53tTTNmP0t-YFNh4uiiayPj9fJDvkgP_1BxuhbCKlPu-Q/s400/IMG_1203.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">International Mass (in French and English) was very well attended</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbskdLiXArvn-Gqog-1_HwNViOlu5Haf04s8Y1gN8Yqay9V-5QFI56GruL0WWheCFdnBHDuP0QeKNDqCAmYyAA-Tf0xL421kitSrDGgsvTU3IG2cf4kwUWiyU5RgECKgUQv43H6xGHok/s1600/IMG_1209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbskdLiXArvn-Gqog-1_HwNViOlu5Haf04s8Y1gN8Yqay9V-5QFI56GruL0WWheCFdnBHDuP0QeKNDqCAmYyAA-Tf0xL421kitSrDGgsvTU3IG2cf4kwUWiyU5RgECKgUQv43H6xGHok/s400/IMG_1209.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lots of people and lots of languages heard -- on Pentecost Sunday</td></tr>
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We chose to walk over to the Musee d'Orsay after Mass, which probably wasn't too smart as it was hot and by the time we got there, stood in line to enter and buy our tickets, and finally got into the exhibit halls, we were pretty wiped out! It required a cafe visit and some ice cream & a very large and perfectly delicious chocolate eclair to perk us up.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2SaFCytYKDTTc0_K3GI9z1l-JQ11UouYsPyvrCTujp8CYDqiNEXU2odoVIAFZtjjwXtVBcnSHHlp8yuiJT2VCDmjjEjyKJULkLgiOD16avmgfGAQkEAwLQOntjxyJvfGBzWkycs_i4A/s1600/IMG_1210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2SaFCytYKDTTc0_K3GI9z1l-JQ11UouYsPyvrCTujp8CYDqiNEXU2odoVIAFZtjjwXtVBcnSHHlp8yuiJT2VCDmjjEjyKJULkLgiOD16avmgfGAQkEAwLQOntjxyJvfGBzWkycs_i4A/s400/IMG_1210.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me standing on the balcony of the Musee d'Orsay, overlooking the Seine with the Louvre on the other side</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Of course no photos inside so you'll just have to imagine with me all the Impressionist paintings and marvelous statues and the incredible interior of the museum itself... it was an awful lot to take in, but worth doing.<br />
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After our visit we headed back to the hotel for a rest and then a quick pasta dinner, before getting back on the Metro to the Arc d' Triomphe.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfaRA7PPC57giGes9yDoRRULQfSjkBQvJrnrvDupXaf6WFo15yRAAQBvHTph4dNL0skqzw4eQ93uSIFbI18qiiS7fz6zkH3ahQ7ZXFeGHwTS0wsGTiciXjfbD7U_omelXqDs0zpLITuk/s1600/IMG_1218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfaRA7PPC57giGes9yDoRRULQfSjkBQvJrnrvDupXaf6WFo15yRAAQBvHTph4dNL0skqzw4eQ93uSIFbI18qiiS7fz6zkH3ahQ7ZXFeGHwTS0wsGTiciXjfbD7U_omelXqDs0zpLITuk/s400/IMG_1218.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it's very big and very triumphant</td></tr>
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After gawking for a bit we began the requisite stroll down the Avenue des Champs-Elysees, ending on the Place de la Concorde. We still wanted to see the Louvre (exterior only) but were fairly exhausted so we decided to spring for a ride in a bicycle taxi. Best 10 Euro spent all day.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIpEE6auvEobeNktj3PUbtKP5L2SLadOhTisi6bVehcoaMX0-rRuLk1Glv-HGVoCW6UGu0D3vTSTwjk4ubXoydyi1zOROABeF9SU11-WAu1q1vuBWjq718oGBmL2AXFNgJhFipVzbuAk/s1600/IMG_1226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIpEE6auvEobeNktj3PUbtKP5L2SLadOhTisi6bVehcoaMX0-rRuLk1Glv-HGVoCW6UGu0D3vTSTwjk4ubXoydyi1zOROABeF9SU11-WAu1q1vuBWjq718oGBmL2AXFNgJhFipVzbuAk/s400/IMG_1226.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it's very grand</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172242920157461768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8527780939186647507.post-69890133744390245642012-06-07T08:06:00.002+01:002012-06-07T08:20:08.163+01:00Day 54 (May 26): Durham to ParisLots of transportation today -- walking to the Durham rail station, train to Newcastle, subway from the rail station to the airport, airplane over the Channel to France, metro from Charles de Gaulle airport to the center of Paris!<br />
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We just made the last boat ride of the day, getting a glimpse of the city and enjoying the beautiful sights.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTLZS5rZk_GL99lgQTDZRrIBzY5SrMUD11BVhPcRpMpaprri8Tx-S1rHh39vEmON0vT-gpgSyzqT589OHRP7AnFT8pCAl2pvsR0cG0DeCR-Ik18k_H0FQr-sK4eDMnJ0Zbicj2u-z9Xo/s1600/IMG_1174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTLZS5rZk_GL99lgQTDZRrIBzY5SrMUD11BVhPcRpMpaprri8Tx-S1rHh39vEmON0vT-gpgSyzqT589OHRP7AnFT8pCAl2pvsR0cG0DeCR-Ik18k_H0FQr-sK4eDMnJ0Zbicj2u-z9Xo/s400/IMG_1174.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and then a river boat tour in the evening</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6_ZA8uLhsr5TkDhw-fU_MCLO4C12oi3jSW8N0nAPAE_AoIzjVgjExyPCLctM0a3WICT0p784F7PB8Dn-japlQpSarPi4ZKnEiKdlYqehAOJRr5aTGxU0ITnYb6q681KQD9sHB3fUoiI/s1600/IMG_1180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6_ZA8uLhsr5TkDhw-fU_MCLO4C12oi3jSW8N0nAPAE_AoIzjVgjExyPCLctM0a3WICT0p784F7PB8Dn-japlQpSarPi4ZKnEiKdlYqehAOJRr5aTGxU0ITnYb6q681KQD9sHB3fUoiI/s400/IMG_1180.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paris is crowded and warm this weekend</td></tr>
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We had dinner sitting outside Parisian-style, watching the passersby and enjoying a lovely meal.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172242920157461768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8527780939186647507.post-19823518276496978602012-06-07T07:58:00.002+01:002012-06-07T07:58:50.683+01:00Day 53 (May 25): DurhamIn-between day -- getting ready for a weekend in Paris!Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17172242920157461768noreply@blogger.com