This'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!
Monday of our last week -- met our friends at the train station and enjoyed a lovely evening with their jet-lagged and exhausted selves.
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.
Wednesday -- day trip to Lindisfarne (the "Holy Island"). Perfect weather. Really nice. Dinner tonight at a Thai restaurant.
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.
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.
Saturday -- last "full English" breakfast and then off to Heathrow. Flight home was uneventful. I watched 3 movies.
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.
Thanks for reading over these last few months!
Showing posts with label Walking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Walking. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Day 72 (June 13): Durham
OK so today didn't actually prove to be all that exciting after all.
In the morning I walked into town to give Chris his lunch. Walked back home.
After lunch Caroline and I walked into town to do some shopping and errands. Accomplished everything, walked back home.
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.
Another day-in-the-life in Durham, U.K.
In the morning I walked into town to give Chris his lunch. Walked back home.
After lunch Caroline and I walked into town to do some shopping and errands. Accomplished everything, walked back home.
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| sky was dark and sun was shining on the river, looked cool |
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| flowers growing on the side of a stone building |
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| pretty wall decorated in flowers |
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| more pretty flowers |
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.
Another day-in-the-life in Durham, U.K.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Day 63 (June 4): Train to Mallaig
This 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.
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!
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.
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| the girls and Grandad in front of the First Class coach |
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| the train stops part way into the journey and we took a little walk to take this photo |
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!
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| foxgloves grow wild everywhere |
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| pretty view of the town and the islands of Rum, Eigg, and a bit of Skye |
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.
Day 62 (June 3): Oban to Fort William
Sunday morning was bright and sunny, another beautiful crisp day! In the morning we took a walk up to McCaig's Tower, a "folly" built overlooking Oban harbour, and enjoyed the views.
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 West Highland Way and is very close to Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles at 4,409 ft.
We had a yummy dinner in a pub called the Grog and Gruel (I had an extremely yummy mushroom quesadilla) and then embarked on an impossibly long walk into Glen Nevis to see what we could see.
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.
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| unfinished but interesting nonetheless |
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| looking to the left towards the ferry dock |
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| and to the right (St. Columba's Cathedral is that tower on the far right) |
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 West Highland Way and is very close to Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles at 4,409 ft.
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| before dinner we took a walk along the loch |
We had a yummy dinner in a pub called the Grog and Gruel (I had an extremely yummy mushroom quesadilla) and then embarked on an impossibly long walk into Glen Nevis to see what we could see.
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| Ben Nevis is behind this hill, not visible, and about twice as high, apparently |
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.
Day 61 (June 2): Isles of Mull & Iona
Our 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.
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.
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.
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| you probably can't make it out but there is a small castle tower (ruins) in amongst those trees |
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.
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| taken from the highest point on Iona |
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| my husband and youngest daughter are those two specks on the rocks |
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.
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| the restored abbey, built on a medieval foundation |
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| bracken grows everywhere on the mountains and hillsides around the sea lochs |
We at dinner on the ferry because we needed to attend Mass that evening, which we did at St. Columba's Cathedral in Oban.
A bit of relaxing in our room and welcome sleep!
Day 59 (May 31): Durham
The 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.
Getting ready for our big Scotland-by-train trip, leaving in the morning!
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| pretty public footpath nearby |
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| cute little house down our street |
Getting ready for our big Scotland-by-train trip, leaving in the morning!
Day 56 (May 28): Paris... and then back to Durham
To the Tower this morning. We had perfect weather and a very minimal wait for the stairs.
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.)
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.
Good trip overall, glad to have gone and glad to be back home again.
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| I can't understand why people wait hours for the lift when walking up the stairs just isn't that hard. |
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| view across the River |
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| Nutella crepe is what one needs when one has conquered the Tower |
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| blue sky and airplane trail |
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.)
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| inside of the Pantheon |
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| we went up to the top of that dome and enjoyed more city views |
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.
Good trip overall, glad to have gone and glad to be back home again.
Day 55 (May 27): Paris
Sunday morning in Paris, so we attended Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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| International Mass (in French and English) was very well attended |
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| lots of people and lots of languages heard -- on Pentecost Sunday |
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.
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| me standing on the balcony of the Musee d'Orsay, overlooking the Seine with the Louvre on the other side |
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.
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.
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| it's very big and very triumphant |
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.
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| it's very grand |
Friday, May 25, 2012
Day 52 (May 24): Durham and Beamish Museum, Pt. 2
Afternoon out to Beamish Open Air Museum today -- Chris rode with Grandad in his rental car (eek!) to help him get used to it, and the girls and I rode the Park & Ride to the bus station and took the bus from there. This was our second visit to the Museum.
It was another gorgeous day and we enjoyed our afternoon wander through the Georgian house, the Town, the Home Farm, and the Pit Village school and houses.
Riding the bus back to town was fairly simple. Dinner, a bit of TV (American Idol), and bed.
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| under the arbor at the Georgian house |
It was another gorgeous day and we enjoyed our afternoon wander through the Georgian house, the Town, the Home Farm, and the Pit Village school and houses.
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| at the Georgian farm |
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| front of the Home Farm |
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| the Pit Village |
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| the Coal Mine |
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| early 20th century Town |
Riding the bus back to town was fairly simple. Dinner, a bit of TV (American Idol), and bed.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Day 51 (May 23): Durham
This morning the girls (plural, yay!) and I met Grandad outside the Cathedral in the late morning and together we four took a walking tour of Durham. We are on Day 2 of Weather Perfection here in Durham City.! (Today was even a bit too warm, and I even sweated!)
After lunch back at the flat, Grandad and Erin joined Chris for an official Cathedral tour and Castle tour while I did some errands (finally bought a watch!) and Caroline and I stayed home and took care of business, rested, etc.
This evening included finalizing some travel plans (Scotland again!) as well as dinner, a walk, etc.
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| Indoor Market... from indoors |
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| love this place... what Walmart should be |
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| requisite stop for a photo... the sky was much bluer than this photo looks |
After lunch back at the flat, Grandad and Erin joined Chris for an official Cathedral tour and Castle tour while I did some errands (finally bought a watch!) and Caroline and I stayed home and took care of business, rested, etc.
This evening included finalizing some travel plans (Scotland again!) as well as dinner, a walk, etc.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Day 40 (May 12): Edinburgh... and to Fort William
Woke up to beautiful weather on Saturday. I went out and took a few photos.
Since the weather was cooperating, after breakfast we decided to hike up Arthur's Seat that morning.
Then we got on a city bus to the Ocean Terminal where HMY Britannia is docked and took a tour.
Our day was not yet over... back to the station for our evening train which would take us from Edinburgh to Glasgow and then across the southern Highlands to Fort William.
And finally, bed.
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| Edinburgh homes near the Castle |
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| view of the New Town from the top of the Royal Mile |
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| looking down the Royal Mile in the early morning |
Since the weather was cooperating, after breakfast we decided to hike up Arthur's Seat that morning.
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| very fun walk and amazing views of the city and surrounds |
Then we got on a city bus to the Ocean Terminal where HMY Britannia is docked and took a tour.
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| really worth the steep entrance fee |
Our day was not yet over... back to the station for our evening train which would take us from Edinburgh to Glasgow and then across the southern Highlands to Fort William.
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| a lot of amazing scenery on this train ride |
And finally, bed.
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.
After the Castle we walked down the Royal Mile, stopping to visit St. Giles Cathedral.
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.
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.
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| Robert Bruce and William Wallace are in the alcoves |
After the Castle we walked down the Royal Mile, stopping to visit St. Giles Cathedral.
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| 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.
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| very interesting building/complex |
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| words from I Cor 13 carved into stone on the ground inside the Parliament building |
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| the sky outside our hotel room that night gave me hope about the next day's weather |
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