Remembering Europe in 2011:
Our last stop was in Scotland. We took a train up, and on the way I remember reciting "Sweet Afton" with a Scottish man. It was fabulous. We stayed in a very cute cottage-y hotel with a charming garden. I took a bazillion pictures of flowers and realized that peonies are my favorite flower.
Our hotel and garden
Exploring Edinburgh castle. I remember the fellas practicing for a big Scottish festival, hearing a large canon from the castle, and seeing where prisoners made things.
Probably the most memorable party of Scotland was Arthur's Seat. I climbed it twice, the first time in mid-day, the second in the early morning rain.
Buildering some ruins on the way up the seat
Look at how Romantic I'm being (Romantics love ruins, according to my literature professor)
The view from the top
My first jaunt up the hill
I learned what a westie is. So cute.
Testing out vegetarian "haggis"
I think this was another Sabbath and we went up to the highlands. Unfortunately it rained a lot, so we spent most of our time inside some castle, but didn't get to venture into the grounds much.
Wow, he was prepared.
Exploring Edinburgh at night. I remember eating at the tiniest Asian food place, passing by spooky houses, and seeing an ancient stone church on the coast that had been converted into a climbing gym.
My second trip up Arthur's Seat. I think I just knew we had such little time in our trip, and I wanted to squeeze every last little bit out of it I could. I recall wishing I could stay another month or longer in Europe and being in disbelief when others said they were homesick. What???
We got a bit soaked on the hike down
A final look out the train before getting on a plane and returning to the U.S. of A. Nooo!!!
