Edinburgh, Scotland

So far this is one of my favorite cities! When we popped up from the train, there was a beautiful 360 degree view of old grey stone buildings, bagpipe players, a castle on a hill, and Starbucks! Haha, I know, so touristy, but honestly it was a welcomed sight not only for the familiar smells and tastes, but as travelers abroad, Starbucks means free bathrooms and free wifi! Did I mention that you have to pay to pee at many of these bigger European cities? Not a fan. Though most of the cast took the train in together, we all had different dreams for the day, so Todd and I set out on our own, over a bridge toward The Royal Mile. We walked up the cobbled stones toward the Castle and there were hundred of people lining the streets. A parade was about to begin! We waited and finally watched dozens of colorfully clad bands march by with pride for their heritage and specific Scottish clan. Big men playing little piccolos and little boys playing big bass drums. After watching a little while, we made it up to the castle but didn’t have time to wait in the long line. So we got some MacIntyre items in the gift shop and vowed to return in August.

Killybegs, Ireland

“Little town, it’s a quiet village. Every day...like the one before...” This song from Beauty and the Beast was stuck in my head all day walking about Killybegs. The locals got together a craft fair to sell their hand-knitted and painted goods, but other than that, there was not a lot going on! The biggest attraction of the day was the carpet factory...which Todd and I were going to check out until we learned that there was a fee! Pass. So we just strolled, looked inside a church, captured a seal in photos, and got a scone with strawberry jam and clotted cream and coffee at the Wee Bar in exchange for wifi. Not really a place I am dying to visit again, yet still, it was quaint and sweet.

This one's for you, Best

Some real live Irishfolk

A harbor seal deciding whether to nap or swim

Glasgow, Scotland

As soon as we stepped off the ship, we were welcomed to Scotland with a free sample of Glengoyne Scotch whiskey! -as well as bundles of different plaids and volunteers with clan information. Our group of casties chose to take the public train into Glasgow, and then a 3 hour Hop-on Hop-off Bus around the City. Ang found the Ghoulish Glasgow channel on the headset, which was probably for kids, but we had a blast listening to old ghost stories and groaner jokes about all the historical places we were passing on the bus.  

One thing I noticed here for the first time, and then later in other countries, was the decorations in every single residence window. They usually had curtains on either side, and one prominent candle, vase of flowers, figurine placed directly in the center of the window. Once it caught my eye, I couldn’t help but notice them over and over and over again.

We passed by St. Andrews Square, saw custom-made kilts for sale in the window (starting at about $400...), Byres Road, Glasgow University (which I’m told looks strikingly like the Harry Potter school, though I’ve never seen it) and in the countryside, lots of sheep and green. 

After the tour, we asked the tour guide to point us in the direction of some good “local” food...and she directed us to ‘Nice & Sleazy’s,’ a bar where only the locals go, to have a drink of Buckfest. We did, it was a dive, and buckfest was like a verrry sweet red wine or port, almost syrupy. When in Rome...

A beautiful, sunny day walking around Glasgow

Formal kilts for sale behind lots of streetlight posts at one very bust intersection

Glasgow University

Sheep!

Cobh and Cork, Ireland

We were granted a beautiful, sunny day in Cobh, Ireland.  The captain made the decision to bypass Dublin due to stormy seas, so the passengers were especially anxious to get to Cobh, (pronounced “cove,”) which is famous for being the last port at which the Titanic stopped. If I tell you there was transportation to Cork, Ireland, can you guess what I did?

“Here, on the top, exists the wondrous stone,

Which to the tongue imparts that soft’ning tone;

Its high pretensions are acknowledged wide,

And with the nation ‘tis identified:

Nor can its long-established fame subside

Throughout the world, till tongues themselves have died;

But this strange feature multitudes have got

Who know no other of this charming spot.”

-Hogan 1842

I kissed the Blarney Stone, of course! Busloads of people from all over the world file in to hike up the spiral, cobbled stairs of the famed Blarney Castle, slide down onto their backs and arch backward and upside down (as is necessary to gain the Gift of Eloquence) and kiss the stone. They actually have 2 guys stationed there to hold you from falling into the metal bars separating you from the plunge to the ground. What a thrill!

Bristol and Bath, England

We ported near Bristol, England, but I got to escort an excursion to the Roman city of Bath, where the highlight is...you got it: the Roman Baths! After the tour I had a little free time, where I walked into this Abby, the largest Protestant church in England. I also thought it would be fun to buy a BATHing suit in BATH, so I splurged on one I liked from a store window! Very classic black, with gold bows, a two-piece but high waisted :)

Bus ride on the way to Bristol

Mom would love these Royal gardens

The Royal Crescent - now used for very expensive apartments!

The Romans Baths - healing properties and guaranteed relaxation. They are not in use today, just a very popular tourist attraction

Largest Protestant Abby in England

Falmouth, England

On this grey day I had IPM, so I decided to wake up early and help out Shore Excursions at 7am. But when I went, no one was there! I thought, well, I’m already awake, may as well get some breakfast. And after that, I thought, well no one is going to wake up anytime soon to get off the ship, so as long as I’m back by 9am, I may as well go outside for a walk! I asked for directions to somewhere close and the port security told me to turn left to walk to the castle. Well, I did turn left, away from the town, and found myself passing lots of cargo ships, construction, and as I bent down to photograph a sad little baby seagull with a broken wing, the head of security zoomed up in his car and barked that I wasn’t allowed to take pictures, let alone be where I was! I explained that I was trying to follow directions to the castle and he let out a big sigh and told me, in his lovely British accent, to get in the car and he would point me in the right direction. Oops! 

So I set out toward the castle in the right direction. It sprinkled the whole time, but I was smiling and pleased to get some exercise our in nature. My favorite sights were milk delivered to the red castle door, lots of greenery, fuchsia flowers, and the security guard company....notice the name on his hat :)

Guernsey, St Peter Port, Channel Islands

In Guernsey I joined an excursion to Castle Cornet. Imagine our guide, David, dressed in Renaissance style clothing, with an authentic British accent, a quirky little man who was also a potter, musician and master storyteller. The most memorable story he told was of 3 female prisoners (a mother and 2 daughters) who were locked in the tower of the Castle for not attending church. After a week, they were escorted through the village and made an example, and then tied to stakes to be burned. One of the women was pregnant the the trauma of the fire induced labor. A guard swopped in to save the baby, and then asked the Prime Minister what he should do with the child, but was told to burn it because it was a child of a heretic. YIKES! Tough times. It made me grateful again for our many freedoms.

In the castle we learned about a plant called yew that was kept in their gardens. Yew is currently used to make tamoxifen, a drug used to treat cancer in chemotherapy. Amazing to see the history of a modern day lifesaver! Love you, Mom.

I jumped at the noonday gun salute, and instead of photographing the firing cannon, missed and got the ground! Afterward, though, the soldiers let me take a picture with them....I saluted to my fellow Rox in honor of the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers :)

The tour concluded with a glass (or two!) of champagne, and hors d’oeuvres of salmon and beef carpaccio. What a treat! On my walk back, I met Ben, a young sailor getting ready for his yacht racing competition later that afternoon.