Team GB

Even though Glasgow is the closest location for any of the events, the Olympics are the only thing anyone can talk about.  While we're rooting for the US, Team GB is a close second. 

Prior to Olympic mayhem, we spent a few days on the Isle of Skye and visiting Eileen Donan castle.    

Who knew that the wee fishing village of Portree would be a foodie paradise?

We took a couple of nice hikes around Skye.  Fortunately, the midges left us alone.

Courtesy of Nana and Popos, Norah showed off her Scottish spirit on her last Sunday at church.  We love that the skirt is in the tartan of the Stuart Clan - It seems fitting since we just had a pre-Olympic visit from Janie Stuart. 

A woman from the church invited us for a "wee tea" this afternoon.  We expected tea, scones and a handful of people; instead, it was a full-fledge all-church BBQ.  Clearly, we haven't mastered Scottish idioms.  Norah and Nick did get some practice playing rounders, though.  The directions to this event included the phrase "at the castle, make a right."  It's amazing to live in a place where castles are so common people refer to them like 7-11s.  As amusing as Scottish directions may be, I look forward to returning to a country where people use street names when giving directions.  It sure makes life easier.

It's unbelievable that my month of work duties ended today and that we fly home later this week.  What a fast and fabulous month!

Norah, Queen of Scots

Of all of our great experiences in Scotland, it will be hard to beat the Old Course at St. Andrews.  It's so much fun to watch the men in plaid pants golf on the 600 year old course, but it's even more fun to golf ourselves!  While we, of course, couldn't use the Old Course, we were able to putt on the green next to the Old Course.  It was Norah's first time golfing.  I think golfing for the first time at St. Andrews bodes well for her golfing future.  

After golf, we took a quick dip in the water.

Then we showed off our University of St. Andrews hats.

The church left some toys in the manse for Norah to play with.  One of them is a battery-operated Dora toy that Norah adores and plays on a loop all day long.  We can't wait to leave it behind.  As a weak substitute, Nick bought Norah a Dora doll (sans batteries) that can make the trip back across the pond with us.

Less than a mile from the manse is Scone Palace, the crowning place for Scottish kings (including Macbeth).  We joined the peacocks and peahens in wandering the beautiful gardens before visiting the palace itself.  Then Norah spent some time on the Stone of Scone, the traditional crowning place for Scottish royalty.  She's always fancied herself queen of our house, so it's good that we finally made it official.  

The Adventure Continues

Our Scottish adventure continues - but for the last week we've been joined by Nana and Popos, Dee and Katie. 

During the church's Strawberry Tea on Saturday, Norah dove head-first into the tray of meringue pies.  She played the church ladies like a fiddle and got five pies out of them before Mom and Dad stepped in and spoiled the fun.  

It's been the rainiest summer in Scottish history, which is saying something, so our raincoats are getting good use.  I'm still in the market for a pair of plaid wellies.  Seems like the perfect souvenir.

So pretty!

Given Norah's reaction to the bagpipers in Edinburgh, there's no chance of her taking up that instrument.

She did love the Edinburgh Castle, though.

Listening to the audio tour at Holyrood Palace - the Queen's Scottish residence.

A cruise in search of Nessie on Loch Ness.

My first Scottish wedding - This couple had us over for dinner (for mince and tatties, to be specific) in our first few days in town.  When they gave us directions to their home, the directions included the phrase: "once you pass the crematorium, look for the two potato boxes and then make a left."

Wee Holiday

We took a "wee holiday" to the west coast of Scotland - Isle of Iona, Isle of Mull, and Oban.  Norah loved the ferry and kept asking for splashies.  Fortunately, once we got to Iona she was able to play in the sand and water a bit in spite of the chilly temperatures.  

While Nick spotted her, Norah did all of this climbing herself.  The next day she hiked much of Dun-I herself.  Trying to catch the sheep was good motivation to keep her moving.



We had a great time visiting Duart and Torosay Castles.

Her morning latte - no kidding, it's really a latte (decaf, at least).  She spent some time reflecting on the big things of life while gazing into Oban's Harbor and enjoying her morning coffee. 

Our new church home at St. Matthews of Perth.  We also spent time this week visiting St. Johns which is where John Knox preached when he was in Perth. 

More inner reflection - this time over the banks of the Tay River.

A Taste of the Wedding

A few quick wedding photos to whet your appetite.  

Settling In In Scotland



Norah was kind to us on our two long flights to Edinburgh (sleeping five of our eleven hours in the air) and is adjusting to jetlag probably best of the three of us.  She was also quite helpful as we unpacked our bags this afternoon and started to settle in to our new home.  We spent our first couple of days trying not to fall asleep, picking up meds to treat the head colds we caught on the plane, shopping for groceries and touring the church.  It will be nice to have the first Sunday under my belt tomorrow, and then we can get busy exploring some of the country.