When we flew into Scotland, my first impression of Scotland was "Green Green Green with yellow speckles all around." We arrived at the Edinburgh airport about 9 am ready to roll. Our first stop was the little town of Dunfermline where we saw the birthplace of Andrew Carnegie and the charming Abbey before we headed to Stirling Castle.
My first view of the impressive Stirling Castle took my breath away. It was here where William Wallace "Braveheart" battled the English and took the castle from the English and gave the Scottish people Hope for independence. And where Mary Queen of Scotts spent some of her childhood and brought her son to be safe. The guides told us- though Stirling is not the capital city it is a crucial location- where the low lands meet the high lands. Whoever holds Stirling castle holds Scotland. The English took the castle back from William Wallace but a few years later Robert the Bruce took the castle back and became the King of Scotland and interestingly enough his daughter was the founder of the royal Stewart line traced to the current Queen Elizabeth.
We had to try Scottish ice cream- tasted pretty much the same. Ha ha
After leaving Stirling we stopped by Killsithe, a charming town where someone's ancestor was born on our tour and I loved the views, the garden and architecture.
The next day we headed to Edinburgh and had a tour of the city. We found the home of Robert Louis Stevensen- who wrote Treasure Island- and the architecture for the town homes with the servant door at the bottom was just out of a movie.
We explored the castle built into the mountain rock and saw some impressive views of the city. Our guide told us their must have been a royal presence in the city because their were royal guards at the castle and we were lucky to see the changing of the guard. Our weather was beautiful but surprisingly hot- in fact the hottest day on record ever for Scotland. This castle was impressive because it dates back to the 1st Scottish kings including Macbeth. We saw Scotland's crown jewels remade for Mary Queen of Scotts, the last monarch of Scotland. Her son became Queen Elizabeth's heir and untied the 2 kingdoms- Scotland and England, which have stayed united ever since.
We got to go in St Margarets Chapel- one of the oldest structures in Scotland dating back to the 11th century.
After exploring the castle we walked the Royal Mile and explored Edinburgh on foot. We stumbled across some treasures- Deacons House Café and The Elephant House, the café where the struggling J.K Rowling wrote much of Harry Potter. We talked to the sweetest little Scottish man who explained a history of Tartans to us and what they mean.
That night and the next day we explored Glascow- a more relaxed city some might say than Edinburgh. Years of industry and commerce by the river created this bustling city. We strolled on Buchanon street and along the river front.
The next day we were off to Paisley Abbey- one of the only churches saved from the Reformation destruction. Paisley was famous for it' s Paisley shawls that were all the rage in the early 19th century. Interestingly as well, Paisley Abbey was literally the birthplace of the start of the Stewart dynasty.
Then we were off to Robert Burns home and village that inspired so much of his work (My love is like a red red rose) including the lovely Brigadoon bridge. The Scots revere Robert Burns as saving their Scottish language.
Then we explored some of the country side in the low lands and tried to see through the mist to the Isle of Man.
On Sunday we attended church in Preston and had a tour of the blooming industrial age city. It was such a contrast to other cities but the park in Preston was magnificent and possibly the prettiest park I have ever seen.
The next day I decided I better document some of the delicious food. In the UK they serve a full "proper" English breakfast every morning, something we are definitely not used to so we were very spoiled but my favorite were the "real" English muffins with home made jam.
We stopped by the Preston Temple and toured the lovely grounds. As my dad said, "It's amazing what you can do with humidity."
Then we were off to Liverpool. Most every immigrant in the 19th century set sail from Liverpool. The Maritime Museum was incredibly moving and brought to life the challenges of the immigrants coming into Liverpool and trying to get passage, then crossing the Atlantic in tight spaces with diseases rampant. It's amazing so many of them came- it really brought to life their determination and hope for a better life. It was such a fun city, birthplace of "The Beatles" and the fashion was fun to explore. It seemed the appropriate place to have my first meat pie with smashed peas (something they love over here) with chips (not french fries).
On our way into Wales we stopped by the Parish church where Brad's great, great, great, great, great grandparent were married.
Then we made our way into Wales and stayed and the most beautiful little seaside town- right out of a Victorian novel-Llandudno. We took a boatride and went to the fair on the dock where I got a fortune and tasted Cornish vanilla ice cream. And for dinner- Fish and Chips. We strolled the beach till dark and found a huge jelly fish.
The next day we were off to explore Wales. We had some lovely views of the country side. Their seemed to be hills and valleys- green green green with sheep all over. It seemed appropriate to be reading How Green Was My Valley. We stopped by the town with the longest name and then the charming town and castle of Caernarfon- one of the many built by Edward (Longshanks) the First to intimidate and control the Welsh people with some of the most sophisticated 3 way cross bow defense found in the middle age. After we explored the city and found a treasure of an antique Jewlery shop where I got my treasured dragon pendant- symbolizing bravery. We finished the day with a delicious hot cocoa in the local pub, just what you would imagine an old pub would be like with cute little old men drinking their pints and speaking in Welsh. We sipped our cocoas and laughed and laughed at music videos of British bands that didn't make it- our favorite being Boomtown Rats 1979 " I don't like Mondays."
The next day we drove through Northern Wales to the mountains to explore a slate mine. It was very moving to me- especially because I was reading How Green Was my Valley. We took a tour of the mines and were amazed at what the men created down there with nothing but candle light. For lunch we had some Welsh cakes, "real" sausage rolls, and Dragon cheese which was actually aged in the mine and can only be bought in 2 places- here and in France. Then we had a train ride through the country following the route they would have taken to get the slate down the mountain.
Then we made our way to beautiful Aberystwyth- another beautiful seaside town with another Edward the 1st castle.
The next day we explored Aberystwyth and had a blast "boutiquing." I had a pasty for lunch which was probably the most delicious thing I had our whole trip and I will dream about later. The rest of the afternoon I soaked up the sun reading my book on the beach- so relaxing.
The next day we went to Cenarth Falls to learn about coracle boats and explore a charming mill on the river.
And then to Carmarthen- birthplace of Merlyn. We explored the city and in the castle the guide told us ancient celtic folklore about the city. The first mention of King Arthur is in the Black book of Carmarthen. We snacked on Welsh garlic cheese on toast. And explored the church where Sir Thomas (the guy who switch sides to make it so Henry the 7th took the throne) was buried.
The next day we spent in Merthyr Tydfil and learned more about mining and the life of iron and coal miners. It was fascinating for me to see this because of reading How Green Was my Valley. The working conditions and living conditions in such a city were unimaginable. It was amazing so many of them survived.
On Sunday we attended church in Merthyr Tydfil and then visited church history sites -Benbow farm, and Gadfield Elm Chapel, but on the way we stopped by this classic English tudor town.
And the last day of our trip it rained and rained- so no good pictures. Thankfully we had amazing weather throughout our trip but this last day. It seemed fitting for rain because we visited the Big Pit mine and explored what it would have been like to be a coal miner in the 19th century. I had finished How Green Was my Valley at this point so this was very meaningful.
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