“Time is a brisk wind, for each hour it brings something new.” Paracelsus 

Have you ever gone on a vacation anticipating loads of time to catch up on your reading, do some writing if so inclined, only to find you didn’t squeeze much of this in? Well that’s me. The intention was there to fit in reading and writing in between soaking up the sights but there was always something new awaiting.

Since I last wrote we have been in Dublin, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. 

Here is a recap of some of the highlights:

Dublin

This was one of our shorter stays, only three nights. A visit to Trinity College and touring The Book of Kells and Long Room Library was the best part of our stay. Viewing a book that was created and preserved in its original state since c.800AD is humbling. As is viewing the busts of so many well known contributors to our world in the Long Room. 

Teressa our friend, the person I call my honorary Mexican mom joined us in Dublin. She will be keeping us company until we all return to the States.

Glasgow

Spending five nights gave us a bit more time to explore. By far the biggest happening was spending Johnny’s 70^th birthday with a private day tour in the Highlands. We cruised up Loch Lomond a lake you might recognize from the song The Bonnie, Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond. We fit in a short viewing walk between rain along Glen Coe a spectacular area of valleys and mountain peaks. And, met a lad who didn’t talk but was happy to pose. Possibly a Highland actor? I’ve added the photo, so you can see what you think.

I was taken by the way many of the Glasgow businesses frame their doorways with elaborate flora wreaths.

Johnny was taken by how the locals have created a tradition of crowning the head of the Duke of Wellington statue with a street traffic cone. On special occasions like Pride Day or in support of Ukraine it is decorated with the colors. The reference name for the adornment is cone-quering.

Teressa loved the Riverside Museum of transport and technology. And then of course the Whisky tour and tasting. Impossible to come to Scotland and not sip the whisky.

Edinburgh

The outing Johnny and I have tucked into our favorite memory bank is hiking up Arthur’s Seat. Described by Robert Louis Stevenson as “a hill for magnitude, a mountain in virtue of its bold design” The hill was right behind the apartment we rented for six nights. The day we went up was very windy. I didn’t make it to the final peak, as I literally felt I could get blown off at the top. Johnny went the full way and touched the stone monument for both of us.

Edinburgh the capital of Scotland has all the historical features. The Royal Mile, National Museum, National Portrait Gallery to name just a few. It also has store, after store ,after store, of Scottish tourist swag. A kilt maker who has a store down a small lane informed us the majority of the stores are owned by one family and the products are made in China, hence they say Product of Scotland whereas his labels say Made in Scotland.

We’re getting close to the end of the land portion of our travels. Next I’ll be writing about our stay in Bowness-on-Windermere in the Lake District of England. 

The people we’ve met and the places we’ve visited will stay with us. It has been nice to not feel rushed, there have been no huge surprises or disappointments. Time has been good to us.