Scotland 2009- Wed- March 18th- to the top of the Ben Authur... almost

So Matthew is determined to make it to the top of the Ben Aurthur this time. Ok. So we start at the base of the mountain right off Lock Lomond at sea level. It is only just under 3,000 feet elevation. How bad could it be?

So here we are. We made it this far... The view is awsome, but it still looks a long way up..

Then we reach a platue just before the big rock formation up ahead, and I think we have made it.
Then Matthew tells me we are not there yet... just look at the look on my face (left) when he tells me where we are going (right).

So we go a little further...

past the snow and we are there. Just in front of this is a rock formation with a sheer drop off the other side that looks like it goes several hundred feet... with this guy sitting on the top...

So how do I get to the top... Through that hole then up that incline that looks like a staircase with no steps...

No... I think I will call this the top.... - BTW- Matthew did not go up on top of it either. The image at the bottom is as far as he went.

Scottland 2009 - Tuesday- St Paddy's day

On St. Paddy's day, we took a drive into Glasgow. I found another of those blue boxes and tried knocking, but alas... No Doctor. I will find that T.A.R.D.I.S. one day. Whe explored the city a bit, walked down to George's Square... note the pigion on Queen Victoria's head. They seem to like it there. I could not get a clear shot without one there. We then found an Irish pub "Waxy O'conner's" for some Irish Stew and Guinness in honor of St Paddy's day.

Scotland 2009 - Monday, March 16

On Monday morning, we set out to find acient Scotland (in the rain none the less). These carvings at Achnebrech were made about 6000 years ago by the inhabitants of this area at the time, and are revered to as cup and ring. If you look closely at the image, you can see the circles.

Our next stop was at a stone circle (standing stones). These were at Ballymeanoch in the Kilmartin Glen area of Scotland, but are not all that unlike the most famous stone circle "stone henge." These are estimated to have been constucted between 5000 and 3500 years ago. The mist in the air in the first photo (left) is fog, the spots on the right photo are moisture on the lense. It was raining and very diffucult to keep dry.

The next photo (left) is of a burial carin near by and from the same time period. Further along the road, we encountered a few more standing stones, also from the same period. Then we ran across Carnesserie castle (Below), built in the late 16 th century. It was home to Bishop John Carsewell, who translated the John Knox liturgy into Gaelic in 1567.

From there we drove to the seaside town of Oban for dinner. It is one of the Ferry ports to get out to the islands such as Iona and Mull.

Scotland 2009 - March 15

On Sunday morning, we started with mass at St. Michael's and All Angel's Scottish Episcopal Church in Hellensburgh then took a drive out to Drymen to see the countryside. Here is a picture of the landscape there.

Scotland 2009 trip

I have been in Scotland a week now, and failed to post anything until now, so here it is. On my first day (after my arrival day) we went to Rosslyn Chapel. I am posting a picture here of me at the door. It is a beutiful and magical place, unfortunatly they do not alow photography inside, because some idiot fell taking an photo and is now has a suite against them.

We also stopped by Edinburgh on the way back to the house and walked around the "Royal Mile" area some. We ran accross the little cafe pictured here on a side street. This is where J.K. Rowling "mulled over a coffee writing her first Harry Potter novel, " hence the sign stating it is the "birthplace" of Harry potter.

Yuletide 2008

It has been a busy rest of the year since I returned from Scotland, and I just realize I have not posted a single entry on here since May. Wow. Since May, life has been working, teaching (mostly statistics) , and trying to get work done on the disertation. Of course there were a few parties in the ole pub including All Hallow's eve. The next gathering is the Yuletide celebration which happens to occure the eve before the Winter Solstice this year. I just finshed putting the menu together and am posting it below, just to give those of you who have not made it to a pub party an idea of how we eat at our little gatherings of friends. I will try to be better about posting in 2009, and hopefully will have some party photos to post soon...

JohnMichael’s Pub Yuletide 2008 Menu

Starters
Caramelized Onion and Feta Puffs
Breads, toasts, and Crackers with:
Veggie Pate’
Salmon Pate’
Lobster Pate’
Brie Fondue
Scottish Ginger Preserves
Scottish Orange Champaign Marmalade
Assorted cheeses including:
Cotwald, Stilchester, Spring Onion & Sage Derby,
Isle of Mull Mustard Seed Cheddar, Scottish Wisky Cheddar

Mains
Roast Pheasant
Lamb Roast
Seared Salmon

Veg
Mash
Green Beans
Veggie Haggis
Tatties and Nips
Three Cheese Tortellini


Desserts
Borders Dark Chocolate Gingers
Scottish Shortbread
Rum Cake
And of course, the usual assortment of sodas, water, mixed drinks and Scottish and Irish Beers

Day 12- Further into the highlands.

Ferry Inn, the house we are staying at is on a peninsula at the edge of the highlands. Some of the pictures you have seen were from the highland area just north of here, such as the hiking photos. Today we visited the highland town of Inveraray. The castle shown here is the family home of the Duke of Argile, who is married to the heiress to the Cadbury fortune (yes the Cadbury Candy eggs people). The castle was built in 1745 on the ruins of a 15th century castle. The towers were added in the late 1800's.

This second photo shows a good view of the entire castle. The photo below it is of the highland cattle in a field near the castle. Notice they have longer hair than than our American breeds.

From there we drove up to Loch Awe to see the

ruin of Kilchurn Castle, built in the mid 1400's. The castle was abandoned in the 18th century after it was struck by lightning. It sits right on Loch Awe, which is the largest fresh water loch in Scotland, streaching 25 miles. Behind the castle is Ben Cruachan, a mountain that almost 3,700 feet.