Cambridge - 2 Days
Edinburgh - 2 Weeks
Cambridge (UK)
Temp.s - 15- 24 deg. C, Dusk – 8.45pm
Topiary at Hever Castle
Jousting tournament in full swing
Kids at the tournament
Lady Anne Boelyn and a rather slim King Henry VIII
The girls and I had a pretty good look at Cambridge, and loved it on the way from Oxford to Cumbria. The boys though, choosing to see the Duxford Airbase, hadn’t seen it at all.
We stayed at an excellent hotel/motel about 10km out of town, and enjoyed the luxury of having a prepared breakfast each morning. Self catering for pretty much the whole trip so far, meant that this was a welcomed treat. Having dinner in the in-house restaurant also meant that we met Adam, (our friendly, French speaking waiter, and a lovely Lithuanian waitress.) Mitchell had been doing a project throughout the trip, where hed been learning how to ask for “The Bill Please” in as many languages as he could, which he’s put onto Power Point. He now had the opportunity to add Lithuanian.
We spent our day in Cambridge reintroducing Steve and Mitch to some of the things we enjoyed on our last visit, like the Kings College Chapel, punting on the River Cam and exploring the pedestrian presinct of town. We also did the obligatory stop in to Build-A-Bear, another one of our pilgrimages on the trip. Unfortunately, it was the day that Australia lost the Ashes. Being in England at the time, we met some pretty happy Englishmen, and even heard the Kings College Chapel bells ringing in celebration. It was almost painful to watch all the interviews on TV later that night back at the hotel.
Kids whilst punting on the River Cam
We stayed at an excellent hotel/motel about 10km out of town, and enjoyed the luxury of having a prepared breakfast each morning. Self catering for pretty much the whole trip so far, meant that this was a welcomed treat. Having dinner in the in-house restaurant also meant that we met Adam, (our friendly, French speaking waiter, and a lovely Lithuanian waitress.) Mitchell had been doing a project throughout the trip, where hed been learning how to ask for “The Bill Please” in as many languages as he could, which he’s put onto Power Point. He now had the opportunity to add Lithuanian.
We spent our day in Cambridge reintroducing Steve and Mitch to some of the things we enjoyed on our last visit, like the Kings College Chapel, punting on the River Cam and exploring the pedestrian presinct of town. We also did the obligatory stop in to Build-A-Bear, another one of our pilgrimages on the trip. Unfortunately, it was the day that Australia lost the Ashes. Being in England at the time, we met some pretty happy Englishmen, and even heard the Kings College Chapel bells ringing in celebration. It was almost painful to watch all the interviews on TV later that night back at the hotel.
Kids whilst punting on the River Cam
Kids with Build-A-Bear in Cambridge
The sights on the road through England - have van, will travel...
Steve attempting the impossible...
Edinburgh (Scotland)
Temps. 9 deg. C – 20 deg. C, Dusk- 9pm
Edinburgh's unique architecture
Mitch having crossed the Scottish border
We arrived in around 5pm, having abandoned the search for Hadrian’s Wall about an hour and a half south of Edinburgh. Despite following the SAT NAV, road signs and even directions from Hadrian Wall walkers, it evaded us. Once in Edinburgh, we met Nick and Kirsten at our flat, before heading up the road to the local Thai. Not sure whether it was our lack of Asian food in the past months, but it was the best tasting Thai, we’d ever had. “Justit’s” in Thimble Street was fantastic!
Our Brandon Street apartment, despite the 800 m eter uphill walk, was right in the heart of the city. Initially we thought, it would be a taxi ride up the hill, but as we settled in, it was far easier to walk, and besides, we needed all the exercise we could get at this point.
Our Brandon Street apartment, despite the 800 m eter uphill walk, was right in the heart of the city. Initially we thought, it would be a taxi ride up the hill, but as we settled in, it was far easier to walk, and besides, we needed all the exercise we could get at this point.
Kirsten and the girls
Steve outside our unit on Brandon Street
U. Nick, Mitch and Steve
The Edinburgh Festival had brought a lot of tourists to Edinburgh. Thanks to Kirsten, we’d pre-booked a no. of shows, some for us and some for the kids. For the kids, we saw “Tap Kids” a wonderful upbeat, and contemporary tap show by six young, teens from New York, “Alice Through The Looking Glass,” which was an interesting, take on an old classic, Sheri and I also went to “Emma” by Jane Austen which was a lovely treat, and finally, a Roald Dahl show, where two guys from the Roald Dahl Museum in the UK, re-enacted some of his stories, with great enthusiasm. We also got to the Book Festival which as it happened, coincided with Book Week at home so the kids received a hands-on literary education this month.
Steve and Nick went to a comedy night which they both enjoyed, and Kirsten and I, went to an amazingly, contemporary dance production by Michael Clarke, the apparent, bad boy of British ballet. Bare buttocks, and unisex costumes, were all the rage, coupled with some fantastic choreography!
Both Cassi and I celebrated birthdays in Edinburgh, and thanks to our hosts, Nick and Kirten, they were made very special. For Cassidy’s big day, we met up with them and paid a visit to Build A Bear where, Cassi adopted a Scottish owl she named “Bonnie,” and Mitch got his bear Hermann, a unique kilt and bagpipes.
Steve and Nick went to a comedy night which they both enjoyed, and Kirsten and I, went to an amazingly, contemporary dance production by Michael Clarke, the apparent, bad boy of British ballet. Bare buttocks, and unisex costumes, were all the rage, coupled with some fantastic choreography!
Both Cassi and I celebrated birthdays in Edinburgh, and thanks to our hosts, Nick and Kirten, they were made very special. For Cassidy’s big day, we met up with them and paid a visit to Build A Bear where, Cassi adopted a Scottish owl she named “Bonnie,” and Mitch got his bear Hermann, a unique kilt and bagpipes.
Cassidy's Birthday:
Birthday Girl at Uncle Nick and Aunty Kirsten's
On her special, day off to the theatre
Mitch with Hermann sporting his new Scottish garb
A. Kirsten & U. Nick with the birthday girl
We then had lunch at the Book Festival where , the jazz band played her Happy Birthday, went to an Alice In Wonderland Play and then it was back to Nick and Kirsten’s place for a party, complete with party food, decorations, cake and party games. As you can imagine, she had an absolute ball, and it was so nice to spend time with Nick and Kirsten, on their turf for a change.
Kids showing off their "Elmo" T-shirts at the party, compliments of Nanna
Sheri playing The Chocolate Game at the party
My birthday was also really special, despite feeling every one of my ...years this year. We had a lovely surprise lunch at a great restaurant called “The Boat Shed,” overlooking the “Firth of Forth” Bridge on the Scottish coast, and went to the infamous, Edinburgh Military Tattoo later that evening. It was an amazing experience, one which will stay with us for a long time to come! We couldn't believe Nick and Kirsten hadn't been to it before, but were glad our visit had finally got them there. I had a wonderful time snapping away with my new camera in order to capture the moment. We finished the night with supper at the “Elephant House Cafe,” where J.K. Rowling had written Harry Potter.
Julie's Birthday:
Opposite the Firth of Forth Bridge on the Scottish Coast
Lunch at The Boat Shed
Edinburgh Military Tatoo:
Traditional Swiss Band, Swiss Top Secret-Flaming Drummers
Scottish Pipers
Finale
The kids really enjoyed having time with their Aunty and Uncle, who both went to so much trouble to ensure we had the most wonderful time. Mitch and godfather, (Uncle) Nick had a trip to Edinburgh Castle, seeing the crown jewels and Oliver Cromwell’s soldier’s armour. Whilst Sheri and Kirsten, had a late night shopping excursion, and dinner together in a place where we’d all been with Sheri in a pram 10 years ago. This time she had a fruit cocktail!
Whilst not always blessed in the weather department, Edinburgh was indeed a lovely city. It boasted excellent eateries, beautiful shops, wonderful park areas and Georgian Architecture. Although it was probably lesser known for it’s architecture, we felt it was similiar to Bath with its beautiful buildings.
Seaside homes at Queensferry
Whilst not always blessed in the weather department, Edinburgh was indeed a lovely city. It boasted excellent eateries, beautiful shops, wonderful park areas and Georgian Architecture. Although it was probably lesser known for it’s architecture, we felt it was similiar to Bath with its beautiful buildings.
Streetscape inner city
Rooftops with the Firth of Fourth beyond
Rooftops with the Firth of Fourth beyond
Seaside homes at Queensferry
Heading up the hill at Brandon Street
Sheri's clay horse from the Art Auction which found a lovely home at Nick and Kirsten's
The Lippanzana Woods! (Cassi on Saxo, Sheri on Misty)
Sheri with "Cassi" the horse, U.Nick and our Cassi at Tower Hill Riding School
We had a rather large “pack-up” to do in Edinburgh, before we were due to pass by Melanie’s (Guildford,) again, on our way southward. We needed to store additional baggage, (that seemed to have this habit of accumulating-funny that,) and collect some warmer clothing for the autumn months back on The Continent. Whilst we got ourselves sorted, the kids spent their last day in Edinburgh, making the most of it with Nick & Kirsten. They had a wonderful time, seeing a movie, being taken out for lunch and a stroll. In the early evening we all met back up to have our last supper together at Mamma’s Pizzeria which was right next door to the Bee Hive, (the pub, where Nick & Kirsten first met, so many years ago.)
Before moving on, we popped all the completed schoolwork in the post, and finally completed the last two blog updates. We’d had a lovely time thanks to Nick and Kirsten, who had gone to so much trouble to ensure we enjoyed our visit. We’d planned to meet up with them again, when we returned to Lake Como, to see our new friends, later in the year. We were all set then to head off to Guildford, this time with a little more success in finding Hadrian’s Wall on the way. Sadly, the wild goose-chase, had probably not been worth the effort. We did find it in the end, only to see it as a long pile of rubble behind a hedge.
Hadrian's Wall at long last - Not really worth the wait
Next stop – dinner with the Simcocks, and overnight at Guildford, then onto The Continent....
Steve and I got out together on a date one night, thanks to some babysitting by Nick and Kirsten and enjoyed Tiger Lilly (Bar and Restaurant, ) and the four of us had a wonderful dinner out on our second last night, at The Dome thanks to Nick and Kirsten, whilst Kirsten’s very talented friend, Nicola, minded the children. Having just had the second “Art Gallery Auction,” (similar to the one in Tuscany, where the kids all produced their own artworks, and had the gaul to sell them to their Aunt, Uncle and Parents,) they were all excited and didn’t miss us at all. Nicola, good friend and work colleague of Kirstens, (also a Brownie’s Fund Raiser and Leader,) had them well organised with all sorts of craft.
Sheri's clay horse from the Art Auction which found a lovely home at Nick and Kirsten's
Besides all the fun things, we also had to do a lot of boring maintenance things during our time in Edinburgh whilst we were in an English speaking country - the usual stuff like, car tyres and registration, haircuts and clothing alterations & repairs. Our clothing was taking a beating, with some of our jeans being worn quite literally to threads. Thank goodness, we didn't know anyone apart from Nick & Kirsten. Even though Edinburgh was a busy city, it was very close to the hills of its rural surrounds. Accordingly, it didn’t take Sheri long to seek out the location of the nearest riding school. All three kids did a couple of lessons at Tower Hill Riding Centre, the last of which, we saw Mitch get back in the saddle, (after the nose incident in Kinsale,) & have a go at trotting on Furbie, whilst we saw Cassi have a go at cantering on Saxo, and Sheri, much to her excitement, learn to gallop in the mud during a hack, (trail ride) with Misty. They were all at different levels, but somehow the two instructors managed to get the best from each of them, despite the cold and the noise of the rain beating down on the roof of the shed above during their last lesson.
The Lippanzana Woods! (Cassi on Saxo, Sheri on Misty)
Mitchell on Furbie
Sheri with "Cassi" the horse, U.Nick and our Cassi at Tower Hill Riding School
We had a rather large “pack-up” to do in Edinburgh, before we were due to pass by Melanie’s (Guildford,) again, on our way southward. We needed to store additional baggage, (that seemed to have this habit of accumulating-funny that,) and collect some warmer clothing for the autumn months back on The Continent. Whilst we got ourselves sorted, the kids spent their last day in Edinburgh, making the most of it with Nick & Kirsten. They had a wonderful time, seeing a movie, being taken out for lunch and a stroll. In the early evening we all met back up to have our last supper together at Mamma’s Pizzeria which was right next door to the Bee Hive, (the pub, where Nick & Kirsten first met, so many years ago.)
Before moving on, we popped all the completed schoolwork in the post, and finally completed the last two blog updates. We’d had a lovely time thanks to Nick and Kirsten, who had gone to so much trouble to ensure we enjoyed our visit. We’d planned to meet up with them again, when we returned to Lake Como, to see our new friends, later in the year. We were all set then to head off to Guildford, this time with a little more success in finding Hadrian’s Wall on the way. Sadly, the wild goose-chase, had probably not been worth the effort. We did find it in the end, only to see it as a long pile of rubble behind a hedge.
Next stop – dinner with the Simcocks, and overnight at Guildford, then onto The Continent....
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