Saturday, November 03, 2018

 

2018 Autumn

September 2018

Scott's Birthday


Lunch at Blaze with Isaac and me
Then an evening of Fortnite Playing with his friends


Birthday Cake celebration from Lacrosse during practice 
For 2 great coaches!

Liz's Birthday

Flowers from Mom Linda


Gifts from my Darci


Lunch and a Movie Date with Shannon


Gifts from my Heather

Fall Ball Lacrosse for Chloe

Isaac and I heading to the games 
nice sunny day with the jeep top off


Ok...maybe a little too sunny


October 2018

Chloe's Palm Beach Atlantic Recruit Weekend

Friday October 5th - 7th

Chloe is very interested in Palm Beach Atlantic University.  She was given the opportunity to join the team and their 8 new recruits for next school year and 2 others from Chloe's class year.  Also a nice get-away for me!







Girls even got to wear official uniforms with the team
Chloe was team White in #12 top row 3rd girl in




Enjoying the Men's Soccer team and the Sunset



Tour of Tampa University and Lacrosse Clinic
Sunday October 14th

I took Isaac on a tour of this Campus 2 years ago and thought it was quite lovely.  They've improved everything here... many more buildings and updates.  Plus more athletic offices and facilities.  A new lacrosse field as well!

















While Scott and I were away on a trip we missed 2 BIG events...

Chloe's 17th Birthday

Chloe had her final Fall Ball Lacrosse Day on her birthday
I got this picture via Snapchat
She's always having fun at the field!


 Isaac's gift to her... NF Concert
They had a really great time!

Chloe's Homecoming

Chloe got ready and took a few pictures with Grandma and Isaac then off to the park to take some pictures with her Best friend Ashley and brother Tyler








What's Next....

On the way to airport to get rid of mom and dad for a few days... does Isaac look too happy about that?!?!


Scott and Liz on the way to an exciting adventure...


 London 

Saturday October 20th and Sunday October 21st, 2018

We stayed at a hotel right near the train station, because we were heading out to Scotland the following day by train.
It was very hard to get used to crossing the streets since the traffic was all in different directions.  Your minds muscle memory was working overtime!


Lovely Looking Train Station


Many of the old buildings had Clocks on them





Careful Crossing the Street...wrong way!







Hop On and Off Bus in London 
We took this all over town to get around 
Also used the 'Tube' like the metro/subway






Equestrian Statue of Charles the 1st


Trafalgar Square




Chalk Art
This was every flag and and people were putting coins on their flag










Bikers on road just like the cars and actually following the road rules 


Admitalty Arch




Street Down to Buckingham Palace




Buckingham Palace








One lonely Guard



I rang the bell, but because all these other people were around they didn't let me in to visit with the Queen


Just a few hundred people walking about


 Grounds right by the Palace

St. James Park





To get an idea of how HUMONGOUS these pelicans are that seagul next to it was not at all small!








Parliament







Westminster Abbey

 This is only one side of the Abbey where the tourists come in 




I'm at the bottom of Photo
The line was long, but it went fast to get inside the Abbey







This is the other side of the Abbey where you exit the tour


Big Ben


Ben's Clock Face




Whitehall Gardens




Benjamin Franklin's Home 




Original floors inside the house



Original Fireplaces
They didn't have furniture that was left to our imaginations


Beautiful Stairway Carvings




This is an original stove in the home of Ben Franklin which they later turned into a woman's bathroom (you can see the sink to the right of the picture)


 Statue "Boudiccan Rebellion"


Westminster Pier



Westminster Bridge



Across The Bridge a bit of a more downtown feel


St. Paul's Cathedral






Sunday October 21st

Robert Clive Memorial


Memorial 

Imperial War Museums, 

Churchill War Rooms

Line to get in
We came back 3 times before we actually got into the building.  The lines were SO LONG!  Twice the first day.







Most things still inside and kept for people to view


Original lockers









 After the bombs





10 Downing Street Door where the Prime Minister Churchill lived


These rooms are in their orginial condition and as you can see there is a large map on this wall below and there's a doodle of Hitler one of the officers drew on it....






 Dates of launched bombs..coming and going 




Kensington Palace




I'm a bit of a dork when it comes to Britsh Royalty and History...
I get very excited!

Queen Victoria
If you did not know a small part of her history she became Queen when she was 18 until she died.  She was Queen for 63 years.  She had 9 Children and was married to her love Prince Albert.




Queen Victoria and Albert












The etchings, paintings, railings every detail was wonderfully done and kept up well for as old as it is.



A entertainment room
you could see the dots in the floors were their shoes had made indents over time



Not a bad view from one of the living rooms






Look how grand the doors are!


A ceiling painting


The fireplaces were all very different



Another Ceiling painting




Kensington Gardens



Time for the Bus



Famous Harrods Shopping 



Wellington Arch 





Unity Diner
Vegan Restaurant
I found them on Instagram before they opened officially and found out they'd be open by the time we were in London so it was on the top of my list for lunch






Raw Tacos

Cauliflower Wings

Scott's Seitan Chicken Burger 

Potato Wedges

Liz's Surge Burger

Time to rush back to pick up bags at the hotel and figure out the train station so we don't head to Hogwarts, but head to Edinburgh (they do look very similar).  If you are familiar with Harry Potter you will know that the train platform is 9 3/4 is at Kings Cross Station in London where we were catching our train.  I believe we ended up on platform 7 though!

Treat for the 5 hour trip

Edinburgh, Scotland UK

Monday October 22nd to Friday October 26th, 2018

We arrived almost 10pm and most restaurants were closed, but we found an Italian place not far from our apartment style hotel and got a bite to eat.  


Fountain Court Royal Garden Apartments


Morning came and Scott headed to work while I took on the city
Day 1
Sir Walter Scott Memorial




Royal Mile

From the Castle gates to the Palace gates the street is almost exactly a mile long and runs downhill between two significant locations in the royal history of Scotland, namely Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace, hence its name. The streets which make up the Royal Mile are (west to east) Castlehill, the Lawnmarket, the High Street, the Canongate and Abbey Strand. The Royal Mile is the busiest tourist street in the Old Town, rivalled only by Princes Street in the New Town. (from Wikipedia)

Edinburgh Castle


















View from the top of the hill in Castle parking area



St. Columba's Free Church of Scotland



































St. Mary's Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Assumption
This is the church the Queen goes to when she's in Scotland visiting



















New Parliament House 
Which isn't used for Parliament anymore...it was used in 1639-1707


Nelson Monument
Commemorating Nelson's victory at Trafalgar


Dugald Steward Monument 
Iconic memorial to Scottish Philosopher built in 1831 


Museum of Edinburgh
This was free and bigger than it looks from the outside.  I thought I'd be in there 30 minutes and spent over hour in there.
















Scottish Parliament Building 
Built in 2004
I toured inside here it's open to the public.  Very modern to be in such an old part of town it really looks out of place. 







When you come out of the Parliament building to your right is this beautiful hill called Holyrood Park.  In front of the Parliament building is Palace of Holyroodhouse also known as the Queens Castle.

Holyrood Park is a royal park in central Edinburgh, Scotland about 1 mile (1.6 kilometres) to the ... Arthur's Seat, the highest point in Edinburgh, is at the centre of the park, with the cliffs of Salisbury .... Other geographical features include the Haggis Knowe, Whinny Hill and Hunter's Bog, which drains into St Margaret's Loch. (from Wikipedia)









About that time to head to the hotel and catch up with Scott and we had some daylight to enjoy a nice walk up Calton Hill












Day 2  I've purchased a 48 hour bus pass to go all over on 3 different buses plus some tickets to places I wanted to tour



The Royal Yacht Britannia

This was one of my favorite parts because I'm a bit of a 'geek' when it comes to the 'old' royals

Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia, also known as the Royal Yacht Britannia, is the former royal yacht of the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, in service from 1954 until 1997. She was the 83rd such vessel since King Charles II acceded to the throne in 1660, and is the second royal yacht to bear the name, the first being the racing cutter built for the Prince of Wales in 1893. During her 43-year career, the yacht travelled more than a million nautical miles around the globe. Now retired from royal service, Britannia is open to visitors and is permanently berthed at Ocean TerminalLeith, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Over 300,000 tourists visit the yacht each year. (Wikipedia)









Amusing old photograph from 1961 of all the men crew sunning themselves


My Selfie on the bridge about to board the Yacht
It as an ice cold wind that about blew you off your feet






The Queens Rolls Royce she would take on her trips
To get it onto the ship into the spot to secure it for travel they would have to remove the bumpers


The Deck where they had their fun




Right inside off the deck was this area with a small bar and games







Hallway to the Royal Families bedrooms




The Queen's Bed Room
All original items, photographs, sheets, furniture, etc



There were family photos along  the walls that were original to the ship so that not only the family could enjoy them, but also the crew


Philip Duke of Edinburgh's Bed Room
He didn't want floral sheets in his room so they are different from all the others


Royal family Bed Room



Captains Kitchen
Office 
Sleeping Quarters






Officers Dining Room




A Bar for the Officers




Some of the Crew Quarters





The Royal Band also came with the Queen on her Travels


Another Lounging Area For Officers




Some of the more important officers rooms



Mail Room



 Doctor and or Dentist office on board 


Can you only imagine with all that crew and the Royal clothes how much laundry is done on this yacht








The silver and dish room



In the Dining room they had in glass cases items they received as gifts from many of their travels on the yacht from all over the world




Dining room Table behind me in my selfie




The Queen's Office and Sitting Room




Philip Duke of Edinburgh's Office and Sitting room



 Entry area of main ship for Royals





Living Room of the Royals






Palace of Holyroodhouse


Built in 1671-1678.  It is the official residence of the British monarch Queen Elizabeth.  She visits in June every year and holds a garden party.  Whenever the Queen has engagements in Scotland she will do many of them within the palace walls.  We were able to tour old state apartments, the room of Mary, Queen of Scots, the Throne room, a dining room (which is still used by the royals today) and the Great Gallery room which is used to entertain and when the Queen gives out awards.  Inside there are beautiful tapestries, old furniture, art work, jewels and much more.  We couldn't take photos inside though.  Outside at the Palace Gardens we could as well as the court yard and the Holyrood Abbey.









Guards Box 



Holyrood Abbey is a ruined abbey of the Canons Regular in Edinburgh, Scotland. The abbey was founded in 1128 by King David I. During the 15th century, the abbey guesthouse was developed into a royal residence, and after the Scottish Reformation the Palace of Holyroodhouse was expanded further. (Wikipedia)











The Gardens where the Queen has her yearly Summer Garden Party 
Not as pretty in the Winter











Back on the Tour bus to rest my feet and listen to some more history

This is the Grassmarket
Known for as a historic place  to sell and trade livestock and such
Also as a place of Execution!



PUN INTENDED
Bar named 'The Last Drop'
like in a hanging of execution



 Scottish National Portrait Gallery

This was directly across the street from where we were staying and it was free












This was painted on a piece of porcelain
could fit in the palm of your hand




Library



Day 3 in Scotland off on another adventure! 



Edinburgh Castle

Two days before I had just looked at the parking area, the outside of the castle and such outside now it's time to go into the walls of the Castle...















Some of the Prison Cells


Real Etching on the doors from prisoners








Scottish National War Memorial 
This is still inside the castle walls










The Great Hall
Yes, Still in the Castle Walls














Dog Cemetery inside the Castle Walls


Cannon Ball




Views from the top point of the Castle






St. Margaret's Chapel
Founded in 12th Century
This is so small only 10ft wide by 16ft long








Off to the Bus again and ride it to 
The National Museum Of Scotland
This place was so huge with so much to see I think you'd need a month or more








Woolly Mammoth Bone Tusks next to a adult sized elephant









Dolly The Cloned Sheep









Portable Guillotine



I was told this museum had the best views of the city from the 7th level roof top and so I went to check it out...not too shabby













Then back out to venture the streets

 Greyfriars Bobby (May 4, 1855 – January 14, 1872) was a Skye Terrier who became known in 19th-century Edinburgh for spending 14 years guarding the grave of his owner until he died himself on 14 January 1872. The story continues to be well known in Scotland, through several books and films. A prominent commemorative statue and nearby graves are a tourist attraction. (Wikipedia)


A statue of Bobby is right near the pub and people touch his nose for good luck



Day 4
Scottish National Gallery


I LOVED this...portraits inside portraits it just amazes me





Cain and Able







Walked around town snapping pictures here and there (just in case I didn't get enough of them)





No stroller needed for this kid














Also went to 
The Peoples Museum






I walked around University of Edinburgh and picked up a shirt for Isaac





Time to say goodbye to Edinburgh
On the train ride back to London we had some daylight so we got to see part of the countryside.  It was full of farms and even sea shore area.

October 27th
London England
"Take Two"


We visited London on the front side of our trip and the back because there was so much we wanted to see and couldn't do it all in such a short time.  I think another day or two would have been nice, but alas we had to come home and back to work.




Bite to Eat




We decided to scare ourselves half to death by taking
The London Bridge Experience
It was terrifying and I think our hearts were racing for a hour afterwards

Off to the market we stumbled 





Plenty of Vegan Options



 Scott got himself some Indian Food







Heavenly Sight ... Avocados!





I got me the Beiruti Falafel Wrap...
it was amazing!


The Shard
Built in 2009 
72 floors 
1,016 feet
(for reference the Empire state building is 1,224 feet)





 
Walking about the city 

The plants along this staircase were pretty cool




Tower of London Bridge







You can see the Tower of London across the water




We toured inside of the Bridge







They had some glass floors in the bridge and it was a LONG WAY DOWN


Glass below us



This picture is pretty cool if you look closely
There's a mirror on the ceiling so I'm taking a selfie and the mirror shows me standing on the glass over the bridge with a walkway below and the river!




More walking about



Time to Tour the 
Tower of London
Medieval Castle 




















The Ravens of the Tower of London are a group of at least six captive ravens which live at the Tower of London. Their presence is traditionally believed to protect the Crown and the tower; a superstition holds that "if the Tower of London ravens are lost or fly away, the Crown will fall and Britain with it". Wikipedia












Toilet inside the Castle


Old Tour Guidebooks 









Time to Hop back on the Bus


Not our bus, but super old looking

Oh My Gosh...
So Cold









One last look at Buckingham Palace



21 years Married...I think we're up for some more!





















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