And we're back

My two favorite quotes from the trip:

At the Indian restaurant in Glasgow, the waiter brings by a free appetizer of some type of spicy chicken wings.

Mo: "mmm, these are delicious. What do you call them?"
Waiter: "we call them spicy chicken wings, madam."
Wiseass.

In a pub in Cardiff we met a bunch of locals that we were chatting with. We're introducing ourselves.

Guy from Cardiff: "Andy"
Eric: "I'm Eric."
Andy: "I know you're American. What's your name?"

Say it fast.

Last day in the UK

Spent some time in the pubs last night, chatting to the locals. Trying to get a handle on the Welsh accent.

Today we're going to check some history, like the Cardiff Castle.

Glasgow

The view from our Glasgow hotel is the same as our condo back home.

Got up early in Scotland, had lunch on the road in England, and had dinner in Cardiff wales. Tomorrow, probably see the Cardiff castle.

More of the cliffs

VIDEO OF THE CLIFFS

Fingal's cave on Staffa

"How ewe doin?" at closing time.

"How ewe doin??"

Sunset over Oban Harbour

Mo on the second floor of Dunollie Castle

Dunollie Castle

Iona Abbey

Eric and Mo atop the cliffs of insanity

Oban

Came to Oban yesterday. Raining and cold, got here late. Just got a hotel and some dinner. Did find a bar doing trivia last night. Good times.

Today we took a ferry early out to the Isle of Mull, where we caught a bus to the southern end of the island and took another boat out to Staffa Island. An entire island made of natural hexagonal rock formations. Like the Devils Postpile, but 1000 times bigger.

After that another ferry to Iona Island, where the Iona Abby stands, birthplace of Christianly in the UK.

Crail crab traps

Crail

Rented a car and took the coastal route out of Edinburgh and headed to the little fishing village of Crail. Walked around the harbor for a bit, found some fish n chips, checked into The Golf Hotel, and made our way to the only pub in town.

Picture is of the top of the sea break water that protects the harbor.

St Margaret's Chapel, Edinburgh Castle

The oldest building in Edinburgh (1110), built by King David I to honor his mother, St. Margaret, who died in the castle in 1093.

Took some photos along the racecourse

This palace was the turn around point.

Took some photos along the racecourse

Took some photos along the racecourse

Took some photos along the racecourse

Took some photos along the racecourse

Race day

Well, today mostly consisted of either catching buses to various points on the race course, running away from Edinburgh, running towards Edinburgh, and a bit of weeping softly to myself at the end. Not my best race, but I finished and I'm glad it's done. Now our Scottish vacation can begin.

Kings Cross on The Flying Scotsman

Heading to Edinburgh. Strange numbering system they have for the platforms here at Kings Cross. Nerd reference.

Piccadilly circus

Eric left early to Coventry, and Mo and I took the tube down to Hyde park and laid in the sun for a few hours reading. To get back to Russell Square we rented some bicycles and road through London. Here we are on our bikes in Piccadilly Circus.

Tomorrow we head to Scotland.

First London Pint

After a long flight, with little sleep and a long subway ride it's time for a London pint at Marquis Cornwallis near our hotel.

And we're off!!!

UK HERE WE COME!!!