Category: Travel

Scotland, TravelLeave a comment

Maybe one of the best vacation days ever

Jackie Grady

After driving from Inverness to Stirling, touring the castle, doing laundry, visiting the Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies, we decided the next day to head back to Edinburgh.  We didn’t feel like we had spent enough time in such a historic city. Rather than drive in, we opted to take a train from the suburbs. Next to the station was a sports store warehouse.  They had equipment for every conceivable sport from rock climbing to cycling.  But, would they have baseball? Baseball is certainly an American invention and is America’s game.  I noted when landing first in Dublin, then Glasgow, … Continue reading Maybe one of the best vacation days ever

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Giant Things

Jackie Grady

After Stirling, we headed towards Falkirk. Someone had told us to check out the Falkirk wheel. Apparently the Falkirk wheel is an engineering marvel in that lower boats from one canal to another.  However, it was closed when we got there and I’m not sure how it really works. In any event, it is a pretty impressive site. After walking around and meeting an American cyclist who was cycling the canals in Scotland, we were off to see the Kelpies.  The Kelpies is a large art installation of 2 big horses.  I cannot overstate their size. From different angles, they … Continue reading Giant Things

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There is literally 1 laundry mat in Scotland

Jackie Grady

And it’s in Stirling.  So we drove the hours back from Tulloch Castle to Stirling.  We had decided that this portion of the trip would not be as planned as the first few days.  So without a place to stay or what to do, we set off. Only now it was Jen’s turn to drive. Every time I drove, Jen calmly, to hide her stress, repeatedly told me that I was driving very close to the left side of the road.  Apparently, I had almost hit a few cars. What was the very 1st thing Jen did when she put … Continue reading There is literally 1 laundry mat in Scotland

Scotland, TravelLeave a comment

Castles and Highlands

Jackie Grady

After Dundee, we were off to Inverness.  Specifically, Tulloch Castle.  The drive was supposed to be under three hours, but it took much longer.  We had to take a detour to the Inverness Airport to add Jen as a driver at Hertz.  The Castle was more of a country estate.  So it was a bit disappointing that the Visit Scotland website listed this as a castle.   The Castle was built in the 12th century, but much of it has been destroyed over the years. Before dinner, I took a walk in the countryside and enjoyed the bleating sheep in the … Continue reading Castles and Highlands

Scotland, Travel, Travel GearLeave a comment

Dundee, a surprising city

Jackie Grady

We were to camp 2 nights in Carnoustie, but one night of lying on the ground with drunken Scots singing into the wee hours, we opted to find a room.  We lucked out and found a room in Dundee which is about 11 miles from Carnoustie.  After the tournament, we drove into Dundee and checked in.  It was a bit late and we were hungry.  The only place that was open and nearby was a Mexican restaurant.  We served Mexican by a man from Nepal in Scotland.  Honestly, I was so tired I don’t remember what I ate, I just … Continue reading Dundee, a surprising city

Scotland, TravelLeave a comment

A Wee Bit of the Highland Games

Jackie Grady

We travel to see different places and experience different sporting events.  Summers in Scotland feature Highland Games.  Originally, Highland Games were actually military exercises.  Now, the Highland Games are community type festivals to celebrate Scottish heritage and competition.  We headed toward Lochearnhead for their Highland Games.  The games were held in an open field that must also double as a cow pasture as there were warnings for E.coli. There were a few tents set up like you would find at an arts festival here.  We spoke with several of the locals.  When they found out we were from the U.S., … Continue reading A Wee Bit of the Highland Games

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Getting There: Miami to Dublin

Jackie Grady

It is always a bit daunting when faced with an entire day of travel which includes a red eye. We left Miami a little before 10 PM on a 8 and 1/2 hour flight. We flew Aer Lingus, an Irish airline. Here are our quick hits: 1. Yes, the airplane cabin decor is various shades of green. Which matched the color of the ocean waters. They were a green that I would expect to see in the Caribbean. 2. Great airline. Roomy seats even in economy that actually recline back. 3. Jen’s seat had a wet spot. Perhaps the prior … Continue reading Getting There: Miami to Dublin