Bonnie Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond

I am WAY behind in blog reading and emails but I have a good excuse.  I've been travel bargain hunting on the computer and phone for two solid days .

We are last minute travelers.  We purchased our trip to Egypt (click here - Nov 10 post) a week before we left.  You might remember that I went to a Knitting & Spinning retreat last July on the Island of Mull in Scotland (click here and scroll down to Oct 3rd).  That group is meeting again in the Summer of '06 on the island of Orkney.   We were planning on going as a family.  The problem is we're moving back to the States around that time also.  We have no idea exactly when and won't until about six months before.  Dan and I were talking about it the other morning and we just didn't want to bank it all on the Orkney trip and then not be able to go.  So we decided to plan a trip to Scotland for this year.  Dan knew I felt miserable about it so as soon as he got to work that morning he made sure he could take leave and called me to start planning for Spring Break!  Yikes!  That's 2 1/2 weeks away!  So I got busy doing my thing.  Budget travel.  Thank God for the internet.  We got round trip tickets for all four of us Frankfurt/Glasgow for $200!!

We'll get there at about 8:30 pm so I got a hotel room next to the train station where we'll leave in the morning to spend the day in Stirling with a little side trip to Bridge of Allan (part of my heritage).  We'll head back to Glasgow that afternoon, pick up our luggage from the hotel (that's why I picked one close to the train station) and head up to the B&B on the north shore of Loch Lomond.  From there we'll take day trips.  The first day it's up to Glencoe (the other part of my heritage is Campbell - I won't be advertising that little fact) to enjoy the scenery.  Second day is back to Mull and Iona via Oban.  I'm hoping we'll have time to visit the Ardalanish sheep farm we went to as a knitting group last summer. Then the next day it's back to check out Glasgow and the Science Center before flying back home that night.  Quick trip but better than not going at all.

I don't know if it's my Scottish blood or if I lived there in another life, but there's something about Scotland that draws me to it like no other place I've ever been (and I've been to a lot of places).  I cry tears of joy when I arrive and I cry when I have to leave and I always swear I'll come back again.  The boys are out-of-their-minds excited about the whole plane, train and ferry thing.  I was really hoping to get back to Shetland again (Dec. 6th post), but I'm not complaining.  Someday....

Knitting?? I've decided to keep the V-neck on the Must Have as is.  I knit a few rows last night but that's about it.

As for the Take a Soldier to the Movies Operation, we had to reschedule moving everything to this Friday.  Pam got to have lunch with Laura Bush during her visit here in Germany on Tuesday.  I can't wait to hear all about it on Friday over lunch.

Joe's class is on the letter "S" this week.  So for the sake of spinning and sheep, I'll be doing a little demo for 21 five-year olds this afternoon.  I love how excited kids get about it all.   Hope I remember my camera.

Back to ferry and train schedules....

Comments

[Secret Pal]

I forgot to ask you! Do you have an Amazon wish list? I am plotting your next gifts! Have a great Sunday!

[Valerie]

I just checked..you'll have to copy and paste in your browser, but the addy does work for the article. Sorry the html didn't work for a link.

[Valerie]

Our local newspaper carried a story about the area school for autistic childred participating in "Take a Soldier to the Movies". I thought of you immediately and how you might also be touched to read it. The article is at: http://www.hometownlife.com/Plymouth/NewsSearch.asp?pageType=Story&StoryID=86801 Have fun in Scotland!! I long to return to the Hebrides.

[Renee]

Thanks for posting to the Take a Soldier to the Movies site. Looks like a great project and I'll be putting a little package together. Have a great trip!

[Lisa]

Jean, speaking about being behind in blogland -- this is way past due. I want to publicly acknowledge the beautiful lacework scarf you contributed to the Red Scarf Project. Talented and generous knitters like you are making this "little" project overwhelmingly successful. Thank you! Lisa

[Secret Pal]

Scotland! How fabulous! I know you will have the best time! Be expecting your package sometime this week! I don't know how long it will take to get to you! They told me sometime this week! I am so sorry that your first package is late!!

[Mj]

Have a wonderful adventure! My daughter is at St. Andrews for this semester and loving it! I'm so glad you're going to be in a place you love! Mj

[Wendy G]

I know you will have a great time. Can't wait to hear all about it.

[mia]

Oh! Lucky for you! A trip to Scotland. I have nver made it there so please sya you are going to be taking lots and lots of pictures. And wait, you're a Campbell too> No wonder I like you.

[Minxxy]

I live 10 minutes away from Stirling! There are loads of things to go and see. The Castle, the Old Town Jail, lunch at the Portcullis, Kings Park for a walk, Wallace Monument, the Marches shopping centre and my favourite yarn store (mind you, it's the only one!) McArees. When you go to Bridge of Allan, apart from the posh shops and Clive Ramsays, you MUST go to the Allanwater Cafe for ice cream. Delicious!

[Kathleen]

Have a wonderful trip. I miss all the travelling we did when we were in the UK---it was just so easy to go away. Sigh. I bought my movie, popcorn and candy today with the kids and Gracie is fired up to do a proposal for her principal for a service project.

[Miriam]

I'm so jealous! I have a friend living in Glasgow who I would sell my right leg to go visit. Have fun though despite the fact that I'm insanely jealous ;) M

[Jessica]

I've always wanted to go to Scotland myself. I was a history major in college and my main focus was Ireland, England, Scotland and the British Isles. Ironically with all the research I've done over the years I've never been able to go! Really wish I could. Post lots of pics so that those of us who can't go now can travel vicariously through you. I hope you all have a great trip!

[Chris]

How wonderful! We have the Bruce heritage in our family. Always wanted to go to Scotland and someday I will. Maybe when they get that bridge built over the Atlantic!

[Cate]

Oh! I am so jealous but also happy for you as well. Keep an eye out for my favorite dogs - deerhounds. Those magical, tall, skinny, shaggy grey dogs - the Royal Dog of Scotland but rarely seen. If you do see one & get a chance to rub its ears it will probably give moans of pleasure. If, by chance you have the time, check out the museum in Fort William that is the history museum of the western highlands. Can't remember the name exactly. I thought Fort William was dreadful but the museum is full of all sorts of interesting and quirky stuff that appeals to both adults and young boys. I bought a traditional knitted lace shawl there.

[Annie]

What a wonderful trip! I can't wait to see the pictures. :)

[bri]

I hope you have a wonderful trip. Good to hear someone is going to have a fabulous spring break. Mine starts today, and there's nothing fabulous planned, so I'll have to live vicariously through you!! Live it up!

[Julie]

Oh I'm so envious. Have a wonderful time and please, for all of us stateside Scots, take plenty of pictures and soak up the ambiance for us.

[Tracy]

All those names send me straight back to my childhood and holidays in a caravan with my parents. Glencoe is just one of those places that is so beautiful but oh so sad. Oban, I got pooped on twice by a seagull..and they say it's supposed to be lucky! A really beautiful walk if you have time is in the Inchree forest. It's all marked out for you, and I can still remember the view of Loch Linnhe in the distance, just stunning. What a wonderful break.

[yvette]

Sounds like a great trip, I am sure you will all have a fantastic time and I won't tell anyone you are a Campbell!