York, Day One

The W family and I made a foray into Viking country, and lived to tell the tale. We caught the 7:55 train(this time) for York and arrived around 2:15pm. It just amazes me how long it takes to get anywhere in such a small country, though first class seating makes it infinitely more bearable. 
Our first stop was the Jorvik museum. Jorvik was very interesting and gets five stars for being a great family museum. Besides viewing the many artifacts, visitors go on a(very slow) ride past moving wax figures with audio explanations. There were also a few costumed museum staff who I of course asked about the construction and authenticity of their clothing.

A wax figure at Jorvik

We had dinner at Betty's, which is apparently the place for refined dining(thus no pictures). I had salmon. I've really enjoyed the fresh seafood here; it's something we don't get much of in Nebraska. 

Of course all the shops close after 5pm so we went back to our B&B(I was horrified to learn they allow dogs) which was a large Victorian-era house. Our rooms were likely the servants quarters way back when. I had my own room, and even more amazing, my own bathroom- the height of luxury and privacy. The towel unto itself was a luxury. Back home we use Japanese towels, which are infinitely smaller but more practical than normal towels. The hotel towel was the size of a toga, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

The Haggis

Our dinner from Dingwall: the champion haggis(though it had MSG in it. Champion haggis shouldn't need MSG). My experience with the great chieftain of the pudding race was pleasant, and I think haggis is something I could eat again.



Attempt for York, Part One

Moray Firth with hills in the background and broom in the foreground.



We arose earlier than usual this morning anticipating our special two-day trip to York. Long story short, we missed the 7:55 train, so we're going to try again tomorrow. Which means that for the second day in a row we'll all be getting up at 5am. Oh boy!

There's still quite a bit of snow on the hills, with a heavy frost and fog this morning.

On the way home by way of consolation we stopped to buy some Haggis, and not just any haggis: Champion haggis. Apparently there's good haggis and there's bad haggis.

The Haggis shop in Dingwall.

This is the Marchioness poo-pooing King George. Independence now and Independence forever!

After the Haggis shop we stopped at the Hector MacDonald Monument(and adjoining cemetery) to eat our enjoyable but very greasy pasties. There was a beautiful view and some very large cannon.

The cannon was actually cast in 1805.

 Here is the actual monument.

Ahhh, cemeteries. So picturesque. Got to love 'em.

One last picture; see the frost?

Last Week

Farewell to the Highlands, farewell to the North

The birth place of Valour, the country of Worth;

Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,

The hills of the Highlands for ever I love. 

Clothing, Glorious Clothing

The Inverness Museum has two 18th century gowns on display, so I immediately started to discreetly take pictures. Miss W, very conscientious, admonished me. Museums are so snippety about allowing photography: if it's the flash that damages the materials, they really just ought to say no flash photography, which I never do in museums anyway.

This lovely embroidered saque-back gown above is from Inverness museum.

Seeing first-hand the type of clothing I've been trying to sew is really cool and such a help.

Also at the Inverness Museum was this tartan wedding dress from the late 18th century.

 A descendant of the original owner actually wore the dress a few years ago for her own wedding.

Eileen Donan also had two late 18th century gowns on display, but of course, no photography.

Moving on, at the Highlander museum in Stirling castle there were three military jackets and a drummer boy's coat from the mid 19th century. I took pictures until I was caught.

Just gorgeous! You can see replicas of this jacket in the Sharpe TV saga(As much as I adore the historical uniforms in the Sharpe chronicles, some of the content is decidedly mature)

Someday my brothers will have such jackets.

Only perhaps not with such nice buttons....

Lay the proud usurpers low!

Tyrants fall in every foe!

Liberty's in every blow!

Let us do, or die!

Stirling

I took the 8am train out of Helmsdale again with the purpose of a day trip to Stirling. I changed trains in Inverness and again in Perth, to arrive in Stirling at 1:15pm. I feel I have adequately experienced and conquered the Scottish rail system. In Scotland everything closes at 5pm, so I didn't have a great deal of time to sightsee, and all on foot too. My first goal was Stirling castle, which is thankfully only a few minutes walk from the rail station.

A large group of buoyant Frenchmen who were obnoxiously loud and rather annoying entered the castle at the same time. It did not endear me to the French at all.

Stirling has a great view, but it was very cloudy and hard to get good pictures.

My impression of Stirling was that it is mostly reconstruction and very little origional building. The Castle is also currently under construction, so most of the rooms were empty and there were parts blocked off. Above is the Castle Chapel.

There was a modern art display of tapestry in one room.

The Great Hall would make an excellent dance hall. Can you imagine??

See the differences in stonework.

The guardhouse kitchen- that fireplace must have been fifteen feet across. Watch your step!



And for dinner we have plastic hog's head with an acrylic glaze! Oh boy. The great kitchen was the only room that had plastic figures and other museumish replicas.



There were all sorts of nooks and crannies.