Stirling April 9th

Woke up earlier this morning to do the b&b breakfast, absolutely amazing breakfast cooked by the couple that lives there and runs the b&b! We had eggs bacon and white pudding A-MA-ZING!!! 

After that we went to the Stirling castle and saw several different things there. We were in there for about 4 hours then we left and while leaving we came across a very nice pub with a court yard so of course we stopped for drinks and just a very light lunch because we were still full from breakfast. 

After that we went to the argyll lodging building. And then went to see the Bannockburn and the monument to Robert the Bruce. At this monument there was also a place to try on the armoury and of course we had a fun time with that. (Pictures below). 

When we were at the monument it was very sunny so we sat down to relax and Lori fell asleep in the sun like a cat. 

After that back to the b&b to relax for a bit then we called a cab and went down town to a pub for supper. We had planned on going to a few pubs after supper but it was a nice pub and we were by a fire place so we just stayed there, had a few more drinks and then went back to the b&b. 

FYI more than 700 times a day do I hear Lori saying "oh my god that's beautiful". I'm positive that if she ever dissepears from home one day she has run off to Scotland because she's obsessed with it.

She also touches EVERYTHING! And I mean everything! She has to try to open every door when we are in castles and not the normal ones, I mean the ones that say "private" or "no entry" because she thinks she is going to find a secret passage way to something. She also keeps talking about how when she finds something really cool she is going to steal it... Ya go Lori 

Stirling April 8th

Woke up in Edinburgh and then went to rent a car. After renting our little car and I mean little! We were on the opposite side of the road headed from Edinburgh to sterling. Mom sat in the back and I sat in the front giving dad directions because if mom had done it they would have for sure been divorced by the time we were out of the car rental parking lot. 

We stopped in falkirk to see the falkirk wheel. It opened in 2000 for the new millennium celebration. It's a lot more of a touristy attraction now compared to when mom and dad were here 13 years ago. Lots more for families and people to do, etc. 

After falkirk went on to Stirling, we were driving around a lot of residential areas when we came across several b&b's. So we stopped at one and checked in for a few nights. 

 

Our b&b is super close to the William Wallace monument! You can see it from our window and we are less than a 5 minute drive from it aswell so after we checked in we went up to see it. Very very cool! We walked the 242 steps to see the view from the top aswell.  Absolutely stunning view! The steps were very narrow and small. When people are passing you coming down you have to stop and basically hug the wall to let them by. It was for sure my favourite thing I have seen in Scotland so far! 

After that we went to a pub of course. Lori was parched. Then we went out for supper and after that we went to a convienence store so Lori and robin could buy alcohol there. We then headed back to the b&b a little earlier than normal but only because we had stuff to drink there. And we sat in the living room planning a little more of our days out. 

Edinburgh April 7th

This morning woke up and I had the best shower in more than 2 months. There was actually hot water and the pressure was there the entire time. We left the B&B and went out for breakfast. Tried a haggis and cheese omelette ~ AMAZING! So good and I wish we had that back in Canada! 

After breakfast we headed up to Edinburgh castle on foot. Wasn't too terribly far and we wanted to walk through the city and see all the old buildings, places, etc. Along the way I handed out several resumes because there is about 5 pubs on every block. 

We were close to the castle when we passed St giles cathedral so we went in to look around and it was a beautiful old Scottish church. I posted pictures so you can see what we saw because it was an absolutely stunning church! 

Made it to the castle and we were there for about 4 hours. A lot to see there! We got to look out from the top aswell and see Edinburgh from up high, and when looking out you can again see the coast. Beautiful beautiful city! 

On our way out of the castle we met a young guy from Regina, he noticed dad's rider hat and we got to talking about our trip and his. 

Went to more pubs handing out resumes and of course at every other pub I handed a resume to mom and dad stopped for a drink. But there on holidays so I guess they're allowed. We met a newlywed couple from Vancouver in the one pub and again they recognized the rider hat. We sat and drank beside them to visit for awhile then carried on. 

After a few more places of handing my resume out to we stopped for supper and I had one of the best suppers of my life! It was at the white hart inn. A Scottish pub that is the oldest pub in Edinburgh, it's 499 years old! Can you imagine the party they're having next year? For supper I had a chicken stuffed with haggis covered in a whiskey sauce with potatoes and peas. 

More pubs after supper so I can hand out resumes and Lori and robin can get there drink on of course. 

Caught a taxi back to the b&b and then got ready to leave in the morning for Sterling! 

Edinburgh Scotland April 6th

This morning we caught the train going out to Edinburgh. It was about 4 and a half hours. Very smooth train ride and we were going 200km/hr. It was such a good experience driving by all the old English and Scottish small towns, also driving by the coast was absolutely beautiful 

When we arrived in Edinburgh we got a taxi to the bed and breakfast, after checking in we went to a pub called crags right across the street for drinks. 

Went for supper just up the street and our suppers were amazing! We met a couple from okatokes Alberta at the restaurant and talked about our travels. 

After supper we walked up a few streets just looking at the town, and then we came across an old cemetery with such cool grave stones and tomb stones they all dated back to the early 1800's 

Then came across another pub called Salisbury arms and went there for drinks. Very nice old pub, I dropped off a resume and me and the bartender really hit it off so fingers crossed! 

After that we walked back to the bed and breakfast to sleep and get ready for the next day in Edinburgh. It doesn't even come close to words how beautiful this city is! Such an old Scottish city filled with so much to see, and the sights are absolutely breathtaking! 

*The photos that are added were pictures from the train up from London through the small towns and the coast pictures.

Easter in London

Dad and mom arrived on Friday afternoon. We all took the tube together back to my hostel where we are staying for 3 nights then it's off to Scotland and Ireland. 

After checking in and grabbing a quick bite to eat we then took the tube to see Westminster abbey, and Big Ben. Spent some time there walking around and looking at the different buildings. Then went to Trafalgar Square for drinks and back to the hostel for a good nights sleep for a very long day on Saturday. 

Saturday morning came and we were out   bright and early. First we went to Buckingham Palace to see the guard change, then went to the Royal Mews behind Buckingham Palace to see all the carriages and royal cars. After that we went to the Tower of London, saw lots of different things there from the Crown Jewels, went through the white tower and the armoury, and then just walked around the Tower for a little. 

After the Tower we got a quick taxi to the Shard to see the view of London during day and night. Amazing view! We were 1016 feet in the air and it was city as far as you could see! Just goes to show how absolutely massive london is! From the shard we could see Tower bridge, the Tower of London, St. Paul's cathedral, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, almost all the bridges in London, Weblmey stadium... Basically everything in London! Later that night we went out for supper and drinks then back to the hostel. 

Sunday was more of a relaxed day, got going a little bit later in the day. Went shopping for souvenirs and keep sakes because I realized I have nothing from London and I'm about to leave it. Walked around the Picadilly Circus (very big old london area. With hundreds of stores, restaurants and pubs.) We went into a pub and did a little planning for our trip to Scotland and Ireland. Then a little more walking and made our way over to Trafalgar Square again which was good because then mom and dad could see it during the day time. 

Headed back to the hostel and had supper and then went to the bar downstairs for a drink. We then went to the lounge in the hostel and drank with a few different people passing through. All people I have met over my time in that hostel. Then it was time to get some sleep and in the morning Scotland! :) 

**My last photo is a picture of my hostel that I have been staying at for the last 6 weeks. The top 3 floors are the hostel and on the ground floor is the bar. And I only went there twice! So no one can call me an alcoholic because I lived above a bar for 6 weeks and only went to it twice!