The White Swan Hotel Duns

... beach big, sandy and empty. took a few photographs.
Monday 19 got a boat "Serenity" from Seahouses to the Farne islands, about a 1 1/2 hour journey, saw lots of seals and the Longstone lighthouse where Grace Darling lived and rowed out to save the passengers on a stricken vessel which had drifted onto the rocks. no photos because I forgot the camera!

Sorry it took so long to write. The first few days here have been busy. I finally made it to Scotland. I had a pretty good flight, with a hectic transfer in Heathrow. The town of Dalkeith is cute with many pubs, take out shops and stores. It is just up the drive from our house so a very short walk.

The people at the house are a blast and I'm making many friends. My roommates are a lot of fun ...

... Jeannie's via Haddington for some great fish and chips!!. Wednesdday we stayin around Dunbar as the weather was miserable. We went out for dinner down in Dunbar and the weather did improve. We had a samashing meal a few drinks and then back home as it was a school night!
On Thursday we went tovist friends in Bo'ness Liz and ...

Great day of cycling through the Scottish Boarders. Coasted through the beautiful Tweed Valley. But then the climb began around Selkirk. Several km’s leading up to the town, going straight up through the town, and for several km’s out of the town! By then we were at the highest point around and had wonderful 360degree ...

... the Firth of Forth, and a sublime spot for sitting and pondering anything and nothing. Everyone has a spot that they can call their own, where they can sit and watch the world go by. This was Bert's spot, and I can see why. That last bit rhymed. Hehe. After driving around a bit more with tour-guide Bert, we came back to the house in time eat a great big traditional Scottish breakfast. This included bacon (the thick kind), flat ...

So we hit Scotland running visiting the two largest cities in 4 days, Glasgow (the former industrial heart of the Highlands) and Edinburgh (the capital). 5 hours on a train seems like a bad time, but was actually very entertaining and scenic. I am a big fan of the European rails at the moment. Glasgow was basicially a qucik stop over for a lecture at Strathclyde University, chinese noodles and a night at a traditonal Scottish inn, very nice. I tried haggis and sadly wasn't impressed. On ...

... I somehow feel I will have legs of steel (I'm hoping anyway)! On my excursion I was also offered a job in the Grassmarket square at a coffee shop by an Italian gentleman. I told him to remember me as I may be back tomorrow or Friday. I'm ready to start any job while I'm looking for my professional one. Tomorrow and Friday are full job scouting days and I will hopefully start one on Monday. I will keep you all posted!

Amanda and Ivan, waking up on the morning of Friday 9th Feb 2007 to go to work: "Aww, I wished it was the weekend already. I really don't want to go to work today" "Hey! We are contractors. Heck, we can do what we like!" "Good point! I know, let's jump on a train and go to Scotland for the weekend" "Scotland? As in, all the way up there?" "Yeh, Scotland" [Long pause] "OK" By lunchtime we were on board the GNER ...

... great food. On the way we stopped at St Giles' cathedral where apparently one of my ancestors used to play the organ. Lowlights - The haggis- apparently we just didnt have a very good version and there is a particular brand that is really nice.. (so a Scotsman told me anyway) - Not having time to walk up to Arthur's Seat- a hill from where you can get a panoramic view of the city. That's right Greg, we didn't have time!!

... person. Back on my own I only had one thing I really wanted to do today: Edinburgh Castle. I spent a good 3-4 hours there. The castle is impressive in size, but it's more like a museum than anything. I took one of the free guided tours and learned a few things. Watched the firing of the cannon at 1pm (got video on my digital camera) and then wandered through the exhibits. There is a Scottish war museum, prisons of war exhibit, the honours of Scotland, and ...