The Coast, the Craig, and the Ferry

Waking up bright and early, with suitcases packed, we loaded up after breakfast and made our way to the coast. We bit a fond farewell to Edinburgh, all the while, longing to stay a few more days. More walking tours would have been wonderful for there is no better way to meet a new city than to walk it.

We passed back through Renfewshire and Glasgow as we made our way south and west toward Stranraer.

We followed the coast highway for quite a while and enjoyed the scenery, which was again, unbelievably green. One of the funniest things we saw was pastureland right next to the seashore....with sheep or cows in the pasture. It looked as odd to me as Santa Monica Beach with the mountains in the distance. When Floridians think of the seashore..we think of white sand and dunes.....and lots of hotels and condos.

Does it give you a sense that this photo is flipped, when you see the car coming toward you on the right? That is a weird feeling when you are in the front of the bus!

Stretch Break! We got to walk down to the shore, which was very mucky and grassy next to the road, and rocky with dirt (as opposed to sand)...next to the water. Look out into the distance and locate the thing that looks like a mountain or hill. It is called Alisa Craig and is pronounced Ale-sa.  It is essentially a mound of blue granite and is uninhabited today except for the gannets and puffins (birds) that call it home.  They also call it the plug of an extinct volcano. The body of water is called the Firth of Clyde....which is again, like a bay. The River Clyde dumps into it in Belfast.

One of the rocks on the seashore, with Alisa Craig in the distance on your left.

The stretch breaks were always welcome. At this point we were still wondering what our ferry would be like. Expecting the Staten Island Ferry, we at least were thankful that the waters did not look too rough for our 90 minute journey across the sea.

What a welcome relief it was to see that this was our ferry. The kids called it a cruise ship, but it is not that big. It does transport cars though!

Bags unloaded, farewell Davey, and off to the check in line. Terry picked up our tickets and just handed them out. Once inside the terminal, we played....who has my ticket....and got ourselves unswitched.....then security, and off to the gangway.

Before we split up to discover what this ferry ship had to offer, we snapped a group photo in the first 'lounge' we found. We thought the place might be sold out, but it was not. We found out that this particular had just undergone 'refurbishment' and was only put back into service in December. No wonder everything looked so 'disney-esque.'

Top deck  - Does this look like our own Leo DiCaprio?
He seems so comfortable on a cruise ship.

On deck with the sun setting in the distance. We also spotted a lighthouse out there.

Photo is a bit blurry, but this was something interactive like Dance Revolution. 

Clever photo! The cheerleaders were always stretching, or jumping.....or cheering! It turned out to be good practice for taking FIRST at State when they returned home. 

It is so frustrating when photos un-rotate. This is one of the several food courts.

Top deck again, and we are trusting that this is NOT like the Titanic.

What can we say...FREE WI-FI.....hopefully everyone touched base with home. As you can see out the window, the sea (Firth of Clyde -- or the Bay) was a little choppy. A few took Dramamine....and were out cold on the floor or couches.

These girls speak for everyone....this was a GREAT adventure and WE LOVED THE FERRY!

Next stop....Northern Ireland...Belfast!
I am not sure how such a relaxing day could make one feel so tired so early in the evening, but several opted out of the night walk in Belfast.  I was glad that I was not the only one running on low energy.....but a warm bath in the great European tubs and a good night's sleep would have us up and running tomorrow.
Thank goodness for wonderful kids!

For Here - and Eternity

Can there really be more to see in Scotland...you betcha! Since we are on a literary tour, our next stop was the Robert Burns Museum

Stacked stone walls could be found everywhere. They are not only beautiful, but sturdy.

The Cottage. Robert Burns was born here and lived here has a child. 

I love old graveyards and this one was spectacular.

HEAD stones

Side entrance to the Graveyard. Robert Burns father is resting here. It is also the location that inspired his tale 'Tam O Shanter'

This one is behind the church and is laid out so neatly.

The museum had great exhibits. This was Robert Burns writing desk. 

Interactive games for kids of all ages

This one un-rotated. The greater than life-sized sculpture is on the Poet's Path and is in honor of the poem "To A Mouse."

Above the mouse.
After our tour of the gardens, cottage, graveyard, and museum, we headed to the cafe for lunch and then stopped off at the gift shop. Then, back to the bus for a quick cat nap before we stopped in a little town called Callader. ....for a little snack and stretch break.

Health food store

The girls found the car....'of their dreams.'

More flooding in the countryside. This is a 'car park' ....a parking lot.

View from Callader into the Trossachs 

more views from Callader

The day held something for everyone. I particularly love the photo opportunities so I just loved the old church and the graveyard. I did not love it for the spooky stories and poems that came from Burns imagination, but for the sense of history. I love reading headstones and wondering about the lives of the people and how they lived their lives. It always makes me think about things that really count in life....and in eternity.
We live such busy lives, and so much of what we do really does not count for much in the grand scheme of things. It is a daily challenge to choose to do what is truly important. Important, in the eyes of God, not in the minds of men.
They typically are not one and the same.

And...as beautiful as Scotland may be....I miss my own 'purple mountain majesties.'

Stirling Castle and William Wallace - Braveheart!

Today was Braveheart Day. Our journey through the countryside took us through the town of Callader, which we will visit later, and onward to Stirling. Stirling is pretty important in Scottish...and British history. For the movie fans...think of Braveheart....a bit gorey but that is how they fought battles back in the day.
Stirling Castle sits on the first down-river crossing location on the River Forth, so it was important when you try to conquer a country. From the castle, which is high on a hill, you have great views in all directions. Those views captured my imagination for the day.

Stirling Castle has a long history, with most of the buildings dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. Though many kings and queens have been crowned here, the most famous was Mary Queen of Scots in 1543. The castle has been under siege at least eight times, with the most famous being during the War for Scottish Independence when Bonnie Prince Charlie tried unsuccessfully to take the castle.

The approact to the castle from the parking lot.

The Kings of the Hill.

Prison life here is not like American prisons.

The Costume room....there were great interactive exhibits throughout the castle.

The little princess.....or perhaps Mary Queen of Scots?

A royal family......of sorts.

The royal kitchen 

Digging for their dinner, perhaps.....or for hidden treasure?

It is time to think....outside the box.

There is a reason these girls are looking up. This is in the royal chambers....where little James played s a child.

These are the ceiling panels. They are called The Stirling Heads

 The ones on the ceiling are replicas, but the originals are on display in the Stirling Gallery. A lot of the castle was built during the Renaissance period and the heads have Renaissance influence. After the ceilings were taken down in 1777, the heads were dispersed here and there. Around 34 of the originals have now been recovered and though they no longer have paint on them, you can still see the amazing carvings. They are considered to be a national treasure.

The girls always seem to have a grand time in the gift shops.


If you want to learn more about Stirling Castle, then check out
the Stirling Castle Experience and
enjoy some of the interactive activities. 

William Wallace - one of the important figures in the battles for Stirling Castle

The view from the castle. Look toward the mountain range in the center of the photo and you can see a large monument. This is the Wallace Monument....huge! The town of Stirling sits at the base of the hill.

Stirling Bridge - it does not look like anything so grand, but was pretty important when trying to take the castle.

This is the Wallace Monument which has stood proudly for 140 years to mark the victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge and Sir William Wallace.

Just for fun, we thought to add the local high school, named for none other than....Sir William Wallace.

The trip to Stirling Castle was a wonderful one. There was so much more to take in than is posted here. When we think about our castles, or mansions, in Heaven...this is not what I think of....although I had never particularly thought of the views ....and now perhaps I will. It was incredible to stand at the castle wall...on any and all sides of the castle...and just look into the distance and see the town below, and the beauty for as far as the eye could see....even on a misty day.    
The Bible tells us that God owns the cattle on a thousand hills and the wealth of every land...looking out and thinking about old King James and others who thought they owned it all, makes it seem so little in the grand scope of the size of our earth. Their reigns, though long for some, were just a vapor in the scope of history.
To think that God really does own it all...and yet still cares so much about little olde me.....it is hard to grasp. I could see the town below, but not the people, yet God sees me...my coming and my going....and knows my thoughts too.
Truly, so hard to fathom, much less understand.
That is where faith steps in. You either have to believe it, or not.
and yes
I Believe!