August 2005

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Museum, Mary King's Close & Africa Show

Tuesday 23rd August 2005

Went to the Museum of Scotland today, it was a short visit, only 1 hour cause I'd booked to do another tour. But I saw some very old stone carvings and metal work, and learnt all about the turbulent history of Scotland from the mueum tour guide whose name was something very Scottish that I can't even remember now. He was dressed in a kilt and everything, poor man!

After the museum I went to Mary King's Close, which is the name of a street that has been part of Edinburgh for hundreds of years. Mary King's Close ran off the Royal Mile, the main road up to the castle, and has now been built over. (bad grammer, i shall try to explain better) In order to build the current Chamber of Commerce, they knocked the tops off the houses already there and reinforced the foundations, then just built on top of them. So underneath the current building there are still a couple of narrow laneways underground, and many little 'houses' still there. When I say house, they are just little rooms, cause the poor people only had one room to live in. The guide was dressed in 17th Century clothes and told the tales as if she was from the past..... stories about the real inhabitants of the houses we were in, about the plague, about murder and just their everyday lives in poverty. It was facinating.

After Mary King's close I went to see a show performed by a group of singers and dancers from Zimbabwe. I was handed a leaflet in the street before I went to Mary's and decided this was one thing I really wanted to see. And I'm so glad I did. It was amazing, the performers just filled the stage with their energy and enthusiasm, and I couldn't help but keep grinning along with them. Their singing was so soulful, full of harmonies, and sounded fantastic in the stone brick venue we were in. So I have now seen a show at the Edinburgh festival, and I'm glad I saved my money for that one!

Now I'm back at the hostel, all packed for tomorrow and going to bed now. I will be back on Thursday 1st September, and will have lots and lots of Blogging to catch up on then!!!

Love to everybody xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Shopping

Monday 22nd August 2005

Went for a walk to the Princes St gardens today, which used to be a loch (or lake) that was drained to make gardens. I lay on the grass and relaxed, reading my book again (it's one i found at the hostel), and then went for a look around the shops.

There are lots of sales on, but I couldn't find what I was looking for in my size, cause all they had were big sizes, as they normally do in sales cause all the normal sizes are popular. (at least i know i'm normal- well i can always hope)

But had fun anyway trying some things on and feeling like an everyday person instead of a tourist.

I also had a McFlurry from McDonalds, which is nowhere near as good as the McFlurry's at home...... I wish they had Joe's icecream here in Scotland. (Joe's icecream is only in Wales and it is the best icecream ever)

Finished my book, and found another one to start.... ha ha I can't help myself!

Another Lazy Day

Sunday 21st August 2005

Really, really, really didn't do ANYTHING today! I slept in until about 12.30pm!!!!! (was reading book most of that time, not actually sleeping) And then just vegged out, reading more and went to the little corner shop for some milk at one stage! That was all!!!!

More Tattoo again at night, but not as many fireworks!

Arthur's Seat Walk

Saturday 20th August 2005

Lazyish day today, slept in and then just wandered around Edinburgh a bit. I decided at about 4.30pm that I'd better do something active so I went for a walk up Arthur's Seat, which is a big hill formed from volcanic rock in the middle of Edinburgh. It takes about 45 mins to walk up it, and some of it is quite steep!

At the top you are rewarded with 360 degree views of all of Edinburgh, some of it very green and pretty when you look further out from the centre. As an extra special reward there just happened to be 3 guys with bagpipes up there on the peak, with one of them having a piping lesson! So we were treated to some bagpipe playing while looking out over Edinburgh. I thought that was really cool.

I sat on the top there for a while, and spoke to Jeanette on the phone as well, which was lovely cause I hadn't spoken to her in ages. On the way back there were lots of bumble bees on the flowers so I took a close up picture of one, I reckon it turned out amazing, so here it is below.

What else can I say? I went home to the hostel, had tea and read my book before going to sleep! Oh yeah, on Saturday nights the Tattoo has a big fireworks display, and since it is just across the road I stood at my room window and watched them happen! It was really good, and I got some pictures. So didn't get to sleep til after 12 cause of all the noise!!!

Saturday, August 20, 2005

Scotland and Ireland Tour Itinerary

Here is the approximate itinerary of the tour I am going on, begining Wednesday 24th August. (It is copied directly from the Celtic Connections website)

DAY 1 - Edinburgh to Skye, Forth Bridge. Ossian's Cave, hunting lodge of the Duke of Athol and monster hunting at Loch Ness.

DAY 2 - Skye day tour, A packed day with Highlights including mystical Fairy Glen and the 45 minute walk to the Old Man of Storr with views which are truly spectacular.

DAY 3 - Skye to Edinburgh Eilean Donan (Highlander) Castle Loch Garry (Shaped like Scotland) A walk in dramatic Glen Coe and a visit to Stirling to hear the real story of Braveheart.

DAY 4 - Edinburgh to Portstewart An early morning departure from Edinburgh (about 7.30) to catch an early ferry to Belfast around arriving around midday for a city tour, both the political side, the wall murals which portray its turbulent past and its castle overlooking the city on Cave Hill. The beautiful Antrim Glens & the spectacular Causeway Coast including Murlough Bay & the Giant's Causeway before our overnight stop in the seaside town of Portstewart (Home town of Jimeoin).

DAY 5 - Portstewart to Donegal We head to cliff edge Musendon Temple home of the Bishop of Derry before heading to Derry itself, scene of infamous "Bloody Sunday" and Britain's best preserved walled city. After lunch in the city we cross the border into Donegal in the Republic of Ireland and, weather permitting there is the opportunity to walk to the beautiful hidden mountain lake, Lough Belshade, before our overnight stop in Donegal town.

DAY 6 - Donegal to Galway We Head south through county Sligo which inspired the writing of W B Yeats and visit a famine graveyard. Then it is our walk of the day either to "Queen Maeve's tomb" or follow in the footsteps of pilgrims up the more strenuous Croagh Patrick where St Patrick banished all the snakes from Ireland. Finally we head to our over night stop in Conemara national park county Galway home to "Chocolate Box" Kylemore Abbey.

DAY 7 - Galway to Doolin We spend a day exploring Ireland's fabulous west coast we begin with a tranquil sea side walk to Clifden Castle then look round Galway city itself then its on to the Cliffs of Moher, the moonscape like Burren and our overnight stop in the music town of Doolin.

DAY 8 - Doolin to Dublin We head inland through the town of Athenry made famous in song, crossing Irelands longest river, the Shannon aiming to arrive in Dublin around 4.30p.m in order to see historic Kilmainham Gaol or the Guinness factory (Optional - entrance fee not included)and give you the chance to look round the city.

DAY 9 - Dublin to Edinburgh You have the option to return directly to Edinburgh via a stop at Monasterboice,home if Ireland's largest Celtic Cross, or leave the tour in Ireland and explore on your own. Subject to availability you can also leave the tour and return with thefollowing weeks tour. The departure times from Dublin is usually around 12.30p.m but may vary depending on which return ferry we are catching.

Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2005

Saturday 20th August 2005

Last night was AWESOME! It is one thing to watch it on TV, but to be there to watch it live was just amazing. I met Michelle at 8.30pm and we made our way up the royal mile to the castle.

After we took our seats the announcer welcomed everyone and asked where we were all from, and everyone cheered when their country was called. Not too many Aussies there last night, and I was actually surprised at how many Scots there were, I was thinking that the castle would be full of overseas tourists only!

The Royal Marines were there, I thought of my cousin Matthew who is in the marines. They rappelled (is that how you spell it) down the castle wall, and 'attacked' some enemy who had stolen the Honours of Scotland from the castle.

The little kids on bikes were also there, they were so cute. After they had finished, about 20mins later one of the 6 or 7 year olds rode across on his little 50cc bike followed by a police motorbike with sirens and lights, and then another 5 mins later they came across again, this time the policeman chasing the kid who had 'stolen' his police bike! The policeman looked very comical on the 50cc bike! I'm sure you will see those bits if you watch it on TV.

I tried to take pictures but it was really too dark and they didn't turn out well. I got some video footage though which I have had burnt to CD. I will probably get the DVD when it comes out, as a memento! I already have one souvenir, a teddy bear called Tattoo Ted who is wearing a navy blue woolen jumper that says, you guessed it - Tattoo Ted! He is really cute. And I have the program of course.

At the end of the Tattoo of course the lone piper played up on the castle wall, and you could have heard a pin drop. The atmosphere was amazing, it made me shiver. The only bad part about the whole thing was how quick it all went, it just seemed to be over so quick, even though it goes for an hour and a half. Michelle felt the same way. We want to see it again!

We decided to go for a drink afterward, so went to a little pub round the corner. I'm sure Michelle and I will go out again sometime after I get back from Ireland.

And to all those people who are really really really jealous....... Ner Ner Ne Ner Ner!!!!!!!
Wish you all could have been here though xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Friday, August 19, 2005

Edinburgh

Friday 19th August 2005

Well, here I am in Edinburgh, sitting in an internet cafe on the famous Royal Mile, the cobblestone street that leads right up to the castle. Through the arched windows I can hear the singing and applause from the street acts going on outside. The road is closed to traffic, and there are stalls selling celtic jewellery and souvenir shops EVERYWHERE!!!

Tonight is the big night, the whole reason I am here - the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. I visited the castle yesterday and spent a good 4 hours looking around, there was so much to see. I stood in the little room (no bigger than a small bathroom) where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to her son James in 1566. It is a little closet room off her main big bed chamber. Just amazing, to imagine those great historical figures, just ordinary people really, walking the same steps as me, being in the same room, but 500 years before!!! Mindblowing. I also saw the Honours of Scotland, which are the crown, septre and sword of the royalty in Scotland hundreds of years ago. There is also the stone that Kings were ordained on dating from 1100. Wow.

The grandstands are all set up for tonight of course, and I was trying to work out where my seat was!

I have lots of pics to put on here, but haven't yet got them burnt to CD, which I need to do before I post them on here, so check back in a few days or so and I may have been able to put some on here.

I am going on a cycling tour of Edinburgh at 2.30pm this afternoon, and am booked to tour Scotland and Ireland next week, for 9 days so that should be fantastic. I will try to keep up the postings, but not sure how much access I will have to the net. I always have my written journal to do so that I don't forget anything! Will post again soon! Watch this space........

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Goodbye Norfolk, Hello Scotland!

Tuesday 16th August 2005

Tomorrow I leave for Edinburgh, so it's farewell Norfolk, hello Scotland! Not too sad a farewell though, because I know I am coming back soon, the same as it was when I left Wales.
My plane leaves at 12.30pm, so plenty of time to get to the airport in the morning. I will be staying in a hostel near Edinburgh Castle, so no more home cooked meals for me :-(

I will also not have the luxury of permanent, free access to Broadband Internet, so my postings will not be as frequent unfortunately, but I will try to keep up with the most important stuff!

Love to everyone,

Helen xxx

Wymondham & Fish and Chips

Monday 15th August 2005

Today we went into Norwich to return the suits from the wedding, and stopped for tea and scones. On the way home we went via Wymondham, to visit Wymondham Abbey, where John and Carol were married. John showed me the house in Wymondham where the family lived when he was growing up, and we drove to Jackie's house, then Janet's, so I could see where they lived. Janet was home and we had a cup of tea at her house, talking for a long time about when John and Janet were growing up, and about Dad. We were having such a good chat before we knew it we'd been there about an hour and a half! We had to go in case we missed going into the Abbey.

The Abbey was founded in 1107. It is situated in a quiet area with narrow winding streets around it. The grounds of the Abbey are quite large, and filled with old gravestones.

Inside the Abbey is amazing, similar architecture to Norwich Cathedral but not as big, the ceilings are decorated with ornate wood carvings.

There is a big gold screen behind the altar where statues of the saints are positioned in little archways, with the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus in the middle. Very extravagant decoration!

I took pictures of John and Carol walking down the aisle as they did at their wedding, and also on the steps outside.














In the centre of Wymondham is the Market Cross, which has been there since about the mid 1500's. It used to be a meeting place of sorts, where the market was, and perhaps auctions were carried out. Today it is a tourist information centre.

We passed The Green Dragon while we were walking about, which is a pub that dates back to the 1300's. Timbers at the front of the building remain scorched from the Great Fire of Wymondham in 1615. It is thougth that a 'monk's run' once led from the cellar under the bar to the Abbey, for use by the supposedly 'tee-totalling' monks!

We had fish and chips for tea, with mushy peas and all! Real English fish and chips, cooked fresh. Here are some pictures of me and my tasty English fish and chips for you all to drool over! ha ha ha!

Visiting Nanny

Sunday 14th August 2005
Today we went to see Nanny at her home, to take her some photos from the wedding and give her one of the floral arrangements.
It was lovely to see her and take some pictures of us together. Nanny was waiting for us with her friend Mary and they waved to us through the window as we walked up the path. Mary and Nanny have lots of giggles together, and really are partners in crime.

Doesn't Uncle John remind you of my Dad?

Sunday, August 14, 2005

Stuart and Clare's Wedding

Saturday 13th August 2005

Congratulations to Stuart and Clare on such a lovely day. The wedding service was held at the Carmelite Monastery at Quidenham. The reception was at The Gamekeeper, a pub about 10 minutes away from the Monastery, where a marquee was set up in the rear. A great time was had by all. Clare looked beautiful and Stuart very handsome, the speeches were funny, the food was fantastic and the music just the right mix for dancing!


This is Stuart with best man (brother) Andrew, posing in John and Carol's garden before we left to go to the monastery. The photographer was very good at making everyone feel at ease, making them say words like 'randy' 'brandy' 'frisky' and 'sexy', and making us laugh. He even caught a photo of Andrew jokingly giving Stuart a kiss at one point - can't wait to see that one!


The service was a traditional Catholic service, and there was lovely hymn singing by the nuns at the monastery. The pipe organ sounded fantastic too, playing as Clare walked down the aisle. Once outside the photographer had a job to get everyone together for the photos, with both Stuart and Clare having quite large families! It has also begun to rain lightly, so it was quite hurried, but luckily all photos were taken on the steps before it really rained down.


After the photos, guests formed a corridor for Clare and Stuart to walk to their car outside the church, when they threw confetti and rose petals, this photo is a lovely one taken by Uncle John.



Back at the Gamekeeper we found our places in the marquee, which was beautifully decorated with white and burgundy Calla Lillies and tea light candles on the tables, wild ivy and topiary trees, and two crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Large wrought iron candle holders draped with ivy were positioned either end of the main table, supporting 9 large church candles. The whole effect was very fresh and romantic. Unfortunately due to the lighting I was unable to get a good photo of the marquee, but here is a picture of one of the table centrepieces with my placecard which had been made by Clare.

At my table was Great Aunty Verena and Great Uncle Dennis, Aunty Jackie and Uncle David, Aunty Janet and Cousin Caroline, and ME! We had lots to talk about and quite a few giggles as the night went on, especially during the speeches. On the left is me with Uncle Dennis and Aunty Verena (I am the one in the middle).


Here are lots of pictures of my family........
From left, Frankie & Daniel, Janet & Caroline, Aunty Alice (Dad's half sister from Ireland) & Me.








And some more pics.......
Me with Cousin John and his wife Ria







Uncle John & Aunty Carol






Me with Cousin Stuart and wife Clare








Stuart and Clare are now honeymooning in Florence, Italy. They are spending the week there and get back on Friday. I am sure they are having a wonderful time!

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Norwich Sightseeing

Thursday 11th August 2005

Sightseeing around Norwich and the Norfolk coast today. John and Carol took me into Norwich. The streets in Norwich are generally wider than those in Wales, with a lot more detached houses with their own gardens, instead of terraced houses. (well, there was in the areas we went to) The streets are tree lined, and there are many roundabouts that are decorated with pretty garden arrangements. The river Yare runs through Norwich on it's way to Yarmouth. It has boats on it that you can hire for a holiday. The building pictured here on the bank of the river is Pulls Ferry, which is the site where there was for many years a ferry to take people across the river.

From the river we drove around to get a good view of the city. The spire on the skyline of the city belongs to Norwich Cathedral, which we visited next.


Norwich Cathedral was founded in 1096 by Bishop Herbert de Losinga. The entire building was completed in fifty years. It is 141 metres long, 22 metres wide and the spire is 96 metres tall. The spire is the second highest in England. The organ has 6655 pipes!!!
The whole cathedral was so ornate, with intricate carvings in wood and stone. There are still regular services held there, and you can get married there. It is more grand than Westminster Abbey, and much much larger too.













From the Cathedral we went to the Castle Mall, which is a big shopping centre, not unlike Eastlands or Melbourne Central in the city (for those of you at home that know where I am talking about!) We stopped there to have a cup of tea and a scone with jam. The Castle Mall is so called because it is within the grounds of Norwich Castle. Norwich Castle dates back to at least the 11th Century. I didn't get much information on it because we didn't go in for a visit, we just walked around it.



In the afternoon we took a drive to the Norfolk coast, through Cromer and on to Sherringham, which is a popular sea side destination. Here is a lovely picture of the pristine! beach and people enjoying themselves sunbaking (it was about 20 degrees, if that- no wonder we think the English are mad!) Not too many SAND castles happening though!!!!!!

A very quaint feature of Sherringham was the cobblestone houses that were common in the area. They are made from the obviously abundant supply of stones! It gives a lot of character to the already pretty cottages, and a lot of the walls were also decorated this way.

Thursday, August 11, 2005

Norwich BBQ

Wednesday 10th August 2005

Today I had a very lazy day! I didn't get up until after 9am, then stayed in my pyjamas until about 12.30!!! Carol had organised a BBQ for the afternoon, so that I could meet a lot of my relatives, including Nanny, and also because not everyone is able to attend Stuart and Clare's wedding.

I met Cousin Stuart and his fiancee Clare first, in my pyjamas, at about 12 o'clock, and everyone else arrived about 3pm. Stuart and I busied ourselves erecting gazebos for the evening, in case it rained (which it never did). A great bonding exercise, Stuart commented!

My Aunty Maureen and her daughters Rachael and Sarah arrived with Rachael's children Hannah (3) and James (10 months). Again, more warm welcomes and hugs which felt so natural. Nanny arrived with Aunty Sally at about 3.30pm, and was very pleased to see me, as I was pleased to see her. My other cousins Matthew, Johnathon and Amy came with Matthew's girlfriend Katie, and we all had a drink and some cake sitting out on the patio, talking all the while. Nanny couldn't stay long and we are going to visit her again on Sunday to take her some wedding cake.

^^Aunties & Me, from left, Sally, Me, Jackie, Maureen & Janet


We moved down to the gazebo as there were too many people for the patio now, and good thing too, because more and more arrived! I knew the family was big, but when I saw us all in one place it felt wonderful. To be sitting around with all of Dad's sisters and his brother was just so um.... can't think of the word. To think that all of these people knew and loved my Dad, and loved me just because I am his daughter was amazing, and I really just felt very special, and very, very lucky.


Cousins (clockwise from Me) Caroline, Andrew, Stuart, Matthew and Johnathon>>>>



Cousin Andrew arrived with his wife Jayne, who is expecting a baby on New Year's Eve. We talked for quite a long time about how amazing it is when babies grow and develop, and how clever women are for being able to do it!

<<From left, Me, Jayne (Andrew's wife), Clare (Stuart's fiancee), Katie (Matthew's girlfriend) and Cousin Andrew






Me and Uncle John>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I was just talking to everyone all night, and couldn't believe when it was 10 o'clock and time for everyone to go home! Uncle John had cooked a great BBQ, and along with Aunty Carol's salads, and some very yummy dessert, we had a fantastic meal. There were just so many people I wanted to see and spend time with, I am
glad Cousin Stuart's wedding is on Saturday and I get to see most of my family again!

Uncle John and Aunty Carol^^^