April, May and Beyond!

Well, I missed posting in April.  But just barely!  And I have some really good excuses.  Including:

A visit from my sister and brother-in-law.  It was, to use a British term, totally brilliant.  Loved having 'em here and loved exploring Scotland with 'em.

And explore we did.

Edinburgh:

St. Andrews:

Snack breaks:

Then back to exploring.

Stirling:

View from atop the Wallace Monument:

Checking out the castle:

And the town:

Then it was time to move on to Perthshire:

What's that you see, Steph?

Ah ha, Beatrix Potter Garden!  So lovely.

Moving west across Scotland, we came to Glencoe:

Passed Ft. William to the Glennfinnan Viaduct (aka the railline to Hogwarts):

Which had a lovely view all around:

Next, it was ferry time to check out a couple of Scotland's famed Hebride Islands:

The Isle of Iona.

Where we saw a cool old abbey.

And the Isle of Mull:

Where we saw a cool cow.

Yes, indeed, it was a great week of Scottish adventures.  With plenty of castles:

Duart Castle on Mull.

Inveraray Castle.

And, of course, a little time in Glasgow:

And the best part of all?  Getting to spend time with my sister and brother-in-law, of course.  They're pretty cool, don't ya know.

A definite thumbs up!

And as if that weren't enough to call April good, there were a few other happenings, as well.

Like my friends Paul & Tracie's wedding.  

It was a lovely affair with some great people.  

Fun friends, fun dancing,

fun cake.

And I know I'm really flying through the month here, but you know, there's a lot to get in.

Like some more ultimate frisbee tournaments:

This one was on a beach in Aberdeen (NE Scotland).

The Glasgow squad.  ...Someone told us to pose like models for this picture, and this is the result.  Clearly, none of us knows what that means.

And now you're pretty well caught up.  And it's May.  Wow.  My plans for the summer and beyond?

Well, I've just been accepted into the University of Glasgow's PhD in Creative Writing program, so it looks like Scotland won't be getting rid of me for another couple more years, at least.  Which is nice.  I like it here.  

The Lake District, a few hours south of Glasgow.

I haven't lived longer than two years in one place in quite some time.  Like, in the past decade.  So, that'll be different for me.  But, also good.  It's a good place.  With good people around. 

Hiking with university pals around Loch Lomond, just north of Glasgow.

So, I'm looking forward to the summer and the next couple of years.

BBQing outside my flat.

I've got some work to do this month, writing and more writing, and next month, I've got a couple weeks in Spain (then Paris) lined up, teaming up again with my old China-teaching-days friend Rebekah, whom I traveled Berlin and Denmark with last year.  Pretty excited for that.  ...Then maybe Bulgaria, Turkey and some places in between in July.  Backpacker-style, of course.  I can do hostel life for a couple weeks a year.  ...End of July, I've got tickets to support the US Women's Olympic soccer team when they play France in Glasgow.  The Olympics are officially hosted by London this year, but Glasgow gets to help out.  Should be fun.  ...And, last but not least, I'm going to try to get back to the ol' US of A for a few weeks in August.  There's still a niece I haven't met, yet, plus all the other nieces, nephew and rest o' the Family Farm to catch up with.  It'll be, what, 17 months or so, come August, since I've seen those rascals, and that really is pretty long.  

So, yeah, that's what's up and what's coming up.  I'll try to post again in May before heading off for warmer weather, but if I don't get a chance to, you can at least have Spainishy pictures to look forward to next time.  

And I hope summer's gearing up well for all of you, as well.  Three cheers for the sun!  Hip hip...        

Comments

[Stephanie]

Wah!! I want to be back there and do the vacation again! It was so much fun! And, hey! I see now that it's Inverary on your blog banner. I'VE BEEN THERE! WITH YOU! WE ARE SO COOL!!!

Can't wait to see you in August!

[daphne]

your pictures, as always, are just stunning!!! i so wish we could visit!