July 12, 2004 - Edinburgh

        Today was about leaving Ireland and moving to Scotland. That begins the last leg of our European trip (though NYC, Vermont, and Nova Scotia will still separate us from Anaheim). We'll spend three days in Edinburgh, getting a car and exploring first Scotland, then England, working our way south to Heathrow and American Airlines.

       The weather, which has been varied and unpredictable in Ireland, decided to support our move today. While overcast early in the morning, the sun appeared and we were able to use the shuttle bus that stops near our hotel. (Without having to pay for another taxi to the airport, I may be able to get that heart transplant after all.)     8-)

(Later)  It rained; we took the cab; uneventful flight to Edinburgh (40 minutes in the air); good, short cab ride to the hotel here, and we are settled in.  Sheila is napping, in respect to her cold.      I've been out exploring the city on foot, in search of the shopping mall with the pharmacy with more decongestants, etc.  People on the street were very helpful in correcting my improvizations on the initial directions, and I made it:  Mission Accomplished, as it were.      I'm writing this now, while Sheila is sleeping, and I've been email-chatting with Aaron who's now starting work.  He just informed me about Evie getting stung on the lip by a yellow-jacket, prompting a trip to the emergency ward.  She's fine.  I admitted to him that it's better to learn about it after the scariness has passed.      That's our hotel to the right.  It's a mixed bag so far: large room and free internet but not the beds we wanted and no laundry nearby.  I'm sure it will all work out, and I'm looking forward to getting to know Edinburgh.

Prev    July   Next