The Final Day.

Well, today was the last full day of our vacation. Cory and Natalie were spending their day taking care of last minute married folk stuff, and spending time with their families. They're heading home tomorrow too, but on a different flight. Maybe we'll get to say hey to them in the airport.

The three of us headed out to Edinburgh this morning. It was drizzling when we got off the train but stopped soon after. We have really had fantastic luck in terms of the weather here - though it's been overcast from time to time, we haven't gotten dumped on or too frozen.

Since we'd seen the castle already, we decided to go see the Royal Museum of Scotland. It's really a fantastic place, with floors and floors of exhibitions about the history of Scotland and its people. It's the sort of place that you could spend a week in, and never see all of the items on exhibit. We focused mostly on the early history stuff, and then went up to their beautiful rooftoop terrace to check out the views of the city. From there, it was off to find lunch. We stopped at the pub near Grayfriars, where a little dog apparently sat for 14 years on the grave of his master, but they said it would take an hour to get food. I was on the verge of turning into pumpkin, so we moved on and ended up getting some pretty decent Italian food. We also passed by the pub where J.K. Rowling went to sit and write the early part of the Harry Potter series.

Once we were fed, it was back up to the High Street. Since the first time I visited Edinburgh, I've wanted to go on a ghost tour, but never been able to make it happen, until today when the boys indulged me. We went in on one of the tours into the vaults under St. George's street. It's about forty minutes long, and they lead you into a bunch of creepy dark chambers and talk about all of the weird, supernatural things that people have felt while in these rooms. Apparently a show called Haunted Britain found these rooms to be the most haunted places in all of Edinburgh. I was definitely a little freaked out - I made both Tim and Jake hold hands with me. Tim was brave/stupid and stood into a former Wiccan circle that allegedly brings bad luck to those who step within its bounds. Nice Tim, thanks for standing in the bad luck pool the day before we get on a plane.

The nice thing about the tour is that it ends with a free shortbread cookie and a nip of whiskey. When we were done, we wandered down to the end of the Royal Mile. We had wanted to see the Scottish Parliament, but they had stopped doing tours by the time we arrived. The building is totally new and modern, and much in contrast to the vast majority of the historic city.

Since it was dark and we were tired, we decided to head back to Glasgow. We're all old people, for sure. Tim and Jake refused to go on any of the rides at either Edinburgh winterfest or Glasgow winterfest. They are both unkind. Apparently, Tim's romantic streak does not extend to ferris wheel rides when it's not sixty degrees out.

So now we are back, trying to get everything packed up and laid out for tomorrow. It's been a great break, but I think we're all ready to get back to normal life.

Things that I will miss about Scotland:
1. The incredible hospitality of their citizens
2. Haggis
3. Drinking
4. Liberal use of the F-word
5. Scarves

Things that I am looking forward to getting back to:
1. Our cats
2. Unlimited fountain sodas in restaurants
3. Moderated priced, medium-quality sushi
4. (and because I am a sick-o) the gym

At the Museum. This picture makes me want to say, a la my sister as a little kid, "how do you like my new haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaair?"

Tim trying on a little armor.

View from the roof of the Museum

Tim and I with the castle in the background. You can also see on our lapels the little pins that Alex gave us - they have the Scottish and American flat together.

I am not kidding. I love food items made from sheep. This is during our last shopping expedition of the trip.

Deep fried Mars bar - it's apparently an Edinburgh delicacy.


Tim and Jake with the Yorba Linda Star. They are going to be famous when they get home!

We arrive in the early evening tomorrow, and then have Sunday to recover before heading back to work. Then only two weeks, and we're off to Hawaii. No more haggis for me - it'll be soups and salads so that I can shimmy into my dress and fulfill my role as Groosmslady.