Week in Edinburgh

We began our trip to visit Ashley and Bryce and celebrate Bryce's graduation on June 30, a Friday. I'd taken a day off as our flight left at 5:50 and I didn't need the hassle of driving to and from Upland for a half days work. Intending to leave at 1:30, we actually left around 2:00 only to find as we entered the freeway that Carolyn had not brought her sunglasses. So a quick trip back home and we were heading to LAX at 2:15. Then, around the 55 we began to hit traffic and my stress level began to rise, but we muddled through the traffic and after parking our car, we arrived around 3:30.

Plenty of time, until I made an error and after asking a TSA employee, got in the baggage security line before checking in with British Air. Wrong! After waiting 20 minutes or so, I was told I had to check in first only to find the BA line almost Disneyesque in its length and circuitousness. But they were fairly efficient and we even landed the bulkhead seats. Carolyn scouted out the shortest baggage check line and we made it to the gate as they began to board.

Flying through the night, we transitted in London and arrived in Edinburgh around 4 pm to be greeted by Bryce who drove out in his dad's rental car to ferry us to their flat. John and Sally had arrived a week earlier and taken the 'kids' to the Isle of Skye. So through Friday morning, there would be six adults in their flat with one bathroom and Bryce and Ashley forsaking their bedroom for rollaways in the living room. Troopers!

That Saturday night, we had stir fry in the flat and then walked down to a local pub for a few beers while we watched one of the semi-final games of the World Cup and Bryce and John expounded on the intricacies of the offside rule.

Sunday, John had an offer he couldn't refuse - to play golf at Muirfield while the five of us went off to church at New Restalrig and prayed for his soul (just kiddin'). Then it was off for Indian food for lunch and walk around the National Art Gallery looking at Rembrandt's etchings and other old Masters. We timed it right as the heavens unleashed rain while we were inside and we saw several people come in the museum who had not been so lucky. Ashley made a great French onion soup for dinner along with fresh fruit which was followed by a challenging game of Cranium and a short walk in the twilight at 11 pm!

Monday, we walked the Botanic gardens, the Royal Mile down to Holyrood Palace (finding it closed in anticipation of the Queen's arrival within hours), had lunch at Deacon Brodie's pub and even tasted a little haggis. That evening the six of us huddled around the laptop to watch "Love Actually". Tuesday, July 4th, Bryce, Carolyn and I celebrated by touring the Whiskey center, and for dinner we had all-American tacos and some desserts we had picked up from Peckhams including their last slice of apple pie. Then the competition really got fierce as we engaged in a game of Scrum (ask the Hales - sr. or jr.) where the losers wear their shame proudly.


Wednesday was Bryce's graduation at the University of Glasgow which was founded a measly 555 years ago. Bryce has on his full Scottish regalia with clerical tartan kilt. It was rather warm though and it couldn't have been that comfortable in his wool and robe as I was sweltering in a sport coat. The ceremony was serious and included at least two prayers in Latin that we were requested to recite aloud. Then it was off to a favorite Glasgow Indian restaurant for dinner before we stopped at the Necropolis on the way home.

Thursday while the Hales took a drive to the English border, Carolyn, Bryce and I (Ashley was continuing to do work on her doctorate) made it up to Camera Obscura near the Castle which displays old photographic techniques as well as optical illusions, etc. A quick stop at the Jolly Judge Pub, then it was off to do some shopping at an art supply store and the National Gallery.

Dinner that evening was back by the Castle at the Witchery at 6:30. Ashley led the walk, striding out a good clip while the rest of us tried to keep up. By the time, we made it (around 6:35), I was ready to take off my coat and have a cocktail. It's a very fine restaurant, and John was kind enough to spring for the entire bill. Of course, Ashley's doctoral graduation dinner is on me! We four parents stopped by the Cumberland Pub to say hello as Ashley and Bryce celebrated his graduation with a number of their friends, but we quickly decided that this was a younger person event.

Friday, we're out the door by 9 and on our way to Amsterdam as the Hales head back to California. More pictures can be found here.