Week 15

The program is now officially over: the classes, tests, presentations, and papers are done.  Taxis have begun arriving to take students to the airport.  Our last night together included a reception with appetizers and desserts, a slide show, and a few short speeches.  Then came the hugging and crying.  We all agree that it has been a wonderful semester with many opportunities for learning, for travel, and for making friends—often all at once!

Out group photo now hangs in the dining hall with many others

The tall white guy is Wellington, sporting a blue and white mask--like the Scottish flag

Dalkeith Town Walk

One day this week I took a wee walk around Dalkeith town to explore a bit more.  I learned about some historic buildings, found new paths to the river, and wandered into some lovely courtyards of the main street.

Literally, down by the riverside

The old Corn Exchange being re-made into a historcial center

Hard to believe this is just off the main street--

It's shielded from that by the buildings that are behind where I stood to take this photo

Wrought iron detail at St. Nicholas of Buccleuch chirch

Water tower, circa 1879

The old iron works, also down by the riverside

Elephant House

On a recent trip to Edinburgh, I finally had coffee at Elephant House, billed as the “birthplace” of Harry Potter since J. K. Rowling spent time writing there.  The back room has big windows that overlook Greyfriars Kirkyard where she found some of the names used in the books.  Other writers, including Ian Rankin, have had characters who stop to eat at Elephant House.  If you do, I’d recommend the shortbread.

Yes, the shortbread--nothing Republican about it : )

What's Next? 

Marie will be here soon, and we will travel together for 8 days.  The Christmas market is just starting in Edinburgh, so we will take in that as well as other sights and a quick trip to France.  We also plan to do a one-day tour to the Highlands; this time I think I will see it with snow on the mountains.  She and I will be together for Thanksgiving for the first time in 4 years.  We will have a special meal and think of our wonderful family and friends for whom we are deeply grateful. 

After she leaves, I will travel to London for a few days and to Norway for a weekend to see Aurora.  If time allows, I will end with a few days in Italy.  More to be thankful for!  However, all the travel means that this blog will be sporadic at best.  When I get a chance, I will share some stories from the last part of this journey.