What a bumpy ride we had from Newark to Shannon!! But we made it--and after a two-hour layover, where it was cool and rainy in Ireland, we changed planes and departed for Edinburgh. This flight across the Irish Sea was much better than the one across the Atlantic! After picking up the rental car, we headed to Dundee, about an hour north of the airport.
Our trip to Dundee, Scotland, was for the purpose of visiting Joyce Wood, an old friend from my student exchange days, who had recently turned 80! In addition, it commemorated the 50th anniversary of my exchange with the Dundee College of Education, although I've been back to Scotland numerous times since then. Joyce is still going strong and we played (and walked!) 18 holes at her golf club, Downfield, on our first day there (June 1).
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| Here are Jim and Joyce pausing along the cart path with beautiful rhododendron in full bloom! |
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| After our round of golf, we had a lovely dinner in the Club's dining room--which was all decorated to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee |
The second day of our visit (June 2), Joyce drove us to Stirling to visit the castle there. Alhtough I'd been there many years ago, Joyce said much of it had recently been restored...
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| Stirling Castle, high on the hill, dates from the 15th century and is the coronation site for many of the Scottish Kings and Queens--and what a gorgeous day we had!! |
After weaving through the picturesque town of Stirling, we made our way up to the castle parking lot. And once inside, we were treated to a demonstration of Elizabethan Era weaponry and fighting...
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| ...and it wasn't always with swords! |
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The castle from Queen Anne's Garden (where the weaponry
demonstration had been held) |
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| The Great Hall--newly restored |
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| Inside the Great Hall |
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| Joyce having a look at the "buffet"--all typical of Elizabethan Era food! |
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| The Chapel |
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| Gayle and Joyce leaving the Great Hall after having stopped at the outdoor cafe for a cup of tea |
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| Jim and Joyce as they are about to enter the Palace.... |
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| Joyce and Jim in the King's Outer Hall |
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| A beautiful celing here... |
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| ...and another beautiful ceiling! |
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| Joyce admiring the Queen's bedchamber |
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| Joyce talking to the "servants" in the Queen's Inner Hall |
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| The Queen's Outer Hall |
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| The castle kitchen |
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From the castle ramparts (overlooking an outdoor cafe), a view of the Forth River Valley. Notice the
Wallace Monument (left center)--commemorates the Battle of Stirling Bridge in which William Wallace defeated the English in 1297. The story of William Wallace is told in the movie "Brave Heart". |
Upon exiting the castle, there is a statue of Robert the Bruce, a contemporary of William Wallace. Robert became King of Scotland and a much loved hero of the Scots.
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| Robert the Bruce |
This was a full-day outing and the ride back to Dundee provided some lovely scenery...
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| Yellow fields--plants are used to make canola oil |
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| Yellow broom line so many of the Scottish roads |
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Many of the fields had covers like this to extend the
growing season at this upper latitude. |
Our third day in Dundee (June 3), Jim and Bill (Joyce's nephew) went to play golf at Bill's club. And while they were golfing, Joyce and I watched the telly most of the day to see the Queen and her family float down the Thames on a barge--all part of the Jubilee celebration--and, unfortunately, much of it in a downpour (not surprising for London!). Fortunately, the weather here in Scotland has been excellent. It was wonderful to be in the UK during this event--only the second time in British history that the monarch has celebrated a Diamond Jubilee.
And then it was off to one of Joyce's favorite restaurants for a farewell dinner...
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| Jim, Joyce, Vicki (Joyce's niece), and Bill (Vicki's husband) at dinner |
