England and Scotland, September 2004
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All photographs and text © Copyright 2000-2005 by Jessica and/or Sharon Bussert.
York, England
We started our vacation with a stop in York. Sharon's parents, Cecil and Martha, had joined us for this holiday and we had a surprise in store for Cecil. Sharon's Dad happens to be a huge train buff, and we both wanted to take him to the York Railway Museum. It was a blast! Unfortunately, we couldn't take pictures there :) so here are some different snaps!
Yorkminster Cathedral
The Yorkminster Cathedral is an absolutely beautiful church. Back in the day, Henry VIII decided to borrow this place from the Catholics. For some reason, he forgot to give it back...
Detail of the Minster
I just love the play of light and shadows on the roof of this building.
On the Walls
The four of us took a trek around the walls of the city. I took this photo of Cecil and Martha with the minster in the background.
On to Edinburgh
Our next stop was the beautiful city of Edinburgh, Scotland. This is a statue found on the wall of Castle Edinburgh. I have no clue who this guy is!
Edinburgh by Night
Just a quick snap of one of the many gorgeous buildings in this ancient city.
The Old Docks
While everyone else toured the Queen's yacht, I decided to take and explore around the docks. I found this old pier slowly decaying into the sea. The gulls were the only ones still making any use of it.
Flower
This fella was growing out of the rotting boards on the pier.
The Scott Monument
This photo doesn't do the monument justice. I climbed to the top to get a grand view of the city.
Detail
During my climb, I looked up and saw this guy stareing back at me!
Columns at Sunrise
On top of a large hill in the middle of the city, there is a nice park with these giant columns. What are they doing there? They are a new construction that doesn't seem to have any purpose except to cast these great shadows in the morning sun!
Glenfinnen
Our next stop was Glenfinnen, Scotland. This little wide spot in the road isn't very well known. It should be. It was quiet, peaceful, and absolutely lovely! Glenfinnen's one claim to popular fame is the fact that the 'Harry Potter' steam locomotive passes over their spectacular viaduct.
Mountain Reflection
Scenes like this abound. I took the photo of the flower above during the climb to the top of another mountain like this. Err... Umm... Well, maybe just a little bit shorter! :)
The Hogwort Express
Here's a photo of Harry's train. It passes through town four times a day.
The Monument to Bonnie Prince Charlie
I know that I'll probably never be allowed back in Scotland for saying this, but I have no clue what Chuck did to deserve this tower! I think he might have staged an unsuccessful revolt, but I really dunno...
Sharon
This photo was taken going up the previously mentioned mountai... mmm, OK, Ok! It was only a big hill!!! So sue me!
Just a scant moment later and I wouldn't have gotten this shot. Just minutes later, Sharon and I both saw a giagantimongus man-eating spider getting ready to rip our limbs off! We were down the slope in about 1/20th of the time it took to get up it!
The Viaduct
Another shot of the viaduct, from down below.
The Buck Stops Here
This guy wasn't the least bit scared of the two of us. In fact, when he took a pointed step in our direction, we decided to get the heck outta Dodge!
Sharon
This photo was taken on the ferry to the Isle of Skye. Have you picked up on the fact that I'm kinda sweet on this lady?
Fishing Boat with Gulls
Whenever you see tthe fishing boats coming back to port with their haul, the gulls are sure to be close by.
Mountains in Fog
The trip from Malliag to Skye was short, but full of great sights like this.
Purple Flowers
Once we arrived in Porttree on the Isle of Skye, we all scurried off to check out the views.
Coming Home
Another boat finishing off a day's work.
Rusted Bolts
This was a detail from the remains of an old concrete dock that had fallen into disrepair.
Coastline
Skye is ringed by cliffs like these.
Loch Ness
Our next stop was Loch Ness, the home of Nessie! Maybe we'll get a picture of her!
Castle Ruins
This is the location of the original Nessie sightings... Maybe we'll get lucky!
Nessie!!!
I was looking at the castle and the next thing I knew, Sharon was shouting for me to get the camera out! I can't believe that we managed to get this picture!
The Castle in Fog
After Nessie went off for morning tea, I managed this shot of the castle backdropped by fog.
The Orkney Islands
After we left Loch Ness, we headed north to the Orkney Islands. We stayed in the small town of Stromness and island hopped with the rental car.
Mrs Humphrey's House
"I'm sorry, Ahab, but you were only trapped in the ice for a fortnight. You'll have to go over to Mrs McGill's house."
Scara Brea
This is a detail of the Scara Brea excavation in the Orkneys. This settlement was established sometime before 1968. Sharon and I couldn't remember exactly, so I figured I better be safe in my estimate.
Standing Stones
Stonehenge isn't the only set of standing stones in Britain... It's just the most famous. Scotland is practically littered with them! Most you can actually go up to and touch.
Standing Stones 2
You can go up and touch them as long as the sheep don't mind! Watch your step!
Lighthouse
I took this on the morning we left. The fog was still misting the sky.
St. Magnus Cathedral
This window is found in the St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall. The church is over 1200 years old.
The Ring of Brodgar
This stone circle originally held over 60 standing stones. I had to tell the other tourists that there had been an anthrax spill in order to get them all to clear out, but it was worth it for this photo!
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