You can certainly tell from the photo that we are, indeed, in Scotland. Even though kilts are not worn around here anymore, there’s a photo op on most corners with a kilted fellow ready to make a dollar from tourists. We were happy to oblige. The history of the kilt is very interesting. It didn’t make its fashion appearance until the 16th century which means all those great kilt-wearing scenes of Mel Gibson in Braveheart (13th century) are not accurate. The kilt was made of 4 to 5 yards of fabric. Men often slept on their kilts and then tightly wrapped them around their waist and belted them before getting up. The fabric above the waistline was used for covering the chest or head, if needed. The half kilt, as we know it today, was introduced in 1792. Now, aren’t you glad you read the blog today? But wait, there’s more….
We toured the Edinburgh (pronounce Edinbora—they roll their r’s s little) Castle. Unbelievably fascinating! It towers above the city of Edinburgh, sitting on top of an extinct volcano. Known habitation of the site dates back to 900 BC, but not much is known about that time. I’m skipping several centuries (aren't you glad?) to when the actual castle is first mentioned in 1093. The castle is not a single structure, but truly a fortress, with several buildings, used to protect whoever was in charge at the time. It’s a story of “king of the mountain” like we played as children. Scotland and England spent two hundred years pushing each other off the mountain and claiming and reclaiming Scotland. Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to King James VI at this castle and fifteen months later was forced to turn the throne over to her baby son. She should have seen this coming as she was given the throne at six days old. Apparently babies over here are brilliant and capable of ruling kingdoms. The six foot tall redhead, Mary, was put to death at just twenty-five years of age. King James VI was later crowned King James I of England and was responsible for commissioning the King James Version of the Bible. NOW, I know you’re glad you tuned in today.
A European vacation could be featured in Shape magazine under the heading “Ways to Get in Shape.” We estimate we walk around four miles each day in Oxford, but today I’m sure we topped that, and threw in a few hundred castle steps on top of that. When we got in the hotel room 2 Papa called the operator and asked her to connect him to the Restroom Number One. She politely said, “Do you mean Restaurant Number One?” 2 Papa was laughing so hard he could hardly talk to the restaurant (or was it restroom) host. :) Sadly, too late for that restaurant, so we’ll get some more exercise as we look for a place to eat.
Tomorrow—a twelve hour bus tour of Northern Highlands of Scotland and the Loch Ness. Maybe a bit geriatric, but we’ll take it! Keep your fingers crossed for the monster sighting.
Today is my oldest grandson’s fourteenth birthday. He has been a joy from the first day he was born. He used to climb up in the middle of my bed and eat popcorn. Now, he comes over once a week and sleeps on my couch so I can take him to school early on FCA meeting days, plays football, and keeps me up on country music. All and more are treasured memories that will never be replaced by any castle or kilt-wearing Scotsman. Thank you, God, for John Luke Robertson and for the man you are shaping him to be.
We toured the Edinburgh (pronounce Edinbora—they roll their r’s s little) Castle. Unbelievably fascinating! It towers above the city of Edinburgh, sitting on top of an extinct volcano. Known habitation of the site dates back to 900 BC, but not much is known about that time. I’m skipping several centuries (aren't you glad?) to when the actual castle is first mentioned in 1093. The castle is not a single structure, but truly a fortress, with several buildings, used to protect whoever was in charge at the time. It’s a story of “king of the mountain” like we played as children. Scotland and England spent two hundred years pushing each other off the mountain and claiming and reclaiming Scotland. Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to King James VI at this castle and fifteen months later was forced to turn the throne over to her baby son. She should have seen this coming as she was given the throne at six days old. Apparently babies over here are brilliant and capable of ruling kingdoms. The six foot tall redhead, Mary, was put to death at just twenty-five years of age. King James VI was later crowned King James I of England and was responsible for commissioning the King James Version of the Bible. NOW, I know you’re glad you tuned in today.
A European vacation could be featured in Shape magazine under the heading “Ways to Get in Shape.” We estimate we walk around four miles each day in Oxford, but today I’m sure we topped that, and threw in a few hundred castle steps on top of that. When we got in the hotel room 2 Papa called the operator and asked her to connect him to the Restroom Number One. She politely said, “Do you mean Restaurant Number One?” 2 Papa was laughing so hard he could hardly talk to the restaurant (or was it restroom) host. :) Sadly, too late for that restaurant, so we’ll get some more exercise as we look for a place to eat.
Tomorrow—a twelve hour bus tour of Northern Highlands of Scotland and the Loch Ness. Maybe a bit geriatric, but we’ll take it! Keep your fingers crossed for the monster sighting.
Today is my oldest grandson’s fourteenth birthday. He has been a joy from the first day he was born. He used to climb up in the middle of my bed and eat popcorn. Now, he comes over once a week and sleeps on my couch so I can take him to school early on FCA meeting days, plays football, and keeps me up on country music. All and more are treasured memories that will never be replaced by any castle or kilt-wearing Scotsman. Thank you, God, for John Luke Robertson and for the man you are shaping him to be.
Happy Birthday, little buddy. This verse is for you:
“But you, Timothy (John Luke), man of God:... Pursue a righteous life—a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy. Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses.”
“But you, Timothy (John Luke), man of God:... Pursue a righteous life—a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy. Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses.”
I Timothy 6:11
I hope everyone had a great Sunday.
Hugs,
2 mama
I hope everyone had a great Sunday.
Hugs,
2 mama
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