Saturday, May 25
I should mention here that every city or town of any size has a McDonalds, Starbucks, Pizza Hut, and Subway. Amazing.
We drove up and down past incredible buildings and a beautiful university. Glasgow sits on coal mines and there is a tall leaning clock tower in the center that leans because a mine shaft under it collapsed. Henry told us to look up as we toured because of the ornate decoration. You can't help clicking pictures and then can't remember what they are that evening. We see so much so fast. It would be good to go back and take our time in places of interest, but we opted to see it all and we are.
The Presbyterian Church in Glasgow.
There is so much to write about Glasgow that surprised us like how many famous, industrious people came from here and how it has the School of Ballet and the School of Bag-piping. Also, King James was here when he had the English version of the Bible authorized. Once back on the highway, it could have been any city with industry and commercial buildings.
We drove through lots of hilly green farmland with pines and hardwoods as we headed south. There was a big wind farm with rows of huge windmills that supposedly supplies Glasgow with most of its power. We could tell Henry wasn't convinced.
Playing in the background was a CD of Robert the Bruce's speech before battle and then drumming and bagpipes. It was very motivating. This part of the country reminds us of Minnesota farmland with the hilly fields and wooded glens. The highlands are my favorite, but I could just hug it all.
We stopped at the Robert Burns memorial and had coffee and shortbread and walked the beautiful gardens and climbed the tower. Robert Burns has more monuments to him than anyone. There is even one in Detroit.
We drove on through fields of sheep and cows with little white houses and the seaside on our right. We continue to be amazed at the amount of wide open country in these British Isles. It is delightful. 
We passed the ruins of the Kennedy Castle way out on a point on the sea. This is breath taking country. We saw several pheasants in the fields. Then we passed through the quaint little seaport town of Girvan with signs posted on a stone arch as we left that said - Whit's yer hurry? Haste ye back.
We saw a huge horse show right by the road with horses prancing across the field. It would have been fun to watch. We seem to be seeing more horses as we go.
On we went with Rod Stewart playing in the background. He sang some Scottish songs I hadn't heard before. The sea was now close with rocky steep hills on our left and the shore on our right.
On we went with Rod Stewart playing in the background. He sang some Scottish songs I hadn't heard before. The sea was now close with rocky steep hills on our left and the shore on our right.
Our trip to Alaska was our dream of a lifetime trip that could not be matched, but we'll be darned if this trip isn't right on it's butt and could end neck and neck. It is a different kind of trip, but massively impressive and fabulously fun. There just aren't words. What an adventure and all of these fine new friends to share it with, accompanied by perfect music.
We boarded the ferry at Loch Ryan and sadly said goodbye to Scotland. I really want to come back and explore some day. I get misty just thinking about it. The ride was nice. We had lunch, walked and had a nap in the lounge. We landed in Belfast in Norn Irn (Northern Ireland).
Belfast has some wonderful old buildings, industry and a lot of history, but is not attractive with graffiti and occasional litter. We took a city tour with Rosemary who had a great sense of humor and we loved her phrases. This is where the Titanic was built and they have a beautiful memorial. Their saying was that the ship was fine when it left them.
It is a Victorian city but much was destroyed during World War II bombing. Also, there was so much about the fights between the Protestants and the Catholics and those loyal to the crown and those wanting independence. There are murals and signs and fences dividing the two groups.
They are trying to change that image and insist it is very safe, but it all seemed a bit seedy. As we passed a pub area on the way to our hotel, some boisterous young men came out. I met eyes with one from the bus window. He smiled, then it turned into a sneer and to the cheering of his friends, he turned his back, yanked his pants down and his little white butt mooned us.
The hotel across from us where President Clinton once stayed was famous for being the most bombed hotel of all time totaling 42 bombings.
We weren't thrilled with Belfast, yet it was an experience.
It is a Victorian city but much was destroyed during World War II bombing. Also, there was so much about the fights between the Protestants and the Catholics and those loyal to the crown and those wanting independence. There are murals and signs and fences dividing the two groups.
They are trying to change that image and insist it is very safe, but it all seemed a bit seedy. As we passed a pub area on the way to our hotel, some boisterous young men came out. I met eyes with one from the bus window. He smiled, then it turned into a sneer and to the cheering of his friends, he turned his back, yanked his pants down and his little white butt mooned us.
The hotel across from us where President Clinton once stayed was famous for being the most bombed hotel of all time totaling 42 bombings.
We weren't thrilled with Belfast, yet it was an experience.
After we checked in at the hotel, we walked down to a street fair or market. There were lots of crafts, food, and beer tents.
We met up with some of the others and ate a delicious feta cheese and olive pastry as we walked. We came back by the hotel and stopped at the Crown Pub, a famous old pub still lit with gas light, with little booths with doors so ladies could be discrete.
We went back to the room organized and went to sleep to the sounds of traffic and Saturday night partying. Some heard a man and woman arguing in the night and found hiking boots thrown down the hall in a fit of rage. Ahh Ireland.
We met up with some of the others and ate a delicious feta cheese and olive pastry as we walked. We came back by the hotel and stopped at the Crown Pub, a famous old pub still lit with gas light, with little booths with doors so ladies could be discrete.
We went back to the room organized and went to sleep to the sounds of traffic and Saturday night partying. Some heard a man and woman arguing in the night and found hiking boots thrown down the hall in a fit of rage. Ahh Ireland.
