Scottish Independence: UK2018 Series Chpt10

🌲 CHAPTER 10: Scottish independence 🌲

August 20, 2018

Our first stop was breakfast at the Lunan Diner while we were in Lunan Bay. The food was wonderful, and we had a wonderful view of the ocean.

We then made our way to Arbroath Abbey, a very historical place where the Declaration of Arbroath was written and signed to make Scotland an independent country in 1320. This was followed by a trip to the old town of Culross, a town used in the filming of Outlander due to its preservation of its building from the 1700's. We then went to Stirling castle - a very important landmark to Scotland and also a busy one.

We arrived in Edinburgh for the night.

 Sincerely,

🌲The Wandering Hermits🌲

Castles Galore: UK2018 Series Chpt9

🌲 CHAPTER 9: castles galore 🌲

August 19, 2018

We returned to Cullen the next morning to further explore the town. We visted the seaside, saw Cullen's pet cemetery, and we went and tried their famous, homemade ice cream - so good.

On our drive we drove through kirkton of Oyne, where a family memeber's grandfather was originally from and born in. 

We also explored two ruined castles, both gorgeous: Huntley Castle, and Tolquhon Castle. We saw Tolquhon just before it closed, and we also saved two old ladies from being locked in the castle walls for the night. 

All in all, a days worth of adventure!

Sincerely,

🌲The Wandering Hermits🌲

What A Wonderland: UK2018 Series Chpt8

🌲 CHAPTER 8: What a wonderland🌲

August 18, 2018

Our travels then took us to Moray.

Our first activity of the day was a hike to Loch Ness with local legend, Toby. The hike was wonderful and it was awesome to talk with a local resident! His wife we met after our hike, and mother o'WH was delighted to meet another natural dyer and knitter; she has an exhibition coming up in the Glasgow art school. 

We plan on going to Urquhart castle on our next visit to Scotland (the parking lot was full), but we passed by it on our way to Culloden where we spent our afternoon - very moving.

We drove through Cullen to get to Moray, where we stopped to get food at Linda's Fish & Chips. Fun fact: Cullen is famous for being the birthplace of Cullen Skink, and having amazing ice cream.

We then landed at our place for the night... Would we call it a mansion, what we were met with? A big house with a HUGE, GORGEOUS GARDEN is what we had the pleasure to see; it was themed like Alice and Wonderland, andour little cottage was Retro themed. A very comfy sleep , and an amazing experience to see.

Sincerely,

🌲The Wandering Hermits🌲

Happy Birthday!!!: UK2018 Series Chpt7

🌲 CHAPTER 7: happy birthday!!!🌲

August 17, 2018

Lots of driving in the Highlands today, and today was a very special day: Mother o'WH's birthday!

It was a day well spent! Our first stop was through Loch Lomond (MacGregor lands!), where we had breakfast at one of the best places on EARTH called The Green Welly Stop. We continued our ride through the mountains where we eventually stopped for pictures at the magnificent Glencoe mountains. We then travelled to Fort William, where we visited a small museum and then went to the Cameron Clan Museum. 

We stopped for the night in Fort Augustus near Loch Ness where we stayed at an AMAZING hotel up the canal; the only thing missing from the room was our toilet paper - Nessie must've been there!

We got dinner in a restraunt along Loch Ness, and when we left we were greeted with a path full of bunnies!

Great night, lovely place!

Sincerely,

🌲The Wandering Hermits🌲

Two Days in Glasgow: UK2018 Series Chpt6

🌲 CHAPTER 6: Two days in glasgow🌲

August 15 & 16, 2018

Our two days in Glasgow were EXCELLENT. Two days were hardly enough, but we had the pleasure of doing lots of fun things! There was lots of walking, and sore feet afterwards, but it was totally worth it.

As the world competitions were about to commence, many pipe bands were practicing in parks as we wandered about; we watched a few bands practice, and also decided to pay the Piping Center a visit - very cool.

Glasgow has many works of historical and beautiful architecture around the city, which we got to see and experience. We visited the Cathedral, the oldest house in Glasgow, and we got to visit the Tenement museum to peek into the lives of past Glaswegians; speaking of which, something really amazing that we got to visit was the birthplace of Father o'WH's great grandfather (now an empty lot, 29 Brown St is the location). We also pulled a "European Vacation" and zoomed into/through the Glasgow museum just before it closed.

Yes, Glasgow has a very special place in our hearts... especially because of their giant merengues. Shout out to Willow's Tea Room and Singl-end Garnethill -  absolutely delicious food!

Sincerely,

🌲The Wandering Hermits🌲 

Our Last Day in Ireland: UK2018 Series Chpt5

🌲 CHAPTER 5: our last day in ireland🌲

August 14, 2018

Though it has only been four days, the Wandering Hermits feel like they've been in Ireland for weeks; it's hard to believe that already we're off to Scotland tomorrow morning! Until then, we've recently made it to our final Irish destination: Belfast. 

Yesterday, we set out on a journey to the Cliffs of Moher; along the way, we stopped at Craggaunowen and the Ennis Friary. Craggaunowen was very cool; we explored a small castle and also ventured through what a farm of the early people of Ireland would have looked like, to glimpse into a reality of the past peoples. Our visit to the Ennis Friary was very similar, but we got to see the incredible architecture and art of the 1200's. This area was surrounded by old tombstones, dating back to the mid 1600's; it was quite holy and peaceful, and had amazing acoustics.

The Cliffs of Moher were incredible... and also quite busy. As soon as we had parked our car, the fog began to roll in. Luckily, we did have a good view of the cliffs, as it was also very windy and blew most off the fog away. The view of the ocean was beautiful, and it was lovely to see the contrasting emerald green of the fields to the grey sky and dark waters below. It was very calming... until you saw THAT guy at the VERY EDGE taking a SELFIE.

To whom it may concern:

1) DON'T stray off the path - the environment is important to maintian.

2) DON'T climb over the rock walls of the path - the cliffs are slowly eroding so you could fall off the edge because of that or fall off the edge because you didn't see it.

3) DON'T walk to the edge - YOU COULD DIE.

Case in point:

DON'T BE THAT GUY.

We arrived at our next stay around 10:30... it was a day of long driving. We had passed through Carrick on Shannon in the night, but returned this morning to make a quick visit as this area has special family roots (mother o'WH's great grandmother's birthplace!). The following adventure was a trip to view the Marble Arch Caves - incredible. Our tour guide was excellent, and it was very informative on this ancient cave's formation. 

So now we're here in Belfast! We've dropped off the rental car, we spent the day in the Titanic museum, and we got delicious food at Bao Bun! What a time!

Sincerely,

🌲The Wandering Hermits🌲 

The Nature of No Wifi: UK2018 Series Chpt4

🌲 CHAPTER 4: The nature of no wifi🌲

Two days have passed - yes, we're sorry, but today we fnd ourselves waking up on a lovely cow farm in Askeaton. But how did the Wandering Hermits get here?

The day after Dublin was fabulous. Our travels took us first to the medieval town of Kilkenny, where we visited the castle and took a tour train to visit all the architectural hot spots; it was simply gorgeous, and the people were quite friendly. For any traveling there, find yourself a crepe with Ballymaloe relish, it's very good! Our following expedition was to the Rock of Cashel, where upon a great hill stands the towering ruins of the round towered fortress; the rain that eventually began to pour on us truly revealed the majesty of this historic and holy place. In attempts to use our (Ireland pass), we made our way to the castle of Cahir... which, unfortunately, had closed before we could make it; what followed was a long walk through the nearby rugged forest amongst wild blackberries where we saw hurlers and golfers practice in distant fields.... and eventually another locked building which had been our next goal as backup (the Swiss cottage). We stayed in a Glamping pod that night.

The following day (yesterday) we set out for Gleann nan Gealt (we filled up our car with a struggle, as the gas cap wouldn't budge); our prior hostess had given us a new route so that we would have more out of our drive rather than taking the highway. We travelled through small communities and we eventually stopped for a visit at the most famous wedding location, St. Finbarrs oratory, which was absolutely gorgeous and where we indirectly went on a Catholic pilgrimage (also, a moment of silence for Jeremy, the precious rubber elephant finger puppet who is now on his own Irish pilgrimage with God AKA the youngest misplaced him there). We then drove into the mountain pass and made a stop at Molly Gallivan's, which was a really cool stop to see life before our modern day in Ireland. We then went to our original destination to go on a hike/tour of a sheep farm in the mountains. The Wandering Hermits agree that so far, without a doubt, this has been one of the top highlights of our trip. The tour guides were very friendly and made us feel right at home, and so were the sheep; the mountain and surrounding lands were beautiful and peaceful, and in general, it was a really fun time! Then we arrived here, to find that the three women in the family had ticks on them (the eldest daughter had three on her arms, while the mother and youngest both had one on their stomachs. The father remains tickless). 

Now The Wandering Hermits are debating our next moves; a theme we've noticed for these past two days is to be flexible and to expect the unexpected. Sometimes things go to plan, but then again, life is full of opportunities and surprises, so just go with the flow. Also, pack Oreos - just in case.   

Sincerely,

🌲The Wandering Hermits🌲 

In Dublin's Fair City: UK2018 Series Chpt3

🌲 CHAPTER 3: In Dublin's fair city🌲

Words cannot express how uncomfortable the plane ride to Dublin was.

There were lots of crying children, for the entire trip. The air was soooo dry that it made sitting still unbearable. There was no resting for anyone, especially for the eldest daughter and mother of the Wandering Hermits.

It. Was. Hectic.

After a four hour-ish flight, the Wandering Hermits were more than happy to get off the plane; they had undoubtedly agreed that out of all the plane rides they had ever been on, this had topped it as the worst. With a breath of relief, the exhausted travelers walked through the airport to find a taxi to get a rental car (they arrived at the rental place early and had to wait in the cold Irish summer temp of 10C). They were met with the busy world of Ireland with their Irish accents, and the strange adaptation of driving on the left side of the road. 

The day went by slowly, and yet most of it was a blur; the travelers struggled with staying awake for most of the day, though they managed to go to Dublina museum after riding the hop on tour bus a few times. It was wonderful to be in Dublin; the old, twisty cobble streets surrounded by old ornate buildings and tenements enchanted the eye. The crowds of people and exhaustion eventually bested the family. 

To wrap this up for now, since we're all exhausted, we're now staying on a sheep farm in Tollyvolt. A great reward for the long day of pure jetlag.

***Life advice: cherish sleep - it's precious. Also, always get extra insurance on your rented vehicle; it's worth it - you never know when a mysterious bar of metal may appear for you to sorta crash into, ha ha...

Sincerely,

🌲The Wandering Hermits🌲 

A Wee Pit Stop: UK2018 Series Chpt2

🌲 CHAPTER 2: A Wee pit stop🌲

After a semi-restless slumber, the Wandering Hermits began their exploits at the early hours of 4:30 a.m. All was (thankfully) running smoothly as the family excitedly waited for their cab; the eldest daughter paced in anticipation as she waited for the journey, fully prepared and ready to rush out the door as soon as she heard wheels slowly come to a halt on the pavement outside the house. The youngest daughter, who normally has issues with waking up on time, had accidentally set six alarms at the wrong time of 4:30 p.m, but her own brain had woken her up successfully.

The cab arrived and dropped the family off on time, to which they entered the busy airport full of families with loud children, and one terrified puppy in its carrier, yelping at the top of its tiny lungs.

What a time. 

Tickets were printed, and the eldest daughter was delighted to hear that she had gotten a "first class" seat (1A) on the full plane, much to the disbelief of the family (who all sat in row 20); little did she know that this was a very different sort of "first class", as the plane they boarded was a Bombadier Q-300... so picture tiny, crampy, yeah. The ride was an hour and thirty minutes; amongst the soft and bountiful sea of white, they eventually descended through the over cast to the green and blue of the land below... and a chilly but welcoming temperature of 13℃.    

The plane landed in St. Johns, Newfoundland & Labrador for a 13 hour lay over; this wee pit stop would lead to a tour of Memorial University's campus ("AMAZING, WANT TO GO THERE SO BAD, CANNOT WAIT!" - Eldest o'WH), lunch at the Bagel Cafe amongst the colourful houses downtown ("Fast service, the food was awesome, eclectic decorating... if you go, you need to be prepared to eat!" - Mother o'WH), and a quick trip to Cabot Tower on Signal Hill (Heritage Minutes were re-enacted; Father o'WH also reaccounted his adventures of working on/assessing this building and its historical significance) and Cape Spear (the most easterly point in Canada... where the Wandering Hermit kids sang songs through an echoey locked tunnel, where stangers on the other side joined in, which was quite funny - great acoustics for "Counrty Roads").

A music break was in order upon arrival at the St. Johns airport; as the eldest daughter played a free piano in the lobby, a little girl and her grandfather came to listen, and so a mini lesson/intro to piano ensued. An observation of the day: how music connects people, and makes our world and ourselves an even more wonderful thing :) 

Currently, the Wandering Hermits await their next plane over to Dublin. Lets hope they actually manage to get some sleep out of this 7 hour ride... who knows if that will actually happen though.

***Pro random tip(s) of the day:

- Always process what you say before you say it; who knows if you'll end up with an awkward innuendo?

- For when you want to fall asleep but shouldn't: "RESIST THE URGE. STAY STRONG. FALL ASLEEP ON THE PLANE!" - Youngest o'WH

  Sincerely,

🌲The Wandering Hermits🌲 

PS, photos and videos WILL eventually be posted - stay tuned!!!! 

Before The Journey... UK2018 Series Chpt1

🌲 Chapter 1: Before The Journey... 🌲

On the cool (sorry, inconveniently humid) evening of August 8th, 2018, the Wandering Hermits scrambled about the house like ants on a mission...

 The mission? To pack for the upcoming trip to Ireland, Scotland, and England. 

This family had bested the heat; sweaty and tired as they may be, they had spent the day preparing to catch a plane that would leave at 7:30 in the morning. Did the head of the family, the mother, feel ready?

No... Not at all.

(She had yet to pick a knitting pattern).

The eldest child of the family assumed that everyone else was fine while she typed this first entry. (She had been finished with packing for most of the day). ;)

The two household cats lounged about the furniture in a nonchalant manner. Little did they know that they would be under the care of babysitters for two weeks; from the 9th to the 26th the Wandering Hermits would be enjoying an exciting adventure of a vacation, all the while praying and hoping that their precious/semi-naughty furballs wouldn't escape the house... again.

"Packing all day is a grand frickin' time", said the youngest child. How could we not agree?

***Some friendly tips for packing:

1) Make a list of what you need... think ahead, and be ahead of the game.

2) Pack less than what's on the list.

3) Pack ASAP/early.
4) Roll your clothes instead of fold! That saves space! (Look up "clothes origami"). 

5) Double check everything packed/needed... actually, make that triple check.

6) KEEP CALM!

7) ETC...

Sincerely,

🌲The Wandering Hermits🌲