Edinburgh

After a 4.5-hour train journey from London we arrived in Edinburgh (pronounced Edinborough) last Friday afternoon. After checking-in to our hotel, we promptly hopped on a city bus to get to the city centre, and then onto an open-air double decker tour bus, where the fun began! Edinburgh is a great place to be a tourist. The city centre is quaint and compact, so there is a lot to do and see just by walking a short distance. And, we saw it all. As you will see in the pictures the architecture is very medieval and any direction you look up or down the Royal Mile, you have a great view. From Arthur's Seat and the start of the rolling grassy highlands, to the ocean, to Edinburgh Castle.

Edinburgh Castle is definitely the most impressive castle I have ever seen, and ranks right up there to being one of the most impressive structures I have ever seen. (Roman Colosseum is number one on my list, in case you're interested!) Now I'm no historian, but I found myself completely in awe of it's magnitude and well, history. Google it if you'd like more information, because I only wore my head-set on our "self-guided" tour for a portion of the time!

After the castle we needed to warm up. (Scotland was chilly - only about 60 degrees Fahrenheit, overcast and raining most of the time we were there.) So, what better way to warm up than with some authentic Scottish Whisky, right?? We took a brief tour of a mock-distillery and then were able to sample four drams of scotch. Definitely not my drink of choice, but Chris bought a bottle to share when he has someone who will listen to his philosophy on life....or at least that's what I picture people sipping scotch to do!

We debated taking a day-trip into the Scottish Highlands or to St. Andrews, but in the end we just stayed within the city limits. Went to an incredible science museum called Our Dynamic Earth, which explains the Big Bang Theory, Global Warming, and other relevant earth "issues." A must-see if you're ever in Edinburgh. Didn't go inside Holyrood Palace - home to the Royals (not the baseball team) when they are in Scotland. But, we did see it from all angles outside it's gates, and it too is breathtaking. We wrapped up our sight-seeing at the Edinburgh Zoo and arrived just in time for the penguin parade. The only parade of it's kind in the world - where every afternoon, the penguins are let out of their containment area and parade in a loop through the zoo. So cute, and Caroline loved it.

Overall the girls were good little travelers. Sadie is not the best sleeper in perfect conditions, so the first night in the hotel was a little rough. We knew we had no chance of instilling a naptime in our shoebox sized room, so the girls napped when they felt like it in the buggy while we were on the go from 8am-8pm. By 8:05pm I think all four of us were in a deep slumber!

We returned on Monday, and at the train station in Edinburgh came across several backpackers, many of which had attended a festival somewhere around Edinburgh over the weekend. Seeing these backpackers, mostly in their early-20s, took me back to the summer of 1997. It was then that I, along with my college roommates, Becky Parrott and Jennifer Sathe, freshly graduated from college, postponed entering the "real world" and embarked on a month-long european adventure. Eleven years later, I couldn't help but feel some pangs of envy while I watched these young backpackers waiting for their trains. The freedom they had to just hop on a train and "go," is something I haven't felt since I stepped off the plane from Paris after our return flight in 1997.  Where were they headed next?  That summer we often didn't know where our next european stop was going to be until we arrived at the train station.  These days, I don't hop in the car without a backpack full of nappies, formula and a clear plan of when and where I will next feed my children!  Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change my non-freedom now for anything, but did I really appreciate it then?  Appreciated it or not, it was a month of my life I will never, ever forget.  So to my dear friends, Rebecca (Parrott) Armrose soon to be mother of three, and Jennifer (Sathe) Thon, mother of four, I dedicate this shout-out. Our trip around Europe was one that I will never forget, and living here now has triggered so many happy memories from it.  Cheers to you both.

America, America

We celebrated my favorite holiday, the Fourth of July, with several of Chris's co-workers, a few neighbors and new friends, by having a bbq at our home. There were just five of us American's (including Sadie and Caroline) here, but everyone showed their support by dressing festively, and partaking in a true American cocktail - Kentucky Lemonade! (Made with Maker's Mark, of course...) We had patriotic American music blaring throughout the party, and we capped the night off with a fireworks show. I should mention that we purchased the fireworks from inside the van of a nice Englishman the day before. His whole operation was rather dodgy (read - SHADY)...but, the fireworks were a hit and we celebrated America's Independence this year, ironically with those that we sought our independence from all those years ago.

As I write this, I am nursing some sore muscles from my netball game last night. Ahhh netball...an Olympic sport that I had never heard of. Google it, if you have interest in learning more, but as described by a fellow American over here, it is rather like "wussy basketball." Wussy basketball or not, I love it! The key difference between netball and traditional basketball, is that when you catch the ball you must stop...no dribbling. And, it is also a little like soccer in that you must play within your position - only shooters can shoot, defense is defense, etc... Having never played a field sport of the sort, I am constantly being called for being "off-sides." Nonetheless, it has provided a great outlet of exercise for me - reminiscent of my glory days hooping it up for the North Union Wildcats! In addition I have met a brilliant group of Englishwomen. After last night's game (the last of the summer before it picks up again in September), we hit the pub and I had my first pint of lager shandy - half lager (beer) and half sprite. Refreshing, but too sweet for my taste - I prefer my lager straight up!

The girls and I have been keeping busy with many, many play groups. I am still trying to stay connected to the American's in the area, but since Caroline is going to the local school, I'm also taking advantage of all of the children's activities Claygate has to offer. Caroline had her second school orientation last week, followed by a picnic. The kids in her class are all so darling - Barnaby, Phoebe, Ewan...just to name a few. And, the parents I've met are wonderful. I am really looking forward to school starting, as I know Caroline is going to love it, and I'll get to meet more people that way too -through the Parents Association...no one laugh, I'm turning into a PTA mum!

Another huge outlet for us, and one that is really making me fall in love with our little village, is the church. I originally went to a play group that the vicar's (head minister) wife holds weekly, and then followed it by attending church. The church's new youth pastor is actually American. He and his wife (who is English), moved from Atlanta to Claygate the day before us. They, along with the vicar and his wife all have young children. It is a very young, vibrant church, and Chris and I both enjoyed the service. Caroline enjoyed the "Jumpers" kids church, and Sadie had fun in the creche! I didn't anticipate in a million years that after one month living in England, I'd be hanging-out with the local clergy! Clearly, someone is looking out for me...

And finally, I have to make mention and give a shout-out to my new friends Lisa and Karen who have played a major role in helping the Yapps feel so welcome in Claygate. Karen, a fellow American has been a true mentor to me, by answering all of my gazillion questions, taking me to the grocery store and even giving Caroline her daughter's gently used school uniforms. And, in a roundabout way, Karen also introduced me to Lisa - however, I first met Lisa at Caroline's school orientation. Her daughter Sasha will be in Caroline's class. The afternoon after the orientation, Lisa invited the girls and me over to her house to play - she introduced me to a few of her friends, and every time I see her, she introduces me to a few more. Lisa and her husband Raymond are South African, but have lived in Claygate for eight years and they know EVERYBODY. (They are pictured here decked out in red, white and blue...) Oh - and, Caroline is OBSESSED with Sasha - they are going to be rockin' the Willow Class at Claygate Primary this fall! In a nutshell, I am feeling incredibly indebted to these two lovely ladies, and look forward to getting to know them better during our time in England.

We are setting off on our first family adventure this weekend, to Edinburgh, Scotland. And then, next week we are keeping our fingers crossed for our first visitors...Cheers!