Ghosts of lake districts past

So far the most exciting, and most shocking part of this trip has been returning to Grasmere. For a myriad of reasons, over the last 4 years, this place has held some of my fondest memories. It was here that I met some of my most lasting friends, and where I lost one of my closest friendships. It wasn't until I came back that I realized I have been stuck in those memories and I hope this will mark a certain closure for me.

Outside of my personal attachments to this place, it is bar none the most beautifully peaceful place I have ever been. Yesterday I wandered easedale tarn, and down helms crag. A 5 hour Trek that has left me completely exhausted today. So, as it is finally raining, I have holed up in tweedies ( our old local) reading my book, recuperating. Fireplace, book, ale, mountain view - pretty happy camper.

This is in stark contrast to my weekend in Edinburgh. Suffice to say, I love that city. Just trying to scheme my way into permanent residency there. I have still not ruled out marriage, but it seems a bit early on the trip to make that decision.

Any tips?

And finally, to make you totally jealous, a few pictures of my recent fell walk - thanks iPhone!

Scotland's national drink

Turns out whiskey is not Scotland's national beverage. This sugary orange disaster called iron bru is.

They even make a candy out of it. A candy with a warning about the behavioural changes it can cause in children.

Oh, and I saw deep fried pizza yesterday. This is a weird place

Day the second

Glasgow is beautiful. But I am shell--shocked and haven’t taken much in. So I walked, and walked. After getting into the city center I dropped my bag of at the hostel and proceeded to wander the streets. A quick consultation with a map indicated the Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art was just up the street, and who doesn’t enjoy a bit of postmodern expressionism first thing in the morning.

My sense of direction in my own city is inconsistent at best and I don’t mind admitting dear readers that I was not functioning at my best, so I circled around my destination before eventually stumbling upon it.

Did I mention Glaswegians have a sense of humour?

After exploring the deepest reaches of the modern art world I wandered to the west end where I indulged in a lovely cheese and tomato sandwich. Quite chuffed about that still.

Next on my list was meant to be the Beatrix Potter exhibition but I got turned around and found myself in the west end, smack dab in the middle of Kelvingrove Park.  At about 85 acres the park straddles the River Kelvin and is also host to the Kelvingrove Art gallery and museum.  The museum is breathtaking from the outside, and as I walked in there was a pipe organ performance. I wish I had taken in more but that that point I had been walking for 6 hours on very little sleep and my body was giving out on me. I came back to the hostel to nap. And this is where I leave you. Dinner time, and maybe a dram of whiskey!

"The universe is a big place, perhaps the biggest."

"The universe is a big place, perhaps the biggest."

I’m finally off. I say finally but anyone who has traveled by plane understands that there are a myriad of moments, of hurry up and go, of prolonged goodbyes (mine have been happening over and over for the last week) that delay the inevitable  “off” for so long it’s hard to pinpoint its exact moment.

So for now I’m finally, sitting in a Fionn McCool’s in terminal three, waiting for my boarding call, waiting for take off. But with a large pinot Gris in hand, I feel calm. Its either that or the tryptophan from thanksgiving is having a prolonged effect.  All said, I have a lot to be thankful for.  Happy turkey Canada, see you in the new year.