Summer 2022 while LP2 rests in Deltaville
October 22nd, 2022
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Author: May 2022 we left the boat in Deltaville US and went home. So sweet to go home to the kids and grandkids!
We had a very busy summer with travels that took us to Portugal, Spain, Scotland, England and back to Canada.
July 2022
Much fun was had the month of July with the grandchildren
Fun in the sun swimming in the lakes hiking the mountains and waterfalls picking cherries and catching up with family and friends
August and September trip to Europe
We travelled to Portugal and spent most of the time catching up with family, lots of food and good wine
Always lots of fun around this uncle, this time we were celebrating his Birthday at his country house
We enjoyed many walks and hikes and a refreshing swim in fresh water lakes
Good times and good laughs in Portugal
Spain
Two weeks later we flew to Spain and visited some friends for a few days. I was wonderful to meet up again. We had met them sailing in the Caribbean and spending Christmas with them.
Edinburgh, Scotland
We flew in to Edinburgh and met up with our 2 sons who joined us from England for 6 days of exploring the area.
We walked a lot and visited many of the tourist attractions. The castles museums and good food
Hoisted high atop Edinburgh, as if monitoring the city below, Edinburgh Castle is not only one of Scotland’s most recognized landmarks, but one of the country’s most-visited attractions. The castle has been home to various royals throughout history, once housed military prisoners within its thick walls and has changed hands between the Scottish and English after many bloody bombardments and sieges throughout the centuries. Inside its stone walls (which survived a World War I bombing), some of the attractions available for visitors to view are the Honours of Scotland (the oldest crown jewels in Britain), St. Margaret’s Chapel (Edinburgh’s oldest building), Mons Meg (considered one of the greatest guns in medieval Europe), the National War Museum, the Great Hall and the vaults that once held prisoners of war (located under the Great Hall). If you hear a loud crack at 1 p.m., don’t worry: It’s the traditional One o’Clock Gun that’s been fired off daily (with few exceptions) since 1861.
The traditional One o’Clock Gun that’s been fired off daily (with few exceptions) since 1861. Everyday in the Castle grounds the famed One’O Clock Gun is fired precisely at 1pm.
Royal Mile. This route stretches between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse,
A visit to the National Museum of Scotland where we visited famous Dolly, the sheep. She was donated from the Roslin Institute and has been on display since 2003. Dolly was the first cloned mammal ever to be created from an adult cell in 1997. She lived her life along in a flock of sheep at the Roslin Institute.. After being diagnosed with tumors , she was put to rest in 2003 at the early age of 6 . Apparently sheep live to be 11 0r 12.
We walked from Holyrood Palace to Artur’s Seat. Some areas were a gentle slope, some was scrambling over rocks, but sure worth it for the Nature walk and stunning views.
Rose Street was a must visit for a Pint or 2. Noel spent much of his younger days around here while in Fettis College doing his A levels in 1986/87. There are 17 pubs on this one street, so it makes for a challenging pub crawl!
St. Giles Cathedral and most important in Edinburgh has been a focal point for religious activity in Edinburgh for over 900 years, although the structure we see today can trace its roots back to the 14th century. Due to its central location on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh’s historic old town, St. Giles has become a popular tourist attraction, as it’s an ideal stop-off point between excursions to Holyrood Palace and Edinburgh Castle.
The cathedral is beautifully covered from floor to ceiling with detailed carvings and ornate stonework
Last but not least, their famous kilts and shops.
Prior to 1792 those who wanted to wear the kilt in the Lowlands or Britain, had to join the British army. The reason being that because of the swift and competent movements of the Highland armies, the English were afraid that if they let anyone wear the kilt it would spark the idea of revolution.
The kilt is more than just a covering. It allowed those who wore it to move much more freely, weather can become very damp. With its tight weave of strong wool, it created a barrier between the rain and skin. When the armies of the past were fighting in Scotland, the kilt with its pleat helped protect the soldier much like armor would. When the nights became cold, this garment was easily removed and spread out to create a blanket to keep the person who owned it warm. Lastly, if the army needed to move with a much quicker force, the garment could be easily removed, thus allowing the soldier more freedom of movement.
Today the kilt is the national dress of Scotland and worn by many. The various plaids that one can see from time to time are the colors of the particular clan that the wearer belongs to.
Stubington, south of England
After Scotland we flew with the boys to England to celebrate the life of our beloved Heidi Swanson, who passed away in Canada in February 2022.
Her ashes were spread out into the ocean as per her request, to join her husband’s.
England was a special place for Heidi, this is where she spent many years during her career and raising the kids, Noel and Mitzi. She was a wonderful person and is surely missed. She always said she had a wonderful life. She lived to almost 93 and died in a senior home in Vernon, BC where our home is.
After this visit in England we returned to our home in Canada for a month or so while getting ready to return to Deltaville and Life P2.
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