Time for a new adventure!

While we haven't just been sitting around at home since the last trip, we've stayed pretty close to home - just going to Monterey and Big Sur a few times. We love it there and the weather in February was just beautiful, clear and sunny. BUT - it's time for another big trip. (Drum roll, please!) Four weeks from now, we will be arriving in Amsterdam to begin a weeklong Rhine River cruise through Germany and France, ending in Switzerland. Then we'll be spending two weeks touring in Germany after the cruise, a fair part of the time in Bavaria. Mike is looking forward to having a good apfelstrudel again. The last time we were in Germany, we were on a Danube River cruise from Budapest to Passau in 2009. River cruises are great, by the way.

So I haven't even finished editing all the video from our last trip to Ireland and Scotland, and here we are - about to take off again! Making lists of things to take, things to remember to do before we leave, figuring out what to pack - it's all part of the fun as far as I'm concerned. I've even been listening to German language CD's since I hardly remember any of the German I learned in high school. Want to hear somthing funny? One of the phrases I remember is "have no fear", so unless I'm going to turn into some kind of superhero on this trip, I can't imagine needing that phrase! Better to practice "I speak very little German" instead. :)

Suntanning in Scotland

While we were in Ayr, there was some sort of heat wave going on. We had gone from colder than average temperatures in Ireland where we were freezing all the time, to hotter than normal temps in Scotland that had me yearning for a pair of sandals and shorts! Ayr has a nice beach with an esplanade, so there were a lot of people enjoying the sun and water. I have to say that I have never seen (and I live in California) a larger group of sunburnt people in my life. Every conceivable shade of red was represented, though most were of the lobster-red hue.

Hawk Walk 2

Harris Hawks/Burren Birds of Prey Center-Ireland

"Coos in the road" video

Scotland: our favorites

Favorite Castle (renovated): Sandy- Culzean, Mike- Stirling. (architecture, history). Favorite Castle(ruin): Kilchurn (atmosphere, isolation). Favorite abbey: Melrose (beautiful colors and carvings). Favorite activity: climbing towers, especially in castle ruins. Favorite food: Mike fell in love with the cookies/biscuits. Favorite accommodation: Annfield House, Callander (beautiful room, home, garden). Favorite breakfast: Annfield House, Callander (huge variety of fresh fruits, beautifully displayed). Favorite hike: Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh.(unbelievable views). Most accomodating B&B host: Liz at Burnside Guesthouse, Ayr (above and beyond our expectations).

Ireland: our favorites

Favorite accommodation (room): Greenmount House, Dingle (great view, bed). Favorite breakfast: Newlands Lodge, Kilkenny. (amazing eggs). Favorite rental car: Renault Fluence (car in Scotland was a piece of cr*p). Favorite historical site: Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin (compelling tour). Favorite beef and Guinness stew: The Coachman's, Kenmare (Yum!). Favorite activity: Hawk Walk at Burren Birds of Prey Center (absolutely awesome!). Favorite hike: Spinc trail, Glendalough (strenuous, but the view was worth it). Favorite food: smoked Gubbeen cheese and soda bread (seriously, I could live on this stuff). Favorite scenery: impossible to choose (not kidding). Favorite ruins: Kells Priory,Kells (all alone, climbing around ruins). Favorite encounter with a local: our conversation with the man in Kells who gave us directions (great, funny conversation).