After visiting Montacute House, we visited Barrington Court Gardens. This is a moated 16th century mansion and is also built in an E style like Montacute.
We had a really nice day to visit these mansions...no wind and it was even sunny!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Somerset - Barrington Court Gardens
After visiting Montacute House, we visited Barrington Court Gardens. This is a moated 16th century mansion and is also built in an E style like Montacute.
We had a really nice day to visit these mansions...no wind and it was even sunny!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Somerset - Montacute House
A very narrow country road in Somerset. There were many like this. Hard to believe this is a two lane road!
We visited this beautiful Elizabethan house when we were visiting Paul and Claire in South Somerset.
The house is built in the shape of an 'E' which is supposed to be a very common feature with Elizabethan homes. Also common to many Elizabethan homes is the lack of hallways. Most rooms lead directly to other rooms.
Montacute House was built between 1588 and 1601.
When we were there there was a wedding on. A very nice venue for a wedding.
We enjoyed lunch in the garden and then headed off to see another stunning Estate at Barrington Court.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
North Berwick
The Old Parish Kirk church.
Spectacular views from North Berwick Law, a 187m high mound of volcanic rock.
We visited North Berwick at the weekend. North Berwick is 25 miles east of Edinburgh and is a nice little town with it's harbour being it's most prominent feature.
We had a very enjoyable time here. Went shopping, grabbed lunch at a Thai restaurant (I didnt think it was that great..my Pad Thai was pretty bland. I think they made their dishes as safe as possible for the elderly clientele. There were many elderly folk out and about on the day we were there).
Just about every meal on their menu came with 'a cup of tea'!
It was a very nice and reasonably taxing trek up to the top of the North Berwick Law but we were afforded with a great view.
Interestingly, we looked out to a nuclear power plant and it was glowing! Just a trick of the sun (hopefully).
Edinburgh Zoo
We visited the Edinburgh zoo at Corstorphine a few weeks ago. It wasnt as good as the Melbourne zoo as it didnt have as wide a range of animals and most of the animals they did have seemed very sedentary. Also, we tried to watch the penguin parade but there were too many people so we couldnt see anything.
Still it was a good day out just not as good as the Melbourne zoo.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Ceiledh
Stabbing of the haggis
Our friends Karl and Laura invited us to a Ceiledh evening at the Hilton in Haymarket.
We had a fantastic time.
We took our own alcoholic beverage as it costs £5.75 for a gin and tonic at the Hilton!
They taught us how to perform many dances including the Highland fling, the circassian circle, the highland barn dance and the gay gordons.
My favourite dance was The dashing white sergeant which was a very animated and lively dance.
Halfway through the dancing they bought out haggis and we had haggis, tates and neep (haggis, mashed potato and turnips). Very nice.
Monday, September 15, 2008
The Edinburgh Military Tattoo
NZ Marching band below!
We really enjoyed the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The musicians were amazing and the backdrop was stunning over the castle.
There was a great fireworks display at the end as well.
Was very haunting to hear the lone piper play from the top of the castle walls and very stirring to sing Auld Lang Syne with abour 5000 other people singing it at the same time.
Here is the program for the evening:
The Massed Pipes and Drums |
| The 1st Royal Tank Regiment |
The Golden Eagles Marching Band |
| Music, marching and percussion from South East Missouri State University |
Massed Highland Dancers |
| The Tattoo’s own Highland Spring Dance troupe join forces with dancers from the |
The Singapore Police Force Band With The Singapore Women's Police Pipes and Drums, Gurkha Pipes and Drums and Cultural Group |
This colourful Singaporean ensemble provides the essence of the country's culture and music |
The Lochiel Marching Drill Team |
| Precision movements of complex intricacy performed with an air of effortless ease |
The Indian Army Chief's Military Band |
Pulsating tunes and mesmerising performances from one of India's |
His Majesty The King's Guards Band and Drill Team of Norway |
| The finest display unit in the Norwegian Armed Forces |
Queen Victoria School, Dunblane |
A special exhibition of piping, drumming and dancing to mark |
The Bands of Her Majesty's Royal Marines |
A demonstration of the exceptional musical skills of the Bands of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Scotland, Plymouth and Portsmouth |
The Massed Military Bands |
| The Bands of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Scotland, Plymouth and Portsmouth Joined by: The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland |
The Massed Military Bands and |
| The stirring sounds of the combined bands Hielan' Laddie |
Finale |
| Featuring the 1,000-strong cast with the Guard of Honour and Castle Drawbridge sentries provided by His Majesty The King’s Guards of Norway Scots Wha Hae Lone Piper - The Centenary Toast |
March Out |
Scotland The Brave |
St Andrews - St Rules church
These shots were taken from the top of St Rules church tower. Fantastic view of this lovely wee town!
St Andrews - Cathedral
Spectacular ruins of St Andrews Cathedral. There is a great website that has the history behind this cathedral which I found interesting: St Andrews Cathedral
The great piper's scam: Immediately following the bagpipers was a lady who was collecting money for some charity..not sure which one, but was a bit of a rip off I thought.
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