Iona

Sadly, we had to leave the castle.  It was one of the quietest and most peaceful places I can remember.  I could have stayed and watched the water for days.  Our next stop was Iona and it was another trek.  As we were going, we saw these:

They are Scottish Highland cows.  Aren't they just the cutest cows you have ever seen? 

This is the Island of Iona.  It was another beautiful day and the water was so blue.  It made you want to just jump right in.  Probably not a good idea as it was also icy cold. 

We ferried over and started walking toward the nunnery. The nunnery is in ruins now, and has been restored as much as possible.  

It was a short walk to the graveyard and the monastery.  The first monastery was founded by St. Columba in 563 a.d.  The Vikings burned it to the ground and a new stone monastery was built a little to the south.  The Vikings came back several times to raid and damaged that monastery.  The surviving relics were moved to Dunkeld and Kells.  It was virtually abandoned until 1200 a.d when a Benedictine Monastery was built on the site.  It was abandoned again during The Reformation.  The 8th Duke of Argyll started a project to preserve  the abbey ruins in 1874.  Restoration of the grounds began in 1902 and, as you can see, they are still working on it today.

The stone path in the front leads to the graveyard.  At least 48 Scottish kings have been buried here.  The surviving grave monuments have been moved to the abbey museum and are being restored.  This is a replica of St. John's Cross.  The original fragments are inside the museum.

I could have spent a lot more time here too, but once again, we had a ferry to catch (actually two ferries) and it would have been bad to get stranded.  Off to Oban!

Glengorm Castle

Another travel day in Scotland.  We drove from the Isle of Skye to the Island of Mull.  It involved another long ferry road, but this time I knew what to expect and went to sleep.  We took a much bigger ferry to Mull. 

We arrived in the charming town of Tobermory.  The houses are painted very similar to the houses in Portree. 

The best thing about the Island of Mull was the castle.  We slept in a castle.  It was sooooo cool.  The castle was built in 1860 by James Forsyth.  He was known for his part in "The Clearances".  As a friend of the king, he was given the property.  He chased all the tenants off the land and burned their cottages.  Apparently, someone cursed him on the way out, and he died in 1863 before the castle was finished so he never got to live there.   This is the castle.

Hmmm,  I cut the turret off.  I think that's better than having the picture crooked though.  The castle was beautiful inside.  We sat in the drawing room (I think) for a while and looked out over the fields and ocean.  Our bedroom was huge, the bed was comfy, and the bathroom had the most magnificant tub and I had a lovely bath.  This is what we saw when we sat in bed.

I think I could get used to this.

Christmas Baking

It's time.  The beginnings of my Christmas goodie bags.   We have flour, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, nuts, butter, salt, chocolate chips, baking soda, and amaretti.

 

It almost looks like Chocolate Chippers, except for the amaretti.  Well, I have to confess.  The amaretti are for the cook to nibble on.  Here they are, all put together and baked.

So far, I've finished the Lemon Bread, Pound Cakes, and Gingersnaps.  I wonder what else I might be making this year? 

Turkey Tracks

I am sooo excited.  I am going to the Houston International Quilt Festival tomorrow!  I was done packing by 8:00 a.m. this morning.  I've only had to add shoes.  Who forgets to pack their shoes???  I did remember to pack my camera so I should have pictures.  I even packed the manual for the camera, you know, just in case there's an issue or two. 

My friend Betty from New Jersey is going with me.  I can't wait to see my friend Diane.  I only get to see her once a year.  I have a great story about how we met, but that's for another post.  I'm also going to see my Aunt Elaine and Uncle John.  She quilts too and I don't get to see them very often either.  We're also going to meet up with Nancy.  She used to live in New Jersey too and was a member of our quilt guild.  It is going to be so much fun.  

Oh yeah, I finished my block of the month.  This one is called  Turkey Tracks. 

A bit tricky with the stripes, but as long as you pay attention it works out.  The colors look a lot better in person, so I think my skill with the camera is lacking.  Back on Sunday, but I probably won't post anything til Monday or so. 

Also Happy Birthday Beth!  Actually, it's tomorrow, but I won't be here.  That's Josh's fiance for those of you that don't know.  Josh, of course, is my son although I can't imagine anyone reading this blog doesn't know that.

Isle of Skye

Our fourth day in Scotland was on the Isle of Skye.  We stayed in the very charming village of Portree.  That's me, looking at the water.

 Skye is very sparsely populated and most of the day was spent driving around and looking at the mountains.   I didn't take a lot of pictures.  But I did take a picture of this:

 Scottish thistles are wicked, I was truly impressed by them.  They are even more stickery and spiny than the Canadian thistles I grew up with.  They are the official flower of Scotland.  Legend has it that Vikings invaded Scotland on a regular basis (I think that part is actually true).  One day, in the fort while waiting to be invaded, the lookouts got sleepy and nodded off.  The Vikings landed and were creeping up to the fort, but someone stepped in a patch of thistles and yelled.  This woke everyone in the fort up, and they were able to beat back the Vikings.

Doesn't the weather look beautiful.  I had expected it to be chilly and rainy most of the time.  We were so lucky and had sunshine for most of the trip.