End Of The Road

Edinburgh, Scotland - One last look before heading to the bus that will take me to London to catch my flight home. Home. Sounds sweet right now. Back to blue skies and sunshine and a deck with a cat on my lap and a book in my hand. A refreshment perhaps. Then... who knows. The road that I've been on ends here and there isn't a plan beyond this point. So... onward I must go. Come what way. Eye on the step before me. Eli Camino.

Watching The Worlds

World Highland Dancing Championship, Dunoon, Scotland Aug 26/17 - The top dancers from around the world have gathered to see who is in their best form today. Emerald's teacher (in red) from Canada is one of the 20 finalists in the adult group. It's a tough competition. They all look exceptional to me. In the end, there's a tie, and the reigning champ (from Canada) is defeated by a margin in points by a young woman from Scotland. The locals are pleased! It's quite touching to be a witness. This was our day.

Cowal Ceilidh

Cowal Highland Gathering, Dunoon, Scotland Aug 25/17 - We're out after a rigorous day of highland dancing... And enthusiastic spectating. Time now to chill and enjoy the hum and drum of the Celtic sound. Complete with fiddle, whistle, and bagpipe. The band has geared it up and the tent has filled with locals out for a night of fun. Ready to raise "heel and toe" in the ceilidh. We've joined them for a wee bit before heading back to our cozy cottage, and placing our feet in the reclined position - heels down, toes up. 

On Firth For Fling

The Cowal Peninsula, Scotland - On a wee trip via taxi, bus, train, bus, and ferry to cross the firth (aka "bay"). On our way to the Cowal Highland Gathering and World Highland Dancing Championship where Emerald will be dancing. A rest day first. Time to relax before the big dance day with fling, reel, seann triubhas (Gaelic for "old trousers) and sword dance. The bagpiped songs on repeat for the 64, 12 year old competitors. Not to mention other age groups. So taking today to enjoy the view of the great hills all around. The Cowal Way is out there calling for walkers like myself. Sadly it will have to wait for another time.

Highland Photo Shoot

Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh, Scotland - Had a fun afternoon climbing to this high spot overlooking Edinburgh Castle and the stadium where we would sit later in the evening for the Royal Military Tattoo. It was a good spot for Emerald to dress up in kilt and tutu to do a few poses for the camera. Afterward we would enjoy "high tea" in Palm Court at the Balmoral and a ride on the giant Edinburgh Festival Wheel. A day full of high points, not least of all the mass gathering of pipers, dancers and marching bands to close the day.

Great Scott!

The Scott Monument, Edinburgh, Scotland -  The first order of business upon arrival was to join my niece, Emerald, in climbing this 287 step, 4 level tower. See that area right around the point? We were there. It was like climbing out through the hole of a sea shell. A fitting entry into the highlands. I love heights! All around the city I see hills. Tomorrow we climb up upon Arthur's Seat. Sounds like a good place to be.

Completing The Circuit

York Racecourse, Yorkshire, UK - Came full circle today, not a horse in sight. Mostly just dog walkers making use of this 2 mile track. It's massive. I can imagine how exciting it gets here on race days. I'm feeling a little less excited about coming to the finish line of my own race, a.k.a. Camino. Stories continue and so will mine. Off to Scotland in the morning for a wee week with my wee sister and wee niece... And then...?

Evensong

York Minster, Yorkshire, UK Aug 19/17 - What better way to experience a massive old cathedral, with a sordid history, than to sit in its inner chapel and hear the songs of evening prayer. Voices echoing in the vaulted ceiling. Organ with its stops pulled and pipes full of a sound that can only be truly appreciated in a grand space like this. It's hard not to look up and all around and take in all the workmanship of the building, 240 years in the making... And more recently 300 years in an ongoing process of restoring.