Tag Archives: edinburgh

Bloggings, Family, Travel

Holyrood Park

Leave a comment

Lucas was up around 5:30, of course, on the day we don’t have to be up early. We got out of the house around 9:30 to take the bus to Holyrood Park. The park was beautiful. I couldn’t believe this park with rolling hills existed in the city. We first saw a very pretty pond with lots of birds. It was a good place to relax and take pictures.

We started walking and all went our separate ways. My parents went to look at the old chapel. Lucas, Don, and I walked up a big hill to see a view of the city. It was a beautiful walk. The weather today is also perfect. Lucas had a blast. I think he is ready for hiking!

We met back up and decided to walk out of the park to have lunch. My sister had found a place called Loudons, which is one of the places I had researched beforehand. Loudons was good. It was pretty much a brunch spot. We got some breakfast around 2 pm and some coffee, beers, and desserts. Afterwards we did some shopping. We saw a church and a cemetery. Lucas is starting to understand death and he asked a lot about old papa. He knows now that old papa died. It was sad but he said whenever we are in a cemetery we should remember old papa. The things he says sometimes get me. For 4 years old, he can be insightful and thoughtful. It was kind of sad, I think this trip he realized cemeteries are not “military bases”, as he used to call them because he remembers old papa’s funeral.

Kelsey and Jared decided to go back earlier than us. We stopped by the Museum of Edinburgh. It was a small, free museum. It was nice but Lucas was getting tired, and it was a little too much reading for me at the time. Don found the way back to the bus, which involved going up this big staircase. It looked daunting at first, but it turned out to be pretty cool. We sat on the top deck of the bus and Lucas really enjoyed that. When we got back, we once again went to the grocery store to get a few more snacks. Kelsey and Jared were able to go out to dinner by themselves. We made some pizzas. After dinner I did some packing, had some beer, and talked to mom and dad. Once Kelsey and Jared got back, I stayed up to talk to Kelsey for a while. Luckily, she is feeling better. I think we figured out she is suffering from “weaning flu”. I didn’t even know that existed. Tomorrow, we have to check out of this Airbnb and make our way up to the highlands. I am a little nervous about the driving

Bloggings, Family, Travel

Edinburgh Castle and The Royal Mile

Leave a comment

We woke up at 7 to get ready for the Edinburgh Castle. After having some breakfast at the house, we took the bus downtown. Kelsey was not feeling well again. It’s weird, we have really been wondering what is going on with her. I hope she feels better soon. The day started out rainy and foggy. We checked into the castle around 10 and I was reminded that I had booked a guided 30-minute tour, so that was cool.

Since the castle was high above the city, the views surrounding it were very cool. We looked around the castle after the tour, and even tried a small amount of scotch. If you asked Lucas, he would tell you the best part of the castle was when he learned they used to throw boiling urine on enemies. He did not love the apothecary though, because he was convinced, he was going to give him a shot and told us “We have to leave he is going to poke us!!”

After the castle we walked the Royal Mile. One of the first things we saw was a couple guys with owls sitting on them. Lucas was able to hold the little one on his arm and that was pretty cool. Kelsey was starting to feel better so that was good. Don found a lunch place called Burgers and Beers Grillhouse. We were hungry so the beers and burgers hit the spot. We had our first taste of haggis here. It was an appetizer called Haggis Fritters. They were ok.

After lunch we walked around more. We did a little shopping. Lucas was entertained by street performers, although he was also nervous about the tricks they performed, like the one guy trying to swallow a knife. We ended up near an art museum with some green space that Lucas ran around in.

We took the bus back to the house around 3. Don was tired so he took a nap. Lucas wanted to go to the grocery store because he wanted a little toy that comes in those coin machines. My parents, Lucas, and I walked there. We picked up some stuff for dinner and brought it back. Then we checked out a nature trail near the house. It was very pretty. We ended up near a war cemetery. It was getting time for dinner so we went back to the house. Don and my dad went out to a pub for dinner, while the rest of us stayed in. I think that was a cool experience for them.

Bloggings, Family, Travel

Cassie & Jon’s Wedding

Leave a comment

I was worried coming here was a terrible mistake but luckily everyone got sleep and Kelsey is feeling better! We got ready really quick to go downtown. We took the bus the wrong way at first. We finally got downtown around 11:45. We found the restaurant The Standing Order. It was a cool looking restaurant because it used to be a bank. We quickly ordered and ate. Most of us got traditional breakfasts. After eating, Don and I had to take an Uber back to the house to get ready for Cassie and Jon’s wedding. I was happy that the rest of the family stayed downtown to explore.

The wedding was beautiful. It was at Dundas Castle in Queensferry. The weather was awesome, sunny and warm. It was fun seeing Kara and Evan. We drank a little much and stayed out late. I can’t believe the sun doesn’t set until around 10:30 pm here! We went to a pub on our way back to the house. The pub was a place someone told Don about yesterday while he was walking with Lucas. I think they called it The Digger because it was near a cemetery.

I’m glad it seems like everyone had a good time while exploring downtown Edinburgh!

Bloggings, Family, Travel

First Full Day—Driving On The Left Is Crazy

Leave a comment

We got off our overnight flight around 9 am and it was off to get the rental cars. I booked with Arnold Clark which I sort of remembered it being separate from the other car rental places. After walking to the car rental place and having a brief mental panic we were shown the shuttle to Arnold Clark and it was very nearby.

It took awhile to get set up with the cars but everyone at Arnold Clark was very nice. We had a large BMW sedan and Kelsey and Jared had a Nissan SUV. It was a bit of a struggle to get all the bags in the car so luckily we had 2 cars. We were all pretty tired and cranky. Kelsey felt nauseous and sick. I drove to our Airbnb, which is on the outskirts of Edinburgh. The driving was absolutely crazy. I can’t believe we made it to the house actually. Driving on the left and being on the opposite side of the car feels so wrong and different. Marie met us outside her house and had us back into her driveway. She was very nice and showed us around the house. The house is cute. Lucas told her “in Chicago we drive on the right side.”

Today was rough. We ordered Papa John’s. Kelsey was feeling pretty sick all day and none of us could really sleep so we decided to walk to the grocery store for some snacks and breakfast foods. After getting groceries we went to nap. Don and Lucas napped some, but no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t. I decided to cancel our dinner reservation but then we had no food for dinner, so we ended up going back to the grocery store and got some ready meals that had to be heated. We got lasagna and Shepard pie. It was ok. I decided I needed to go to sleep around 7. Don and Lucas went for a walk because he was quite energetic. I just laid in bed trying to sleep. I felt wired and anxious. My mind was all over the place: was this a huge mistake? Is everyone going to have a terrible time? How are we going to drive here? Is Kelsey going to feel better? After how long without sleep does your body just stop working?

Lucas and Don got back from the walk around 8:30. They had a great time exploring. They found a playground and talked to locals. They ended up on a really high bridge. It was fun to hear about their outing. I finally got to sleep around 9. I woke up later thinking it was almost morning, but it was only 12:45 am!! And Lucas was wide awake!! I was starting to lose it a little bit. When will I be able to sleep again?! Don took Lucas into our bed and I went over to Lucas’s bed. Finally we all fell back asleep and we slept until 9!

Bloggings, Family, Travel

Leaving for Edinburgh

Leave a comment

The Scotland trip is actually here! After over a year of planning, I can’t believe it. Kelsey, Jared, and Adeline left San Antonio early this morning for their flight to Chicago. They said lines were long at the airport and they got to their gate as the plane was boarding! This of course stressed me out a ton because all I could think about were their bags haha. If their bags had been stuck in San Antonio it would have been complicated to get them, especially since the Chicago flight was not connected to the Edinburgh flight.

Luckily, they landed here around 9:30 am safely and with their bags. Then they went to visit one of Kelsey’s friends, Jen, to wait for our evening flight to Edinburgh.

Lucas went to school this morning so Don and I could finish up any last minute packing. My parents arrived at our house around noon. We hung out for a bit then we left for O’Hare around 2:30. We all drove together in my parent’s car. It was a little bit of a struggle getting all the luggage in, so that made me a bit worried for the car and luggage situation in Edinburgh.

Actually getting into the airport and through security seemed like it took forever. Finally, we all met up in the United terminal and got some food. We ate in the food court at Billy Goat Tavern. While I was waiting in line for the food a woman’s laptop fell out of her hands and the corner of it landed right on my left pinky toe. I couldn’t believe it, who has their laptop out while in a food line?! It hurt so bad and still hurts.

On the plane they gave us some Gardetto’s like chips and Lucas liked the rye chips. He said “these are the best chips I’ve ever had in my whole life”. He slept a lot on the flight. At times he would wake up in frustration of being hot and uncomfortable. I think I maybe slept 20 minutes total on the flight. Overall though, Lucas and Adeline had a good flight. The kid behind us puked a couple of times which was concerning, was he sick or motion sick? While landing, Lucas looked out the window and said “where’s all the castles?”