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 May 29, 2025   Goodbye Europe! Time to go home. Our last day in Europe was met with mixed feelings from all of us. It's the kind of experience that at the same time felt long and over too quickly. It's similar to the "post Christmas blues". You look forward to something for a long time, put in the work to make it happen, the event goes quickly, and you feel a little depressed when it's all done. Rod and I recognize the blessing of time with our children, those still at home, those already on their own, and those somewhere in-between.  Looking back on the trip as a whole, it was everything we hoped for. There were no medical emergencies. The was no lost luggage. There were no delayed or canceled flights. There were no car accidents or breakdowns of any kind. All the goals we had at the beginning of the trip were fulfilled. 1. Get a break from the responsibilities of life back home. 2. See stuff you can't see in America. 3. Strengthen family bonds through new e...
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 May 28, 2025   Final walk around Stirling, Scotland before heading home. Here is the link for the Scotland House/condo (click on me) Stirling was the perfect location for exploring lower Scotland. Our time here had come to a close and although I wanted to go home, a part of me wanted to stay longer.  Stirling sits around 56 degrees N on the globe. That's the same as the southern edge of Hudson Bay in North America. This picture out our bedroom window is time stamped 4:37 a.m! This is the same view out the bedroom window time stamped 6:13 a.m. Old downtown Stirling where we walked frequently. Janna's Bakery on the left side of the photo where I was introduced to fruit scones with jam and clotted cream! A church we passed frequently on our way to buy Yum Yums (a glazed donut of sorts). Not sure what this was originally, but now it is a city building. Another church. Residential architecture from the Victorian period. We are carrying the last of our souvenirs and pastr...
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 May 27, 2025   Doune Castle and Dunblane Cathedral  Doune Castle and Dunblane Cathedral were two big destinations today that were only a short drive from Stirling. Let's start with Doune Castle. What do  Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Outlander have in common? They were both filmed, at least some portions, at Doune Castle. We weren't aware of this fact before we arrived, but it was a little bonus to our adventure.  Approaching Doune Castle. The courtyard (or bailey) of the castle looking one direction. Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany had plans to add to this wall, hence the windows, but died before his project was complete. The bailey of the castle looking the other direction. Let's go inside starting with the kitchen.  The kitchen with arched pass through windows on the left where food would be taken upstairs to the Great Hall. Clare and Paul standing in the enormous oven! We went up these stairs and they felt like one way stairs to me! So narr...
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