Many little villages had a shop named for their beautiful thistle. This one was a favorite of mine — we met the twin of Duncan in Monarch of the Glen. He had the same cute personality and twinkle, just not the haircut! Ballater, Royal Deeside, Scotland.
That is, if it was a clear day and you could see slightly over the curve of the earth from the East coast of Scotland. See more of our explorations of the Eastern part of the Scots Highlands …
Inside the crypt (looking out) below the main floor of Rosslyn Chapel. A holy place.
From our large expanse of windows, we can see out the back of the hotel to the sea. The sun shines for us in Edinburgh, and we meet a taxi driver whose favorite movie is the John Wayne version of “The Alamo”. He knows key dates in Texas history! I am astounded and tip him largely.
the poppies blow, between the crosses row on row.
And in the old moat of the Tower of London, a mass of ceramic poppies is chokingly beautiful. Haunting. It was good to be in the UK during their Armistices Day celebrations. The entire country was sporting red poppies — in wreaths, on lapels, train station decor, and more.
