Next stop–Rothenburg ob der Tauber,  five trains northwest of Munich.  This midieval walled fortress town on the bluffs above the river valleys has been practicing Christmas for about 750 years, and they’ve just about got it down.  What a beautiful place.  Was saved from destruction during WWII.  We worshiped the fourth Sunday of Advent in the…

I finally made it to the Big Room!     That’s right–the locker/lounge of the R&A (that’s the Royal & Ancient Golf Club for you duffers).  Of course we had to wait until St Andrews Day to get in, because that’s the only day of the year when non-members like us can walk in.  Yup, here we…

 St Andrews starts the Advent season by turning on the lights over Market Street.

 … it’s the Scottish folk dance;   and our resident expert on culture (and everything else), Jake tells us it’s also the most aerobic activity after football.  So, we are staying warm this winter, going to a Ceiladh every week.  First was Jake’s school event (see photos) then was a St Andrews Day celbration at…

New friends    helped us give thanks, and for that we are thankful too.  Linda roasted turkey and made her (now world-famous, literally!) butternut squash soup,cornbread and British-apple stuffing, and more.  New friends from university and church brought the rest of the feast (including pumpkin pie, chocloate cake, Scottish wedding cake, and much more) and…

  We were graced with a delightful visit by loved ones from Seattle–Scott & Pattei Hardman, whom the sunshine seems to follow wherever they travel.  They showered us with gifts, toured the ancient cathedral, Old Course, the Roundel and St Mary’s College, and filled our home with the warmth of their laughter and grace.  We are so thankful for their visit, and…

…bright spots on a gray day… We finally got wheels–the kind of car Scots appreciate: thrifty, sturdy, reliable and fun to drive both through winding glens and over the M90 tarmac (see photo album to find out).  So off we went for our first road trip and drove from our eastcoast home to the other…

Jake is having a great time in the sand during our trip to Malaga, Spain.

We had a great little holiday in a great big city.  Highlights: night-time walking tour of the theatre district and pubs thereof; daylight walking tour of Whitehall, Westminster, St James park, Pall Mall, Buckingham and more; Churchill war rooms & museum under parliament; riding the “eye.”        

Does there yet linger in these streets the remnants of inspiration that moved the quill of the bard himself?  I can only hope to imbibe some wee bit of that gift, as I boldly step into the further pursuits of academic writing.  We enjoyed a beautiful day of touring Shakespeare’s home town, which has been a…