Scottish Mortsafes
12. elokuuta 2022, Skotlanti ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
People often tag me with photos of mortsafes on social media wondering if I’ve ever heard of them or seen one in person.
Long story short, mortsafes are not common in the USA. Henry Ford’s graveLue lisää
Highland Hilltop Cemetery
11. elokuuta 2022, Skotlanti ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F
As we drove through farmlands near Inverness, Dawn made a brief stop at a little hilltop cemetery.
The stone fence caught my fancy. I also came across a headstone for a “Donald Cameron.” CameronLue lisää
A Very Special Day!
11. elokuuta 2022, Skotlanti ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
I met Dawn through my newsletter. Last fall, we exchanged emails about historic cemeteries. Today we met in person, and she took us for a unique whirlwind tour of the Scottish Highlands.
What aLue lisää
Arctic Terns
11. elokuuta 2022, Skotlanti ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
Whoo hoo! I finally got a decent photo of an Arctic Tern.
Ironically, it wasn’t taken while out birdwatching. There just happens to be a colony of them nesting right by the walkway at the Port ofLue lisää
Nairn Fishwife
11. elokuuta 2022, Skotlanti ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
Dawn gave us a tour through her hometown along the way, the pretty little seaside village of Nairn.
The statue you see in my photos is the Nairn Fishwife. Here’s what the plaque says about her:Lue lisää
11 Countries & Counting
8. elokuuta 2022, Islanti ⋅ 🌧 52 °F
I was curious how many places we’ve been on this trip, so I did a tally today. So far, we’ve visited 11 different countries and roughly 40 cities and villages.
Writing wise: In addition to thisLue lisää
Icelandic Menus
8. elokuuta 2022, Islanti ⋅ ⛅ 54 °F
I was surprised by a few items that are fairly common on Icelandic restaurant menus, specifically: puffin, whale, and horse!
Next time I visit, I definitely want to try some desserts withLue lisää
Sunny Day in Akureyri
5. elokuuta 2022, Islanti ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F
I never expected to feel hot and sweaty in Iceland, but thanks to steep hills and sunny weather, I wound up carrying my vest and sweater instead of wearing them. I was even tempted to stop into an iceLue lisää
Icelandic Names
5. elokuuta 2022, Islanti ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F
Icelandic names follow ancient traditions that are quite unique. Most native Icelanders still take their last name from their father's first name. (Some people will use their mother's name instead,Lue lisää
Museum of Everyday Life
4. elokuuta 2022, Islanti ⋅ ⛅ 54 °F
In the little Icelandic village of Isafjordur, we visited Hversdagssafn: Museum of Everyday Life.
I found it poetic and unique. One wall features a collection of shoes donated by locals. Beside eachLue lisää
MS Rotterdam
2. elokuuta 2022, Norja ⋅ 🌧 55 °F
Dang! This is a fancy ship. The food is phenomenal, too.
New Ship, New Room
31. heinäkuuta 2022, Alankomaat ⋅ 🌧 72 °F
When I opened the door to our new room for the first time, I was a little alarmed. It’s a tight squeeze to reach my side of the bed, and it’s an inside cabin, so there is no window.
It was aLue lisää
Understaffed Airport
31. heinäkuuta 2022, North Sea ⋅ 🌧 66 °F
We got to LHR 2 1/2 hours before our flight and needed every moment! Took us 1 1/2 hours just to check our bags. Security screening took 45 minutes. We then jogged for 15 minutes to make our gate justLue lisää
Nuclear Vinegar
30. heinäkuuta 2022, Englanti ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F
We had a brief but lovely stay with my stepdaughter near London. The weather was perfect for a walk to the River Thames, so that’s exactly what we did.
We stopped at a pub along the way andLue lisää
Stonehenge
29. heinäkuuta 2022, Englanti ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
Look what I found! Think I can keep it?
Achievement Unlocked:
29. heinäkuuta 2022, Englanti ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
After all the “faux henges” I’ve enjoyed in the USA, I finally made it to the real one!
Invergordon Cemetery
26. heinäkuuta 2022, Skotlanti ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F
A local man gave us directions to the local cemetery in Invergordon, which involved following a “brambly footpath” and crossing a “wee bridge.”
World’s First Parliament
22. heinäkuuta 2022, Islanti ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F
See how far away Larry’s standing? The acoustics are such that he could speak softly and I could hear him as if he were standing beside me!
Starting in the year 930, Vikings met here once a yearLue lisää
Tectonic Plates
22. heinäkuuta 2022, Islanti ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F
In addition to being the site of the world’s first parliament, two of earth’s tectonic plates meet in Tingvellir, the North American and the European.
This creates some dramatic scenery that ILue lisää
Icelandic Sheep
22. heinäkuuta 2022, Islanti ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F
With a bloodline dating back to the Viking era, Icelanders are understandably proud of their sheep. These animals graze freely in wild pastures from spring until fall, when farmers round them up andLue lisää
Icelandic Horses
22. heinäkuuta 2022, Islanti ⋅ 🌧 57 °F
Icelandic horses have many unique qualities. They are small, sturdy and gentle with people. They’ve adapted to Iceland’s rugged terrain, so they are very sure-footed.
Other horses have 4 gaits,Lue lisää
Fly pollination
22. heinäkuuta 2022, Islanti ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F
Today I learned that Garden Angelica is pollinated by flies.
And see that bee? He’s eating the flies!!!
Where’s Sir David Attenborough when you need him? (This is right by Gullfoss in Iceland.)
Gullfoss
22. heinäkuuta 2022, Islanti ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F
I thought Godafoss was big, but Gullfoss (golden waterfall) is even bigger!
Icelandic Word
22. heinäkuuta 2022, Islanti ⋅ ☁️ 54 °F
Ever wonder where the word “geyser” comes from? There’s a geyser called “geysir” here in Iceland that started it all!
Angry gods
22. heinäkuuta 2022, Islanti ⋅ 🌧 50 °F
Shortly after Icelanders converted to Christianity and tossed all their pagan statues into Godafoss, a volcano erupted, creating this lava field. They figured the gods were angry. That’s why it’sLue lisää
Whales!
21. heinäkuuta 2022, Islanti ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F
We keep seeing whales, but I haven’t gotten a decent shot, so here’s a cool rock formation, instead. (The whales were even leaping out of the water in some places!)




























































































