Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Isle of Arran, Archeology field trip, Falkirk Wheel, and everything in between...

I managed not to charge my camera before the Isle of Arran trip and managed to lose it after...None of these pictures are mine (thankfully I have friends with cameras!), but my camera is back with me now and charged!! 

My second trip to the Isle of Arran was lots of fun! I went with Shannon, Megan, and Alice this time. We stayed in a very nice hostel in Lochranza which is at the northern tip of the Isle. We quickly learned how to use the bus system as our only means of transport other than walking...which we did a lot of. But, we did learn the bus will pick you up anywhere on the road, not just at a stop, which came in handy! We got there on Friday and checked into the hostel and explored a little around Lochranza then headed back to Brodick to get groceries. On the way back there were about 20 boy scouts from Glasgow on the bus which we found out later we staying at the same hostel as us...

Gumby rides the CalMac! (Credit: Shannon Boardway)
The small town of Lochranza (Credit: Alice Aplin)
Lochranza Castle (Credit: Shannon Boardway)
 On Saturday we went to Whiting Bay on the south east point of the Isle to hike up to Glenashdale Falls. Our bus driver told us to look at the falls for 30 seconds then look away. I did, and the landscape looked like it was moving when you looked away! The falls were really pretty and the hike was nice. Afterwards, we headed back to Lochranza where Alice and I took another walk in the wind and pouring rain. It was wet but still fun. We headed back to Glasgow that night. The ferry back was incredibly windy and we could all feel the huge boat rocking back and forth. When we reached the other side it was "amber alert" weather! 

A hearty meal after walking miles because we missed the bus! (Credit: Alice Aplin)
Hiking! (Credit: Shannon Boardway)
At the waterfall (Credit: Shannon Boardway)
Glenashdale Falls (Credit: Shannon Boardway)
The sunset on the ferry back (Credit: Alice Aplin)
For Halloween I dressed up as a birthday present and went to a party at one of the student union’s on campus. There were a lot of people dressed up! The rest of the weekend I spent sleeping and working on a Philosophy essay that was due Monday (Nov. 4th). I don’t think I will be taking a Philosophy class ever again...

I went to another Cheese Society event on Monday that was joined with the Geography Society, meaning cheese of the world! I could eat cheese all day. The ‘American’ cheese was Kraft singles, not a great representation. Tuesday was Guy Fawkes day so I watched fireworks from the highest point on campus, it overlooks part of the city. I had been hearing fireworks for at least 3 days leading up to Guy Fawkes, they continued a few days after as well. I spent the rest of the week working on my senior design project for DU! 
Campus at night! (Credit: Shannon Boardway)
This past Saturday I went on my second Archeology field trip. We went to Linlithgow Palace, the Antonine Wall, and the Glasgow Cathedral. This field trip focused on late medieval and Roman history. On the drive to the Wall I saw the Kelpies! Since I don't have any pictures of them you can read more here: http://www.thehelix.co.uk/discover-helix/the-kelpies/

The Antonine Wall was very close to the Falkirk wheel, an engineering sight! It is the only rotating boat lift in the world. Before the wheel was built in 2002 to reconnect the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal, locks were in place, but only until the 1930's. Although I did not get to see the wheel moving the walk to the Wall was really close to the wheel, so I got to see it up close. It is also on the cover of a textbook I have back home! Here is a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucg1O-5jsnM
Linlithgow Palace (Credit: Shannon Boardway)
Linlithgow Palace (Credit: Shannon Boardway)

Linlithgow Palace (Credit: Shannon Boardway)
Antonine Wall....or dog park?? (Credit: Sam Molnar)



Falkirk Wheel! (Credit: Sam Molnar)

Falkirk Wheel! (Credit: Sam Molnar)
Roman acorns? (Credit: Sam Molnar)
Inside Glasgow Cathedral (Credit: Sam Molnar)
 Also, while we were in the Cathedral there was a wedding starting. We were able to see lots of kilts as the guests walked in. In front of the bride walking in were 2 boys about 3 or 4 wearing kilts!

Next, I am headed to Dublin this weekend for 4 days!

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