Our Vacation Photos

Sophie B. Hawkins - California Here I Come

2011-02-17T15:24:00.000-08:00

Not goin' to Cali anytime soon.. but this song takes me back....

PROTECT YOUR BLOG!

2011-01-26T11:30:00.000-08:00

My friend, Pedro of Pedro's Island, has a banner on his blog that is of interest to all of us bloggers here on the blogosphere. I didn't read through the entire policy and will get to that shortly, but this website offers a 'free' copyright on your blog. Click HERE to read more about their offer and you can register with them directly on their site.... You can register more than one blog with the same email address.

Gail's bakery/coffeeshouse...

2011-01-24T16:54:00.000-08:00

One of my FAV things about London is GAIL'S!!!!

Cute, clean and modern interior with a rustic feel to it...

The BEST and prettiest cappucino's in town... YUM!!!!!!! It's ART cafe.

And, if I DO say so myself, the combination of cappuccino and layered carrot cake is TO DIE FOR!!!

The University of Glasgow

2010-12-09T11:46:00.000-08:00

A very beautiful campus.

Am I in Sydney?!?

2010-11-08T02:05:00.000-08:00

No, it's still Glasgow...But, Glasgow seems to have it's very own Sydney Opera House! Or, something like it! Hahaha! I take the one in Sydney, any day!!!

All around Glasgow in a day!

2010-11-08T02:02:00.000-08:00

It started off as a beautiful day.... just a few clouds in the sky! YAAAAYYYY!!!

We took the Hop on Hop off bus for the day as we only had a full day to see the city and today was IT!! There's sooo much to see from the bus and it covers ALL the main 'touristic' spots to give you a good feel of the city and what it has to offer. Glasgow is HUGE and you definitely could spend more than just a day and a half- I'd recommend at least 3 days....

Our first day in Glasgow...

2010-11-08T01:59:00.000-08:00

Strolling around the neighbourhood. It's a lovely neighbourhood- clean, quiet and filled with lovely restaurants and cafes! My type of neighbourhood! Plus, the BEST Indian restaurant I've EVER been to... and I've been to a LOT! This one had was only side dishes and was VERY inexpensive.... Lindsey and I enjoyed this immensely!

YUM!!!

As day turned to night, we saw a beautiful view of the museum all lit up... It was very beautiful!

It almost looked like a palace or a castle!

The Alamo Guest House in Glasgow, Scotland

2010-11-08T01:56:00.000-08:00

The Alamo Guest House

It my first recommendation for a place to stay if you go to Glasgow.... It's quite lovely and charming... And Steve is delightful, friendly and very helpful! He even packed us a 'to go' breakfast because we had to leave at 7 a.m. to catch an early flight out- and it was before breakfast was served... So, he left us a little package of breakfast goodies to take with us to the airport-- SOOOO sweet and thoughtful!

Thanks Steve! We REALLY enjoyed our stay at your lovely B&B and hope to make it back one day!

Just tell Steve that Leesa sent you!

Hello Glasgow!

2010-11-08T01:51:00.000-08:00

Our SUPER cute room at the very charming B&B (The Alamo House) run by Steve.

The breakfast room overlooking the museum and the green... Also, right next to the park and the University of Glascow is only about 10 minutes away. A very lovely area to stay in during your next visit to Glasgow....

The breakfast was fantastic- all you can eat and included in the price of the room! WOW! Steve did a FABULOUS job making everything look scrumptious!

Here's another view of the breakfast room and Lobby/hallway. Very classy and homey!

Good bye to Edinburgh....

2010-11-08T01:46:00.000-08:00

I started to notice that fall was beginning to show here in Edinburgh.... It starts earlier here than France because it's MUCH colder here! We're talking - FALL in early September whereas Fall starts showing in France in early October... In any case, it's lovely!

Some of the shops, bars, and restos along Grassmarket St. - I really liked this quaint little area!

It was really nice with the castle view in the background...

The town of North Berwick

2010-11-07T14:54:00.000-08:00

Final shots around the town......

More of the lovely seaside

2010-11-07T14:51:00.000-08:00

Me and Linds strike a pose!

After all, isn't that what Scotland's really famous for?

North Berwick... A stroll along the seaside!

2010-11-07T06:15:00.000-08:00

This town is called North Berwick (pronounced - "Berrick") and it was recommended by several people who worked at our hostel.
They described it as a lovely seaside town... We took a public bus from just outside the train station- for about 5 pounds 20 r/t. The trip was about 1 hour 20 minutes each way. It was a nice day trip and definitely worth the trip down there as we got to see many things along the way... towns and scenery. We couldn't have asked for more perfect weather, too!

What a LOVELY little town this is!

North Berwick

2010-11-07T06:10:00.000-08:00

and the loviest restaurant... We had lunch is this quaint cafe - The Orangery Cafe. We found it by chance... A woman on the street directed us to the restroom and said that it was in fact a lovely place to have lunch! Ahhh... two things we were in search of!

This place didN't disappoint!

The exterior of the cafe was just as cute as the inside...

Around Grass Market Street...

2010-11-04T01:54:00.000-07:00

Back to Budget Backpackers,,,,

2010-11-04T01:42:00.000-07:00

Good coffe in Edinburgh

2010-11-04T01:29:00.000-07:00

At the Hula Hut... they have really good smoothies and bagels, too@

Back in Edinburgh...

2010-11-04T01:27:00.000-07:00

And chocoalte soup for breakfast! No, just hot chocolate in a bowl at the coffee shop, Chocolate Soup! They have about 20 types of hot chocolate.... YUM!!!!

Cats hidden in the garden!

2010-10-29T13:45:00.000-07:00

Except us.. We're NOT so hidden!!

Northern Ireland.... Belfast

2010-10-29T13:41:00.000-07:00

More doors, brass knockers and...

2010-10-29T13:27:00.000-07:00

Foot scrapers!

Doors

2010-10-29T13:25:00.000-07:00

Our 'Walking Tour' around Dublin

2010-10-29T13:24:00.001-07:00

Taking a walk with Jess and Nicole before leaving Dublin.. Had a really great morning strolling around town!

St. Stephen's Green

2010-10-29T13:15:00.000-07:00

A very beautiful park.

Molly Malone- the taht with a caht!

2010-10-29T13:13:00.000-07:00

Around Dublic- classic

2010-10-29T13:11:00.000-07:00

Around Dublin - artistic

2010-10-29T13:10:00.000-07:00

Guinness Girls!

2010-10-29T13:05:00.000-07:00

LOVE Guinness--- WHY?!! Because Guinness is GOOD 4 U!!!

The Queen of Tarts, Dublin

2010-10-29T13:02:00.000-07:00

This is, hands down... my FAV breakfast spot in Dublin! Best homemade scones EVER!!

The 'Bar Scene' in Dublin, Ireland

2010-10-29T12:58:00.000-07:00

We stayed in the Temple Bar area. It's VERY central and has a great 'vibe.'

The Hill of Tara

2010-10-29T12:55:00.000-07:00

Bring SEXY back.. Whooo hooo!!!

2010-10-03T12:50:00.000-07:00

If you put your foot on the stone and it calls out to you, you have Celtic in you...

Here we come....

2010-10-03T12:44:00.000-07:00

Walkin' down the Hill, getting the funniest looks from... Everyone we meet.. Hey Hey we're Celtic Adventures!!

The Hill of Tara

2010-10-03T12:40:00.000-07:00

An INCREDIBLY SPECTACULAR view from Tara's Hill....

The Healing Tree

Where am I??!!

2010-10-03T12:37:00.000-07:00

In Ireland, oh yeah!

A really COOL cemetary

2010-10-03T12:34:00.000-07:00

in Kells... Just FULL of old Celtic relics...

The Book of Kells

2010-10-03T12:33:00.000-07:00

The one and only!! Such AMAZING artwork and even more amazing how well preserved it is!

Kells and Celtic carvings....

2010-10-03T12:23:00.000-07:00

A night out in a REAL Irish pub!!

2010-10-03T12:22:00.000-07:00

As opposed to a 'fake' one- haha! This was a 'local' pub in a very small town that we stayed the night in... Very nice people and VERY GOOD GUINNESS... Even if I only had a demi-pint!!

YUMMMMM!!!

2010-10-03T12:20:00.000-07:00

I had something here with cream inside of it.. Like a round eclair... It was scrumptious.. Too bad I didn't think to take a pic!! The cappucino was delish, too!!!

Something YUMMY!!!!

2010-10-03T12:17:00.000-07:00

Looks so tasty... and pretty! All I had was a sandwich!

A spectacular view!

2010-09-27T01:01:00.000-07:00

Rain, rain... go AWAY!!!

2010-09-27T01:00:00.000-07:00

The Brig O'Doon...

2010-09-27T00:58:00.000-07:00

A friend's well-traveled passport!

2010-09-27T00:57:00.000-07:00

Derry, Northern Ireland....

2010-09-25T12:53:00.000-07:00

Mike explains the history of Derry and the meaningful murals on the walls of the buildings.... It's very sad to learn about the history between the IRA and the Protestants...

Grianan of Aileach (Donegal, Ireland)

2010-09-25T12:49:00.000-07:00

A castle and scenes in No. Ireland

2010-09-25T12:47:00.000-07:00

Last look at the DC.....

2010-09-23T03:03:00.000-07:00

Interesting rock formations...

2010-09-23T02:57:00.000-07:00

Caused by a volcano or a giant??? YOU tell me!!

More from Giant's Causeway

2010-09-23T02:37:00.000-07:00

The Giant's Causeway

2010-09-14T13:33:00.000-07:00

Along the Giant's Causeway....

2010-09-14T13:31:00.000-07:00

Castke ruins and haystacks along the roadside...

2010-09-14T13:30:00.000-07:00

The ferry over to Ireland...

2010-09-14T13:29:00.000-07:00

Lindsey and Aimee fell asleep. The sea was very rough due to stormy conditions and it felt like airplane turbulence on water!

Celtic Tours Day 1

2010-09-14T12:57:00.000-07:00

We couldn't take the ferry at the designated spot as planned because of bad weather....

So, our tour guid, Mike took us down another way... and we got to see a few additional things along the way!

Scotland has a lot of castles--- most of them lay in ruins.

Fireworks and a beautiful sunrise!

2010-09-14T12:54:00.000-07:00

Sunday night's fireworks.....

Monday morning's sunrise.....

The William Wallace Monument

2010-09-14T12:51:00.000-07:00

Hamish

2010-09-14T02:40:00.000-07:00

... the hairy highland cow!

The highlight of our tour.... Lindsey and I were DYING to see an actual highland cow, and here he was... This isn't Hamish... it's the female, his mate.

Good luck rocks...

2010-09-14T02:39:00.000-07:00

A walk in the valley.... with friends.

2010-09-14T01:48:00.000-07:00

After just a short three days, the 30 of us became a pretty 'tight' group! I can say I have made some nice, new friends... and I hope they will all come to France on day to visit!

Here we are.... All 3o of us and Hamish, our leader! It was a really great tour!!

Eilean Donan Castle

2010-09-14T01:44:00.000-07:00

A castle in ruins....

The gang's all here!!

2010-09-14T01:41:00.000-07:00

Our fearless leader, Hamish (light blue t-shirt, left bottom corner of the pic... treated us all to some nice whiskey!
Thanks, Hamish!

Faeire Glen in black and white

2010-09-14T01:29:00.000-07:00

Faerie Glen

2010-09-14T01:12:00.000-07:00

Way up high - on top of the mountain!

2010-09-12T00:57:00.000-07:00

Beautiful scenery

2010-09-12T00:55:00.000-07:00

Kilt Rock and dinosaur footprints!

2010-09-12T00:46:00.000-07:00

A nice waterfall

2010-09-12T00:43:00.000-07:00

A lunch break... in the town, Portree

2010-09-11T03:33:00.000-07:00

A spiritual head dunk...

2010-09-11T03:20:00.000-07:00

into a clear, blue stream.

There goes Jess....

Look out Lindsey!

Connie and Josephine (Josie)

Scottish Highlands

2010-09-11T03:16:00.000-07:00

Beautiful landscape.... the tall green/red grass and purple heather blowin' in the wind....

Isle of Syke

2010-09-11T03:06:00.000-07:00

A short morning hike with the group....

We had such a great time!

The Scottish Highlands-- Isle of Skye!

2010-09-11T02:17:00.000-07:00

This is where we stayed on the Isle of Skye.... Great view from the hostel!

Urquart Castle on the Loch

2010-09-11T02:14:00.000-07:00

On the way to the Isle of Skye....

2010-09-03T23:56:00.000-07:00

Stopping in a charming little town for a bite to eat....

A few of us posing for a group shot... a beautiful blue sky day!

The town of Dores at Loch Ness.

Very beautiful, no Nessie today!

2010-09-03T23:29:00.000-07:00

This is where we stayed in Edinburgh... GREAT PLACE!!! Friendly and helpful staff, and VERY CLEAN.

More around Edinburgh

2010-09-03T23:22:00.000-07:00

A view from the Princess Gardens... A stunning view, I might add!

Sir Walter Scott

Architecture...

The Edinburgh Castle.... built on vocanic rock!

The Elephant House

2010-09-03T23:18:00.000-07:00

Harry Potter Cafe -- It was here that English author, J.K. Rowling wrote, "Harry Potter."

Breakfast and a morning walk in town!

2010-09-03T23:06:00.000-07:00

Found a lovely place called "Everyday Sunday." Very cute coffee shop

... then I took a walk around the Royal Mile (High Street).

Hot chocolate with MARSHMALLOWS

2010-09-03T15:11:00.000-07:00

This is the coffee shop where J.K Rowling wrote the ALL FAMOUS, "Harry Potter!" Yes, indeed!!

...and a cute dog!

Walking tour through Edinburgh

2010-09-03T14:50:00.000-07:00

Our morning coffee....

Sarah, from Budget Backpackers, led us on a 2 hour free tour through the city! First stop... the cemetary!

Edinburgh Castle

2010-09-03T14:43:00.000-07:00

Edinburgh, Scotland

2010-09-03T14:38:00.000-07:00

A look at the area we stayed in....

Soooo CUTE!

The end of our trip in London...

2010-09-01T00:17:00.001-07:00

Here's where we stayed-- The Cardiff Hotel in Padington! I just LOVE this place! Here is me and Alix. She's a lovely young lady who works at the reception-- a very sweet gal!

Anne, Alex and I had lunch at Le Pain Quoi at the Eurostar Station before hopping on the train for France! Always a good meal to be had there!!! YUMMM!!!!

Lovely Architecture...

2010-09-01T00:17:00.000-07:00

Westminster Abbey...

Hyde Park

2010-09-01T00:03:00.000-07:00

Such a beautiful park-- I just can't get enough of it!!

A cute old man feeding the squirrels and pideons!

Paltridge's Famer's Market in Chelsea

2010-08-31T23:37:00.000-07:00

Aside from the Borough Market by London Bridge, the market is my FAV!!! Why??? Well, it's ALL food- and YUMMMY stuff... It's not a market for buying produce and such... it's a FOOD market for EATING!!! OMG!!!!!

I think that almost every ethnic cuisine is represented at this market!

Around Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden

2010-08-31T23:25:00.000-07:00

Covent Garden

Picadilly Circus

A walk to Notting Hill ...

2010-08-28T13:40:00.001-07:00

A really cool, artistic display in front of a current construction site across from Hyde Park ... I just LOVE this!

Going into Notting Hill! LOVE this part of town!!!

Lots of really COOL doorknobs here.. Wish I could buy one of each!!

We didn't end up eating here, but next time, I sure will.. It's a very cool resto called, Ottolenghi .

Kensington Roof Gardens

2010-08-28T13:40:00.000-07:00

Alex on the roof top! Who would have guessed that there is a beautiful garden here on a roof!!!

Yep! Pink flamingos up top at the Kensington Roof Gardens! DEFINITELY worth a visit on a sunny day!!

Kensington High Street...

2010-08-28T13:35:00.000-07:00

Yes, there IS a Whole Foods in London. However, I prefer those in the U.S.

A good pub lunch!

Cakes at Maison Blanc

Squirrels abound... in the Enchanted Garden

2010-08-23T05:10:00.000-07:00

Hyde Park

2010-08-23T04:19:00.000-07:00

Hyde Park and the Lido

Cafe Nero, Paddington

2010-08-23T04:17:00.000-07:00

Cafe Nero in Paddington-- I don't know WHAT was up - but there cappucinos were TERRIBLE!!!

At the Borough Market

2010-08-23T04:15:00.000-07:00

Around the wharf

2010-08-23T04:11:00.000-07:00

London Eye.....

2010-08-22T10:42:00.000-07:00

Horse Gaurds Museum.....

Stilll walking through town...

BIG BEN... the London Eye... Westminster... and the Bridge....

The Walk across town...

2010-08-22T08:58:00.001-07:00

We started our walk from the hotel and continued on through Hyde Park....

Passed through the World War Memorial

... which reminded me a little of the l'Arch de Triomph.

Through James Park... Oh so pretty...

and past Buckingham Palace.... No gaurds were changing at this time.... Notice no crowds!

Paris-London in just a few hours!

2010-08-22T08:47:00.000-07:00

Paris, Gare du Nord --- France

Ohhhh YUMM!!!! Indian lunch in London!

Coffee afterwards in Hyde Park @ the Lido

Definitely NOT as good as last time I was here, though!