A Fortnight left...

hard to believe it's going to be over in 2 weeks... i think the trip home for Easter might have softened the reverse culture shock i've been told to anticipate. i think it cured any homesickness that might have been developing as well...
i'm headed to Germany on Weds, and dad has given me the name of a distant relative, Horst Grieshaber, who lives in Vaihengen, Germany. no other contact info... just the name. i've googled him and sent an email to a Horst Grieshaber, but received no response in 2 days. in the event i'll have to actually speak some German in Germany... i checked out a 'German for Dummies' book from the library, so now... ich sprechen sie Deutcsh. :)
"Ich heise Scott Grieshaber, und ich suche Horst Grieshaber"
i'm a genius. :)

York

Considerable smaller (and cleaner) than London, we had a relaxing two nights in York. The Dormouse was our favorite pub next to the hotel. Dad had his first beer since 1988, and I had my first since 8 last night.

The York Minster

Just another of the few 1000 year old churches and cathedrals that we toured on our trip.

Ma and Pa go to London

It only took us 7 hours in the car, thanks to traffic in Newcastle... but we made it to London on the wrong side of the road. From the hotel, we made out by subway (also know as The Underground, or the Tube) to see all the sights. Mom may never take another subway ride again, but they managed to take plenty of pictures topside. We saw Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, The Tower of London, and the Eye from the Thames on the first day, then toured the Tower and the Abbey on Day 2 before getting out of town for York.

Lumley Castle

April 16. Mom and Dad got their anniversary present today. After visiting the Castle and Cathedral in Durham, we stopped at Lumley Castle on the way home. Dad saw the sign from the front and said “Castle and Hotel”? “Yes, you’re staying here tonight.”

Mum and Dad join the excellent adventure

My flight to Edinburgh left Weds eve at 8pm ATL time, and arrived at 9am UK time. I managed 4 hours of sleep on the plane, caught a bus to the train station, and was back to Newcastle in time to rent a car from Enterprise. Fortunately, I was able to rent an automatic (not the norm here), so I'm only dealing with driving on the wrong side of the road and the wrong side of the car... and i don't have to worry about shifting on the wrong side of the wheel as well. Now all I have to do is remember to get in on the wrong side of the car.
After a nap and a good night's sleep, i was back on the road to collect Mum and Dad at the Edinburgh airport (a 2.5 hr drive), and we came straight to St Andrews. They had less sleep than I did on my flight, so we managed to check into our B&B (www.charlesworthhouse.co.uk), walked over to the Old Course, stopped at 4 golf shops for souvenirs, then came back to nap. We had a lovely Scottish dinner at the Russell Hotel around the corner, and retired early so we could get up for our full Scottish breakfast this am. I think we'll all be full until dinner tonight. :) Dad and I are going to get 9 holes in this afternoon... supposed to get up to 65 (only hit 45 yesterday). We'll also walk down to the St Andrews cathedral, and have dinner at the clubhouse on the course. Tomorrow we'll be visiting the Edinburgh castle, then driving down the coast to admire various castles and lighthouses along the way. (check out www.holy-island.info/gallery/index.htm).

Hermann and St Louis

Had a lovely visit with my family and friends in Hermann and St Louis over Easter. Here are a few photos courtesy of David and Mary Hickling, my Canadian cousins.

The Centenarian

My journey covered 4700 miles, 2 trains, 2 flights, and took 22 hours, but was a small price to pay to spend with my Grandma today. I won the "furthest distance traveled" award... :)
Grandma has 8 children, 29 grandkids, 68 great-grandkids, and 28 great-great-grandkids... most of whom were there, along with 6 nieces and nephews from Canada, spouses and significant others. I'm very thankful to have such a great family!