Train trip to Stirling

At 10:05 this morning Dave, Kurt, Nikki, Chris, Pam, Tom, Louise, Joe, Nicole, Rasmus, John, Junel and I (Hope I didn't miss anyone.) jumped on a train at Haymarket Station and took a one hour ride to Stirling. When we got there we broke up and went our separate ways. Dave was waiting for Teresa to return from a short trip she had taken up to Aberdeen. Junel and I took the city bus tour. Not only is there a beautiful castle in Stirling (that we saw), but it is also the site of the Wallace National Monument which we climbed all the way (246 stairs) to the top.


Stirling Castle from the top of the Wallace Monument. (©2005, Williams/Bacigalupo.)

At the castle there is a lot of restoration going on. Junel and I had lunch at the cafe there and then toured the Great Hall and the Palace. We also got to see the Arthur's Knot, a candidate for the legendary Round Table, but in reality the remains of a 17th c. garden.


The Great Hall, Stirling Castle. (©2005, Williams/Bacigalupo.)


Main Palace at Stirling Castle. (©2005, Williams/Bacigalupo.)


Arthur's Knot, from Stirling Castle. (©2005, Williams/Bacigalupo.)

Got some really good ice cream and then caught the bus going out to the Wallace National Monument. After Junel and I had climbed to the top and shot some great pictures of the panoramic view, we met up with Matt, Kurt, Nikki, Chris and Pam coming up as we were walking down.


Zoom on the Wallace Monument from Stirling Castle. (©2005, Williams/Bacigalupo.)


The author near the base of the Wallace Monument. (©2005, Williams/Bacigalupo.)

Did a little more shopping for souvenirs and then headed back to the train station for the ride back to Edinburgh.

I made a beeline for the Copyshop because I am expecting some faxes from my realtor. As luck would have it I sold my house and bought another one in the valley the week before we left.

Well, that's about all for now. Need to get back to the flat and get ready for tonight's show. At least it is sunny out now. It tends to rain right around 3 pm. More later.....