Cardiff and the LONG drive to Scotland

We came to Cardiff for the nightlife, but did not realize that the night life is really only hopping when University is in session. A student town, Cardiff is lined with bars and restaurants that are packed with people from about September through June - but deserted in late August. oh well! we did manage to have a pint in an old converted theatre that was about 100 years old - very cool.

up on Friday morning for a run through downtown Cardiff and into the castle grounds. Stopped a young teenage rugby player and recieved an impromptu lesson on how to throw a rugby ball and which local teams to cheer for. Did a little shopping (magnet, ornament and learned that the Red Dragon is the symbol of strength and victory in Wales, and now on the Welsch flag.)

We then headed North and began our LONG journey up to scotland. Again using hte Neverlost Tom Tom to guide us, we followed the main highways, through the round-a-bouts and drove along the country side. THe drive in total was supposed to take 6 hours but traffic was horrible for the majority of the drive. 100 miles an hour, then a dead stop and standstill along major motorways. Imagine driving up 95 on the wednesday before thanksgiving from DC to NYC and then back again. UGH. Jason did his best driving, and i tried to stay calm in the passenger seat but was getting car sick and frustrated most of the way. THe motorway opened up around Liverpool though, and we spent the last 4 hours viewing the goregous countryside of northern england and the rolling hills of scotland. beuatiful!

we made it to Edinburgh late last ngiht and drove into the old part of hte city to see the castle on the hill all lit up at night. we found two neat irish bars and "people watched" for an hour or two. the only place serving food at 10 a night (we had not had dinner yet) was an american joint, so we ate burgers and fries and chicken parmagianna. plus a brownie sundae of course

the old city looked incredible at night and we walked through the cobblestone streets, peaked in the windows of many closed up shops (including a CUTE christmas store, can't wait to go back today) and strolled past the castle cathedral and graveyard, lit only by the light of the almost full moon. very cool

we are looking forward to touring Edinburgh all day today and then finding some live Scottish or Irish music tonight

I have a little bit of a sore throat - i think its the cooler temperatures and the inability for me to dry my hair anywhere, but i should be fine. we are off for another adventure :)
Carolyn