Scotland

Belfast in northern Ireland still displays the remnants of the civil war in that city.  There is a peace wall that still exists and at 7:00 each night, the gates to separate the two parts of the city, close and are locked.  No one can get in or out after that or risk the violence that still occurs.
There was an opportunity to see the Giant's Causeway.  It is a natural wonder and the result of a giant volcanic eruption.

Scotland was truly beautiful and just as I had imagined it.  The fog rolled in as we approached the docks and it was cloudy and rainy.  It was so green , though, and very beautiful.  Scotland is the home of kilts, bagpipes, clans, and GOLF. I managed to get golf towels for the boys from St. Andrews.

One of the most beautiful parts of Scotland is the highlands and Loch Ness.  Here three lakes come together for a spectacular view.

Ireland

 I hiked up to the top of the tower at the Blarney Castle and to "Kiss the Blarney Stone" you have to lay across a space between the floor and the wall and hold onto some poles and tip upside down. I did it . I wasn't going to hike up there and not do it!!

In Ireland we saw the Blarney Castle, Ancient Christian Monasteries in Dublin and Trinity College where the Book of Kells is kept as well as the Trinity Library which houses many ancient books and manuscripts.  There are rows and rows of books and many encased in glass to see.  When you walk in, it smells like BOOKS!!!!  We weren't allowed to take any pictures and these books are not to be checked out!

Guernsey Island

We took a tender boat which is one of the life boats, ashore to Guernsey Island, England.  This is where the Guernsey cow originated.  It is one of the English Channel islands and was occupied by the Germans from 1940 - 1945.  The Germans cut the island off by putting up barbed wire fences.  Those people of the island were allowed to leave but some stayed.  Some mothers and infants were allowed to leave together, but other children had to leave their families alone or with their school groups.  Those left behind were at the mercy of the German army.

The Princess Ship

The ship was really fun.  It was huge!  We had a balcony which made coming to each port every morning so much fun.  We got to see it all.  Those little tug boats that would push the ship along and the tender boats that took us ashore!  The food was great and the entertainment each night was awesome.  There was a different show every night.  We ate everything from baked alaska to lobster and everything in between. One morning Sandy woke me up at 5:00 am to see the sunrise as we entered the port in Ireland.  It was all very beautiful.

On the ship at dinner

We then boarded the Princess Cruise Ship.  It was spectacular!  There were 4500 passengers and 1200 crew members, most from the Philippines.  I was able to visit with some of the crew about the areas Dale served on his mission.  Our little cabin person said, "You're Mormons"  . When I asked him how he knew he said, "I saw your stuff". I had a Book of Mormon on the desk.  The last day I put my testimony in it and left it for him.  His name was Filimon.

Runny Mead, England

While in London we saw Runny Mead, where the Magna Carta was signed in 1215.  This document was on display in London where no pictures are allowed.  It was a charter which marked the foundations of civil liberty and has been the example of the constitutions for many countries to follow.

My Trip to the British Isles

Several months ago, my dear friend Sandy Lowe lost her husband after complications from hip replacement surgery.  She and Don had planned this wonderful trip to the British Isles and she asked me to go with her.  We began our journey on June 4th as we flew to New York, stayed over night and then went on to London the next day.  While in London we visited the famous Windsor Castle where Queen Elizabeth was celebrating her diamond jubilee.