The Loch Ness Monster!

Hamish!
Wild deer ....
Our view from the bus
Oh yeah, she was cold!!!
Urquhart Castle overlooking the Loch Ness
View from the boat over the Loch Ness
We took a 12 hour bus ride from Edinburgh all the way up to the Loch Ness!!!! Yes, this is where the mysterious Loch Ness monster lives. A 23mile loch (lake) which we were lucky enough to get a boat ride over a bit of it... the darkest, scariest looking piece of water I have ever seen... there were a few ripples in the water that could have been Nessie... but I wasn't lucky enough to actually see her....

Was such a gorgeous ride up through the mountains and various Scottish villages... we even got to stop off to visit the famous Hamish! We have so many beautiful photos to put on, but we had to choose a select few :)

Edinburgh

Edinburgh CastleThere is a cemetery for dogs too :-)
Simon having a pint before getting into a nice big steak pie at a local pub
Fireworks before the torch parade
All the torches before the parade
Lighting our torches
A cemetery in the middle of the town
Ahhhh, another whisky shop!

We took the train up to Edinburgh for four nights over new years. I don't think either of us expected Scotland to be as beautiful as it really is... Simon indulged in haggis every morning for breakfast and I got stuck into the famous chips and cheese (not chips and tomato sauce) after a night out on the ras.

One of the first things we recognised was how similar to Dunedin it is. All of the street names are the same! Brought back a few memories.... Dundas Street, Princes Street, Moray Place, George Street... all of them! I think Edinburgh set the standard ..... or maybe Edinburgh followed Dunedin?

We were at Hogmanay for new years. The most fantastic fireworks display ever!!!! A big street party to get amongst the Scottish way!!!

Orphan Xmas in London

Simon cranking open the champas on Christmas Eve!
Our neighbours David & Michelle invited us over for a xmas dinner on xmas eve. Cranberry martini's, Gammon (Ham) and fresh new potatoes.. soooooo good.
It's Xmas!!! Look at all our pressies :-)
Reuben is our angel at the top of the tree
Ummm yummm... Russian fudge from Ma ma!
A real Kiwi!
Our Xmas lunch / dinner
Us opening our crackers
Cheers!
Opening our secret santas
Dessert!

We had a bunch of Kiwis, Australians, an American and a South African over for our orphan xmas dinner. Champagne, mulled wine, turkey, chicken, sausages wrapped in bacon, fresh spinach, roast potatoes and kumera, brandy snaps, lemon loaf, meringues and christmas pudding! all in one afternoon!