http://blogs.bootsnall.com/Harper A BootsnAll Travel Blog Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:52:14 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en It's a town full of books. Who can resist visiting an honesty bookshop or a castle converted into a bookshop? I left early am by bus and arrived in a town that had books in every shop. Several made their way into my bag. An odd jumble of botany, ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/Harper/thursday-hay-on-wye.html 6/25/2008 Early morning planning results in 1. Booking for two more nights 2. Finding bus route to Hay-on-Wye and back and 3. Finding bus route to St. Fagan's St. Fagan's is a gorgeous open air museum. Lots of photos taken. One of the guides was a charming local gentleman who had lived ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/Harper/wed-st-fagans-625.html Monday I crept out at dawn. Well not really dawn. The funny thing about daylight in the UK is that is starts early 4:30 and lingers late 9:30 or so. The long twilight allows for mental tricks of time. At any rate, I caught the bus from the train station to the ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/Harper/monday-tuesday-cardiff-wales.html Sat 6/21/08 Day trip was cancelled on account of homework. Alex was out from work at 2pm and we headed to the Royal Mile. We explored the Edinburgh castle and then went to other end of the long road to see the ugly Parliament House. Sun 6/22/08 Last day. We took the double ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/Harper/sat-sun-edinburgh.html Fri 6/20/2008   Up and out early. Wrong turn at the Royal Mile, but I eventually get to the meeting place for the tour. We went head out and arrive at the Rosslyn Chapel just as it is opening. Pictures were taken as permitted.   Interesting facts: The chapel was painted with a concrete slurry ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/Harper/fri-6202008.html Up at 8am and out the door. Head into Kilwinning and arrive a bit early. Have a look around and finally try to find the Masonic Lodge. (Travel Tip #3, don't always trust the signs.) The arrow pointed down a (very long) street, but in fact it was the sober ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/Harper/kilwinning-to-edinburgh.html Second tour not made, they cancelled saying not enough people signed up. I use free day to find phone charger (forgot mine in Lymington), do laundry and to see Glasgow some more. Fun fact: Glasgow residents are Glaswegian (like norwegian). Realize internet is useless idea at hostel and figure to do it ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/Harper/of-mice.html Tues 6/17/2008 The tour of Loch Lomond and Loch Ness is an all day trek complete with dour Scotsman who grumbles at the traffic, the weather and how long and stupid the trip is. Uncertain how much is character acting and how much is authentic I go with amusing and ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/Harper/daytrip-lochs.html Mon 6/16 Arrive at small airport, hop the train to town and then walk to the BlueSky Hostel. Can't recommend it. Granted the staff was friendly and helpful, but the facilities were lacking in many ways. No lockers (Travel Tip #2: always check that the hostel has lockers or safes), no ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/Harper/glasgow.html Lucked out with airport personnel and a late arriving flight, so myself and a scruffy young Scotsman were able to stay in airport til morning. Had a nice chat with Ian, who had come down to party with his friends before heading back to law school. According to him is ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/Harper/ryan-air-to-glasgow.html