6/4/15 Our 4th anniversary, Haggis, and more Scotland.


Good bye Joe, I hope the next visitors bring you a treat too.


Grandma and Tracy leaving the milking stalls.


We drove this morning to a cruise (that's right, we went on a cruise too). It was a cruise across Loch Lomond aboard the Lomond Hannah. 


Melissa was so brave climbing aboard, and only slipped a little stepping into the boat.


It was a little cold and damp, so some people stayed inside.


Those strong enough to brave the weather learned what it means to be a true Scot!


It means smooth water, pretty views...


and prettier women!


Across the Loch was a hotel, this cruise was actually a ferry ride for visitors and employees to spend the day at the hotel.  We appreciated the waterfall feeding the loch, but we didn't want to spend our whole day at the hotel, so we road back.


Scottish Ninja!


She doesn't know he approaches...


Anniversary boat kiss (notice the ninja has mysteriously disappeared).


Back in the "warm" cabin, maybe they use the cold damp air to help sell the hot chocolate and tea.


Scotland is pretty, I think we'll be coming back again.


We all returned from our "three hour tour, a three hour tour..." that lasted around an hour and a half.


Yup, Scotland is still pretty, see you later Loch Lomond.



Then it was time for lunch at The George, a restaurant in Inverary recommend by Auntie Glyn based on one of her books.


Melissa had the Cock-a-leekie Soup with a Cajun Chicken Panini with mango lime mayonnaise  and salad.
When we were talking with Uncle Brendan about going to Scotland he told us we needed to try cock-a-leekie. We had no idea what it was and Glyniss told us he was just being Irish.  He told us it was real and that he just liked the word. It is chicken and leek soup.


And I had the Haggis, Neeps and Tatties. Haggis, mashed turnips and mashed potatoes, all with brown gravy.


It was actually very good, as demonstrated by my finishing 2/3 of it before thinking to take a picture.


Soft hazelnut pavlova with raspberries and blackcurrant ice cream. Yeah, it was as good as it looks.  I seem to remember convincing someone to try sticky toffee pudding also, it wasn't as good as my Mum's.



Two black lambs across the road from Castle Inverary.


Castle Inverary, you may recognize her from a brief guest-starring role in Downton Abbey.


The white stones mark the corners of the old castle built in the 15th century. It was replaced by the new castle in the mid 18th century, just before the US became a country. EUROPE IS OLD!



Cousin Rose smoked a cigarette here during the show. 


The formal dining room, used in filming of the show.



Um, I wish I had this many ancient muskets.


Melissa on the stairway lined with portraits of the Campbell clan, her clan.


Images from when Downton was filmed at the castle.


Campbell Tartans



Making dinner, like always.


A brief moment of peace, before they flood the moat and we all get swept away.



Melissa posing like Cousin Rose.

Dramatic Downton Pose (see the banner a few pictures above)!


Melissa doesn't understand "dramatic," it came out as "confused/concerned."




Anniversary Castle!


The tree Grandma's jacket was made from.


Someone call the postcard printers, we found the next picture.




At the bottom of the grounds.



Bob and Grandma, all tuckered out from the amazing views and walking.



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