last week checklist:

When international traveling, here are some check list items you might not realize you should do. It will also explain the crazy look in my eyes and lack of tolerance for people asking me questions, Seriously, ONE MORE QUESTION AND I'LL BLOW!!!
But we're all friends here, it's all good, so if you need to ask a question, ask away......
1.  Order any medications I'll need from pharmacist.....check
2.   Inform bank of travel plans so I can use ATM card ( this gives you the best exchange rate, but some        
        banks bend you over with "international fee's" so check on your rates........check
3.   Inform all credit cards of travel, include dates, and every country planning on visit. In a time of
      identity
  theft and fraud, for this pain in the butt chore really is necessary. For one you don't wanna be caught in
   a  foreign country, their security measures denying you authorization, and then have to get someone on
    the phone and sort it out is really just a pain..........check
4.   Passport ready and secure in my Rick Steves passport under the shirt bag.........check
5.   Kitsap Air-porter reservations made..........check
6.   Someone to check in on 22 year old stepson, cat, and house............check
7.   everyone at work aware of breakdown of who's who while gone..........check ( on a personal note, if
      the plane goes down, I trust all my employees to keep the standards we have built up and to follow
      the lines of your cut and color we have done to you. You will be safe, keep Sugardaddy's alive in
       Tim and I's honor)
8.    Bills sent out or auto pay set up for while gone so no late penalties assessed..............check
9.     Emergency contacts left and also a copy taken, cause you know if there is a emergency oversea's
        like I am gonna remember the important things like numbers
10.   Copy of itineraries printed and put in travel folder in order of events. O.K. this sounds really anal,
        and in fact Tim's idea, but it totally will pay off in all the hub bub! An ounce of prevention, plus
         honestly, it takes 2 bloody seconds extra every time you make your reservations whether for lane,
          hotel, ect.

Ok, these 10 steps will be your 10 golden rules once you try them once! Learn it Live it Love it.  Now we are at 3 days and a wake up! Just breathe.........

Now THIS is a festival of chimes and light's!

If you are looking for suggestions to put on your bucket list, going to Edinburgh Scotland during the holidays, heck, ANYTIME, should be at the top of the list!

From Christmas time to the first of the year, the whole city celebrates what is called 'Hogmanay' It is festivals, carnivals, live music ect. They fence the city off and you must pay to get in unless you already live inside the city or staying there. Unfortunately they charge 3 times the going rates, but when 80 thousand people descend into your city you can. Their goal this year was to get the largest assembled group to sing 'Ol lang syne' and they did it! Good on you!

So we arrived Jan 3rd cause you know I am a cheap bastard, but the carnival was in full swing, and there is nothing like Princes Garden (which is situated below the castle and High Street) all lit up with the multitude of colors and music. From vendors booth's, ferris wheels, bungie balls, this carnival had you covered for entertainment. I am old now so we only did the ferris wheel (I think I am too old for even that, if you remember my success on the 'eye of manchester', I didn't learn my lesson)

The apartment Tim found was called 'Apartment By Castle' and it was jaw dropping amazing. The castle was literally a stones throw from it and right there in view from our window! With 20 foot high ceilings and real ornate crown molding, comfy leather couches and flat screen tv, I was in heaven, the wonderful owner Moira even had real Edinburgh crystal to have our drinks in. From the 2 HUGE bedrooms we could see the boy's school that inspired J.K. Rowling to create Harry Potter, and boys school turned into Hogwarts! More on THAT later! The apartment even had a full kitchen with washer and dryer and dishwasher! Upon arrival she took the time to explain how everything worked, what restaurants had received great reviews from past guests and which tour companies to use. (remember the Timberbush tours in the last post to Loch Ness, her suggestion!) Moira even had a welcome basket that contained coffee, fresh baked bread, tea's, cookies to dunk, and the BEST jelly I ever had! It is called Roses, and its a lime marmalade and I could have mainlined it. She even stocked the fridge with butter, water and other goodies. Only in Scotland I swear to God! We all think we even had a ghost who really liked Destini. (pillows thrown, picture crashing to the floor, nothing scaring, just a 'what's up' from the other side, but what can you expect from buildings 300 years plus old?)

The people of Edinburgh and Scotland in general are hands down the nicest people I have ever met, they even try to get out of your way when walking. I can still feel the 1000 year old cobblestone on my feet where we walked. The history of that stone in imprinted with the bazzilion people who have walked it before you and I swear retains that energy.

The food was amazing, but I think I will post separately on that, it was that note worthy. Anthony Bourdain would be proud, we made quite a dent.

If you have ever valued my opinion and word, then believe this, Edinburgh hands down is the BEST place to vacation (or move to..........) From butch guys with tattoo's in kilts yet no 'alpha' retentiveness, a language spoken in beautiful brogue, food that warms the gullet and NOT depletes the wallet, visual grandeur at every turn, quality shopping for the most discerning diva and smiles and friendliness abounding, Edinburgh, you are my home!

Here is the info for Apartment By Castle if you take our advise and stay there

abc@ednet.co.uk http://www.abc-edinburgh.co.uk Tell Moira we sent ya!

*wink* Julia "diva" Brink

On to Loch Ness

If you ever go to Scotland, and visit Edinburgh, you must visit Loch Ness via Timberbush Tour's and ask for David to be the tour guide. he didn't bore us once, drove beautifully thru the winding scenery, and really made the trip amazing. It started out at 8 in the morning right outside the castle, with roomy seat's. Now if you have any bladder issue's there is no "loo" on the bus, but he does make a lot of stops along the way so it really was no problem. Here is another hint, people line up early right at the office sign, so at first we thought 'Damn' we won't be able to sit together, but here was the thing, he turns the bus around up at the castle and loads the other way, so being at the end of the line turned into our benefit!

You know how some guides really just go thru the motion to where half way thru your screaming 'shut up' over and over again in your head? Not with David, this man truly loves his country and its passion showed thru the story telling, it was almost a comedy show. From Mary, Queen of Scots, to Rob Roy, he brought them all to life.

The scenery was breathtaking. Normally I am the 'yeah it's a mountain, yeah it's pretty, yeah lets get back on the bus' kinda guy. I just could not with Scotland. Maybe because my blood run's from there, but Even Tim and Destini were gasping from the majesty. From frozen loch's (which is a lake by the way, like brun breed is brown bread) wildlife, statue's on top of mountains dedicated to fallen soldiers. Every turn presented something else jaw gasping.

Loch Ness is awesome, the tour dropped us off to take a boat ride on it (yes I stole a rock) that had a full bar, and went up to an abandoned castle and then back. (The whole time your just going 'I'm on Loch Ness, trippy)

Anywho, the tour took around 8 hours with drive time, but David and the scenery made it fly by! Timberbush charged us 38 pounds each and worth every pence! You know how cheap I am and I would pay it again! I cannot wait to tour it with my mom and dad!

*wink* Ruth & Ted Enderle