Rosslyn Chapel & Castle

I'm sorry it has been so long since I last posted. I was struck with a reluctance to do so, which is quite silly!

Last Saturday, I was invited to go to Rosslyn Chapel. A fellow that I met at the Perth branch in August asked me if I'd like to go along. He wanted to see the chapel as he was a big fan of "The Da Vinci Code". As I like going to historical places, I thought I might as well accept the offer of an outing.

Though, before going any further, I must state a few things first. I had been to Rosslyn Chapel before, eleven years ago with my mother, my aunt Dianne & our friend Celia. We went on the recommendation of my dad, and it had nothing to  do with the Da Vinci Code. Also, I still haven't read the book, or seen the film. 

One of the gargoyles. Last time I went, we took many pictures inside the chapel. Now you're not allowed to! It's a shame, as the interior is famously ornate and beautiful.

Darren outside the chapel.

Me, likewise outside the chapel.

The path leading to the ruined castle.

The Castle.

A glimpse of the house (probably 16th C.) which was built within the ruins of the castle.

A bench on the path.

The bench. I love that tree behind it!

After Rosslyn Chapel & Castle, we went to the Edinburgh Dungeons - a glorified spook alley incorporating Scottish history. It was great fun. It's odd, though. I've still never seen Edinburgh properly, I feel. I just have little brushes with it here and there. Well, some day.

The sunset as seen from the train on my way back to Glasgow.

Glasgow Fall

As usual, I am well obsessed with Halloween this year. I found a bag of various plastic items (bats, insects, & skeletons) and bought it! Now I have some UK Halloween items to add to my American stash. 

Also - today - I went walking about looking for autumn trees, and I found some. This also means that I am all caught up with my blog! I took these pictures TODAY! 

Happy Autumn, Fall, Halloween season! 

Look at these fabulous skeletons!

In the grounds of the university

Oak tree and Rowan tree branches touching.

Magpies playing in the leaves on the roof.

The trees out of the kitchen window.

Josephine's Baptism!!!

The 27th of September was Josephine's baptism. I embroidered a white hankie for her. 

Josephine, who is ever industrious, had made darling sugar cookies for the elders. She'd also made cupcakes - there was supposed to be a baptism before hers, but it got postponed, and she'd made the cupcakes for Koko, who was supposed to be baptised. 

Rachel, Dovile & I were singing "Beautiful Saviour" so went off to practice. When we were done Josephine was dressed in her baptism dress! We took pictures and had the baptism, which was so beautiful! The spirit was so strong! It was a really perfect night.

The hankie I embroidered.

A pine tree (one of Josephine's favourite trees)

Josephine's missionary cookies!

Josephine with Elder Bayer.

With Elder Bayer & Elder Meline.

Josephine with the Hicks

Left to right: Me, Dovile, Josephine & Rachel

They weren't taken at a great angle, but they're still pretty jolly.

Oops! I can't remember the name of the 3rd new elder who is with the Chinese Elders right now.

Halloween Decorations

I was going to wait till the 1st of October to decorate for Halloween, but I just couldn't! So, I put them up on the 25th of September! Just a little early!

My same tree-branch from last year. I don't know if it will last after this, though.

Three skeletons and a ghost!

The 3 skeletons in the foreground are original ones from my childhood.

My glow-in-the-dark skeleton!

The door to my room!

I don't know if this is Halloween-ish per se, but I think it's really lovely. Rachel drew it.

Pollock Park

So, before proper classes started up, we had a week at uni that was going over things we have to do for the portfolio that is due at the end of the year. They also threw in a mini fieldtrip to Pollock Park (which is sort-of in Glasgow. It's where the famous Burrell collection is, to which I still haven't been!)

Anyway, Pollock Park is certainly an interesting place! Once a large estate, from medieval times, it is now a public park. Ewan Campbell told us that he knew someone who had visited the estate in the 1950s where people were still living in medieval-style (if not age?) cottages with no electricity or plumbing. It's fascinating to imagine. 

We looked at Pollock House first, which was built in the 18th century to look more grand than it actually was. They told us that the top storeys are shorter than the lower levels of the house. 

Pollock House

The War Memorial, unique for several reasons: 1st that it lists the names of the survivors as well as those who were killed, 2nd, that it has pride of place in the wall, and it is in plain sight of any visitors who would come over the bridge. This indicates that the Maxwells valued their tenants. Hmm...maybe that was it. I think I covered it.

The bridge leading to Pollock House.

We then took a look at the old courtyard, which has several phases of building, ranging from the 14th century to the 20th!

The entrance to the courtyard.

Those semi-triangular shapes were from an earlier building and were added when this part of the courtyard was built.

In the corner is the remainder of the 14th century keep.

See that copse? That used to be the village of Pollock.

The other side of the courtyard - the 14th C. keep. It's now on the outside, but originally this was the inside wall.

This might possibly be the remains of a medieval motte. 

An Iron Age settlement/farmstead of some sort used to be here.

FHE with an Area Seventy

Hmm...just realising if you're not Mormon, that title has to sound pretty odd. 

Well, a couple weeks ago we had stake conference, and we had Elder Fingerle visiting us. He's from Germany. He spoke at Stake Conference, and also expressed a wish to join us for FHE. He was a little late, as he got a conference call he had to take en route to the church, but better late than never. He explained to us what seventies do, and we read scriptures and had a very nice time.

Left to Right: Shaun, Heather, Josephine, Becky, myself, Elder & Sis. Hicks, Kris & Elder Fingerle.