What I did on my summer vacation

[The Wizard of BC]

Chas,

I would like to publicly thank you for the gift of the Dandelions. What a surprise.
It was a real pleasure to meet you and have the opportunity to sit over the breakfast table laughing and talking.
I hope we can meet again. If you ever want to come to this side of the pond you have a room for as long as you want it.


Allen,

You and I got off to a rocky first communication. But after meeting you in person I found you to be honestly concerned and proud of your knowledge of Heraldry.
I've never met an Armiger in person and you Sir, set the standard. I hope we get a chance to meet again.

[Cynthia]

I've enjoyed looking at your photos -- looks like you're having a wonderful time! Thanks for sharing with us

[The Wizard of BC]

Alex,

To drive from Hawick just to be with Bobbie and I in Dumfries was above and beyond. And you did it twice.
To invite us to your local Games and show us your town was very special.
To finally meet you in person was a delight.
I really can't express how happy and proud I am to call you my friend.

[cessna152towser]

Absolutely fabulous report of your trip Steve and I am delighted that you and Bobbie were able to see and photograph so much and to share it with us all here on xmarks.
Thankyou for your kind comments although I only played a very minor cameo role in your overall trip experience.
It was wonderful to be able to meet you and Bobbie in person.

[Chas]

Hello Steve,

Thanks for your kind words. I will always remember and treasure those four days. Two more open and genuine people as you and Bobbie are hard to meet. Although, I have been kilted on various occasions, that was the first time that I had been kilted all day and every day. The support that I got from everybody there was fantastic - even though you didn't know you were supporting me. It is always easier to be brave amongst friends.

As to visiting BC, I will have to ride out this recession first, but who knows. I am glad that you and Bobbie got home safely and hope that the lack of communications did not hamper you too much.

Fondest wishes

Chas

[Macman]

Steve, I really enjoyed all the pictures, and your commentary even more. It looks like you and Bobbie had a great trip. BTW, it rained the whole time you were gone.

[ChubRock]

Thanks for sharing the entire trip through words and photos. We so want to return to Scotland and complete our tour, but due to the vacation fund being $0, we will need to travel vicariously though you. Ahh the smell of frying fish and then eating them while sitting in a close in Edinburgh, one of my wife's most simple yet pleasant memories.

[slohairt]

Great thread, Steve! I think this is the longest I've spent reading one thread in a long time! The pictures were wonderful and give you a sense of being there along for the trip.

[dfmacliam]

Its good you pressed the issue... I am sure this young man was confused as to the whereabouts of Scotland and the Sprint network...LOL.. I am sure he probably would have been hardpressed to actually been able to tell you where Scotland is, in the first place...
It makes you appreciate the educational system, these days...lol. but then again its been like this for ever I think... I recall as a child, someone asked my mom where she was from, because of her accent.. she replied Britian.. they told her she spoke pretty good English for a foreigner...

[The Wizard of BC]

Almost all cell phone service providers will sell you international roaming capability.

The cost is some what prohibitive if all you want to do is talk to the same people you can email though.

For me, I got lucky. If something had happened at the shop and I was not available via phone things could have been nasty.

All in all though not having the phone and email was a mixed thing.

The good part was that I got to talk to my wife.