Breakfast was included in our hotel rate at the Stone House. I asked Ron to double-check, because I have partaken of English breakfasts before and knew for sure that it wouldn't be worth 12.95 Pounds (about $17) per person for the ala carte price)!
As expected, breakfast was pretty dreadful. The scrambled eggs were totally tasteless, and the pork sausage inedible. Only white bread toast (do-it-your self). I never order English bacon, which comes from the back loin of the pig (rather than the belly like American bacon) and is more like a thick-cut, strong ham. It is also generally cured, but not smoked.
I read a comical blog about English bacon, claiming that lack of real pork belly bacon was the REAL reason for the American revolution, and they were going to throw pigs into Boston Harbor.
http://mrbaconpants.com/2009/06/review-of-what-the-english-call-bacon/
As we set out to depart the Hotel, Ron could not get into our vehicle. A car had parked too closely. He went into the lobby to see if anyone knew who the owner was. Luckily, the owner of the car belonged to a tradesman who heard Ron asking, and was able to quickly go out and move his car. So, we weren't trapped in Stone for the day, but were on the road again heading further north.
We were hoping traffic would be less on Sunday, but it continued pretty much bumper-to-bumper (or tail-to-nose as the Brits say) up through Manchester. There were no fewer lorries on the roads either.
As we got further north, the fields of rape seed gave way to pastures filled with sheep with their small newly born lambs as far as the eye can see, and also a yellow flowering evergreen bush called gorse (or whin in Scotland). It is most in bloom in May, so we see it everywhere. Some places, including New Zealand and Oregon, have found it to be a total pest of a plant, very invasive, and spend millions of dollars to eradicate it. (Maybe the Cudzu of Scotland)
We stopped in Penrith, a market town in the county of Cumbria, for lunch. It is just on the edge of The Lakes National Park. We walked a bit through some pedestrian lanes, and stopped into a local pub, Board and Elbow. It was very noisy, as it was filled with a crowd of footy fans watching a match on the telly. Ron says he could never get used to English food, but he does enjoy the traditional pub lunches. He had roast pork with Yorkshire pudding,
Nothing really appealed to me, so I asked for a grilled-cheese (known as a cheese toastie). Not nearly as good as what we make at home! A minuscule amount of cheese on a large amount of bread, and dry and overcooked. Guess you can tell I am not a fan of British/Scottish cooking when a "cheese-toastie " doesn't even appeal.
We finally arrived in Edinburgh, and crossed the spectacular bridge over the Firth of Forth. It is interesting that a new, even larger, bridge is being constructed adjacent to the current bridge. One will accommodate passenger vehicles and the other trucks and buses.
We arrived at the house in the small village of Liff (outside Dundee) about 5:30 PM. Ron had to locate the hidden key and make sure he correctly entered the code to turn off the security system. We then discovered that the heat was not working, and it was an extremely cold, windy day, and the house was COLD. The owner had laid a small fire in the living room, and Ron lit that, and followed the instructions to turn on the boiler to heat the radiators. But, nothing worked. So, we had to call Carolyn (the neighbor, whose name we had been given). She agreed to come over about 7:30.
Carolyn arrived with her husband. They were a very pleasant couple and did their best to assist. They had to call the owner (Ricky), who was in Boston. They did get the boiler working, but feel that it probably has a leak.
The owners had kindly left us some groceries in case we didn't have time to shop (which we didn't) - crisps, eggs, milk, butter, cookies (biscuits), and a bottle of red wine and bottle of white (most important).
The owners are very security conscious, and insist that we set the security system when leaving the house or when going to bed. So, we were nervous learning how to do that without setting if off and summoning the police!
The house is spacious with a large living/lounge room with fireplace and sunny bay window. There is a study downstairs with computer, desk, and sofa - and we are using it basically to store our luggage. There is only one bedroom downstairs, and we were asked not to use that. Adjacent to the kitchen is a utility room, and beyond that a very modern bath with walk-in shower. There are four large bedrooms upstairs and another full bath with tub and walk-in shower. I decided I was able to scale the stairs (about 19 of them) at least once a day so selected an upstairs room - it was either that or sleep on a sofa in the office.
We are having trouble with the internet and transferring photos to my computer. We bought a camera (small Nikon) on the ship to make it easier, but it takes terrible pictures. The phone is much better, but tedious to transfer. Hope to get more pictures onto computer soon so I can post to the blog.
As we settle in for almost two weeks, Ron commented how strange it is to be living in a someone else's home (people we've never met) with all of their "stuff" around. So many "precious items" on display which are obviously important to them, but clutter to us. Just like someone would feel staying in our home (but I am de-cluttering!) It is also a challenge trying to figure out how to operate various electronics and appliances, and some exchangers are better than others about leaving instructions!
As expected, breakfast was pretty dreadful. The scrambled eggs were totally tasteless, and the pork sausage inedible. Only white bread toast (do-it-your self). I never order English bacon, which comes from the back loin of the pig (rather than the belly like American bacon) and is more like a thick-cut, strong ham. It is also generally cured, but not smoked.
 |
| Example of English bacon (top) compared to American bacon (bottom) |
I read a comical blog about English bacon, claiming that lack of real pork belly bacon was the REAL reason for the American revolution, and they were going to throw pigs into Boston Harbor.
http://mrbaconpants.com/2009/06/review-of-what-the-english-call-bacon/
As we set out to depart the Hotel, Ron could not get into our vehicle. A car had parked too closely. He went into the lobby to see if anyone knew who the owner was. Luckily, the owner of the car belonged to a tradesman who heard Ron asking, and was able to quickly go out and move his car. So, we weren't trapped in Stone for the day, but were on the road again heading further north.
We were hoping traffic would be less on Sunday, but it continued pretty much bumper-to-bumper (or tail-to-nose as the Brits say) up through Manchester. There were no fewer lorries on the roads either.
As we got further north, the fields of rape seed gave way to pastures filled with sheep with their small newly born lambs as far as the eye can see, and also a yellow flowering evergreen bush called gorse (or whin in Scotland). It is most in bloom in May, so we see it everywhere. Some places, including New Zealand and Oregon, have found it to be a total pest of a plant, very invasive, and spend millions of dollars to eradicate it. (Maybe the Cudzu of Scotland)
We stopped in Penrith, a market town in the county of Cumbria, for lunch. It is just on the edge of The Lakes National Park. We walked a bit through some pedestrian lanes, and stopped into a local pub, Board and Elbow. It was very noisy, as it was filled with a crowd of footy fans watching a match on the telly. Ron says he could never get used to English food, but he does enjoy the traditional pub lunches. He had roast pork with Yorkshire pudding,
Nothing really appealed to me, so I asked for a grilled-cheese (known as a cheese toastie). Not nearly as good as what we make at home! A minuscule amount of cheese on a large amount of bread, and dry and overcooked. Guess you can tell I am not a fan of British/Scottish cooking when a "cheese-toastie " doesn't even appeal.
We finally arrived in Edinburgh, and crossed the spectacular bridge over the Firth of Forth. It is interesting that a new, even larger, bridge is being constructed adjacent to the current bridge. One will accommodate passenger vehicles and the other trucks and buses.
 |
| Forth Bridge with rail bridge in back |
 |
| Ron trying to warm up the house |
Carolyn arrived with her husband. They were a very pleasant couple and did their best to assist. They had to call the owner (Ricky), who was in Boston. They did get the boiler working, but feel that it probably has a leak.
The owners had kindly left us some groceries in case we didn't have time to shop (which we didn't) - crisps, eggs, milk, butter, cookies (biscuits), and a bottle of red wine and bottle of white (most important).
The owners are very security conscious, and insist that we set the security system when leaving the house or when going to bed. So, we were nervous learning how to do that without setting if off and summoning the police!
The house is spacious with a large living/lounge room with fireplace and sunny bay window. There is a study downstairs with computer, desk, and sofa - and we are using it basically to store our luggage. There is only one bedroom downstairs, and we were asked not to use that. Adjacent to the kitchen is a utility room, and beyond that a very modern bath with walk-in shower. There are four large bedrooms upstairs and another full bath with tub and walk-in shower. I decided I was able to scale the stairs (about 19 of them) at least once a day so selected an upstairs room - it was either that or sleep on a sofa in the office.
We are having trouble with the internet and transferring photos to my computer. We bought a camera (small Nikon) on the ship to make it easier, but it takes terrible pictures. The phone is much better, but tedious to transfer. Hope to get more pictures onto computer soon so I can post to the blog.
As we settle in for almost two weeks, Ron commented how strange it is to be living in a someone else's home (people we've never met) with all of their "stuff" around. So many "precious items" on display which are obviously important to them, but clutter to us. Just like someone would feel staying in our home (but I am de-cluttering!) It is also a challenge trying to figure out how to operate various electronics and appliances, and some exchangers are better than others about leaving instructions!
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