More Troon

Here are some pictures of the rest of our time in Troon:

Mike standing at the back of the clubhouse at Royal Troon golf course.

A set of really old clubs inside the Royal Troon clubhouse.

The front of the clubhouse at Royal Troon golf course.

This is just a couple miles or so away from our B&B in Troon. As we were heading to see Dundonald Castle, we discovered this view accidentally by looking in the rear view mirror. In the water in the distance is Ailsa Craig (that big rock).

Then this would be the rest of the view to the right as we pan over to show you the Isle of Arran. 

At Dundonald Castle just outside of Troon.

Behind the castle.

Closer up front again.

Then we took a drive to check out the beach back at Troon near sunset. Loved the picket fence. :-). There are so many beautiful wild flowers in Scotland. They are everywhere...and all different types and colors.

Mike heading to the beach.

There it is. Love the grass.

The sun sets...at about 9:30-10:00. Long days here!

Arriving in Troon, Scotland

We left the Yorkshire area and finally began the four hour drive to Troon, Scotland. Scotland was the part of our trip we'd been eagerly waiting for. Neither of us had been to Scotland and while Mike was daydreaming about Prestwick, Troon, Carnoustie, and possible getting onto The Old Course at St. Andrews, my goal was getting a glimpse of the ever so cute Highland cow (pronounced 'heel and coo' round these parts).

Well, these are NOT the Highland cows. I've yet to see one. But I'm still looking! Isn't the scenery pretty?

This is one of the highways that took us to Scotland and we had a near disaster! I was dozing on and off (as the passenger, of course!) when I happened to open my eyes and there was a body lying in the road right in front of me! I made a horrible noise, because I fully expected our car to run over this person and I did not want to witness that. Mike, only several days in to this backward UK driving stuff, expertly swerved around her all the while staying in his lane. What happened was, there was a group of cyclists on the highway and a semi truck in front of us possibly forced a gust if wind that overtook one of the cyclists (or she could have hit something in the side of the road) and she started to wobble and lost control and fell onto the highway. Once we realized we didn't hit her, we saw in the rearview mirrors that her friend dragged her out of the road to safety. Whew! The truck driver in front of us pulled over, and we did, too, flagging down the cyclists she was riding with who were ahead of them and didn't see what happened. They checked on her and said shed cut her leg but otherwise was okay and we could go on because they were traveling with a van. That was SCARY!!!

We arrived in Troon, Scotland and Mike headed straight to golf at Prestwick.

But this is the B&B we stayed at called No. 2 Troon.  We were greeted by Rita. She was so good to me, helping me find an urgent care nearby and later a pharmacy open late on Sunday which was no easy feat in this part of the country. After a quick call to my doctor in Hollister, he had urged me to seek medical attention for my legs without delay.

These little cuties also live at No. 2 Troon Road. :-)

"Let me come home with you, guys!"

Our room at No. 2...the only room we've had with 2 twins. But with the whole leg situation the timing was perfect because I was knocked out for the good part of Monday once my medicine kicked in and the itching subsided. I had lost a lot of sleep the two nights before. These were the most comfortable beds on the whole trip other than the first place in London, Lilac Door. They tie for first. :-)

Tea tray!

Mike in front of the Prestwick golf course in Troon.

Look how amazingly narrow this hole is.

Just had to put up a picture of the hospital where the urgent care center is in Kilmarnock where I went and got free care. Thank you, people of Scotland. The legs still look angry, but I think they are improving. Gotta keep an eye on it.

York & Ripon

On this day we decided to take the train to York. 

Waiting for the train...

Here is comes!

In the train we were packed like sardines! Standing room only, shoulder to shoulder with people not following the rules drinking Jell-O shots! Luckily, it was a short trip to York from Thirsk.

Our first glimpse of York. Boy, she is really tan for England.

Mike standing in front of York Minster. man, it was a surprisingly hot and humid day.  I Was in jeans  and tooo hot! Especially with my itchy legs. We got iced lemonades which helped. 

York Minister up close. It is huge! We have video of the bells ringing at noon. Don't know how to load that onto here, though.

This is a street called the Shambles. If you look closely, the tops of the buildings are leaning over the street.

We just liked this picture because Mike seems so tall compared to everyone. We have gotten some stares on this trip...

Clifford's Tower in York. Up we go! Hold onto the rail!

Who are those cuties?

The stairway to the top of the tower.

I spy Mike at the top of Clifford's Tower! 

Great views of the city of York behind us from up here. York Minster is back there!

There it is again, behind that steepled church. So impressive.

Walking the York city wall.

Later that day, we drove to Ripon to visit a Boots pharmacy in search of itchy leg relief. I happened to see the Chinese restaurant my grandparents ate with me at when they came to visit me in college. They had surprised me one day earlier than was planned by taking the bus to see me play at Ripon Cathedral. It made me miss my Papa George. 

Here is Ripon Cathedrali.

Mike on the last day at The Old Coach House in North Stainley near Ripon.

Robin, thankful she packed a dress which was much cooler on those darn legs! 

Next we headed up to Scotland....more on that soon!

Intolerable Itching :-(

I'll spare you any pictures of this, but I sure would appreciate your prayers for my skin.

I've got a bad, horribly itchy rash thing going on all over both legs from knee to ankle. It started little by little over the last few days as bumps but came out full force about 2 days ago in big patches. The areas affected are pretty large, covering about the size of four of my hands on each leg. They are red and the skin has changed to be thicker and warm. I can't believe how much it itches. It is worse at night.

This happened to me before a few years back after I went to one of those foot places in Fresno once where they massage your legs and put hot, wet towels on them. So I think this is from the pedicure I got last week at a new place in Hollister.  They did the hot towel thing, too and I had completely forgotten my troubles with that last time. I can't remember what the doctor did then, but I thought he prescribed antibiotics....

I think it might be folliculitis. It itches so bad, I feel like I am going to go crazy. I couldn't sleep at all last night because I can't stay comfortable. And to top it all off, I discovered that there was egg in the gluten free bread they served at the first B&B and I had a slice a day for three days. Now in addition to the leg problem, I have these horribly itchy blisters on my fingers. Not fun.

If you could please pray for the itching to stop, and for wisdom on whether or not to call my doctor on a Sunday if she could even help me from 5,000 miles away or whether to seek medical advice up in Scotland. Please pray it doesn't spread, I see about 3 new little bumps above my knee this morning. And I don't want to worry about this so much that I won't be able to enjoy myself. Moving around helps. If I am still itchy on the plane next week, that will be torture!

Thank you. 

When we get to Scotland this afternoon, I will catch up on the fun stuff we've done. Went to York yesterday!

Along the way to The Old Coach House...

We left Southport this morning after a nice breakfast at Bay Tree House. 

We got to help ourselves to this...

And were served this (hers)...

And this (his)...

I've got this thing bat taking picture of the tea trays...I think it's because the tea is comforting to me being away from home. And it's very English, right? :-)

Had to get this in...thought it was the cutest thing!

This is the lounge area of Bay Tree House where I sat to write the last blog post.

So far, Southport was Mike's favorite area. He really likes the sea and the peace of it. We learned that it is a big retirement area so there are lots of older people around. We thought it was interesting that the young girl who worked at the B&B said Vegas was her favorite spot during her last visit to America. 

On the way to our next stop, we went to take a few quick pictures of my old residence hall in Leeds where I went to school for a year in 1998-1999. It was really awesome to be the again. It looks exactly the same, and I was really excited to stop by because when I left 15 years ago, I honestly thought I would never be back again. So. Cool.

An older me now in front of Devonshire Hall.

Inside the courtyard.

My room was in the light building on the far left, second window from the top.

The street the hall is on...it was so nice to see it in good weather.

Making the last turn before leaving Devonshire Hall again, probably REALLY for the last time now.

We drove on to Ilkley, which is a small town in the moors in West Yorkshire. I took the train each week to Ilkley for bassoon lessons. It was far more crowded than I remember, and I was bummed about that because it was nerve-wracking finding a parking spot. I drove today for most of the time, but being in Ilkley rattled me and after awhile I handed over the steering wheel to Mike for the last little bit.  But while in Ilkley we did stop for lunch here at Betty's Tea Rooms.

I hadn't planned on going to a high tea this trip and didn't want to mess with the whole gluten free findings of one so this was quite good enough! Such a special, special treat. 

Lamb kabobs with green beans and a potato side called a Rossi that was similar to hash browns.

Some macaroons in the window at Betty's. We recently saw an episode of Master Chef when the contestants had to make these. It was really neat to see such beautiful little works of art.

Some sheep filled pastures traveling through Yorkshire.

Finally, we arrived at The Old Coach House, our next stop for two nights before finally heading to Scotland. This is the back of the coach house, which has been "sympathetically" restored.

And the entrance from the car park.

Walking up to our main door...I think there are about 3 or 4 rooms on this side called The Dales.

At the main door.

So this is the main house at the back of the property that The Old Coach House lies on. We can just catch a glimpse of this house from our back window.  The man who lives here owns the coach house (our B&B) and the pub across the street. We are in a rural area.

Alas, the tea tray here.

And just on a side note, I've encountered these old fashioned locks a few times now and you can count on me standing at the door trying to unlock or lock it for at least 5 minutes!!! Agggghhhhh!!

We are officially in North Stainley, which is just outside of Ripon.

Tomorrow, off to the city of York for the day. Hoping to take the train. But with the driving, practice makes perfect!!!

Happy to be exploring, but....I do miss my dog. :-( Mike says hello!